Captain Jean-Luc Picard is really quite hypnotic.
Showing posts with label DragonCon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DragonCon. Show all posts
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Open Letter to DragonCon copy writer.
Dear Person responsible for writing the "New for 2009" page for DragonCon.org.
I am not one to complain about the hard work and effort people like yourself put into organizing an event as complicated and challenging as DragonCon. I know it is through your efforts that I get a fantastic party. However you should know that the "New for 2009" page, while a fantastic idea, fails in execution.
When this announcement page was first launched it was clear and informative. At a glance I knew that registration had moved to the Sheraton, and that the member badges were going to be made of a thicker material this year. But shortly thereafter, the page was re-written with all the clear facts hidden behind sloppy in-jokes, rambling stories and intentionally obstruficated 'leet' speak, all presented in Comic Sans. None of the these additions are necessary or helpful.
Which do you think is more clear and informative:
Also re-think your use of the font "Comic Sans." It is not really appropriate for clear, formal communication, and is best reserved for actual comic bubbles.
The barrage of near identical questions made to the convention planners in every forum, phone call and email must be exhausting, so having clear, centralized announcements is critical. Please consider taking the time to clean this page up to the standard set by other great pages on the DragonCon.org website.
Yours in fandom
DrHaggis
I am not one to complain about the hard work and effort people like yourself put into organizing an event as complicated and challenging as DragonCon. I know it is through your efforts that I get a fantastic party. However you should know that the "New for 2009" page, while a fantastic idea, fails in execution.
When this announcement page was first launched it was clear and informative. At a glance I knew that registration had moved to the Sheraton, and that the member badges were going to be made of a thicker material this year. But shortly thereafter, the page was re-written with all the clear facts hidden behind sloppy in-jokes, rambling stories and intentionally obstruficated 'leet' speak, all presented in Comic Sans. None of the these additions are necessary or helpful.
Which do you think is more clear and informative:
- "Let’s face it; it is really a walk between the Sheraton and the Hyatt. Google Maps lists it as a hike that takes the average person 10 minutes to walk. What Google does not take into account is that the Dragon*Con fan is not the average person. Do you think it would take a wookie carrying two heavy bags of memorabilia or an orc pushing a stroller 10 minutes? No, I think not. Well, you will be happy to know that we will have one of the Dragon*Con buses operation as a “local” shuttle between just the host hotels. And if you have forgotten, those would be the Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and Sheraton"
- A Dragon*Con Shuttle bus will be running between the Hyatt, Mariott, Hilton and Sheraton hotels.
Also re-think your use of the font "Comic Sans." It is not really appropriate for clear, formal communication, and is best reserved for actual comic bubbles.
The barrage of near identical questions made to the convention planners in every forum, phone call and email must be exhausting, so having clear, centralized announcements is critical. Please consider taking the time to clean this page up to the standard set by other great pages on the DragonCon.org website.
Yours in fandom
DrHaggis
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Dragoncon 2008 Review: Part 2
Any responsible project management involves some sort of cost/benefit analysis. Constructing and wearing costumes at science fiction conventions is not a task immune from this investigation. After DragonCon 2008, I had some time to think about this which is presented here by request, and as an exercise in over-thinking and psudo-economics.
Project costs include not just cash money spent putting the costume together, but also the time it takes to make it happen. The transporting of costumes to distant conventions has gotten more expensive now that most airlines have started charging for extra bags. There are also opportunity costs associated with presenting the costume, as while you are getting ready and posing in your creation, you can't be attending panels, or doing much else. Sitting in a dark panel room is not a suitable venue for ones costume, as it does not provide the same pleasures as public viewings. Also, going to the convention with full bags of costumes ensures that you won't be buying much to bring back.
The benefits of costuming are mostly intangible, but include the joy of completing a task, the emotional lift of wearing a fantastic costume, and "becoming" a beloved character. There is also the peer admiration and recognition, and the pleasure experienced in giving joy to others. All of this proportional to the overall quality and originality of ones costume.
To be a '"profitable" endeavour the equation
Where Tc is the time spend in the costume. The longer one wears the costume, the greater the opportunity for praise and pleasure, which also increases the costs of things not done while promenading and posing for pictures. There is a factor wherein too much exposure might diminish the impact of the costume, but I'm ignoring that term for simplicity. On further reflection I decided to omit the time factor completely. My equation, my rules.
