The Final Frontier 9

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TF01 3,Convention Reports - Part 2 4, SOL III (continued) --------------------- Report by Edward Woo ---------------------- As the main hall was being set up for the fancy dress and disco there were queues for the autograph session already. It was pink ticket day. Luckily I got mine as it would overspill into tomorrow even though it moved fast. I got to change films and batteries and a sausage bun dinner for fast food in the cafeteria. Jean had coffee as I paid for it and she carried the tray. Keith joined us showing us his Kira trading card from the auction. Fran joined us with her veg' dish. Jean thought it was nice to eat but had a potato already. Keith was not here this time as he is giving con going a miss for a year. As part of the tech crew I got into the main hall early but it was not quite ready for the fancy dress as costumers and participants still were arriving. The seats were arranged in rows towards the platform whilst the rear of the hall had circular tables and chairs with a bit of floor for the disco. The disco group were still testing the equipment and it was loud. The tech equipment was surrounded partly by blue screens for safety. As the attendees piled into the hall grabbing a table or chair, I got a corner seat in the main hall which I vacated for Lee to sit down. Luckily, otherwise I would have got wet from a crushed/sliced flying melon. The two light spotters were ready and Anne Page, our MC with a fellow torch holder in hand. It all began with a melon. A Klingon came onto stage in a Worf guise and used his Bat'leth with delicate moves. Finally he came to slice a melon and it went to the left hand side front audience. A piece of melon sailed past me. Pete came up behind with his camera to take photos and so did many others. Other costumes included Captain Picard and Lwaxana Troi, Odo and her impressions of her holiday and life. The eventual drama winner was a complete re-enactment of "The Empire Strikes Back" with Yoda and R2D2, Skywalker, Leia, Han, the Wookie, Boba, Darth Vader, Lando, and of course a Stormtrooper. We also had the Falcon - a rocky table and steering wheel. C3P0 was there and his head, a ballon/ball came my way when it came off. Another winner was Paul Curtis and the ambassador from Babylon 5 wearing that encounter suit (Ambassador Kosh). We had Swan Trek and a set of Blue Brothers. We had some dying scenario with Dr M'Benga and friends. The most amusing was Kindergarten Trek with a Borg father. All had uniforms including the little one alseep in her mother's arms. A young Geordi La Forge and a Data. All the costumes were superb, all 26 entrants - the best for a while. Our judges were Dwight, Eric, Alan and I think Richard as our committee whisked them away to decide a winner. During the intermission we had a turkey meet reading of Rog, Pam and another. They all read bits of Trek each stopping as coins for charity were deposited in a bucket. One steward ran all over the show. It filled a good twenty minutes despite a noisy bar behind us. The winners were re announced, Paul Curtis (Ambassador Kosh) Kindergarten Trek and "The Empire Strikes Back" crew. I'm sure the Klingon/Worf won also. The disco was next as I helped to secure the tech equipment to bed especially the cable. A curtain was drawn to divide the hall from the seating area to the tables. We headed off towards the bar and a discussion of the video programme of this con compared to others. Costumed Data, a Bolian, Klingons, Romulans and of course Federation personnel crossed our paths. Taruka was in the bar in her Star Trek uniform as I found Jean to introduce Neil J. Barrett, she knew the face but not the name. It came to 1:00 am and caught an episode of B5 in Richmond - an unscheduled story. It replaced Classic Trek for an hour. Talked to two stewards about it as they were unsure of the video programme as well. Peter sat down to watch and snooze through the night. Went to bed, but Joseph was already asleep so crept in quietly giving reception a ring for a 7:00 am call. Sunday. Joe was asleep when the alarm sang out but made it. That's what I remembered last night - the smell of food in the room. Awoke at 7:00 but took longer to move than expected as there was a DS9 episode at 8:00 am. Washed and went down to breakfast. Fairly quiet and I had the full works plus two to three fruit juices. On a Sunday I would never get up before noon except for work. I can't remember the title of the DS9 story now. Unfortunately for me I missed Mike Tucker's talk as I was in the dealers room and went to listen to a space talk. As they wanted a slide projector I bought one from the main hall and set it up and subsequently stayed for their