c4countdown

Hi everyone

Entries are now open for COLIN 2009, which promises to be one of the best, if not the best COLIN to date! The date will be Saturday, 24th January and the venue will be, as always, St. Hugh's Church Hall in North Hykeham. The format is unchanged- three people to a table, one hosting and two playing, meaning throughout the day everyone gets to host 3 games and play in 6. There are a few differences with this year's tourney though...

First off is the sexy new website, as designed by Mr. Jon O'Neill- http://colin.nebagram.co.uk - which features details and results from all the previous years (still working on the photos though). Much kudos to the Jono for this.

Secondly, COLIN '09 will see the tournament's perpetual trophy be awarded for the very first time. It's very swish, too- I'll get a few photos up on the site in the coming few days (and yes, it will be backdated with Chris's many wins. ).

Thirdly and finally (for now), there will be an extra-special exhibition game taking place. 1 on 1 this time (rather than the convoluted team affairs of past), with those playing determined by the finishing positions in the preceding Goatdown warm-up. The details of the game? Put simply, every round will have a different rule to it, a different variant. Onr round you may find yourself playing hypercountdown in French, the next round you'll be playing blindfolded Goatdown in English. These rules will be drawn at random before the start of each round, so with any luck, hilarity shall ensue.

Entry fee this year will be £8, which includes teas, coffees and nibbles a-plenty. If you want to enter, just sign up below or drop me an email at hulla.mahulla@btopenworld.com or lcc_2005@btinternet.com . I accept Paypal payment this year for those of you wishing to pay up early- just email me and I'll give you details, otherwise payment on the day is fine, as ever.

Hope to see you all in January!

BJW
http://colin.nebagram.co.uk

I am excited, albeit prematurely.

(My girlfriend is used to that.)

Stick me down please. Let's hope this is my tournament.

Me too, please, Ben

Place me on the list pls Ben . Bolton aren't at home on this date so its fine for me to attend . Hopefully second time lucky this time round after my late demise in CONOT

Charlie Reams wrote:I am excited, albeit prematurely.

(My girlfriend is used to that.)

You have a girlfriend?

Martin

jasoncullen wrote:Bolton aren't at home on this date so its fine for me to attend

You're clearly confident about them being knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round, Jason

Count me in please Ben, thanks.

Count me in as well

*Homer Simpson styley* Mmmmmm....... Hypercountdown in Freeennnnccchhh......

Can you confirm which address to use for PayPal please?

Howard Somerset wrote:

jasoncullen wrote:Bolton aren't at home on this date so its fine for me to attend

You're clearly confident about them being knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round, Jason

It looks that way Howard . But even if we do make the fourth round, and we are drawn at home, I will endeavour to make it to Lincoln

I shall certainly endeavour to be there Ben, please put me on the list. Will give you payment on the day... thanks

Safe to say I wasn't expecting this level of response- including the 'maybes' on the facebook page- http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=39855883576 - 22 of the 36 spaces have already been filled. I can expand to 42 spaces at a pinch- though frankly right now I'm just basking in actually having this dilemma!

Best you snap up the places quick whilst they're still there!

Ben Wilson wrote:Safe to say I wasn't expecting this level of response- including the 'maybes' on the facebook page- http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=39855883576 - 22 of the 36 spaces have already been filled. I can expand to 42 spaces at a pinch- though frankly right now I'm just basking in actually having this dilemma!

Best you snap up the places quick whilst they're still there!

So far I have put myself down as "maybe" on Facebook, but most likely I will be attending.

I might be washing my hair.

Ben O Ben, is there any chance you could put on the website a list of who's signed up for COLin so far, like you did with CONot? Oh yes and as requested on the site, I can bring a copy of the ODE2r if need be

Blimey, better put my name down before all the places get nicked.

Julian Fell wrote:Ben O Ben, is there any chance you could put on the website a list of who's signed up for COLin so far, like you did with CONot? Oh yes and as requested on the site, I can bring a copy of the ODE2r if need be

It'll be sorted by Sunday or Monday. I'm away all weekend doing Scrabble-style stuff but it's a simple enough job (Jono, if you're reading this, msn me).

Ben / Jono, get that list of attendees on the website sorted out

Please

It's compiled, I just need to upload it...