Some hand-waving and three Advils later, I simplified the equation back down to manageable and near-quantifiable values, though omitting any proportionality gain terms.
This gives us some conclusions. Since ConAwesomeness is a fixed variable, or at least a value out of the control of attendee, one must balance the effort and awesomeocity of ones costume accordingly. In the simplest terms, the better the convention, the better ones costume has to be. The further away the convention and the more elaborate the costume, the better ones costume has to be. Sounds obvious, but it took me a long time to come to this point.
Previously on Slashboing
Project costs include not just cash money spent putting the costume together, but also the time it takes to make it happen. The transporting of costumes to distant conventions has gotten more expensive now that most airlines have started charging for extra bags. There are also opportunity costs associated with presenting the costume, as while you are getting ready and posing in your creation, you can't be attending panels, or doing much else. Sitting in a dark panel room is not a suitable venue for ones costume, as it does not provide the same pleasures as public viewings. Also, going to the convention with full bags of costumes ensures that you won't be buying much to bring back.
The benefits of costuming are mostly intangible, but include the joy of completing a task, the emotional lift of wearing a fantastic costume, and "becoming" a beloved character. There is also the peer admiration and recognition, and the pleasure experienced in giving joy to others. All of this proportional to the overall quality and originality of ones costume.
To be a '"profitable" endeavour the equation
Cost < Benefit has to hold. I expand this as follows:Cost Creation + Time Creation + (Quality Programming )Tc + Distance Travelled + Costume Complexity + Costume Comfort < Joy Completion + (Quality + Originality)TcWhere Tc is the time spend in the costume. The longer one wears the costume, the greater the opportunity for praise and pleasure, which also increases the costs of things not done while promenading and posing for pictures. There is a factor wherein too much exposure might diminish the impact of the costume, but I'm ignoring that term for simplicity. On further reflection I decided to omit the time factor completely. My equation, my rules.
Some hand-waving and three Advils later, I simplified the equation back down to manageable and near-quantifiable values, though omitting any proportionality gain terms.
CreationEffort + TransportationEffort + ConAwesomeness < Costume AwesomenessThis gives us some conclusions. Since ConAwesomeness is a fixed variable, or at least a value out of the control of attendee, one must balance the effort and awesomeocity of ones costume accordingly. In the simplest terms, the better the convention, the better ones costume has to be. The further away the convention and the more elaborate the costume, the better ones costume has to be. Sounds obvious, but it took me a long time to come to this point.
Previously on Slashboing
Monday, September 08, 2008
Dragoncon 2008 Review: Part 1
Dragoncon 2008 was the best convention I've attended to date. To see a fraction of the awesomosity I experienced, my convention photos are available on flickr here.
After last year's convention, which I quite enjoyed, I was content to start going every other year. However, after this year I don't think I can stand to miss even one. I think the improvement comes from to two subtle changes.
The first is in regards to the space/crowding issue. To meet the growing attendance, a fourth convention hotel was added. This coincided with the completion of the renovations to the Marriott, which resulted in less congestion and aggravation. Ultimately you could actually find places to stand, sit and pose for pictures without breaking firecodes.
Secondly, every year we attend we know more and more people. Either through internet reputation, such as photognome, or through all our various communities on livejournal and flickr, we have amassed quite the fandom network. Knowing enough people means even in a +35k person convention, you are always bumping into people you know. More friends means more fun.
However, the wheel keeps turning and the greater the highs, the deeper the lows. I've spent the last week unsure as to my future role at Dragoncon. Photographer? Panel fiend? Autograph hound? Costumer? Cam-whore? I have tried to do it all every year, and I'm not sure where I'm the most comfortable. If I go to lots of panels, I miss out costuming with my friends. If I'm posing for pictures in costumes, I'm not getting autographs or seeing panels. I've been wrestling with the cost/benefit of costuming at Dragoncon for a while now, and I will explore the topic more thoroughly in my next post.
After last year's convention, which I quite enjoyed, I was content to start going every other year. However, after this year I don't think I can stand to miss even one. I think the improvement comes from to two subtle changes.
