Halloween..ok, this may be a touchy subject!

[pianistimo]

i can't find the map!  knew i should have printed it out when i saw it.  the advertising says - 'purchased as two derelict warehouses, moments from waterloo station...'   the lure is chopin's polonaise-fantasy.  of course i want to hear it.  it is the pinnacle of chopin's form melding. 

seriously, ok.  i get into heathrow and just ask the cabbie to drive me to THE warehouse.  but, wait!  this is november.  and november 11th in particular. it sounds like a creepy day to pick if you ask me.  what if members of al qaeda ARE turning pages.  what if pianolist starts pulling out piano rolls out of his pocket.  what if this turns surreal.  how will i escape?

i'm bringing my thatching rake for security. 

[thalbergmad]

there's not likely to be a whole lot of "humour" in the concert itself

There will be when the stripper arrives.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

what to do on the streets of london at night in november. 

What you normally do, but i would keep your prices reasonable.

Thal

[mephisto]

I have gotten an invitation to this concert form mr. Hinton personally(seriosly). I am of course expecting to get the everything including the hotel, the plain and the tickets for free. Am I right mr. Hinton?

[ahinton]

i can't find the map!  knew i should have printed it out when i saw it.

I told you - "pianolist" provided all these details in a posting to this thread - go look!

the lure is chopin's polonaise-fantasy.  of course i want to hear it.  it is the pinnacle of chopin's form melding.

Good! It is indeed one of Chopin's finest and most intriguing works (well, it is to me, anyway)...

seriously, ok.  i get into heathrow and just ask the cabbie to drive me to THE warehouse.

If you have unlimited amounts of cash, yes, you do that. If you don't (or would rather save them for something else), you look for the signs for the London Underground and take a train from the airport to Piccadilly Circus on the Piccadilly line (this is the only London Underground line that goes from the airport, so you can't go wrong here). When you arrive at Piccadilly Circus station, you get off the train and look for the signs for "Bakerloo line southbound", go find that and then take a Bakerloo line train to Waterloo. All you then have to do is walk to Theed Street from Waterloo station, which is not difficult or very far. I reckon that this will cost you about £5, whereas a cab from the airport to the concert venue will probably set you back at least 8 times that (Thal may correct me on either one or both of these two estimates).

but, wait!  this is november.  and november 11th in particular. it sounds like a creepy day to pick if you ask me.

OK - so it happens to be Armistice day. It wasn't picked deliberately but, in any case, what's so "creepy" about that?

what if members of al qaeda ARE turning pages.

That was a joke! Can you seriosuly even imagine any al-Qaeda member going within miles of anything to do with a piece of corrupt and decadent western music?!

what if pianolist starts pulling out piano rolls out of his pocket.

Why would he do that?

what if this turns surreal.  how will i escape?

The only surreal possibilities here seem to be those that emanate from your imagination - although quite why and/or for what purpose (if any) your imagination seems somehow determined to work this way when confronted with the idea of première of my Sequentia Claviensis I have not the slightest idea...

i'm bringing my thatching rake for security. 

Why? Apart from the immense unlikelihood that you would need any defensive weapon at this concert, what makes you think that thatchers count for anything much here any more?

Sometimes when I read this kind of thing from you I begin to wonder if we should all think of you as "paranoidistimo" rather than "pianistimo"...

Best,

Alistair

[penguinlover]

jpianoflorida,
   Costume idea:  go as pirates, you know Johnny Depp and such

[jpianoflorida]

jpianoflorida,
   Costume idea:  go as pirates, you know Johnny Depp and such

thanks....i was thining that...but you can't carry fake swords or guns or anything..there was a warning with the email about the costume contest that "due to security measures, toy guns, swords, etc etc will not be allowed"

[ahinton]

There will be when the stripper arrives.

Thal

The paintwork in The Warehouse is already in pretty decent condition, so there will be no need for a stripper (and none will therefore be present).

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

I have gotten an invitation to this concert form mr. Hinton personally(seriosly). I am of course expecting to get the everything including the hotel, the plain and the tickets for free. Am I right mr. Hinton?

I have no idea; it would surely all depend on the reliability of otherwise of those from whom you might expect to receive these benefits in satisfying your apparent expectations.

