Sci-Fi and Fantasy Conventions this weekend.

[a_lost_packet_]

Well, Labor Day weekend is here in the US and it's "convention time." Two conventions of note:<br /><br /><b><font color="yellow">Dragoncon</font>/b><br />Dragoncon.org<br />America's largest, multi-media, popular arts convention—focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film. <br /><br />Atlanta, GA. Sept 3-6.<br /><br />Schedule of events (pdf)<br /><br /><br /><b><font color="yellow">Noreascon</font>/b><br />Noreascon.org<br />The 62'nd World Science Fiction Convention<br /><br />Boston, MA. Sept 2 - 6<br /><br />Noreascon Four Schedule<br /><br /><br />I just got invited to Dragoncon. A kind of last minute thing. Well, I'd rather be at Noreascon in Boston, but I'll not look a gift-horse in the mouth. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Since I'll be in ATL anyway, it should be a nice diversion.<br /><br />Everyone enjoy your Labor Day weekend!<br /><br /><br /></b></b> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[avaunt]

Wow, cool for you, 'Packet.<br />Hope you have a great time.<br /><br />Sure, much rather be at the Noreascon THEY HAVE PRATCHETT !.. However, fun is where you find it.<br />

 

[a_lost_packet_]

I had alot of fun. I attended a few of the "Space" seminars and gawked at the crowds. The seminars I went to were not that informative. In fact, by spending the same amount of time on SDC and these boards, anyone could learn more info. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />There were alot of actors there. Here are some I got to meet: (There were plenty of others but I can't remember them atm.)<br /><br />Peter Jurasik: Londo from Babylon 5 (Great guy. Really seemed to be having alot of fun meeting fans etc.)<br />Erin Grey: Wilma from Buck Rogers (Still a "10") <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />Richard Hatch: Battlestar Galactica<br />Dean Haglund: X-Files (The Lone Gunmen) Has his own comic now.<br />Margot Kidder: Superman etc.<br />Peter Mayhew: Chewbacca - Star Wars. He's alot skinnier than he looks in his costume. lol<br />Soupy Sales: Famous Comedian and variety show host. I have no idea why he was there but he was. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />Marc Singer: The Beastmaster. LOL The Beastmaster! heh heh. Actually, he's a broadsword expert. So, any swordwork you've ever seen him do.. is actually him doing it.. or something. <br /><br />There were loads of authors there. I met a few. Most were giving talks and hosting workshops all day long. I missed a bunch of those.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[avaunt]

lol. Sounds like fun, ERIN GREY !. Did you offer to show her a good time?. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />She is hot, in my grey cells.

 

[a_lost_packet_]

Erin Grey was very nice. She still has "it." <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I'm not one of those people who follow "Hollywood" very much. I'm not a big "fan" of any particular actors. Some were almost "whacky." However, it is nice to let an actor know that you appreciated their work.<br /><br />If I had enough nerve, maybe I would've. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />Gil Gerard was pleasant also. He had a great time with one of the kids that was there. He played "Buck Rogers" and saluted him etc.. <br /><br />It was amazing that many of the notables present were able to be pleasant and cheerful with the fans that were there. It was surprising that they treated each fan they met with equal cheer. To be honest, some were being hounded like "zoo animals" in a cage. I suppose that's why their actors.<br /><br />This was the first time I had been to a gathering of film actors. I had alot of fun. I'll probably go again next year and maybe try to hit a Sci-Fi convention.<br /><br />However, I really missed the boat on meeting some of the authors present. The list is too long. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> I'll do better next time heh heh. I also missed several meetings with NASA/JPL types. For some reason, the people that I was with were more interested in hanging out with the "woo woos." <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Thankfully, I missed the "Roswell: The real story" lecture. <gag> I don't think they would have appreciated my particular brand of humor in that room. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />The highlight of the trip for me is split: Meeting Erin Grey or Meeting Peter Jurasik? Decisions decisions.. <sigh /> Oh well. I suppose you have to weigh them using different scales.<br /><br />I forgot to mention, there were about 10.. errr.. "adult models" there too. We won't go into that atm. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[avaunt]

lol. I have had that happen to me. Quite without planning, EVERYONE else in the crowd likes something that you disdain.<br /><br />Not even ONE compatriot-in-contempt for the topic, can make the day VERY long.<br /><br />Still, sounds like it beat a weekend spent down the pub, trying to get a turn on the pool tables.

 

[a_lost_packet_]

Well, I did manage to drag one of my friends into a workshop that sounded promising. Unfortunately, I didn't read the syllabus until we had taken our seats. <br /><br />See, it was under "Space" in the listings and all of the meetings held room were Space/Nasa/Seti/etc topics. This one was titled: "The Future Doesn't Need You." I thought this may be hosted by a futurist and deal with technology/AI etc .. or something. Instead, it was about classic worker "displacement" by technology. (Robotics, manufacturing processes etc.) Some of the data presented was interesting. Mostly stuff available off of The Bureau of Labor Statistics' website. The lecture/discussion was hosted by a Boeing engineer. His aim was presenting data that showed we may be displacing workers faster than we have capabilities to absorb. (retraining, other markets etc.) If simple trend lines are any indicator, then it may be possible that displacement will become a very serious issue by 2020. <br /><br />It seems this was his hobby. While that is all fine and good, imho, he should have brushed up his presentation skills a little more. The session really didn't have a purpose other than to say "Look at this!" <shrugs /> While dissapointed at the lecture, I will give him credit by saying he didn't do so terrible a job. I've seen sociologists with worse presentations.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[tom_hobbes]

The last Worlcon I attended, the highlight was having Joe Haldeman buy me lunch. A lovely man! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>