The first is in regards to the space/crowding issue. To meet the growing attendance, a fourth convention hotel was added. This coincided with the completion of the renovations to the Marriott, which resulted in less congestion and aggravation. Ultimately you could actually find places to stand, sit and pose for pictures without breaking firecodes.
Secondly, every year we attend we know more and more people. Either through internet reputation, such as photognome, or through all our various communities on livejournal and flickr, we have amassed quite the fandom network. Knowing enough people means even in a +35k person convention, you are always bumping into people you know. More friends means more fun.
However, the wheel keeps turning and the greater the highs, the deeper the lows. I've spent the last week unsure as to my future role at Dragoncon. Photographer? Panel fiend? Autograph hound? Costumer? Cam-whore? I have tried to do it all every year, and I'm not sure where I'm the most comfortable. If I go to lots of panels, I miss out costuming with my friends. If I'm posing for pictures in costumes, I'm not getting autographs or seeing panels. I've been wrestling with the cost/benefit of costuming at Dragoncon for a while now, and I will explore the topic more thoroughly in my next post.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
DragonCon Ends
I'm back from Dragon*con 2008! I have started uploading pictures to my Flickr account, so watch that space.
I will be posting a full report later, but I'm still in decompression mode, trying to stave off the Post Con Blues. After the big emotional high and physical challenges of a big convention, coming home is a shock to the system. No matter how well things go, I leave feeling inadequate, believing I could have done things better. I could have gone to more panels. My costumes could have been better. I could have been more adventurous. I could have taken more pictures. I could have been less of the person I am, and more of the person I want to be.
This year was probably the best yet, and we will return, because I don't think I can stand missing moments like the one captured here:
I will be posting a full report later, but I'm still in decompression mode, trying to stave off the Post Con Blues. After the big emotional high and physical challenges of a big convention, coming home is a shock to the system. No matter how well things go, I leave feeling inadequate, believing I could have done things better. I could have gone to more panels. My costumes could have been better. I could have been more adventurous. I could have taken more pictures. I could have been less of the person I am, and more of the person I want to be.
This year was probably the best yet, and we will return, because I don't think I can stand missing moments like the one captured here:
Monday, August 25, 2008
Steampunk at Dragoncon Update
Here are the Steampunk events planned for Dragoncon 2008
Panel: Friday 4:00 at the Hyatt, Montreal room
Meetup: Friday 9:00 pm at the Hilton, Casablanca Bar, prior to the Abney Park Concert
Concert: Abney Park plays 11:30/12:00* Friday Night at the Hyatt, Centennial II ballroom. *Depending on the source
Parade: Mustering at 9:00 AM, in Woodruff Park, 4 1/2 blocks down from the main lobby entrance of the Hyatt on Peachtree.
Concert: Abney Park Victorian sing-along/acoustic set Saturday Noon, Hyatt Concorse
Panel: Sunday 5:30 pm at the Hyatt, Fairlie room
Panel: Friday 4:00 at the Hyatt, Montreal room
Meetup: Friday 9:00 pm at the Hilton, Casablanca Bar, prior to the Abney Park Concert
Concert: Abney Park plays 11:30/12:00* Friday Night at the Hyatt, Centennial II ballroom. *Depending on the source
Parade: Mustering at 9:00 AM, in Woodruff Park, 4 1/2 blocks down from the main lobby entrance of the Hyatt on Peachtree.
Concert: Abney Park Victorian sing-along/acoustic set Saturday Noon, Hyatt Concorse
Panel: Sunday 5:30 pm at the Hyatt, Fairlie room
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Steampunk at Dragconcon Update: Abney Park Schedule
Abney Park's Dragon*Con Schedule has been announced!
They will be performing Friday night at 11:30 in the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.
Their unplugged set will be Saturday Noon on the Hyatt acoustic stage.
The Friday night show will likely be the primary gathering for the crew and Companions of the Airship Vertigo.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Dragoncon Advent
As this is the third Friday before Draconcon, we are entering Advent, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Fandom. My costuming is complete, my panel scheduling started, and I can finish up my trip prep.
I think I may have some calenders printed up with the important dates of the fandom liturgical year printed on it, consistent with how I perceive the year with fannish eyes.