interesting two hour talk done by Bo Maxwell and Steve Tidey. Returned the projector to Richard safe and sound. Found Frances and Carol. Frances was minding the dealers door and Carol was off for a facial. Keith joined us and the Terok Nor committee as they were promoting their con as bid at the business meeting. I don't know her name but she headed the group and works in media like me. We had quite a merry gathering. I found Tim and asked about Simon - he said they were not joined at the hip!? Due to a slight over run of the space talk missed the beginning of Eric Menyuk's second talk. Eric's talk was similar to yesterday talking about his wife and son and his practice of law classes. He describe the father look as the lack of sleep of new fathers especially in the shopping precincts. When Eric finished I went over to the BP garage for extra film and talked to the owner about the con and the money made for charity. Phoned home to say I was okay and would be home Monday evening. The dealers room had one dealer selling autographed photos of the entire DS9, Voyager, TNG and original Trek cast, each 10x8 for about £30 each. So you could have bought the entire set but at what cost. The business meeting was next, not too badly attended as Alison was chairperson with Mike ready to answer questions. First there was an amendment to the con rules saying that all official UK Star Trek cons are run for charity - no protest at that. It's a way to keep professional cons out. Wolf 359 won the bid for the 1997 convention in Blackpool again at the Norbreck when hopefully the hotel will be completely refurbished with an improved sound hall and a full blown cimema! We had two bids for the August '97 slot - Terok Nor and Ne'Driar, both using the London Edwardian Hotel. Terok Nor had a video presentation but prices were expensive. Terok Nor won after a bif of hands. Jill and Christine were about and we chatted briefly - teachers again. Dave Simmons came on about Warp 2, ie the reason for the venue change to Cardiff. Mark Leonard and Walter Keonig confirmed as guests. The meeting finished early with time to spare for for Harry's second talk. Missed it because I got chatting to Carol, her Australian friend and took a few photos. Found Jane and members of LUST visiting and asked if they went to the Fek'lhr meetings at 11:00. There's a new club in Birkenhead now. The Starbase Committee were sitting quietly until I crossed their path in the garden restaurant. It was 13:30 when I returned to the main hall for part two of the auction. Found Roger and said his reading was fun last night. Roger was ready for his auction with bitter in hand. Again got to handle the merchandise for the camera. There were quite a few photo novel sets but expensive. Starlog #1 went for £13. Rog got to touch but not handle some Blakes 7 videos. The making of The Wrath Of Khan - a rare book I have went for £20. The US Concordance went for £25 as a new one is due out later this year. Rog got to sell some Star Trek and fantasy stickers. Two Franklin Mint Enterprises - very expensive but at half price. Unfortunately one green jacket I had to demonstrate to thge audience and eventually Frances bought it. That just about concluded the auction. Again items bought were paid for there and then. Whilst there was a break before Dwight and caught Kevin one of the hotel porters talking to Jean. He was really enjoying himself and hopes to go to other cons and join IDIC for news. Dwight was due on and we were setting up with a stool and table. I popped arounf back to ask if Dwight needed anything else for his guest spot - he said no. Lee announced the secound talk of our guest of honour to a huge round of applause and welcome. He asked how many were here yesterday - almost everyone was. He was surprised as he was expecting a new audience to talk to. Again he talked about acting, Barclay and his other roles in acting to a Q&A session. For nearly two hours we had another enjoyable talk before finally finishing at 18:15. A video of the making of Voyager was then shown - stayed for parts of it. I did consider the autograph queue but there was two lines - yesterday's lot and today's, so I decided not to join plus I nearly tripped over the yello/black hazard step in the process. Got into my DS9 uniform and went for food. Got talking to a fan from Norwich, her first con in 3 years. Had chips and a hot dog. Had a quick look in the Stewards Party room but the doors were not open yest to Castle Rock, so I went back to my room for tea. Came back at 19:30 to the party to find Frankie, Jean at the bar getting their free drink with our tickets. Frankie got telling us about Pam, Richard and a key plus a certai private con in January that got Frankie worried. Eric and Dwight were