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

jpianoflorida,
   Costume idea:  go as pirates, you know Johnny Depp and such

To what? A Halloween party, fine - but Jonathan Powell's recital, no way...

Bst,

Alistair

[ahinton]

thanks....i was thining that...but you can't carry fake swords or guns or anything..there was a warning with the email about the costume contest that "due to security measures, toy guns, swords, etc etc will not be allowed"

How unsurprising these days! - in one sense, it's a bit like the old chestnut that runs "the Health and Safety seminar has been cancelled for Health and Safety reasons"...

Best,

Alistair

[pianistimo]

this sounds like a runaround to me.  picadilly circus.  and the warehouse already being painted?  is it red?  and, thanks, thal, for the confidence.  i shall need the rake.  do not try to talk me out of it.  especially if there are pirates around.

[ahinton]

this sounds like a runaround to me.  picadilly circus.  and the warehouse already being painted?  is it red?  and, thanks, thal, for the confidence.  i shall need the rake.  do not try to talk me out of it.  especially if there are pirates around.

Why is it a "run" around when you are supposed to take the underground train and just sit calmly until you arrive at Piccadilly Circus where - like Mr Norris (oh, don't even ask about that one!) - you simply change (underground) trains and make that last short leg of the journey to Waterloo?

Why should you be concerned about the state - or the colour - of the paintwork at The Warehouse when my reference thereto was merely for the purpose of pointing out that no paint stripping people would be required? Why would there be pirates around? - London is not a coastal town and it is certainly not Penzance (in Cornwall, some 300-and-abit miles to its west) where the rather less than immortal team of Gilbert & Sullivan might once have sought to persuade anyone interested that pirates operated in days gone by.

It seems that you are fabricating every conceivable reason to be worried about coming to London for this event, although quite why you should choose to do this is beyond me...

Best,

Alistair

[penguinlover]

Not to a concert!  jpianoflorida is going a cruise and asked for costume ideas.  You don't have to have swords.  Eye patches.  Things like that.  I wouldn't want to go to a concert that was in a dangerous place with people in costumes! 

[pianistimo]

all's well that ends well, right?  ok.  i will not worry.  besides -i probably don't have any money to come anyways.  but, if suddenly i do - i will quickly book a flight.  hopefully, the weather will not be terribly nasty.  (why do most planes tend to crash in november and december?)

[mephisto]

I have no idea; it would surely all depend on the reliability of otherwise of those from whom you might expect to receive these benefits in satisfying your apparent expectations.

Best,

Alistair

I would love to go, but I just haven't got the chance to do so.

[ahinton]

I would love to go, but I just haven't got the chance to do so.

It would have been nice to see you there, but not to worry; I do realise that you are not exactly just around the corner from the performance venue! You'll be able to hear it eventually, anyway...

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

all's well that ends well, right?

In this context, I can never be quite sure...

ok.  i will not worry.  besides -i probably don't have any money to come anyways.  but, if suddenly i do - i will quickly book a flight.

I am relieved to assuage this entire litany of potential worries, for all that I have no idea why you would have had them in the first place...

hopefully, the weather will not be terribly nasty.

One can never rely upon British weather at any time of year.

(why do most planes tend to crash in november and december?)

Do they? Do you have any reliable evidence of that from around the globe?

Best,

Alistair

[pianistimo]

well - i found a ticket for $467.50 round trip.  it goes to gadwyn.  now, i must get my passport functional.  hmm. and buy a ticket to the concert - or can i get one at the door?  we'll see if this will all come together.

ok.  off to the post office.  i got my passport pic and papers.  ahinton, this better be worth it.  and, thal - can you bring some coffee when i get to gadwyn?  well, you may be working - so i'll get it myself.

[ahinton]

well - i found a ticket for $467.50 round trip.  it goes to gadwyn.  now, i must get my passport functional.  hmm. and buy a ticket to the concert - or can i get one at the door?  we'll see if this will all come together.

ok.  off to the post office.  i got my passport pic and papers.  ahinton, this better be worth it.  and, thal - can you bring some coffee when i get to gadwyn?  well, you may be working - so i'll get it myself.

