[  Mood: Distorted ]
[  Currently: Eating Turkey and Cheese Sandwich ]
Just enjoying some lunch. A very important part of Con going, no matter what people tell you. You need to eat, and eat well. I have seen people exist on stale bread for days and they are not the same people on Sunday that they were on Friday.

This morning saw me at two panels, both Dr. Who related. The first was a costuming panel. I though it was a comparing ninth and tenth Doctor panel, but obviously I need to read con info better. As do some of the panelists who had the same idea as me. But I did learn that David Tenant’s suit and jacket combo are custom made. And I saw an inflatable Dalek with a droopy probe.

The second panel was hosted by Graeme Burk, editor of Enlightenment, the fanzine of the Doctor Who Information Network (DWIN). Actually, he was the only panelist. So he lead a lively discussion on if we prefer the old villains coming back in Doctor Who or do we want new ones. Result – a balance. Given that there were some people who haven’t seen season 3 and others don’t read spoilers, we steered away from discussion on the Master – who is coming back!

Then it was off to the autographs to get Teryl Rothery’s autograph. Twenty bucks – Canadian. Polaris (well T-Trek) used to give you autographs with membership, but then SFX (part of the Hobby Star Mega Commercial Convention in August) arrived. They charge hundreds of dollars to the fans and the actors sell their autographs. Polaris found it increasingly difficult to get actors to agree to free autographs. So last year they changed it to pay as you go.

This didn’t really change my convention going habits as I have always bought my photos from the actors so that the money was going to them, not to bootleg guy from yesterday.

Anyways – lunch has been inhaled, and I must away to my next autograph line.

[  Mood: Silly ]
[  Currently: Watching Polaris TV ]
Morning.

I got some sleep, but my body woke me up at 6:00 am. And the problem with sharing a room, when you wake-up so does everyone else. We’re not sure who woke up first, but we were all up and eating by 6:30 am. As we ate, we discussed possible events in the upcoming Harry Potter book to help the Artisan prepare for her upcoming 10:00 am panel. We also helped The Artisan fill out the 37 page The Ultimate Deathly Hallows Predictions Exam. Well I did. The Husband Unit lapsed back into unconsciousness.

In addition to our instant oatmeal and Harry Potter, we also enjoyed one of the nicest features of Polaris 21, the Polaris TV channel. This actually started last year for the twentieth anniversary of the con. The channel shows videos of previous year’s events. There are guest appearances, masquerades, tributes to previous guests who have passed on, documentaries and news pieces on previous cons, music videos, and previews of upcoming sci-fi. I personally paused and enjoyed a tribute to DeForest Kelly.

There was also a brilliant, heavily edited Wonder Woman episode called “Spaced Out” that guest-starred Rene Auberjonois as a jewel thief. Most of the action takes place at a Science-Fiction Convention for a classic sci-fi series that was being brought out of retirement and redeveloped. There are also references to an actor called Leroy Leonard. Clever subtitles let us know that this episode came out about the same time that Star Trek: Phase Two was in development.

Perhaps the nicest part of Polaris TV is the playing of the “I’m a TT, I’m a Polaris” videos that have been circulating through the Internet.

To help long time attendees like me (I have been coming since T-Trek 11) cope with the name change, the ConCom has made the change. They are funny little parodies based on the “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” comercials. Two are on the web (Polaris vs. Toronto Trek – Part Oneand Polaris vs. Toronto Trek – The Saga Continues )
Several more premiered on the channel, as did a blooper reel. The blooper reel caused the Husband Unit to bolt awake, make everyone shut up so he could watch the vid.

That’s it for now. I must go shower so that I don’t stink too badly. Convention Hygiene is almost as important as Convention Nutrition. And then I’ll slip into my RevSF t-shirt for the day. Come say hi, if you are here.

[  Mood: Sleepy ]
[  Currently: Eating Hummus and Pita ]
Well what an exciting day! Polaris has a lot to offer. The Husband Unit, the Artisan and I spent most of the evening in the Art Show helping out. I worked the print desk where I got to sell prints. Most of the sales were for a fabulous artist and friend, Heather Bruton. Sales were brisk and we managed to sell out of some of her prints.

I also got to talk to one of my favourite artists, Lar de Souza, who in addition to being a brilliantly funny illustrator and punner of his own, is the artist of Looking for Group. He was very excited to learn that I knew what the hell he was talking about. I dropped the name of RevSF and said they had directed me to the site. It looks like Lar and company may move to formally publishing the comic. This means that it might be appearing at the Comic Book shop near you SOON. In addition, he and the other guys will be going to San Diego Comic Con to promote the comic. How exciting! I sense an interview possibility.

I also saw some beautiful pieces of art. Lar had some of the original pages from Looking for Group up for sale. In addition, there were some beautiful jewelry pieces available. There were, of course, the requisite number of show/movie inspired art pieces. Sketches, paintings, cartoons, cross-stitch and stained glass are all available for bid. And I also had the privilege of being scarred for life by a Pinky and the Brain slash/SM cartoon. You have no idea.

I did however make it into the dealers room. Actually, I had to as Katie Sackhoff and Tori Higginson where not bringing their own photos for autographs. So I had to buy a few from a dealer and hope like hell they won’t be ripped up as bootleg. This is after I heard him tell a story of how he was kicked out of a convention in England for selling bootleg Supernatural photos. This may be a very short series of blog entries.

While in the Dealers Room, I saw two different models of remote control Dalek, black and gold. Both are only currently available in England. I felt way more than a little giddy. My announcement of their availability upon my return to the Art Show caused more giddiness. It was a veritable Roddenberry of Nerdgasms!