present signing autographs and willing to have photographs taken. I was able to join Dwight, Frankie about valves, audio systems etc as Dwight said he would have been an audio engineer if not for acting and described his New York stdent days to us. The Holodeck Fantasy was on with Dave Simmons and co. as the holodeck. Data was about, but Dwight, Eric, Richard and Harry had to leave us as they were invited out by the committee for dinner. Dwight said he would be back later. The Starfleet Academy Challenge was gearing up as Scumbags, one of the teams from a UFP con a few years ago with Jim Swallow . Stayed for a bit of it and then returning to the main hall to watch four episodes of Voyager - "Emanations", "Explorers", "Jetrel" and "Learning Curve". Sat by the tech desk as the best view of the screen was a bit green. The two spotlighters came to watch the videos at the tech table. Stayeed until the end at 01:30 hours. Got Mark and Glenn to depower as myself and Peter left for the bar. The Trial by Karaoke and dancing continued and found TQ and Judith drinking away and some regualr Star Trek fans playing pool and drunk as well as being merry. The disco continued as people wanted it all night long. Got to my bed somewhat later and did a bit of tidying up for a wake up call of 8:00 am. I think. The closing ceremony saw first prize for fancy dress awarded to the Babylon 5 ambassador, alias Paul Curtis. As the winners clambered up the right stairs Richard and another guest moved them to the front for ease of access. The most noticable winner of the art was R2D2 and Garbage Trek Enterprise. Wendy Ward won again for her portraits. As always the raffle ended in the usual confusion but we got there. Can't remember anymore but Richard was running slightly late - must have had a plane to catch. Dwight was spending all day in London with his agent whilst Eric had to fly back due to evening law classes and so ended the 39th British Star Trek con in Blackpool. The Hall slowly emptied but the dealers were still open but some were still selling eagerly to the last punters. Found Valerie and Shiela packing by the car. Frances and Carol had given them their stuff to take back home. Carol in her blue Troi dress despite the cold. IDIC would be leaving after a brief lunch snack. Went to the committee room to collect my auction items sold and jokingly said when's the next Sol III convention. For the next few hours I stayed in the main hall dismantling equipment, cables, video and audio speakers etc. The gaffer tape is tough. The whole stage came apart even the lights. The power cables were big. Took down some nice cloth Star Trek V posters. The Sol III flags came down and the screen leaving nothing but an empty stage. Wandered into the main restaurant for a drink and collected many of the spare flyers and put them in a box and left them at the registration desk. I had intended to take them home but people kept picking up the flyers even at this late stage. Jean was staying on as she had a christening tomorrow. One public person came into registration expecting a con but we told him it was too late but we helped him find future cons and Star Trek clubs through the desk full of flyers. In the midst started talking to Veronique from France. She regularly travels to the UK and is going on a Trek cruise next week. We sat down with Jean in the nice glass filled restaurant. Veronique told us about France and Star Trek is non-existant on their screens. Two members of the Trek crew were taking a break and I'd had completely forgotten to dismantle the video rooms but they had already done it. The spare flyers (one box full) we put in my car. Veronique described her VCR and TV saga as France is different from the UK which is different from the USA ie blue tapes, 60Hz NTSC/Pal/ SeCam problems. Feeling tired and sleepy I did not want to leave the con as it emptied so quickly. It was now 6:00 pm and I said my farewells who were dogtired. Got off the sofaseats and got some sandwiches and drinks for the trek home. Last wave and look forward to another two years at the Norbreck Castle before getting onto the motorway. Luckily the heavy traffic had gone already as I made it to Liverpool by 7:30 pm for a family evening meal. The next con would be Conundrum, Glasgow in seven weeks. TREKDWARF III --------------- March 1995 - Holiday Inn, Leicster, England --------------------------------------------- by Sven Harvey and Claire Higgins ----------------------------------- Arriving with our friend David Zabiela at the hotel on Friday (after getting lost between the railway station and the hotel) we were greeted by mutal great friend Kerry Evans (whom some of you convention goes may only know by the name Dax!) and the fact that we couldn't book in