By "Gadwyn" I think you must mean "Gatwick"; it's London's second airport after Heathrow and is abit closer to the concert venue than Heathrow. I suggest that you try to find a hotel or B&B near the airport and you can then travel into central London very easily by taking the Gatwick Express train to London Victoria (there are scores of trains every day). Victoria station is not very far from Theed Street, Waterloo; a taxi between the two would probably cost you around £10.

Hope you can make it!

Best,

Alistair

[pianistimo]

thank you so much, alistair! 

[thalbergmad]

When you arrive at Gatwick, you need to get to Euston Station and get a ticket to a town called Thurso.

From there, it is easy to get to Theed Streed.

Thal

[pianistimo]

anywhere but picadilly.  or, for that matter, penzance.

[thalbergmad]

Meet me under the clock in Victoria Station.

I will be wearing a red rose in my lapel and will be holding a large kebab.

I have booked a double room for us at the Savoy for 2 nights.

Oh, the anticipation.

Thal

[pianistimo]

wait!  but your message said that you were going to the shetlands for the weekend to visit mental martin.  i've been pumping up my bicycle tires since you said that.  i thought i might have a ride.  now, everyone's saying - take the train.  take the bus.  take this. take that.  i'm just going to go eat somewhere's and think about this whole thing. 

why don't you wear the kabob in your lapel and give me the flower?  btw, i'll be wearing a white top, a pair of jeans, a black coat and a confused look on my face.  also, i will have a handbag with a couple of pieces of music.  i'll sit under the clock for a while.

i've been thinking...would they think it suspicious to sneak in the score of the polonaise-fantasy and follow it note for note.  i want to prove or unprove that thread that was going on about 'play what's not written.'  are flashlights permitted?  little tiny ones.  i mean, as long as we don't suddenly dialate the pupils of the person sitting next to us?

do you think zheer has access to a limo?  maybe some darjeeling peppermint tea.  i want a tour of the town on thursday - a visit to the palace on friday.  saturday is the concert @ 7:30pm.  sunday - high tea  monday - a tour of thal's place (piano/organ) tuesday -airport.  zheer? 

[ahinton]

wait!  but your message said that you were going to the shetlands for the weekend to visit mental martin.  i've been pumping up my bicycle tires since you said that.  i thought i might have a ride.  now, everyone's saying - take the train.  take the bus.  take this. take that.  i'm just going to go eat somewhere's and think about this whole thing. 

why don't you wear the kabob in your lapel and give me the flower?  btw, i'll be wearing a white top, a pair of jeans, a black coat and a confused look on my face.  also, i will have a handbag with a couple of pieces of music.  i'll sit under the clock for a while.

i've been thinking...would they think it suspicious to sneak in the score of the polonaise-fantasy and follow it note for note.  i want to prove or unprove that thread that was going on about 'play what's not written.'  are flashlights permitted?  little tiny ones.  i mean, as long as we don't suddenly dialate the pupils of the person sitting next to us?

do you think zheer has access to a limo?  maybe some darjeeling peppermint tea.  i want a tour of the town on thursday - a visit to the palace on friday.  saturday is the concert @ 7:30pm.  sunday - high tea  monday - a tour of thal's place (piano/organ) tuesday -airport.  zheer? 

Dear Pianistimo,

Don't get a ticket for Thurso. I lived there once for a few months when I was very young. I do not recommend it. It will be expensive and counter-productive. Thurso is on the north coast of my country, Scotland. It is not the most beautiful place in Scotland, but it is almost as far as you can get (within UK) away from Theed Street without actually travelling to the Shetland Islands (where Thal is going almost until the concert date).

Just find somewhere to stay near Gatwick airport and then plan and execute your London trips from there; it'll be easy.

How you might meet Thal at Victoria would be up to you (and him), but I believe that he is travelling from the Shetlands down to London just in time for the concert, so I doubt very much that he will have any time to make a detour to pick you up from Victoria station before the event and I imagine that you will therefore have to make your own way there alone. If any suspicions might be aroused by your having a score at the concert, it would be if you had my score - but it is always best NOT to be turning the pages of scores when at a public concert. And NO flashlights will be allowed by the concert venue! (and quite rightly, given the risk that this might distract the pianist).

