Questions

[owlfish]

• Poppy Day is the only annual day in Britain named after a flower. Why, then, is it not a big day for florists? Why does everyone buy paper poppies?


• I've sent off my registration for Novacon.* The event's only in two weeks, I won't be able to register through the con for hotel space until my registration is processed, and warning signs are everywhere that singles are limited and will probably be sold out by now. I could book a single right away in the correct hotel through its website. Other than it costing more (albeit less than a double), is there any reason not to? Is there some moral factor about making sure the con has enough of its room block sold out to justify receiving free function space from the hotel, and booking via the website would mean my booking isn't helping the con?


• I went to my local post office to mail an envelope today, only to discover they don't do express mail. Regular airmail only. So I went to Canary Wharf, to a full, dedicated post office, and sent it express mail there. Are most UK post offices so limited as to not do express mail? What else is too much to expect of little local postal outlets?

* I've been dilemma'ing between the London Good Food Fair and Novacon. There's still a small chance I may be able to see the food fair as well, but I'm not counting on it. I decided to err on the side of seeing people I'd not seen in a while.

Comments

[flick.livejournal.com]

Poppies aren't in season and make useless cut flowers.

I'd stay at the nice hotel over the road, personally. Actually, I *am* staying at the nice hotel over the road. There's a very slight ethical reason why one should book via the con and therefore increase the con's room block, but at this stage it doesn't really matter, I suspect. Plus, if enough people don't book as part of the room block, they're less likely to use the same hotel again in future.

I suspect the answer is that they don't offer that service because there is No Demand for it. And, when the fact that that local PO doesn't offer any useful services because there is No Demand for them means that no one bothers using it, they will be able to close the local PO with a clear conscience because there is No Demand for it....

[owlfish]

I like the idea of pressed poppies. Live ones do droop rather rapidly, it's true.

Crossing roads is not one of my greater skills, and the idea of dodging motorway traffic doesn't appeal to me, much as I generally like the idea of staying at nice hotels. Perhaps I can still talk C. into coming along to chauffeur...

Last week, after my third trip to a post office, I wondered how on earth the Royal Mail could think of closing down so many postal outlets. After all, if I need post offices at least once a week, surely I'm not alone. Then this week happened, and a postal outlet without the rather obvious service I needed. And now I understand. No wonder there is No Demand.

[m31andy.livejournal.com]

AFAIK, poppies don't press that well either.

Having said all that, John Lewis are selling bouquets in support of the Royal British Legion this Armistice Day. While it doesn't have poppy flowers (for the reasons above, they do have dried poppy heads.

[owlfish]

I am vaguely reassured about the world's commercial bent, and about the importance of flowers in all forms in the world, that florists or various sorts do indeed sell poppy-themed bouquets in November.

[owlfish]

A day later, and you are the only person who's answered questions 2 and 3. This wouldn't usually be so noteworthy but for question 1 attracting so many replies. Thank you especially much for being helpful.

[flick.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! Have you decided what you're going to do about Novacon, yet?

[owlfish]

I decided to go for the convenient-if-uninspiring option, and have booked a room of my own directly with the main hotel. Alas, my personal chauffeur has declined to join me on this trip.