Pegasus 2 report
Feb. 7th, 2007 01:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rodneyscatArrived on Friday. The con hadn't opened yet, so I went into the hotel, where the hotel lobby guy offered to store my luggage, even if I wasn't actually staying there. Had tea while waiting for the con to open, and was joined by a nice Scottish woman (really distractingly delicious accent I must say) with whom I chatted happily for an hour once we found out that I'm a Rodney fan who actually digs Sam, and she's a Sam fan who digs Rodney and we're both looking forward to Sam appearing on Atlantis; that was all kinds of refreshing!
Con opened. Checking in went smoothly. We were told not to queue just yet, but loads of people did anyway, so when after an hour a random desk opened for photoshoot tickets, I happened to be right in front of it and I was 10th in line without even trying, heheheh!! Got tickets for David Hewlett, Kate Hewlett and David Nykl.
Having that out of the way I collected my luggage at the hotel and went on my way to London to meet up with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
loreley_se with whom I was staying. Everything went smoothly again, except for the part where I was waiting outside the underground station for her, while she was waiting inside, which we found out after half an hour waiting, d'oh... Had a beer at her apartment and then headed for a tandoori restaurant where we had a nice meal, then back to watch an episode of Torchwood (I understand Jack is hot stuff, but omg Ianto...) and one of Doctor Who (finally got to see the Bad Wolf conclusion!).
We did a lot of catching up and I got my birthday present which had been waiting for me since she'd been moving and traveling; A dvd box with the first 5 episodes of Torchwood, a picture of us at Ring*Con 2006 and a SGA t-shirt with Rodney and John on it, which made me react in quite an embarrassing way I must say. I may have fondled that t-shirt for the better part of my stay at Loreley's place (omg).
Saturday
Got up at 5.30, so I could travel to the con and get my ticket for the talks, which they started handing out at 7.00 am... Took the bus/underground/bus. Bought breakfast on the way, got my ticket and got settled in one of the chairs in the hall with the fanclub mag I'd bought the previous day, my sandwiches & bottle of water and waited for the con to start. Again people were already queuing for uhm, well, they didn't know actually, but it seemed to be the theme of the weekend that whenever a couple of people were standing in line somewhere, a queue would automatically form, just in case something would happen. It was quite ridiculous really. And I'm not exaggerating! Some people have been queuing for hours, when there was literally nothing to queue for. What's up with that?! The organizers kept trying to break up queues, but people just kept on lining up. Some have missed talks because they were queuing. I really don't get that. Especially because there's a lot of complaining about the lack of information, the length of the queues, the bad organization. I thought everything was very clear, it was easy to find someone who could get you information, all the info-people were friendly and the only thing I've been queuing for was for the autograph session on Sunday, because the people signing took their time with each person, which I thought was just amazingly wonderful and great, so I didn't mind waiting at all. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
I checked out the dealers room (did a lot of that in fact over the weekend, and bought some goodies for me and for the kids; mousemats, pics in several sizes, badges and patches. It's just that I got the feeling this could very well be my last con, and I allowed myself to spend some money because of that). I've been to several talks, where some of the secondary characters/stunt guys turned out to be awesome entertainers.
I put this up on YouTube:
20 seconds of David Hewlett's talk.
60 seconds of David Nykl's talk.
Missed most of David Nykl's talk because my number was called for Kate Hewlett's photoshoot. The photoshoots were great. We lined up in a semi-circle in the room where the shoots took place, so you could watch it all clearly before it was your turn. The photographer was friendly and patient, it was checked on the spot if the photo had turned out all right so a second chance could be given if neccessary. It was all very relaxed. I had photoshoots with Kate, David H., and David N.
Kate was very sweet and gracious and looking radiant. For no reason at all I said I was glad she wasn't wearing orange or something, because I was wearing pink and I wouldn't want to clash with her. She said she'd almost picked a t-shirt in the same shade of the screen and was glad she'd decided on the green shirt instead or she'd just be a floating head in the picture.