I cannot, of course, comment with any authority whatsoever on what "zheer" might be able to do for you on and/or around this occasion; you will have to pose this question directly to "zheer".

Best,

Alistair

[pianistimo]

it is my understanding that zheer is rich.  i'm only stating a fact.  what's one night limosene service - when i'll buy him a ticket to the powell concert and dinner.  espcially since i don't know if thal is catching the ferry on time. 

now, do women wear formals to this thing?  i have a long black one - but i don't want to overdress if it would be overkill.  is there secure parking around the warehouse or are nice cars absconded with by supposed valet parkers in costume?

[pianistimo]

dear ahinton,

thanks for the info about thurso.  just goes to show u how guys are.  if you're a nice girl - they think that you're too good for them.  if you're a bad girl - you're too bad.  i know.  thal is scared.  he thinks that i'm going to do him in.  actually, i thought that's what he was going to do to me.  i'll save the flashlight for when i go hunting him down. 

ok.  i won't bring scores or flashlight to the concert.  now, may i ask - do the trains only go one way.  i mean, the concert ends - and then i am stuck near a derelict warehouse all night?  i really hope i can talk zheer into a limo or a mercedes benz or something.  after all, winter weather, mud, etc.  i can't exactly go to the station in a formal. 

[ahinton]

it is my understanding that zheer is rich.  i'm only stating a fact.  what's one night limosene service - when i'll buy him a ticket to the powell concert and dinner.  espcially since i don't know if thal is catching the ferry on time.

Over to "zheer" on this one! He might not appreciate your making indiscreet remarks like this - true or otherwise - in a forum such as this which, whilst not actually "public" per se, is at least open to the scrutiny of all members.

now, do women wear formals to this thing?  i have a long black one - but i don't want to overdress if it would be overkill.

Just like everyone else that attends, please dress as you think you would like to, as long as you understand that The Warehouse is a relatively small venue which does not sport such a thing as a Crush Bar as in Covent Garden...

is there secure parking around the warehouse or are nice cars absconded with by supposed valet parkers in costume?

Parking near The Warehouse is not the easiest but, if you are to be transported to the concert in a limousine(sp.), one may, after all, presume that this will be a matter for the limousine driver rather than for you.

Best,

Alistair

[pianistimo]

dear alistair,

why would zheer have a problem with being rich?  i think, frankly, he has enough money to take me to thurso and back.  what is it with train stations?  i want to travel in style.  zheer doesn't have a problem with this (so far).  besides.  what if i fall onto the train tracks?  i do have a slightly sore right leg.  i need pampering.  i'm not used to riding and walking miles and miles.  and, i can pay gas.

but, as you say - the parking not the easiest.  hmm.  i guess that idea is nixed. 

well.  as i see it - it all depends on the weather.  susan

ps what is a crush bar? 

[ahinton]

dear ahinton,

thanks for the info about thurso.  just goes to show u how guys are.  if you're a nice girl - they think that you're too good for them.  if you're a bad girl - you're too bad.  i know.  thal is scared.  he thinks that i'm going to do him in.  actually, i thought that's what he was going to do to me.  i'll save the flashlight for when i go hunting him down. 

ok.  i won't bring scores or flashlight to the concert.  now, may i ask - do the trains only go one way.  i mean, the concert ends - and then i am stuck near a derelict warehouse all night?  i really hope i can talk zheer into a limo or a mercedes benz or something.  after all, winter weather, mud, etc.  i can't exactly go to the station in a formal. 

I cannot comment on nice girls and bad girls, or on how Thal may be responding to all of this except to say that I cannot imagine that he has seriously been harbouring murderous thoughts towards anyone.

I'm relieved that you will attend the even sans flashlight and scores.

As to the Gatwick Express trains, I had already written about their frequency; check out
https://www.gatwickexpress.com
and, in particular
https://www.gatwickexpress.com/content.asp?SID={7BA3B9AF-5FD9-4BB1-AD1D-E282440A3714}&pageid=73
for further information.

If, on the other hand, you are lucky enough to be able to access any kind of limousine to transport you about (perhaps even including between your temporary residence près de Gatwick airport and The Warehouse), you will travel in rather more comfort than you would if you used the trains (especially as you won't then have to worry about changing trains at Victoria) - but that's down to you, of course...