Labour Day long weekend of Dragoncon marks the End of Year celebrations which the calender surrounds. The 40 days after the Con is Fan-Lent; a time of fasting, repentance and chemical and emotional detox. October brings the high holy day of Halloween, while December is the Lesser Season of films. The end of February is Dracosymstice, the longest time between Conventions. Finally, June and July mark the Greater season of films, which leads back to Advent.
There are other dates of course, Comic and Entertainment Expo, San Diego Comicon, May the Forth, and so on. Some dates are important, but are not consistent, such as the release dates of comics or movies. The television season used to start in September, but now shows start and stop though the year which makes them movable feast days.
What big fandom dates do you use to mark the year?
I think I may have some calenders printed up with the important dates of the fandom liturgical year printed on it, consistent with how I perceive the year with fannish eyes.
Labour Day long weekend of Dragoncon marks the End of Year celebrations which the calender surrounds. The 40 days after the Con is Fan-Lent; a time of fasting, repentance and chemical and emotional detox. October brings the high holy day of Halloween, while December is the Lesser Season of films. The end of February is Dracosymstice, the longest time between Conventions. Finally, June and July mark the Greater season of films, which leads back to Advent.
There are other dates of course, Comic and Entertainment Expo, San Diego Comicon, May the Forth, and so on. Some dates are important, but are not consistent, such as the release dates of comics or movies. The television season used to start in September, but now shows start and stop though the year which makes them movable feast days.
What big fandom dates do you use to mark the year?
Monday, August 04, 2008
Steampunk at Dragoncon
Due to the serious upsurge in steampunk popularity, Dragoncon 2008 is to be rife with steam and brass and gears, top hats, cravats and Victorian ray guns. I'm really looking forward to it.
There will be at least one steampunk panel, part of the Dark Fantasy Track, which is scheduled for Friday at 4 pm in the Montreal room (subject to change). A Meetup to set to follow.
There is a Meetup in the Hilton bar either before or after the Abney Park concert (TBD). This is still being planned, and I will try to post when I know more.
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
kissmythistle of livejournal-land posted about forming a steampunk group for the big Dragoncon Parade, and there is a call out to any other steampunk costumers to join in with them. This is for 9 AM on Saturday morning starting at Woodruff Park.
The Steam_dragon community on Livejournal is keeping on top of this too, so check there too.
Keep it brassy!
There will be at least one steampunk panel, part of the Dark Fantasy Track, which is scheduled for Friday at 4 pm in the Montreal room (subject to change). A Meetup to set to follow.
There is a Meetup in the Hilton bar either before or after the Abney Park concert (TBD). This is still being planned, and I will try to post when I know more.
kissmythistle of livejournal-land posted about forming a steampunk group for the big Dragoncon Parade, and there is a call out to any other steampunk costumers to join in with them. This is for 9 AM on Saturday morning starting at Woodruff Park.The Steam_dragon community on Livejournal is keeping on top of this too, so check there too.
Keep it brassy!
Monday, May 19, 2008
100 Days until Dragoncon
There are 100 Days until Dragoncon begins. Are you ready for the onslaught of awesome? There are about 230 guests and bands confirmed, including Jake Lloyd, some of the cast of Firefly and the usual collection of authors and artists.
Cruxshadows concert 2
Originally uploaded by K. Smithington.
Photo Released under Creative Commons by-nc-sa 2.0
Cruxshadows concert 2
Originally uploaded by K. Smithington.
Photo Released under Creative Commons by-nc-sa 2.0
Also, crowd surfing stormtroopers.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Boba Fett Costume in Lego
Simon makes his Star Wars costumes a little differently. He builds his out of Lego.I saw his Lego Darth Vader at Dragoncon 2007, and this year he will be premiering a full set of Manalorian armour build from Lego. All the hard goods from helmet, to gauntlets to shin tools are faithfully recreated in colourful blocks. It really is impressive to see.
