Birmingham Ciao Meet 2002

~ ~ The big Ciao Meet in Birmingham has been and gone, and I think a great time was had by all. Well, I can’t really speak for others, but as far as the ‘mad cabbie’ is concerned, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, the best part of which was finally being able to put a face to the many different members that I’ve got to know so well online here at Ciao. I was actually the first to arrive at the Brittania Hotel on the Saturday morning, having flown in on the 6.50AM flight from Dublin, and being whisked in very efficiently from the airport by one of my cabbie ... more

I know, I know, I stole my title idea from someone else, so sue me lol. Okey Dokey, after my much needed few days of recovery time, what with the huge amounts of alcohol I consumed over the weekend in Brum. It is now the Deansters turn to pit his knuckles to the keyboard and tell you good folks who didn’t attend (Tut Tut Tut!) all about the first ever official Ciao meet up. I say meet up, as I don’t think re-union quite fits the occasion seeing as most of us there had NEVER met before. Okay then, better get cracking, this IS a LONG one: ~~~~~~THE TRIP TO BRUM~~~~~~ I was taken ... more

I’m kinda on the same vibe as Boxing Day. You know the day you have been waiting for has been and gone and now you are left being skint but happy and with a bagful of Lush goodies. Life BC (Before Ciaoing) Ok I had been a bit silly and gone out with a mate the night before. I awoke later than anticipated with a swirly tummy and a rebellious head. I dashed around the flat to find my tiara, glitter and the like. I got on the train feeling repugnant. I rambled absolute verbal diarrhea to the innocent young couple that were foolish enough to sit opposite, in a bid to quell my hangover and ... more

Aren't you really bored of reading these opinions yet? Or are you waiting for the one that has all the juicy secrets, you know, the things that people wonder whether they should mention or not. Well look no further, The Chicken as you probably already know is not afraid to say what she thinks so this might just be that opinion you have been waiting for.....Or not! So what can I tell you that the others didn't? It rather depends on what you want to know doesn't it, I mean do you want to know Deano's boxer shorts secret, or perhaps you might be more interested in the Craiggyboy sandwich, then ... more

You know, this is my fourth attempt at writing about the events of the Ciao Meet – it’s a lot harder than you’d think! After all, what do I put in? What do I leave out? Which characters do I assassinate, and who do I elevate to the stature of Ciao God? The power’s intoxicating! Well, not quite, but I think you get the point. I think that a chronological rundown of what went on would be a bit pointless / too long / boring (delete where applicable), so I’ll just split this into sections and write about what I think was most relevant. Fair enough, yeah? THE PEOPLE: --- I have to say that I was ... more