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

why would zheer have a problem with being rich?

Since I have never met "zheer" and have not the slightest idea as to his financial position (nor is that any of my business), I have no more of a clue as to whether "zheer" would "have a problem with being rich" than I have as to whether or not he actually is so.

i think, frankly, he has enough money to take me to thurso and back.  what is it with train stations?  i want to travel in style.  zheer doesn't have a problem with this (so far).

Well, that's fine, then (not that I was aware that you wanted to go to Thurso as well as the concert) - although it's also between you and "zheer" and I know nothing about that.

besides.  what if i fall onto the train tracks?  i do have a slightly sore right leg.  i need pampering.  i'm not used to riding and walking miles and miles.  and, i can pay gas.

Are you paranoid professionally, by accident, by design or what? I do not wish to appear rude, but you seem to be bringing up an entire litany of possible bad scenarios in regard to your proposed London trip net month, as though going to and being in and around London is one of the riskiest things that it is possible for anyone to do...

ps what is a crush bar?

I was referring to the famous bar at the Royal Opera House; don't worry your head about it, as it's not really important in the context of this event.

Best,

Alistair

[pianistimo]

tommorrow is another day.  i will wait for my passport.  although, not so anxiously anymore.  what with thal in the shetlands, and me in the netherlands, and you all in waterloo.

what does that Victoria clock look like anyways.  sort of like the statue of liberty turned clock?  does it make any sounds?  does it tick obnoxiously?  when i wait there, will i be reminded constantly of the time?

at what time do people just give up on rides.  say a minute before the curtain rising?  and what will he drive up in anyways.  probably some kind of farm truck.  with shetland ponies in the back?  what if mental martin is on the passenger side?

[thalbergmad]

You really are a fascinating woman

[ahinton]

fascinating woman

That's a song by George Gershwin, isn't it? (well, almost)...

Best,

Alistair

[penguinlover]

I think pianistimo is one lucky woman!

[ahinton]

I think pianistimo is one lucky woman!

"Luck be a Lady Tonight" is a song by someone other than George Gershwin...

Best,

Alistair

[pianistimo]

penguinlover, are you teasing me on friday the 13th about my luck?  i've never had luck and probably never will.  i've never won anything but consolation prizes.  about the only thing i've had luck with i marrying my husband and having three beautiful children - but, right now i'm tired of them.  (not reallY).  my hubby gets back from france and i tell him 'i almost booked a flight for london'  - he goes 'hmph - you don't want to go alone do you?'  and leaves with my daughter for the ymca.  the reservations are good until about 8pm and then -i'll have to start over from square one again.

i'm telling you - if i don't go alone i'll never see the world.  of course, the world he's made me right here isn't bad.  but, i sorta want to see the concert.  then again - my kids might be mad because i spent all our las vegas money ($500 spending allowance)for seeing the world together as a family.  i mean they have almost every country represented over there by a hotel now.

and, who knows - if i got lucky in las vegas i might come back with more money than i left with - which probably wouldn't happen in london.  still thinking thinking.

[penguinlover]

Pianistimo,
   You of all people know I don't do luck!  It's just a phrase.  But I'm with you, I sure would like to see the world.  I've seen Vegas, and don't like it much.  I don't gamble, but there are free things to do.  I just hate the traffic!!!  Somehow, I always end up driving by the time we get there. It is only about five hours away.  Anyway, I would rather see the real world.  My husband is going to the Philippines in a few weeks.  He's gone to Korea and Mexico.  I've only been to Mexico and Canada, and then just over the boarders!  That's not seeing much of the world!  I wouldn't want to go alone though.  I wouldn't want to go with kids either.  Maybe a good friend. 

    I hope you get to go to the concert.  I hardly ever get to go to concerts.  Man, I'm complaining alot here.  I'd better quit before I say something I will be sorry for.

[thalbergmad]

and, who knows - if i got lucky in las vegas i might come back with more money than i left with - which probably wouldn't happen in london.  still thinking thinking.

Nonsense woman. Some of the girls who work the Waterloo patch are on £500 a day.

You could pay for the entire trip.

