Christmas Party 2006

I think a very big thank you is in order for Jonnie Bryant and Big Boy Barry, aka Alex Varrey for last nights, well, what can only be described as a Roman feast. Okay, so it was Korean BBQ but that's not the point. The metaphor wouldn't work as well otherwise.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, we went out to Jin Korean Resaurant & BBQ in old London as part of what is becoming our annual games industry Christmas night out. We spent last years in Wagamama's near Regent Street, carrying on the well, slightly less than Christmassy theme.

Cue a three hour conveyour belt of food, food and more food. Sure we were stuffed by the end of it, and we couldn't even get drunk (oh, we drunk... Hell, we drank the place out of all their Korean and Japanese beer and half their Western stuff) but the sheer amount of food meant that our measly efforts amounted to nothing.

Well, nothing except one of the best nights out. Aside from meeting up with some of the great friends I already am lucky to have including Keri Allan, Ben Talbot, Luke Newcombe, Gareth Williams, Chris Easton and Emma Irving, I also got to meet Dan Griliopoulos and Alex Verrey, two people who I know I'm likely to become good friends with... I hope.

We also got treated first to a man whose love of food surpases even mine... Alex. I've been lucky to meet the people that I have in this industry, people who are genuinely selfless individuals who are more than happy to bend over backwards to help people get ahead in this industry. Luke, who I will never be able to pay for all the help, assistance, advice and opportunities he has offered me over the past two and a half years I've known him, it is literally because of him that I am where I am today; Keri, who constantly puts up my bad jokes, jokes which she's probably 15 times before i've dragged myself out of bed in time to get online for 9am and more than anything I always willing to take 5 minutes out her day to help me... Taking a whole day every week would be the least I could do to repay her; Gareth to whom I owe a massive amount to as well. Short of stature he might be but of willingness to give advice, support and help, he stands among giants (although it looks that way when he stands next to Luke anyway). Also a massive thankyou must be given to Jonnie who despite the fact that I still haven't managed to review Civilisation 4 and it's expansion pack because everytime I go on it to remind myself of what it is like, I get dragged down into the depths of its addiction, still fed me, and well also have been a great example of how games PR people should be. But Alex... Well, wait until the video goes up. He is easily one of the most welcoming, charismatic and friendly people who I have ever met. Although we only met for the first time last night, I could tell that we'd hopefully be working together in the future.I also have to say a big thanks to Dan Griliopoulos who Ben managed to drag out as well. Easily the person who I spoke to most last night, Dan just made me more determined to get a job on OXM360... Or at the very least do more freelance for them and go down to the office to a) meet up with Dan and Ben and b) show Gary my pristine condition 1991 and 1992 Sonic the Hedgehog yearbooks.Anyway, that's enough for today... I'l get the video and pictures up asap for your viewing pleasure...

Also checkout Ben's and Luke's blogs for their opinion of the night or check out my flikr account for more pictures...

Wow...

Wow... I just managed to catch the repeat of the X-Factor final and wow... She just outclassed Take That everywhere... It just makes you realise how good she is...

Anyway, I'll have a post later today about Friday night and also a video if you all behave yourselves.