David H. was looking good (duh...), energetic, greeting everyone like they were the first person that day, hugging and stiking poses whenever someone gave a hint they might like that, joking around. What can I say? He really is awesome. I stood there, aching cheeks from grinning (really, this queue didn't last nearly long enough), and realized he looked very Grantish with his fuzzy hair and scruff. I thought 'Grantish' was a weird word though, so when it was my turn I said this look reminded me of Grant. He scratched his chin and said, 'Yeah, it does look rather Grantish, doesn't it?' Ok, so now 'Grantish' is officially a word.
David N. was so enthusiastic and fun, beaming all over the place. He shook hands with each person, saying 'hello, I'm David' (duh...) and asking their name. David Nykl is the first non-Dutch person ever to pronounce my name right the first time, so I told him as much and he said they have my name in Czech too. That was news to me!
And that was the end of the day for me, because I didn't plan on going to the (second) con-party in the evening.
Around 19.00 I arrived at Loreley's appartment. She gave me a beer and listened to me talking, still riding my SGA-high. Then she cooked a lovely spagetti, and got the opportunity to tell me about her day *blushing* We watched a couple of episodes of SGA and then went to bed, me with my John and Rodney t-shirt beside me *more blushing*
Sunday
We both slept in, because I'd noticed the previous day that these tickets for the talks weren't really neccessary; there were always seats enough also near the stage, even for the more popular guests. I skipped the Hewlett's talk in favor of having a breakfast at leasure with Loreley, with breadrolls, a selection of cheese and scrambled eggs which no one makes like she does. Yum!
Headed for the con again, and arrived well in time for David Nykl's talk, which I'd missed most of the previous day, so it was nice to see the full one this time. Attended more talks, spend more money and waited for the closing ceremony. The main hall was already filled, when I was still sitting in one of the chairs of the entrance hall, together with a couple of others, and that was fun, because there was coming and going of several of the guests. Ryan Robbins at some point asked us if we'd seen Kate Hewlett, David Hewlett and Jane stood in the hall for quite a while, checking out the 'Jedi Chef' pictures on the walls, and pointing out Joe and Rainbow to each other. And I just sat there, slouching in my chair, grinning like an idiot, trying not to be noticed.
Once they went into the main hall, I entered too, to see the end of the ceremony. One thing I must point out. When all the guests were on stage, the awards for the costume contest were being given, and at one point three ladies were called to the stage to collect their price. They walked throught the path between the chairs in the middle of the hall, but the last part was clogged by people who were so busy making pictures, they didn't notice the ladies couldn't get through. After a couple of seconds David H. stepped forward and said 'Whatever you do: Don't. Let. Them. Pass!', to which they all jumped up and aside.
Oh, another complaint I've been hearing about the con is that the only official pictures of the guests available were the ones that went with the autograph tickets, so you'd have to buy an autograph ticket to get a picture. After some explaining (I only wanted my personal item signed, but I still wanted a couple of the pictures they had, only wasn't willing to pay the full autograph price for them of course. So what we worked out was, I picked the pictures I liked, paid just the picture price and they left them under the counter for me to pick up after the autograph session. Worked beautifully. So really, the organization was very helpful and willing to think up solutions for unexpected problems, if only you asked and didn't just complain to people who couldn't do anything about it anyway.
After the ceremony, the autograph sessions started, with some delay. Since my number wouldn't be up for at least an hour, I went to have a walk outside and have a milkshake at the nearby McDonalds (hmmm, strawberry!). I called Loreley to tell her I'd probably be later then I'd expected, and I would call when I was done. When my number was up, I went to queue and it took quite a while before it was my turn to enter the room where all the tables were set up. When I entered, I looked around to see how the room was set up, and I saw David Nykl standing on his chair, taking a picture in my general direction, so I my immediate reaction was to wave. Silly yeah. Especially because it turns out now that he's got that particular picture up in his journal. It's the fourth one over here. Just click on the pic for a bigger version. I'm the one in the back, waving like an overeager child.
