So-fa

Well what a week. I’ve just about recovered.
London has been the centre of the universe this week - even more so than normal.

• I was nearly deafened next to the American Embassy at the PwC UKIT ball where we were “held hostage” only for James Bond to rescue us. Blanks are loud.
• Bus prices on Oyster have dropped a whopping 10% to 90p - huge news zzzz
• Crossrail finally “arrives” although it won’t START until 2010…
• Mayor Bloomberg and Alan Greenspan came to London
• Big Ben is chiming again after being refurbished

But most importantly it was FOWA, and the accompanying Diggnation / TRS / Digg / Pownce / Revision3 outing to London, and the Carsonified hosted party at the Fox afterwards.

Firstly it is extremely odd to be walking through somewhere and not see but hear Alex Albrecht. Then look around and spot the rest of the crew. I was lucky enough to snap a few photos of the TRS gang and I, Jeff told me that Dan isn’t clever enough to have scripted the “jack off” line. I also learnt that Alex spitting out bear isn’t a Diggnation only trick, he did it when someone mentioned 30 people in the Fox waiting - it turned into 1500 quite quickly! I heard yet another familar voice, that of “Brit TWiT” Wil Harris who has just launched ChannelFlip.com (more on that on Monday) so I had a chat and he recognised me from our MSN chats, how cool. I also bumped into Paul Boag of Headscape and BoagWorld who was dashing of for Kevin’s talk.

After that we all treked to the Fox for pre drinks where the bar staff were horrendously confused as to who everyone cheered when they came in. Wil started the drive for more British podcasters and IPTV and I completely agree. I also remarked to Jeff that Dan’s head is indeed very small. Then the filming (watch the full show here).

UPDATE: Here’s some pre roll footage, and yes that is me at around 19 seconds with my arms crossed in a shirt and tie…

Diggnation 118 Live In London - The Bits You Didn’t See

Prager caught me on the Behind the scenes diggnation Ask special (use a US proxy and search for diggnation on Ask.com. It was the best show in a long time - although no footage remains of Alex’s marriage proposal, however he was put right on eating pigeon, silly boy. I’m pretty stoked over hearing myself shout Sofa in the recording, and that Alex mentioned that Kings Cross is the Harry Potter station (that I name checked.)

Then we all got invited over to the party at the Fox. As a badge holder I was able to partake in a free beverage, thanks Ryan Carson <bows/> I bumped into Mr Boag at the bar who invited my over to chat over dinner (I must admit my trousers suddenly went a light shade of brown. Especially as stood next to him were Daniel Burka and Joe Stump who I said Hi to and started chatting to only to realise a few seconds later who they were!

I dutifuly obliged (in fact I think it was pint #2) and joined Paul at the table. Then I noticed I was sat next to Andy Budd, opposite Simon Willison and also with Ian Forrester, Leah Culver, Natalie Downe, John Ressig and Joe and Daniel. Crikey! I must say they were very welcoming of a mere minion - although my tie was quickly removed after a bit of Jibing. Leah noticed that UK bank notes are different sizes (something I probably never realised (or have just forgot). Although Paul said it’s to help blind people tell the size, it only helps if they have all three doesn’t it Paul…

I had an amazing steak and I hope I’ve made a few friends that night - although I wish I got photos to prove half of it. I now await the three Conference in a Box DVDs to arrive and wonder if they’ll reciprocate my Pownce / Facebook / Digg friend requests, or whether they’ll just get lost in the pile… only time will tell.