Photo Credit:"fullA"
Originally uploaded by SIMAFOL.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Dracosymstice
DragonCon is the best and largest science fiction/fantasy/pop culture/awesome convention known to mortal fans. The end of February marks the longest time between these events, and I have dubbed this long, dark time between conventions "Draco Symstice."Obviously 'Draco' is Latin for 'dragon', while 'syn–' or 'sym–' is Greek for 'together' or 'united', as in 'symposium'. '-stitium' is Latin for a stoppage. I could have minted the term as "Draco Constice," which would make the phrase completely of Latin origin, but it doest have the same ring to it. When you make up a holiday of your own, you get a certain latitude in naming it.
We mark the winter solstice with Christmas festivities, which are based heavily on the pagan Yuletide festivities. Since DragonCon is such a wonderful event and a decidedly pagan kick-ass party, Draco Symstice needs to have similar observations of fellowship and feasting.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Dragon*Con 2007 Sunday report
The slow and sporadic posts recounting my trip to Dragoncon 2007 continues with the details of my Sunday activities at the four day convention in Atlanta Georgia.
After the late night festivities and libations at the Wolfpack party on Saturday, Sunday shaped up to be more sedate. I decided to get in line for one of the big panels in the big ballroom. The loss of some of the program space in the Marriott due to renovations combined with record attendance in the shape of full panels and the form of overcrowded common areas. I got in line an hour early for the "Star Trek: The Next Generation Reunion panel" and I think it was worth it. The panel was Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes and Gates McFadden. It was fun to watch them riff off the audience. Clearly they have done enough conventions to know all the questions, and know all the answers so they were going to have a good time with it.
After the panel, it was time for lunch so I made my inaugural visit to the newly opened Marriott High Velocity sports bar. The Bar looks fantastic. The food was good, but the service was ridiculously slow. The hotel knows the convention means a higher than normal number of people eating in the hotel over the weekend, and last year had hired additional staff and modified their shop hours to accommodate the demand. It didn't feel like they compensated enough this year.
The beautiful High Velocity Bar
Still, I was in no rush, so I casually sat in the bar and drank, whenever the bartender thought to take my order and serve the drink. Aaron Douglas from Battlestar Galactica sat at the other end of the bar, being all cool. I met a rock guitar player named Scott Banks and we talked about how to be cool when chatting with the celebrities. I got my chance to try being cool myself when Nichelle Nichols comes in, clutching a bouquet of flowers and, while standing beside me, starts looking for a place to sit down. When she started to walk away, I took the chance and invited her to sit next to me. She laughed a little and politely declined. Shortly afterwords, she and her entourage was led to a private room, when the rest of the bar realized she was there, they gave her a short ovation. She smiled and waved like a homecoming queen. Such are the ways of Science Fiction Royalty.
After some milling about people watching, and other related Con oriented activities, our group decided to suit up as the Crew and Companions of the Airship Vertigo once more and attend the Harry Potter Yule Ball. We attended last year and had a good time, so we sought to bring some steampunk to the party. It was a lot of fun, despite not winning the costume contest as we all hoped. Since the Yule Ball is hosted by the Young Adult track, the party was dry, which was probably just as well given the liquidity of the weekend up to that point.
Some highlights from the Harry Potter Ball were the Slytherin outfitted Jay and Silent Bob, and the Whomping willow costume replete with stilts.
My Sunday Flickr photos
Previously on Slashboing
After the late night festivities and libations at the Wolfpack party on Saturday, Sunday shaped up to be more sedate. I decided to get in line for one of the big panels in the big ballroom. The loss of some of the program space in the Marriott due to renovations combined with record attendance in the shape of full panels and the form of overcrowded common areas. I got in line an hour early for the "Star Trek: The Next Generation Reunion panel" and I think it was worth it. The panel was Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes and Gates McFadden. It was fun to watch them riff off the audience. Clearly they have done enough conventions to know all the questions, and know all the answers so they were going to have a good time with it.
After the panel, it was time for lunch so I made my inaugural visit to the newly opened Marriott High Velocity sports bar. The Bar looks fantastic. The food was good, but the service was ridiculously slow. The hotel knows the convention means a higher than normal number of people eating in the hotel over the weekend, and last year had hired additional staff and modified their shop hours to accommodate the demand. It didn't feel like they compensated enough this year.