until 2pm... a bit of a pain considering that the programme started at 2pm. Oh well. After booking in David dragged us to the dealers room where he immediately spent over £150 in less than 2 minutes... Nu Earth were there with some very nice stuff. After visting the Dark Side of the Moon, Sheffield Space Centre and Totally Trek stands we disappeared into one of the video rooms. Later, in the evening, the Opening Ceremony took place including a well put together video showing scenes from Red Dwarf and the episode "Cause and Effect" of Next Generation which resulted in a rendered (looked like the Amigas Imagine program!) Enterprise flying out of a gas cloud with Starbug wedged in it. However the atmosphere of the convention was already below par. To be honest I (Sven) spent most of the convention in a fit of depression. It just felt like there was nothing to do. We formed a team for the quiz, we had breakfast with Aaron Eisenberg we watched some Voyager, but most of the time we found ourselves bored or wandering around trying to get involved in something. The fancy dress party/disco didn't go brilliantly, though there were some excellent entries including a Mr. Flibble type sketch, a young Trekker as Kai Opaka and Camille from the Red Dwarf episode of the same name. The food was pretty expensive and many of us ended up walking quite away into town to the nearest McDonalds (in uniform!). We spoke to Aaron quite a lot as he was in the room opposite ours. He was suprised both by the similarities between the UK and the US as well as some of the very fundamental differences. He couldn't understand that we needed a TV licence just to watch! The attendees were not too pleased to find out that neither Chris Barrie or Craig Charles had shown up and that Max Grodenchik had cancelled. The only guest was the aforementioned Aaron Eisenberg (DS9's Nog), a great guy by the way, who gave some very good guest talks and wasn't afraid to mix with us lot. He also let us know about Nog's potential entrance to the Acadamy and of his comic book (I am sure a review will be in this issue somewhere.) Unfortunately this convention proved that Red Dwarf and Star Trek doesn't mix favourably and there was some resentment between the Trekker/Trekkie faction and the Dwarfies at the con. After this unfortunate experience I have been reluctant to attend other conventions but I am looking forward to Delta Quadrant next year... Well I should do - I am on the committee! CONUNDRUM ----------- Hospitality Inn, Glasgow, SCOTLAND ------------------------------------ 15th - 17th July 1995 ----------------------- Report by Edward Woo ---------------------- THURSDAY: I finished work at 5:00 pm and was really looking forward to Conundrum and a lively weekend in Glasgow. Got some petrol, a TV aerial from Focus DIY and collected Maggie from the railway station. It will be her first convention and she is stewarding plus the Scottish one is the best introduction to ST. Did the usual packing of a uniform, sweat shirts, white Horta items food and drink. Phoned Heather but she was off to Blackpool for the weekend but she would see her Monday night. She's a Fan and usually I drop off videos, books etc.. as she can't get to the con instead she has a weekend of ST goodies when I come up for a visit. FRIDAY: Got up about 8:00 am, having a breakfast of noodles and tea. Once the car was full of paper, luggage and food it was up the M6 via the bottle bank. The M6, M74, M8 journey was uneventful despite a one day rail strike. I had expected a lower turnout due to it but most arrived a day early or by another modes transport. Jean was flying from Manchester to Glasgow despite her noisy pupils. As we entered the outskirts of Glasgow, I remembered the way, with many visits to the Away Team meetings, but still consulted the map just in case. The Hospitality Inn Hotel was still there as we rounded the corner to the underground car park to level B as level A was full. Parked near the lifts and we mounted the stairs to see reception. Spotted some recognisable faces even though it was noon on the clock. Scott, Alison, Paula, Lorraine and Stephen were hovering reception. Scott signed us in so we could get our con packages early. Richard Arnold was here already and was off sight seeing despite the lack of trains it was the bus for him and his colleagues. I thought we had arrived to early for our rooms but the hotel reception said ours was ready but it was on the 6th floor. I asked for a lower deck but they had already been allocated. I asked for 2 keys and we actually got them with smaller key fobs, not the bulky ones like last year. The Water Fall/Fountain wasn't working - pity. Into the bar to find Greg and asked him about the hard work in putting a con together. ie 