First I came to Kate's table. I told her two of my kids were also big fans of the show, but couldn't be at the con, so if she would sign my dvd box for them they'd be thrilled. She signed and wrote 'hello K & A, So glad you like the show'. Now in her blog she'd asked if people who read her blog would introduce themselves to her, so I said I'm one of those readers and told her I was Dutch Eowyn. I was very surprised when she said 'Oh! You're the one with the little mousie!! Always when you comment, I have to look at the little mousie.' I couldn't help but feel all 'She recognized me, eeeee!' about that.
Then David N. added his 'Hi' and 'Thanks for watching'.
I skipped all the other guests, because I didn't want to spend my last night queuing when I could be spending a nice evening with Loreley, so I went directly to the last queue, the one for David H. which was huge, and started outside the room again and around a corner. I didn't mind waiting though, because it was just that he took his time with everyone, and was very patient with all the (some very demanding I must say) fans. Jane was sitting in the background, amids large piles of presents, busily texting away on her cellphone and smiling up every once in a while. By the time it was my turn, David was still all 'hi, nice to see you here!', (while his handler had been complaining about pain in his back, wanting a rest and was rolling his shoulders eleborately *cough*whiner*cough*). David wrote 'K & A! Sorry to miss you :( All the best'. He said he hoped they would be pleased with the messages, I said I was sure they would be and he told me to say hi to them.
I floated out of the room, collected my bag and my pictures, called Loreley that I was on my way and set off. She'd cooked a really delicious curry of chicken, green beans & rice, I did my hyped up speedtalking again before she got her turn, and I had two large cans of beer, because I didn't expect to get any sleep if I didn't have some alcohol in me. It helped.
The next day she dropped me off at the underground station, so I could get to Heathrow to catch my flight home.
*happy sigh* I had a great weekend on all accounts!!
Con opened. Checking in went smoothly. We were told not to queue just yet, but loads of people did anyway, so when after an hour a random desk opened for photoshoot tickets, I happened to be right in front of it and I was 10th in line without even trying, heheheh!! Got tickets for David Hewlett, Kate Hewlett and David Nykl.
Having that out of the way I collected my luggage at the hotel and went on my way to London to meet up with
loreley_se with whom I was staying. Everything went smoothly again, except for the part where I was waiting outside the underground station for her, while she was waiting inside, which we found out after half an hour waiting, d'oh... Had a beer at her apartment and then headed for a tandoori restaurant where we had a nice meal, then back to watch an episode of Torchwood (I understand Jack is hot stuff, but omg Ianto...) and one of Doctor Who (finally got to see the Bad Wolf conclusion!).We did a lot of catching up and I got my birthday present which had been waiting for me since she'd been moving and traveling; A dvd box with the first 5 episodes of Torchwood, a picture of us at Ring*Con 2006 and a SGA t-shirt with Rodney and John on it, which made me react in quite an embarrassing way I must say. I may have fondled that t-shirt for the better part of my stay at Loreley's place (omg).
Saturday
Got up at 5.30, so I could travel to the con and get my ticket for the talks, which they started handing out at 7.00 am... Took the bus/underground/bus. Bought breakfast on the way, got my ticket and got settled in one of the chairs in the hall with the fanclub mag I'd bought the previous day, my sandwiches & bottle of water and waited for the con to start. Again people were already queuing for uhm, well, they didn't know actually, but it seemed to be the theme of the weekend that whenever a couple of people were standing in line somewhere, a queue would automatically form, just in case something would happen. It was quite ridiculous really. And I'm not exaggerating! Some people have been queuing for hours, when there was literally nothing to queue for. What's up with that?! The organizers kept trying to break up queues, but people just kept on lining up. Some have missed talks because they were queuing. I really don't get that. Especially because there's a lot of complaining about the lack of information, the length of the queues, the bad organization. I thought everything was very clear, it was easy to find someone who could get you information, all the info-people were friendly and the only thing I've been queuing for was for the autograph session on Sunday, because the people signing took their time with each person, which I thought was just amazingly wonderful and great, so I didn't mind waiting at all. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
I checked out the dealers room (did a lot of that in fact over the weekend, and bought some goodies for me and for the kids; mousemats, pics in several sizes, badges and patches. It's just that I got the feeling this could very well be my last con, and I allowed myself to spend some money because of that). I've been to several talks, where some of the secondary characters/stunt guys turned out to be awesome entertainers.
