Entries tagged with conventions

Current Mood: nostalgic

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AT4 "Reflections" - Convention Report

There isn't a fan event that quite captures the spirit of giving than a Gabit event. Just as 'sanctuary for all' is not an empty motto, neither is 'conventions are about people'. If you want a convention experience that keeps on giving long after the curtain call, go to a Gabit event.

AT4 is my third. And what a third! I thought nothing could ever top AT2... and then AT3 came. And again I came to believe that there wasn't anything that could be done to make a better Gabit...

... clearly I should learn to ignore my beliefs!

This was a weekend filled with so much strength, friendship, generosity, and laughter. Even as I sit writing, I get bowled over by the memory of the emotions at this event. Three Gabits ago I was overwhelmed because I was getting to meet the fantastic Amanda Tapping for the very first time. She was a hero to me at a time when I really wanted a hero. And there were tears of joy and amazement, and disbelief that this was actually happening to me.

And now three Gabits later, not one memory has left me. But there is so much more. Amanda Tapping, through Gabit, has allowed me to cement amazing friendships that I've almost forgotten were born by a common admiration for an incredible actress and person. When I'm lost, when I'm down, when I'm scared, when I'm excited, when I have news, when I've achieved, when I'm dreaming, when I'm planning, or when I've simply run out of blue jello - these friends are here comforting, hugging, bouncing, sharing, congratulating, advising, and giving.

And I am so honored and so blessed to have these people in my life and to have shared this incredible weekend with so many of them.

( Continued this way... )

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Vancouver Creation Con Report 4/4

Part Four

Sunday April 5th

The last day dawned. I clearly remember rejecting the reality of the alarm going off. Unacceptable creature. I know I spent today running around on pure adrenalin. By the time we went to dinner much later that evening, I was slightly shaky. A banana and granola bar at breakfast - and my faithful diet coke - was all that had sustained me up until then. This is what happens when you still have 4 panels to sit through (as N John Smith plus Brad Wright and Rob Cooper did talks - I recommend you go HERE for some good scoop on the latter's panel) and 2 more photo ops to get done... a break was non optional.

( The finale... x--x )

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Vancouver Creation Con Report 3/4

Part Three

Saturday April 4th

Saturday morning rolled on and we headed out for Bridge Studios. We got to see a re-dressed Stargate and take our pictures with it on the ramp. We also saw the USS George Hammond (had my picture taken next to the plaque as well as in Sam's chair), and we toured Atlantis (which is beautiful). I took enough pictures to fill an album, unfortunately due to the waver we signed, we cannot post them online. However if you run into me at another con, feel free to ask if you can see my con book because a lot of them will be in there!

On to the days talks and here's where things get more detailed as I remembered to write things down afterwards and my memory was functioning as its meant to.

( Bridge to insanity ... x--x )

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Vancouver Creation Con Report 2/4

Part Two

Friday April 3rd

On Friday, the con really kicked into gear. With panels from David Nkyl, Dan Shea, Connor Trinneer, and Teryl Rothery, we were kept incredibly busy. My memory of these panels is hazy at best, I was still quite overwhelmed from the previous days venture. I swear I make up for it later on!

( Enter the occasional madness... x--x )

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Vancouver Creation Con Report 1/4

Before I begin what has turned out to be a bit of an epic, I would like to add a disclaimer: All of the pictures posted are my own, and every gallery I have linked to are pictures that I have taken personally at the convention. If you do take any for your own personal use, please do not post them on other websites without my permission - the only exception here is Gateworld and I ask that you credit me as the photographer. Also, please do not remove the watermark. If you use them for artwork, I do expect credit even if it is simply in a resources post. I don't want to take away from anyone's enjoyment of the convention pictures, but it only takes a second to give someone credit. Ok, that's it for the tough love, and on with the show!

Part One

Conventions are funny things.

They bring together people from all walks of life. Different jobs, different countries, different shapes and sizes, different social skills. The latter can be a curse - especially at a convention the size of Creation's, but sometimes I think the blessings can outweigh the stupidity of the lunatic fringe... they have to, or why else would we continue to go to them?

( Welcome to the fray... x--x )

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Amanda Tapping 2 - A Weekend With Her Fans

Up until now I've kept 2 livejournals. The first is kept open purely to house a con report. I am now moving my AT2 con report to this journal.

Saturday 18th November 2006

I had set my alarm for five a.m. I know me, I don't do well without a morning shower. Plus, y'know, I didn't want to meet Amanda for the first time wearing yesterday's hair! Of course, instead of being woken by the bird chirp and musical interlude that is the alarm on my cellular phone - I was woo hoo wide awake at 04.15. It did occur to me at this point that I should just crawl my way to the bathroom and get started... but I live in England, and England is dark. There is nothing on this planet that could drag me out of bed at that hour without due cause. Only the gravitational effects of a black hole would do it, and there weren't any around.

Five AM. I figured I would be out the door by 06.30. I figured wrong. Missed the bus, and opted to walk to the station. Took two hours to get to Heathrow. Time check - 08.40. Time Gabit said things were kicking off - 09.00. Okay, no panic. No clue where the hotel Hoppa Bus is. No time to get a clue. Drag suitcase and self to the taxi bay. Seven pounds later, arrive at the Renaissance Hotel. Time check - 08.50. All praise for Marriott hotels, from my race through the entrance to the Check In desk, the place looked smashing! Bless too, the nice man at the counter for a most speedy check in, and the concierge for so graciously relieving me of my luggage when I all but threw it at him. Run to registration like a bat outta hell, momentarily recognise that it is Kay aka Mumsey sitting behind the desk, and the sigh in huge relief that I've arrived safe and sound with zero point two seconds to spare.

( read on for the full con report... x--x )