The first 5punk LAN
This was the only post I looked back on, so the rest is from dodgy memory.
The first LAN was held in High Wycombe, which is quite a distance from where I live, and at the time I had a crappy Ford Fiesta so my dad let me borrow his car. Despite being 24 at the time (it feels like an eternity ago) my parents were concerned about me "meeting people from the internet" - quite valid concerns in hindsight! There was a picture thread so that we all knew what each other looked like, however I didn't post mine because I couldn't be arsed. Bobbins' picture was at a certain angle and showed him from the waist, causing Anham to comically state that it looked like he had no legs - I think a few of us were on TS at the time and it prompted Bobbins to enquire in a genuine manner whether there were disabled facilities at the venue. This was milked for quite some time.
Ty had Googled the local area and decided that we should all meet up at a local pub. A strip pub to be precise. Now I don't like being late to things, so I turned up to the LAN early. About 4 hours early. This led to me being stood in a rough arse strip pub for approx 3 hours trying to avoid interacting with the locals/wildlife and feigning a deep interest in dog faced strippers and Sky Sports. The next two 5punkers to arrive must have been there for about 30 mins before I noticed. A few things gave them away - the lack of football replica tops, no sovereign rings, long hair, oh, and the fact they were discussing the relative range of capital ship main cannons in Eve Online. And this was how I first met Wiggy and Hehulk (I should probably have stayed looking at the strippers).
At the venue itself Grimmie arrived having been dropped off by his parents - to say they looked concerned about his choice of company was an understatement. More people arrived. Foggy memories - we played games, drank beers and god knows what else. The next morning the organisers woke us up to take us to a breakfast they'd organised. I drove and took Bobbins and some others (I forget who. Sorry!), but on the way we got distracted by it children's playground, mostly because it had A GODDAMN BATH ON SPRINGS! I'm sure I did a handbrake turn when I saw that thing. Excitement sated, we headed to the pub for the most expensive and inadequate breakfast ever (something like £2.00 for a small glass of orange juice). I think we had a Chinese all you can eat buffet that night.
Not much more I remember, but I'm sure others can remember some highlights.