Thal

[pianistimo]

thal, we have a great misunderstanding!

penguinlover, do you have a passport?  if you get one quickly, i will figure this trip was meant to be.  perhaps a quick trip to philly airport on the 9th perhaps to leave with me at 8:20pm on us airways?  it's an all night flight.  hopefully no hurricanes will be boiling in the atlantic.  i'd say that between us we could surely get from A to B by saturday.  i always try to give myself a day.  now leaving london, we could rush it and just miss the plane by putting the departure at 8:30 am on sunday.  of course, that might put us in a very bad predicament if we get stuck in waterloo.  we don't want thal's dreams to come true (which i doubt would happen in a worst case scenario anyways).  if we were stuck near derelict warehouses and could act like we were going somewhere.

[thalbergmad]

Lost the key to the drugs cabinet have we?

[ahinton]

thal, we have a great misunderstanding!

What's so great about it?

hopefully no hurricanes will be boiling in the atlantic.

Hurricanes don't "boil" anywhere.

i'd say that between us we could surely get from A to B by saturday.

If you leave Philadelphia on a flight for London on a Thursday evening, something pretty drastic would have to go wrong were you not to arrive at your destination by the following Saturday, so I cannot help wondering if your cautious attitude is somewhat paranoid.

now leaving london, we could rush it and just miss the plane by putting the departure at 8:30 am on sunday.  of course, that might put us in a very bad predicament if we get stuck in waterloo.

The concert is anticipated to end at around 9.30 - 9.45 p.m. on the Saturday so, once again, your concern about missing a return flight departing at 8.30 the following morening seems grossly misplaced; you'd officially be required to check in for that at 5.30 a.m., so you'd haveat least 7½ hours to get from Waterloo to Gatwick - a journey that would be unlikely to occupy more than one hour.

we don't want thal's dreams to come true (which i doubt would happen in a worst case scenario anyways).

Who are "we"? To which of Thal's dreams are you referring here? (you don't mention any of them).

if we were stuck near derelict warehouses and could act like we were going somewhere.

Let me hasten to assure you, for what I most sincerely hope will be the last time, that The Warehouse that will be hosting this event is no more "derelict" than its lovely Steinway D, the performer or even the composer of the work to be premièred.

Best,

Alistair

[penguinlover]

Pianistimo,
   Now that you mention it, I do have my passport.  It has never been used.  It just sits there waiting to be stamped!  But more than a passport keeps me from going, money does.  But if I could go with you, we would have a great adventur!  Just think of it, dark alleys, derelick warehouses,  people we don't know all around, in a strange place, a new country. But it would be safe, there would be two of us, and you have already been assured that it is in a safe place.  I don't remember anything being mentioned about it being well lit, that is important to me.  I hate dark places, they scare me.
     I would have to fly out of LAX, but that not's too bad.  It only takes me two hours to get there.  If I fall into some money in the next few days, the trip was meant to be.  But, it doesn't take a dime to dream!  (more song lyrics)

[ahinton]

I don't remember anything being mentioned about it being well lit, that is important to me.  I hate dark places, they scare me.

I know that you were addressing "pianistimo" rather than me but, since I'm the one that lives over here, let me be the one to assure you that the prospect of Theed Street being ill lit (as in some kind of image of Dickensian London) is pretty remote these days, since (as I have already mentioned) it is in close proximity to where the international Eurostar trains leave Waterloo for France and Belgium - so I'd not worry about that, if I were you. Just get your ticket and come over!

Best,

Alistair

[penguinlover]

Man, I would be there in a heartbeat if I could!

[ahinton]

Man, I would be there in a heartbeat if I could!

No one (that I'm aware of) is stopping you - and please do not be discouraged by "pianistimo"'s persistimo way of raising problems, concerns and fears about travelling to UK - that seems just to be the way she does things...

Best,

Alistair

[penguinlover]

Aren't flights to the UK from the USA strict?  Anyway, money and hubby are stopping me.

[ahinton]

Aren't flights to the UK from the USA strict?  Anyway, money and hubby are stopping me.

"Strict" in what sense? There are security issues, yes, but then that will apply to any international flight from US. I don't know what cheap flight deals there may be - you'd have to check that our for yourself if you were interested - but I'm sure there'd be something at this notice.

Best,

Alistair