The beautiful High Velocity Bar
Still, I was in no rush, so I casually sat in the bar and drank, whenever the bartender thought to take my order and serve the drink. Aaron Douglas from Battlestar Galactica sat at the other end of the bar, being all cool. I met a rock guitar player named Scott Banks and we talked about how to be cool when chatting with the celebrities. I got my chance to try being cool myself when Nichelle Nichols comes in, clutching a bouquet of flowers and, while standing beside me, starts looking for a place to sit down. When she started to walk away, I took the chance and invited her to sit next to me. She laughed a little and politely declined. Shortly afterwords, she and her entourage was led to a private room, when the rest of the bar realized she was there, they gave her a short ovation. She smiled and waved like a homecoming queen. Such are the ways of Science Fiction Royalty.
After some milling about people watching, and other related Con oriented activities, our group decided to suit up as the Crew and Companions of the Airship Vertigo once more and attend the Harry Potter Yule Ball. We attended last year and had a good time, so we sought to bring some steampunk to the party. It was a lot of fun, despite not winning the costume contest as we all hoped. Since the Yule Ball is hosted by the Young Adult track, the party was dry, which was probably just as well given the liquidity of the weekend up to that point.
Some highlights from the Harry Potter Ball were the Slytherin outfitted Jay and Silent Bob, and the Whomping willow costume replete with stilts.
My Sunday Flickr photos
Previously on Slashboing
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Dragon*Con 2007 Saturday report
I know it has been a few months, but I feel that I should complete my day-by-day diary and report from Dragoncon 2007.
Part the First: The Parade
Last year I was lucky enough to be in the parade as a Jedi. This year I chose to watch, so I could cheer each group and get some decent pictures. I got some great shots, but was unfortunately on the opposite side of the street from veritate to capture her properly whilst she was performing in the parade. I loved seeing the Monarch's henchmen and the Ghostbusters herding a Louis Tully through the streets. My parade shots can be seen on my flickr set.
Part the Second: Convention Activities
After the parade, I hit a quick panel on Star Wars Lego. The host of the discussion wore a full body Darth Vader costume made from Lego. He gave a review of the Lego Star Wars licence, and some of the terms and challenges that are unique to Lego builders. The custom minifigs were fantastic, with LEDs mounted in the droids and Clone Commandos making them really unique. Note the minifig based on the concept art Luke figure from Celebration IV.
Other convention highlights include finding music by the zombie rock group The Serpenteens, getting some comics signed by Adam Hughes, and finding the Eighth Doctor TV movie on DVD.
Part the Third: Evening sortie
The evening hours were spent in my "formal steampunk" costume at the Wolfpack party. The Wolfpack is a group dedicated to quality costumes and props, supportive members, and kick-ass parties.
This party was indeed kick ass, with rock from the Killer Robots, pole dancing girls and friendly hosts. I was personally thanked several times, with a handshake, for coming to the the event.
My Saturday Flickr photos
Previously on Slashboing
Part the First: The Parade
Last year I was lucky enough to be in the parade as a Jedi. This year I chose to watch, so I could cheer each group and get some decent pictures. I got some great shots, but was unfortunately on the opposite side of the street from veritate to capture her properly whilst she was performing in the parade. I loved seeing the Monarch's henchmen and the Ghostbusters herding a Louis Tully through the streets. My parade shots can be seen on my flickr set.
Part the Second: Convention Activities
After the parade, I hit a quick panel on Star Wars Lego. The host of the discussion wore a full body Darth Vader costume made from Lego. He gave a review of the Lego Star Wars licence, and some of the terms and challenges that are unique to Lego builders. The custom minifigs were fantastic, with LEDs mounted in the droids and Clone Commandos making them really unique. Note the minifig based on the concept art Luke figure from Celebration IV.
Other convention highlights include finding music by the zombie rock group The Serpenteens, getting some comics signed by Adam Hughes, and finding the Eighth Doctor TV movie on DVD.
Part the Third: Evening sortie
The evening hours were spent in my "formal steampunk" costume at the Wolfpack party. The Wolfpack is a group dedicated to quality costumes and props, supportive members, and kick-ass parties.
This party was indeed kick ass, with rock from the Killer Robots, pole dancing girls and friendly hosts. I was personally thanked several times, with a handshake, for coming to the the event.
