spring forward with glee

It's that time of the year again. That's right, it's time for The Thing on Saturday. Looks like it's going to be a good year again — this list of attendees doesn't even cover all of them.

In the nearby New Globe pub, those rebel reprobates from LUC are having their own breakaway event, SchmurgenCon. Looks like there'll be some good stuff on show, but am I the only one who thinks that the Schmurgen thing seems like an in-joke that's already past its sell-by date? Or maybe I'm just pissing on someone's chips. Nonetheless, it's still worth checking out if you're going to be in the area for the Thing, although I expect the LUC bunch will end up in the same pub as the people from the Thing later in the evening, and will probably be willing to sell you something then if you ask nicely. The pub in question being the big Wetherspoon's pub on Mile End Road between Stepney Green and Mile End tube stations, I forget the name of it but it's not an especially nice pub. The only thing it has going for it is that it's cheap and has a wider selection than most, which is why we always end up there post-Thing. Unfortunately there's not a whole lot of choice in Mile End, I guess.

In case you hadn't noticed, here at Mondo Towers WE LOVE MODEL TRAINS. So I was quite excited to find out (via @genmon) about the London Festival of Railway Modelling [warning, has audio], which takes place over the weekend. I've been meaning to go up to Alexandra Park all year, and this is a good reason to do so, but I'm not sure I can fit it in on Saturday if I'm already going to the Thing. Maybe if I get up early, and pray that London Transport is not completely broken.

The model trains event continues on Sunday, but I've already made a date with a friend to see a Russian film from 1926 at the Phoenix Cinema, one of those London institutions that I've never yet made it to, so I'm looking forward to it.

Also on Sunday, Wilton's Music Hall is having an Open Day. I visited during the Open House weekend last year (some photos here), and it's a truly fantastic, unique space. Well worth the trip to Shadwell, especially as it's free. Plus there are a couple of great pubs to visit in nearby Wapping.

Oh, and in case the title of this post didn't remind you, don't forget the clocks go forward on Sunday morning!