...30 seconds later...

...done.

It's in the middle of bloody nowhere

Cheers Ben Need to get Tournoff and Travers in there now...

Paul Howe wrote:Blimey, better put my name down before all the places get nicked.

28 places have already been filled

On the day Ben, do we have to be there when it's opening up, or can we arrive after lunch, just before the first game is starting?

Joseph Bolas wrote:

Paul Howe wrote:Blimey, better put my name down before all the places get nicked.

28 places have already been filled

On the day Ben, do we have to be there when it's opening up, or can we arrive after lunch, just before the first game is starting?

As long as you're there for the start of round 1 you can arrive whenever you want Joseph.

Michael Wallace wrote:It's in the middle of bloody nowhere

There are trains, stop complaining.

Oh yes and you might want to change the bit where it says "there are currently 36 spaces remaining" on the front page of the site ( ); and the link to Charlie's ratings needs updating as well. Just little things that's all, great website though

I notice my name is not in capitalised like everyone elses, good to see I'm not as important. Oh, and it turns out kids from my school typed Bevins maths into google and up came Countdown stuff, including embarrassing quotes on the countdownwiki. All week I've had kids singing the Countdown theme tune to me and today I was being observed in a lesson and kids started shouting out asking about Countdown. Grrrr.

Kirk Bevins wrote:I notice my name is not in capitalised like everyone elses, good to see I'm not as important. Oh, and it turns out kids from my school typed Bevins maths into google and up came Countdown stuff, including embarrassing quotes on the countdownwiki. All week I've had kids singing the Countdown theme tune to me and today I was being observed in a lesson and kids started shouting out asking about Countdown. Grrrr.

LMAO. Sorry. At least the MSN quotes page is no longer online!

Charlie Reams wrote:

Kirk Bevins wrote:I notice my name is not in capitalised like everyone elses, good to see I'm not as important. Oh, and it turns out kids from my school typed Bevins maths into google and up came Countdown stuff, including embarrassing quotes on the countdownwiki. All week I've had kids singing the Countdown theme tune to me and today I was being observed in a lesson and kids started shouting out asking about Countdown. Grrrr.

LMAO. Sorry. At least the MSN quotes page is no longer online!

That's a relief. At least with that I can claim it's not me - the countdownwiki page has my picture on it. They're all saying losing 90-69 is rubbish lol

Ben Wilson wrote:As long as you're there for the start of round 1 you can arrive whenever you want Joseph.

I thought that might've been the rule, but wasn't sure. That's good to know

Kirk Bevins wrote:They're all saying losing 90-69 is rubbish lol

These kids sound smart. You must be teaching in a private school.

Kirk Bevins wrote: They're all saying losing 90-69 is rubbish lol

I'm surprised the kids haven't yet picked up on your score being the magic 69. They're slow.

Ben Wilson wrote:

Michael Wallace wrote:It's in the middle of bloody nowhere

There are trains, stop complaining.

Yeah, but middle of nowhere (even if there are trains) => none of my cunning money-saving schemes (i.e. megabus) work

Michael Wallace wrote:

Ben Wilson wrote:

Michael Wallace wrote:It's in the middle of bloody nowhere

There are trains, stop complaining.

Yeah, but middle of nowhere (even if there are trains) => none of my cunning money-saving schemes (i.e. megabus) work

Why don't you try to find someone who could possibly give you a lift to COLIN. I got a lift last year and it only cost me £20.

Actually, it's in the middle of everywhere.

Kirk Bevins wrote:I notice my name is not in capitalised like everyone elses, good to see I'm not as important. Oh, and it turns out kids from my school typed Bevins maths into google and up came Countdown stuff, including embarrassing quotes on the countdownwiki. All week I've had kids singing the Countdown theme tune to me and today I was being observed in a lesson and kids started shouting out asking about Countdown. Grrrr.

Supoib

At least the phallus quote has disappeared into the ether.

Michael Wallace wrote:It's in the middle of bloody nowhere

For one day in January, it's the centre of the Countdown universe. It is a pain to get to though, when I was coming down from Edinburgh last year (that's dedication people) I discovered it would be quicker to get to London on the train than Lincoln, and that was before I missed my connection and had to pay twenty quid for a taxi

Ben, move to Hertfordshire fella, then everything would be perfect.