10 months of work followed by 2 months of last minute chaos. Fran who came up last night works for BR was there, I saw at Sol III, two months ago, she said Keith was not going to any cons this year - that's the name Greg was trying to remember. There was a video programme tonight starting at 20:00hrs on the 8th floor as usual but this time 2 video rooms with the latest episodes. After several luggage trips from B level to floor 6, we had a rest. I still had a box of flyers in the car left over from Sol III which I brought up to be distributed at the con tomorrow. This would be the last time I would see my Triumph till Monday. We unpacked and did a survey of the room, having tea and biscuits even crisps to renew our energies. there was no Hotel complaint form but we had Sky TV, eventually understanding how the remote worked. One defective lamp shade. Battery and shaver chargers were plugged into the mains. After a fresh up and lie down I showed Maggie the Hotel. Up to the 8th floor were the video rooms, the seats were set out but no equipment yet, a tech crew were just bringing them in. Showed here the ground floor, bars, restaurant and main hall. There was a wedding reception in one of the halls hence the wine glasses. Anyway we could tell who was at the reception, they were better dressed than us that evening. Phoned home to say we had arrived safely. We got our con packages, despite Stephen wanting to withhold mine till he had crossed my name off. At least we had the late night stewarding of the videos, it would be peaceful and no trouble. First query to the committee, where was the club room I asked, the Scott suit on the 8th floor was the reply for the autograph session like last year. I was not the only one who was not sure - a note to the Contagion committee next year. With map in hand we went out of the Hotel for some exercise and air to visit the cash machine, some food using our discounts from the con and a visit to see the famous shopping streets of Glasgow. We crisscrossed the streets to find a Barclays, pointing out the eating places we ate last year, Pizzaland/Hut, Burger Bar for a chicken sandwich, chips and coke. I explained to Maggie about the con packages and the wearing of badges plus who we should see if there is a problem, the senior stewards. We returned to the Hotel despite the traffic. Jean had arrived and was off for a shower. Frankie was here from down south and Margaret who was sitting in the foyer. She didn't bring her husband this time like last year. Back to our rooms, Maggie went for a sleep, she was tired already even before the con started. I did some more unpacking discarding what I wanted for each day, actually read the con booklet and the writings of the committee, ticked which episodes I needed to watch on the time table and then viewed Sky TV. Come 5:00 pm on our way down in the elevator we bumped into some Trek people for the 4th time, didn't get their names but one I recognised later as being superb in the Ceilidh. In fact I spoke to a lot of people in the lift that weekend interest in ST is a real ice breaker. More faces had arrived. Leslie who I can put a face to introduced himself, a friend of TQ, Roddy from Edinburgh who apologised for not sending me the money for last years photos but I said but me a drink instead - he agreed. Jean said she had forgotten to bring a note pad the talks, I said I had one but would there be enough pages. Frankie was no nearer to getting Pam's hand despite numerous efforts at Sol III. Jackie from South Wales had arrived with her assortment of dogs and during the weekend she made numerous exercise trips for them. Janet was here and had words on how her two dogs were doing since she could not get to Blackpool because of them and the big vets bill now. A face appeared in front of me it was Gary who was off to Paris Monday but still had time to organise 42 people to go to see Batman this evening. We decided we might but later he said it was great, better for the children. I asked whether Joe Gibbs would be back for Washington - were both American Football fans. As we were in reception, the committee was standing by the entrance all dressed up. Stephen in a flowery shirt and Scott in a tie and blue blazer. Stephen said they were going out for dinner and I'm not sure if that was with the guests as well - I think so. I showed Stephen the photos of Baggy's wedding, Sol III and Contagion last with many on lookers. He said a photo of George's metro with Majel, Richard and Carel inside it would have been funny. Then a voice from behind and in front sounded, it was John and Simon. Simon's hair was soaking and Jane the better half was by the turbo lift. They had just arrived. We hadn't seen them since May, I showed them their wedding photos