I put this up on YouTube:
20 seconds of David Hewlett's talk.
60 seconds of David Nykl's talk.
Missed most of David Nykl's talk because my number was called for Kate Hewlett's photoshoot. The photoshoots were great. We lined up in a semi-circle in the room where the shoots took place, so you could watch it all clearly before it was your turn. The photographer was friendly and patient, it was checked on the spot if the photo had turned out all right so a second chance could be given if neccessary. It was all very relaxed. I had photoshoots with Kate, David H., and David N.
Kate was very sweet and gracious and looking radiant. For no reason at all I said I was glad she wasn't wearing orange or something, because I was wearing pink and I wouldn't want to clash with her. She said she'd almost picked a t-shirt in the same shade of the screen and was glad she'd decided on the green shirt instead or she'd just be a floating head in the picture.
David H. was looking good (duh...), energetic, greeting everyone like they were the first person that day, hugging and stiking poses whenever someone gave a hint they might like that, joking around. What can I say? He really is awesome. I stood there, aching cheeks from grinning (really, this queue didn't last nearly long enough), and realized he looked very Grantish with his fuzzy hair and scruff. I thought 'Grantish' was a weird word though, so when it was my turn I said this look reminded me of Grant. He scratched his chin and said, 'Yeah, it does look rather Grantish, doesn't it?' Ok, so now 'Grantish' is officially a word.
David N. was so enthusiastic and fun, beaming all over the place. He shook hands with each person, saying 'hello, I'm David' (duh...) and asking their name. David Nykl is the first non-Dutch person ever to pronounce my name right the first time, so I told him as much and he said they have my name in Czech too. That was news to me!
And that was the end of the day for me, because I didn't plan on going to the (second) con-party in the evening.
Around 19.00 I arrived at Loreley's appartment. She gave me a beer and listened to me talking, still riding my SGA-high. Then she cooked a lovely spagetti, and got the opportunity to tell me about her day *blushing* We watched a couple of episodes of SGA and then went to bed, me with my John and Rodney t-shirt beside me *more blushing*
Sunday
We both slept in, because I'd noticed the previous day that these tickets for the talks weren't really neccessary; there were always seats enough also near the stage, even for the more popular guests. I skipped the Hewlett's talk in favor of having a breakfast at leasure with Loreley, with breadrolls, a selection of cheese and scrambled eggs which no one makes like she does. Yum!
Headed for the con again, and arrived well in time for David Nykl's talk, which I'd missed most of the previous day, so it was nice to see the full one this time. Attended more talks, spend more money and waited for the closing ceremony. The main hall was already filled, when I was still sitting in one of the chairs of the entrance hall, together with a couple of others, and that was fun, because there was coming and going of several of the guests. Ryan Robbins at some point asked us if we'd seen Kate Hewlett, David Hewlett and Jane stood in the hall for quite a while, checking out the 'Jedi Chef' pictures on the walls, and pointing out Joe and Rainbow to each other. And I just sat there, slouching in my chair, grinning like an idiot, trying not to be noticed.
Once they went into the main hall, I entered too, to see the end of the ceremony. One thing I must point out. When all the guests were on stage, the awards for the costume contest were being given, and at one point three ladies were called to the stage to collect their price. They walked throught the path between the chairs in the middle of the hall, but the last part was clogged by people who were so busy making pictures, they didn't notice the ladies couldn't get through. After a couple of seconds David H. stepped forward and said 'Whatever you do: Don't. Let. Them. Pass!', to which they all jumped up and aside.