Paul Howe wrote:

Kirk Bevins wrote:I notice my name is not in capitalised like everyone elses, good to see I'm not as important. Oh, and it turns out kids from my school typed Bevins maths into google and up came Countdown stuff, including embarrassing quotes on the countdownwiki. All week I've had kids singing the Countdown theme tune to me and today I was being observed in a lesson and kids started shouting out asking about Countdown. Grrrr.

Supoib

At least the phallus quote has disappeared into the ether.

It hadn't, it was still on there. I've just gone and deleted it.

Kirk Bevins wrote:

Paul Howe wrote: Supoib

At least the phallus quote has disappeared into the ether.

It hadn't, it was still on there. I've just gone and deleted it.

Weird, I could've sworn it wasn't there when I looked earlier but the revision history says otherwise. There's definitely a vas deferens between the pages now though.

Paul Howe wrote:could of

I second that emoticon!

Charlie Reams wrote:

Paul Howe wrote:could of

My second rate comprehensive school education has been horribly exposed.

This sounds like fun!
However, are any of the entrants mere mortals like me, or are they all past winners on the show?
If I decide to apply, I expect it'd still be an experience to see you all play, even if I'm rather outclassed.

Julie T wrote:This sounds like fun!
However, are any of the entrants mere mortals like me, or are they all past winners on the show?
If I decide to apply, I expect it'd still be an experience to see you all play, even if I'm rather outclassed.

There's usually a few more modest opponents, and generally everyone gets at least one win on the board. But it's a pretty fun day out even if you're not so successful in the games themselves, so do come along and meet us. We're also a lot better-looking in real life (except Jono.)

Julie T wrote:This sounds like fun!
However, are any of the entrants mere mortals like me, or are they all past winners on the show?
If I decide to apply, I expect it'd still be an experience to see you all play, even if I'm rather outclassed.

Yeah come along Julie, it would be nice to see you especially as the female contingent is woefully under-represented. I'm sure you'd enjoy it regardless of the outcomes of your games. In fact, in the 2 tournaments I've been to there hasn't been much difference between those who finish top and those who finish lower down.

OK, that's me in!

Yey!

Defending champion Conor's entered as well, on another thread watch out people (Ben, get that name up there on the website). And Tournoff's in there now also, yikes...

Website will be updated later tonight, but as it stands right now, there are a mere six places remaining...

When I said 'tonight' obviously I meant 'this week + weekend'. Either way it's been done. Next up on the site will be a 'best of COLIN' page with various anecdotes and photos from the four events. Any particular events or games you want me to put up there, let me know- obviously the 'Bevins almosts smashes his teapot' from 2006 will be on the list.

Junaid Mubeen's coming! Yeah what a legend! Anyway, looking at that player list, it might just be the strongest field for a Countdown tournament ever?

Ben/Jono, the link to Charlie's ratings still needs updating, and also it's a bit confusing that you can click on 'results for the 2009 tournament' and see that Chris has already won Don't mean to sound negative though, it's a good site

Julian Fell wrote:Junaid Mubeen's coming! Yeah what a legend!

Wow, the legend calls me a legend...this is a defining moment for me. Yep, I'll hopefully be coming...will be great to meet so many familiar Countdown faces. Looks like the competition is gonna be immense.

Website is now up-to-date with all current entrants- still just the three spaces left so stick your name down quick if you're interested- everyone who emails from #43 onwards will go onto a waiting list and be given spaces as and if they become available.

Corby's put his name down! Yay! Would be good to meet you Jon, if you can make it

Julian Fell wrote:Would be good to meet you Jon

IAWTP.

Met him. Knob. Not worth it. Want to meet his dad though.

Jon O'Neill wrote:Want to meet his dad though.

Met him. Knob. Not worth it. Want to meet his mum though.

Julian Fell wrote:Corby's put his name down! Yay! Would be good to meet you Jon, if you can make it

I have?

Charlie Reams wrote:

Julian Fell wrote:Would be good to meet you Jon

IAWTP.

We'll be meeting in Leeds next month, won't we?

What does IAWTP mean? Haven't encountered that one before.