Orbital 2008 (1)

[alitalf]

Eastercon was a very enjoyable and interesting experience. I got to meet lil_shepherd in real life for the first time, and there were many other friends to spend time with.

Hi to inamac and spelljammer.

I feel much more at home among people who attend Eastercon and other comparable events than in the world at large. A panelist on the last panel we went to remarked that she was happier to let people at the con know more about her than other groups of people she knows, because we are of the same tribe.

I think that is a good way to put it. Leaving the con felt, in a way, like leaving behind a large extended family.

There was more programming than in some other years we have attended, and I would have liked a time machine so I could experience the con several times. It was unfortunately necessary to miss an interesting programme item for another also interesting one on a number of occasions.

There was enough real ale. It did not run out – which has happened at Eastercons in years gone by. I like real ale, and it is a treat to be able to enjoy several different varieties over an extended period of time.

About 1300 people came to the con, and £2100 was collected for the match it for Pratchett appeal.

For the first time I participated in two panels, one on global warming, and another on space travel. On the basis of that experience I'd volunteer to be a panelist at other cons, if there was something to which I could make a reasonable contribution.

Comments

[sally_maria]

Glad to hear you had a good weekend - and wow, 1300 people. :-)

I feel much more at home among people who attend Eastercon and other comparable events than in the world at large. A panelist on the last panel we went to remarked that she was happier to let people at the con know more about her than other groups of people she knows, because we are of the same tribe.

I think that is a good way to put it. Leaving the con felt, in a way, like leaving behind a large extended family.

Yes, that, exactly. You're not always going to agree, but there's that fundamental bond there that you just don't get with the world at large.

[romancinger.livejournal.com]

I do so agree about the 'extended family'. I've always meant to go to an Eastercon one year - too much going on this year for me to make it, though. Maybe next Easter.

[lil-shepherd.livejournal.com]

*waves*

Noticed you coming upstairs on the last day, just as inamac and I were heading for the carpark. Would have liked to stop and chat again, but that would have meant at least half an hour's further delay. (As it was, the delay was caused by annafdd and cat photos...)

[alitalf.livejournal.com]

We should meet again at next Eastercon if not before, I hope?

[lil-shepherd.livejournal.com]

You betcha!

[didiusjulianus.livejournal.com]

Okay, so now I know that Orbital = EasterCon = a SciFi Con, it's only taken me a week to fully make all the connections. I'm glad all of you who went seem to have enjoyed it immensely. Anything further to elaborate? Specific foci? Anything else of note? (Also, Pratchett's not really sci-fi is he? although of course, anyone anywhere can match it for Pratchett even if he's not under discussion, or not much).

I think I might even have heard of Neil G who someone else mentioned. I'm sure I'd just have enjoyed, up to a point anyway, the general con-ness of said con, however, I think I'd do better at a con where I knew something about what was going on ;) (My study-related society do weekends that are for fun rather than revision, wonder if they are a bit similar in tribalness? suspect they could be, must investigate, and then there's that other annual event where I vaguely know what's going on, lol).

[alitalf.livejournal.com]

I doubt you would have been bored at this con. Though it is called a science fiction con, one of the guests of honour is a fantasy author (Neil Gaiman). There are talks and panels, vaguely like Oxonmoot, though about a much wider range of topics.

I am part way through writing some stuff relating to the panel I was on, about what effect global warming might have in 100 years, and what technologies the human race might use to deal with it.

Examples: Cory Doctorow read a chapter from his new book (soon to be published) for us. There were panels titled:living with a slash writer, Flash Fiction, the use of mythology in fantasy, The Doctor - saviour or trickster god, space programmes in fact and fiction, adapting Tolkien from book to screen.

There were often six of these taking place at a time, with other activities such as game playing, including RPGs, going on concurrently.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

I look forward to seeing your glbal warming stuff.

I did enjoy Eastercon, but it was too crowded for me. Large numbers of people make me go "meep!", and want to hide.

[(Anonymous)]

While not disliking crowds as much as wellinghall, if it was VERY crowded I might not have liked it much.

Coming back (rather late!) to alitalf's comments, I wasn't imagining I would be bored (I rarely am, unless there is nothing to do, or only one thing to do which doesn't interest me even in a passing way (nb. there are more things not in this category than in it), and/or all the people in the given location are very boring indeed). It was more that I might not really know what was going on or what was being talked about, not being well read in the SF genre. This feeling is sometimes okay, but sometimes a bit uncomfortable and hence not fun. It sounds like it would be fine though, and if it fits in with my other plans & resource levels, I might go another year. (dj not logged in)

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

There was enough real ale. It did not run out

One of the bars ran out of orange juice at one stage, though ;-)