Oh, another complaint I've been hearing about the con is that the only official pictures of the guests available were the ones that went with the autograph tickets, so you'd have to buy an autograph ticket to get a picture. After some explaining (I only wanted my personal item signed, but I still wanted a couple of the pictures they had, only wasn't willing to pay the full autograph price for them of course. So what we worked out was, I picked the pictures I liked, paid just the picture price and they left them under the counter for me to pick up after the autograph session. Worked beautifully. So really, the organization was very helpful and willing to think up solutions for unexpected problems, if only you asked and didn't just complain to people who couldn't do anything about it anyway.
After the ceremony, the autograph sessions started, with some delay. Since my number wouldn't be up for at least an hour, I went to have a walk outside and have a milkshake at the nearby McDonalds (hmmm, strawberry!). I called Loreley to tell her I'd probably be later then I'd expected, and I would call when I was done. When my number was up, I went to queue and it took quite a while before it was my turn to enter the room where all the tables were set up. When I entered, I looked around to see how the room was set up, and I saw David Nykl standing on his chair, taking a picture in my general direction, so I my immediate reaction was to wave. Silly yeah. Especially because it turns out now that he's got that particular picture up in his journal. It's the fourth one over here. Just click on the pic for a bigger version. I'm the one in the back, waving like an overeager child.
First I came to Kate's table. I told her two of my kids were also big fans of the show, but couldn't be at the con, so if she would sign my dvd box for them they'd be thrilled. She signed and wrote 'hello K & A, So glad you like the show'. Now in her blog she'd asked if people who read her blog would introduce themselves to her, so I said I'm one of those readers and told her I was Dutch Eowyn. I was very surprised when she said 'Oh! You're the one with the little mousie!! Always when you comment, I have to look at the little mousie.' I couldn't help but feel all 'She recognized me, eeeee!' about that.
Then David N. added his 'Hi' and 'Thanks for watching'.
I skipped all the other guests, because I didn't want to spend my last night queuing when I could be spending a nice evening with Loreley, so I went directly to the last queue, the one for David H. which was huge, and started outside the room again and around a corner. I didn't mind waiting though, because it was just that he took his time with everyone, and was very patient with all the (some very demanding I must say) fans. Jane was sitting in the background, amids large piles of presents, busily texting away on her cellphone and smiling up every once in a while. By the time it was my turn, David was still all 'hi, nice to see you here!', (while his handler had been complaining about pain in his back, wanting a rest and was rolling his shoulders eleborately *cough*whiner*cough*). David wrote 'K & A! Sorry to miss you :( All the best'. He said he hoped they would be pleased with the messages, I said I was sure they would be and he told me to say hi to them.
I floated out of the room, collected my bag and my pictures, called Loreley that I was on my way and set off. She'd cooked a really delicious curry of chicken, green beans & rice, I did my hyped up speedtalking again before she got her turn, and I had two large cans of beer, because I didn't expect to get any sleep if I didn't have some alcohol in me. It helped.
The next day she dropped me off at the underground station, so I could get to Heathrow to catch my flight home.
*happy sigh* I had a great weekend on all accounts!!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-07 05:36 pm (UTC)this was great to read, and not just because I am happy to know you had a good time, but also for the vicarious thrill of almost being there *gg* (or the other way perhaps: it's great not only to get the vicarious thrill by reading, but also because it is nice to know you enjoyed yourself a lot). Thank you for writing it all up! :D
*still quietly asquee at the mere existence and awesomeness of David Hewlett*
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-13 08:47 am (UTC)*still all asquee*
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-07 06:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-13 08:54 am (UTC)David Nykl was so bouncy! I think he had a great time. He kept popping up everywhere.
And both Kate and Jane are the kind of people who light up a room. When they walk past, or are somewhere talking, your eyes get drawn to them automatically.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-07 07:31 pm (UTC)Thanks for the clips. Sounds like there were a lot of slashers in the audience, the way they cheered for DH telling JF waht to do. ;-)
You look so cute blurring your hand in that picture! Any chance you'll post your posed pics? *puppy eyes*
Sounds like it was absolutely fabulous! *squish*
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-13 08:58 am (UTC)I was channeling Rodney I'm sure with my blurry hand! Posting the posed pics is a problem, as I don't have a scanner.