My Saturday Flickr photos
Previously on Slashboing
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Dragon*Con 2007 Friday report
Here, Dear reader, is a recounting of the major events of my Friday at Dragoncon 2007.People who have never been to Dragoncon, often ask what the event is like, and what they can expect to see there. If San Diego Comi-con is "nerd prom" then Dragoncon is "Geek Mardi Gras." The picture seen here, taken by Dementia shows a gentlemen dressed in the attire of several distinct fandoms. This is what my brain feels like at Dragoncon, and it feels good.
Friday was mostly spent in the dealers room, scoping out interesting finds, and snagging business cards from all the really interesting dealers. I now have a great portfolio of sci-fi dealers to peruse through when I need something special. Dr. Smith and I tried to attend a panel with the "Stars of Harry Potter," with Phelps twins (Fred and George Weasley) and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), but the line was too long and the doors were closed with a full panel right in front of us. There were more people at this con then ever before, and they had fewer rooms to work with due to renovations. This meant some cozy quarters. I'm not complaining, just observing.
Friday night was the debut of the crew and companions of the Airship Vertigo. Our travelling group all had themed Steampunk costumes, complete with deep back-stories and long, pompous titles. Our friend dressed as a gold wind-up mechanized automaton memorized all our ridiculous names and would make the formal introductions for the group, when required. We really had a great shtick going, and people seemed to enjoy it. Steampunk was an emerging genre this year, so we often had to explain what we were going for. I'm sure a lot of people who took our picture were doing so with full intent to ask their more knowledgeable friend "what movie we were from" at a later date
It was fun to hang at the Steampunk party thrown by the Dragoncon Myspace minions, and trade notes about the sourcing and building of our various costumes with other similarly inspired individuals.
Lady Fulton, Botanist and observer on the VertigoAfter such a day it was hard to remember that we still had three more days of convention to take in before returning to mundanity.
My Friday Flickr photos
Previously on Slashboing
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Dragon*Con 2007 Trip report 1
Here is my the first of my "obligatory post-convention summary reports" for Dragon*Con 2007.
The plan from last year worked so well we reenacted it for this trip. Arrive on the Wednesday before, see some sights in Atlanta on Thursday, enjoy the convention till its ending on Monday, decompress, and fly out on Tuesday. It really is the perfect way to enjoy this event. You get an easy check-in, while on Thursday the Horde moves in. While the bulk of con goers teem and trolley out on Monday, you can watch and order another drink in the bar. Sure it means a few more nights in a nice hotel and a few more days away from work, but I'm willing to make those kind of sacrifices.
During the check-in process at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, The Phelps Twins were checking-in next to us. A more outgoing member of our entourage invited them to dinner with us at Trader Vic's. They politely declined, and we politely went on without them. Good thing I saw them at this point in the trip, because I wouldn't see them during the convention. More on that later.
Trader Vic's was as fun as it was last time. I petitioned the Head Chef, Maitre'd and the waiter to seriously suggest to management to open a location in Calgary. There are four Trader Vic's in the Islamic United Arab Emirates, but none in Canada. Does that sound right to you? Dinner was fantastic, drinks copious, and the Bunnies flew fast and frantic.
The next day brought a return to the Georgia Aquarium. It is a great spot to leisurely spend the day out from under the sweltering Atlanta heat. Many of our party had not been before, and those that had got to re-live all the best bits with fresh eyes.
Returning to the hotel complex, we got our convention passes with little ruckus, but there were about ten times more people in the queue than last time. Still a well handled process, but this was to be a taste things to come.
Dinner this second night was also at Trader Vic's. We met up with several convention buddies and LJ friends. We had to continue calling over more chairs and tables to make room for a group that I think topped out at fourteen. The restaurant was rather full this time, rife with sci-fi fans so eager for the convention to start they already began donning the ceremonial emblems of fandom. A hot rockabilly band was playing, and had there been room to dance, I would have done so with gusto.
A relatively early night on Thursday, because big things awaited on Friday, and you will have to wait another day for the next instalment of my report.