The Artisan ducked into the Klingon Karoke. She reports that while there were Klingons doing security, she saw no Klingons singing. Mind you – she didn’t stay long.

That’s all for tonight. I must try to get some sleep so that I make all the events planned for tomorrow.

[  Mood: Happy ]
[  Currently: Eating Insant Udon Noodle Soup – Con Food – Yum! ]
Well it is finally here, the weekend that many a Canadian and Northern US fan has waited for, Polaris 21.

What you say, you have not heard of Polaris? Have you heard of Toronto Trek? Up until last year, this fine event was called Toronto Trek. The name change this year comes from the fact that with the word Trek in the title, everyone thought it was a Star Trek Convention. Apparently, some actors and other Sci-Fi luminaries (cough – JMS) won’t come to a Trek convention. (If you want more info, go to the webpage )Although they won’t admit it, the name really comes from the fact that in Canada, cities are so far away from each other, it is a Trek to get here. For me it was five hours.

Polaris is the largest fan run convention in Canada. There are bigger cons, but they are for profit ventures where you tend to feel like sheep. Being smaller, and run by fans, Polaris has a more homey feel. You get time to talk to the guests and get to know them. (Andreas Katsulas hugged me while I was getting an autograph one year. Apparently he did this for a lot of the female fans. God bless him!) There is reserved seating and they actually have services for children and special needs. I know, I should have warned you to sit down.

Husband Unit and I, along with a very dear friend The Artisan, have arrived safe and sound, despite being nearly run off the road by a transport truck whose driver was too busy enjoying a burger to remember to stay in his lane. We have also procured a room, even though we arrived early. We had to settle for a room with a queen sized bed and a couch. The Artisan is thrilled as she loves to sleep on the couch. (No really!) We have managed to unpack our most important worldly possessions, the food, despite initial attempts of the 40 year-old bell boy.

Husband Unit, the Artisan and I will be reporting regularly (well as regularly as possible) about the goings on and the news from the Con. Look for us on Saturday in our RevolutionSF shirts.

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Sorry People – Just trying to get this set up.

[  Mood: Sleepy ]
[  Currently: Reading Infidel ]
Today, my fine young friends, is Canada Day.

This is the day when we Canucks celebrate our national day. There will be fireworks, parades, people with maple leafs painted in strange places and copious amounts of beer.

Our nation will be a paltry 140 years old. A pittance compared to most countries, but when compared to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (East Timor to you), we are grannies!

So why should a Science Fiction site like this place celebrate Canada Day? Because without us much of your TV would not appear. Do you think the networks could afford to shoot things like the 4440, Andromeda, Battlestar Gallactica, The Collector, Dark Angel, The Dead Zone, Dresden Files, Earth: Final Conflict, F/X. Friday 13th: The series, Forever Knight, Harsh Realm, Highlander, Highlander: The Raven, Lone Gunmen, Millenium, Mutant X, Pain Killer Jane, The Pretender, ReGenesis, the Sentinel, Seven Days, Sliders, Smallville, the Stargate SG1 and Atlantis, Supernatural, Viper and the X-Files without the lower Canadian dollar?

Don’t get me started on the movies, although I refuse to take reponsibility for Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, although I was in Vancouver when it was shooting.

And I didn’t even mention the the Shag Habour UFO Crash.

[  Mood: Sleepy ]
[  Currently: Listening to the sound of no children. ]
So I have finally been convinced by one of my former cadets to subscribe to the Book of Visages. And holy cow. Within two days, my best friend from grade 2 has contacted me.

I now have over 50 friends. I know that number pales in comparison to the 200+ some of my cadets have, but I am an old married lady in her 30s.

And yes, I know about the accusation that Facebook is giving info to the Feds, but holy cow!

[  Mood: Amused ]
[  Currently: Playing City of Heroes ]
Last day!!!!!!!!

Meetings tomorrow and then I clean my room. The international language program is having a summer school in my room. Which means that I have to lock-up or remove everything of value, cause otherwise they will steal it or destroy it.

Then Friday, I am free.

Thank god.

(Genre related, they played "White and Nerdy" at the grad dance.)

[  Mood: Evil ]
[  Currently: Listening to CBC Radio ]
Apparently Koas Device is bringing sexy back.

I think, that given we are an SF site, it is going to take more than just KD to bring back sexy.

No, this must be a concerted effort by all of the bloggers to bring back sexy. We must exude it in our posts, witty replies and, yes, even the shout outs.

QUICK NOTE: Bringing sexy back is not just the smutty stuff that some spammers (and bloggers) leave behind. You know, the stuff that got Dharma banned in the Canadian school system. Sexy is way more classy than that.

Off to find my fishnets.

[  Mood: In Love ]
[  Currently: Watching Canadian Idol ]
So I was scrolling through the Internet when I found an ad for a comic. And my jaw hit the floor.

Green Arrow is asking for Black Canaries hand.

Hold the freaking phone!

Are you telling me that something I dreamed, hoped, and yes, role-played, is happening?

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Of course, they will never tie the not. The first overtly sexual comic book couple ain’t going to make it legal. Cause then they might have babies and then that character I role-played may actually have to show up in comics. And then Joe and I will meet face to face and the Rapture will be upon us.

Did I mention YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!?

Going to buy me some fishnets. I already have the (naturally) blonde hair.

Now to convince the husband to grow a Vandyke and die all the facial hair and, that on his head, blonde.

Yesssssssss.

Of course I could just go buy the damn comic, but that would not be as freaky.