I had a great time :D
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-13 07:53 pm (UTC)Yes, Rodney hand! Hee!
Maybe you can take a photo of your pics framed and displayed?
Yay! And thank you again for sharing. xoxo
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-07 09:17 pm (UTC)Now here's one thing I am really curious about...where is the tshirt now???
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-13 09:02 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-07 11:30 pm (UTC)Thank you again, darlin'.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-09 09:51 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-07 11:36 pm (UTC)I'm glad you had such a fantastic weekend! *squishes*
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-09 09:47 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-08 05:04 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-09 09:46 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-08 03:08 pm (UTC)Good to see you out here in cyberspace! If you want to join the Dutch Stargate mailing list, search Yahoo! Groups for Dutch Stargate (yes, very creative!).
Glad you had a good time. I thought this was one of the best so far. The guests, the organisation, the fans, everything was so close to perfection it was scary!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-09 09:43 am (UTC)I've been trying to find that Yahoo! group you talked about, but frankly have had no luck. When I do a search for dutch stargate, all I get are these two groups (http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=dutch+stargate&submit=Search). It's not one of those, right?
I noticed you've also got The Sentinel listed as an interest. We have more interests in common, but that one I noticed specifically, because the series is not that commonly known in our country. And you're a fan of Canadian tv and movies!! *thumbs up*
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-09 03:39 pm (UTC)There you go, that's the correct link. Didn't know they also had a Stargate Vlaanderen group, neat.
As for The Sentinel, I was one of the few people staying up late on Wednesday evening to watch it on Veronica (the now RTL7). That was before it was aired daily on Veronica (the current one, which still exists). Now that's something they should release on DVD. And the Canadian stuff, well, yes, they have some good and interesting films. Have you seen Slings and Arrows?
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-08 03:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-09 09:37 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-09 03:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-08 05:01 pm (UTC)I love the picture of you waving! It's so spontaneous and cheerful.
As for the queueing; I noticed that at Collectormania as well. The Brits really queue for anything. Then again, there were long queues at RingCon as well, even when people had appointed seats, so, ehm, maybe it's a con thing? :)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-09 09:34 am (UTC)That's true, it happened there too! Oh man, for the autograph sessions at Peg2 we were called in little groups by number, and then there would be people pre-queuing, waiting for their number to turn up *rolls eyes*
Now if people want to do that, by all means, they should! But don't go blaming the organization for the long queues.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-09 10:21 am (UTC)You look really cute in the picture! And thank you for the clips. It's nice to have visual evidence. :)
I also love that you obviously ate well during the weekend!
Thank you for telling us what it was like!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-14 10:16 am (UTC)Isn't it just?! The only thing is that on the one hand I'm afraid to wear it, because it'll need to get washed then, and I don't know what that will do to the image, but I don't want to put it in my wardrobe either. So now it's lying on a table in the hall, neatly folded picture up. No one here at home has commented on it yet, so I'll just wait how long I can get away with it *shifty eyes*
Huh yeah, I didn't even notice how often I mentioned good eating, but I blame
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-12 04:27 pm (UTC)that David H. must have a lot of energy and patience! 0_0. Funny remark Don't let them pass, lol.
Never underestimate the Czech, I find they know a lot of languages. Very funny, you waving at Nykl, and he post that pic on this blog! I didn't know he had a blog, thanks for the link!!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-13 09:25 am (UTC)I can't bring myself to put it in a closet, so it's still lying in on the table in the hall, folded with the picture up :D
About blogs: who on SGA hasn't got a blog?! I've got a couple linked in the linkbar *points to the left*, but I understand there are even more blogs out there. Martin Gero should start writing something, but so far I must say I highly approve of his taste in music *thumbs up*