and asked about Orkney and the ferry crossing. As I was up there for six months this/last year. Simon was larger and didn't bring his one piece uniform or his camera as I had mine he wanted a spare set of prints made. Simon's friend Tim was here, he won the Sol III video and tall Richard was here also, not as tall as Carel. Simon told me the news that Michael Dorn was going to DS9 - WOW! As it was coming up to early evening I suggested dinner as I had 1 penny Pizzaland voucher again. John and Jane said yes, Simon said he was tired and wet. J + J were on the fifth floor and we said we would meet them in the lobby in 1/4 hour. We went back to our rooms for the vouchers and then waited in reception. Jean talked to Maggie as I went flyer hunting. Michelle Forbes is guest at Cult TV in October and Wolf 359 is so full it's unbelievable, I hear 4 overspill hotels. We sat by the fountain with a Romulan Federation officer who was getting some unusual looks by folks. Again we had a party of Americans and that wedding reception. Last year we had American tourists. Vicki and here Austrian friend passed by saying hello and to mention to Taruka they were in 724. Her Austrian friend I met last year with the Spock teddy bear. No Judith this time to rattle the IDIC Guide dog fund along with TQ so Dave was doing it - sorry both Daves from Preston had the pleasure. Waited a little longer and then phoned 534, John said we were coming and they duly arrived. Jane wanted to know the menu so I pointed her out to the committee. She came back they hadn't had a menu either. So we were off out to Italian, Jane surveyed the Italian place opposite but didn't like the menu. back down the street to Pizzaland, the same place as last year, even in the basement corner with Donna, Adrian and Harminder we started with drinks, starters and Pizza. We chatted away about Life , trek and Quantum Leap and Donna's name came up in conversation. Maggie and myself didn't go for desert as we still had Pizza left. We got it boxed up for Simon, writing to Simon, From the gang love + kisses - he'll like that!. Donna just loves Q Leap and lead character or actor Scott B. The bill came to £24. The 2 J's went for some air whilst we went back to the hotel. I'd still not worn my badge but most people knew me any way. It can be a bit much wearing it on the streets especially wearing a large NG sweat shirt as well. We found Simon and Harminder sitting near the bar and we passed him the Pizza's, should have put on the spicey sauce for him, that would have been hot. Simon appreciated the food. Harminder was still into his signed autographed photos of everyone not just Star Trek. Marminder is going to Wolf and thinks it will be great. As we looked further into the bar a voice cried out, it was Donna and Adrian from South Wales. We grabbed some seats and chatted away. They had been to Holland and I told her about Accelerate 96. She hopes to go and as to Warp 2 they could travel each day. Adrians the quieter of the two and came to ST through Donna. A familiar voice and rattling tin appeared, it was the two Dave's from Preston, they were collecting for charity and we even got a booklet out of them but we gave it back to them. One Dave was staying in Paisley and TQ was about somewhere. Both were wearing uniforms, original and NG in blue. Come 9:30 we all decided to go and watch videos as we consulted the flip chart. We made a brief stop at our rooms before hitting the videos. We go to a front row seat and had a paired funny stewards running it Maggie could only watch 3 episodes before retiring to bed but I stayed for the 4th. Saw Shakaar, Facet and Adversary to the opening music of Knots Landing, Generations of Babylon 5. That was the ongoing competition as they had changed the title music to certain stories. During the intermission of the 3rd video I found Frantone and Peter at the back. Peter was staying in the overspill hotel. I sat on the floor to watch the final episode of DS9 season finale. We trooped down the stairs to the bar as it was only midnight. I found Simon waiting for the two J's but they didn't turn up. Simon bought the round, myself, Simon, Peter and Leslie sat in the foyer for the next 3/4hr trekking. There was no Starbase committee this weekend at the con. No doubt Carol, Mike et all are too busy preparing '96 in Leeds. Rolled in to my room at 1am, briefly setting out what items I needed for tomorrow. gave reception a ring for a wake up call at 7:30 plus I had my back up alarm as well. Made tea and the hay fever tablets and went to bed. The air conditioner was on with a good flow of cool air but like first nights in a hotel I found it difficult to sleep. Woke up several times during the night - 5:00 am and finally 7:00 am. to be continued...