My Flickr photos from events prior to the Convention can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drhaggis/tags/atlanta2007precon/
Previously on Slashboing:
The plan from last year worked so well we reenacted it for this trip. Arrive on the Wednesday before, see some sights in Atlanta on Thursday, enjoy the convention till its ending on Monday, decompress, and fly out on Tuesday. It really is the perfect way to enjoy this event. You get an easy check-in, while on Thursday the Horde moves in. While the bulk of con goers teem and trolley out on Monday, you can watch and order another drink in the bar. Sure it means a few more nights in a nice hotel and a few more days away from work, but I'm willing to make those kind of sacrifices.
During the check-in process at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, The Phelps Twins were checking-in next to us. A more outgoing member of our entourage invited them to dinner with us at Trader Vic's. They politely declined, and we politely went on without them. Good thing I saw them at this point in the trip, because I wouldn't see them during the convention. More on that later.
The Tiki Girls
Trader Vic's was as fun as it was last time. I petitioned the Head Chef, Maitre'd and the waiter to seriously suggest to management to open a location in Calgary. There are four Trader Vic's in the Islamic United Arab Emirates, but none in Canada. Does that sound right to you? Dinner was fantastic, drinks copious, and the Bunnies flew fast and frantic.
The next day brought a return to the Georgia Aquarium. It is a great spot to leisurely spend the day out from under the sweltering Atlanta heat. Many of our party had not been before, and those that had got to re-live all the best bits with fresh eyes.
The Group watches the Beluga, and the Beluga watches right back
Returning to the hotel complex, we got our convention passes with little ruckus, but there were about ten times more people in the queue than last time. Still a well handled process, but this was to be a taste things to come.
Dinner this second night was also at Trader Vic's. We met up with several convention buddies and LJ friends. We had to continue calling over more chairs and tables to make room for a group that I think topped out at fourteen. The restaurant was rather full this time, rife with sci-fi fans so eager for the convention to start they already began donning the ceremonial emblems of fandom. A hot rockabilly band was playing, and had there been room to dance, I would have done so with gusto.
A relatively early night on Thursday, because big things awaited on Friday, and you will have to wait another day for the next instalment of my report.
My Flickr photos from events prior to the Convention can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drhaggis/tags/atlanta2007precon/
Previously on Slashboing:
Thursday, September 06, 2007
The Vertigo Lands
The crew and companions of the Airship Vertigo have returned to our point of origin, both in time and space. The steampunk costumes were a big hit at Dragoncon this year, and we got to meet up with other enthusiasts in the genre.
We were often asked "What are you guys from?" Eventually we started answering "The Past," which makes as much sense as any other explanation we could give.
More detailed posts, and pictures to follow.
We were often asked "What are you guys from?" Eventually we started answering "The Past," which makes as much sense as any other explanation we could give.
More detailed posts, and pictures to follow.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Leaving for DragonCon
I'm off to DragonCon soon, so posting will either be non-existent until I return, or it will be of the frequent con flourish style. Either way, May the Force be with you. [/geek]
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Steampunk Costume Update
As promised, I bring you some previews of my steampunk Airship Colonel costume that I will be wearing at Dragoncon this year.I don't have any pictures of the complete costume yet, but here are some highlights. First up is my shoulder mounted tool holster. As an independent owner/operator of the intrepid "Vertigo," I have to be ready to tend to the needs of my ship myself. I carry a few essential tools at the ready so I'm not caught with my pantaloons down should mechanical difficulties arise. Along with the basic adjustment drivers and spanners, I carry a German made nautical navigation gauge to help me plot my course through the treacherous skies.
I could not find an affordable cocked bicorne in my size, so a pith helmet makes a glorious second choice. The pith helmet was worn by almost all military divisions at some time, especially for jungle/hot weather activities, making this more than suitable for adventuring in the Lost City of Atlanta.Also pictured are my brass goggles with adjustable jewellers magnifying loupes. I feel that the pith helmet interferes with the glasses, and vice-versa, so these goggles will be worn with my more formal steampunk attire, rather than my flight service kit.
A must for any navigation is a good compass. I acquired a nice brass Ross compass during my excursions to antique stores with with the Ladies Faraway and Fulton.
Last up is my aether splitting disrupter, seen here in its pristine finish, as it came from the armoury. It has seen significant action since I first acquired it, and now sports a lovely patina.
I think I am ready for whatever the Lost City of Atlanta can dish out.
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