So a fortnight ago I went to the SFX Weekender, a two-day science fiction convention organised by SFX Magazine that took place at Pontins holiday camp in Camber Sands. Overall it was quite a laugh but not without its share of ups and downs.
This particular Pontins is possibly one of the shabbiest and most delapidated places I have ever seen. It needed refurbishing 15 years ago when the annual gaming event GenCon UK used to be there, and it would seem that not a penny has been spent on the place in the intervening years.
The event itself was also somethiing of a shambles. This was actually no surprise to me given that I attended a similar 'SFX Event' organised by the magazine in 2001 in Blackpool (another shabby hell-hole if ever there was one). I was surprised to hear that they were claiming this year's event was the first one of it's kind, but in retrospect maybe it was deliberate obfuscation on their part to blot out what a complete mess the previous one was. This time it was only marginally better - for example the schedule wasn't posted online until the week before, and then it could only be found on the main SFX web site, and not the SFX Event web site.
Luckily I didn't pay to attend, so I didn't really mind. Pushing my nerd credentials to a whole new level, I got to attend the convention for free as an exhibitor and ran demos of Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition for both days. I did get to sneak out to catch some of Tom Baker's reminisces on the main stage, and to get an autograph from Michelle Forbes (Ensign Ro from Star Trek, Admiral Cain from BSG and Maryanne from True Blood). I also got to hang out on the Saturday night for the cosplay ball, which is where I dressed up as Agent 47 (see the pics from my last blog). I think my friend Nick stole the show though with his awesome Doctor Who costume:
The night was pretty bonkers, with a lot of very trashed people in a all kinds of costumes (some good, some bad). The entertainment was a bit iffy - ex children's TV presenter Pat Sharpe is quite frankly a terrible DJ. We settled for the relative quiet of the VIP bar until we were kicked out at 2am.
Apparently the magazine are planning a similar event for next year. I don't think it would really be worth it if I had to pay for it, but if I can blag my way in again like I did this year then I'll probably go back. Not sure what costume I'd go for - doing Darth Maul could be fun, although it would be quite a lot of effort... *shrugs*
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In other news earlier this month I was invited to become a contributing (and paid) writer for the new gaming communirty web site www.alltern8.com, and (amongst other things) I've ended up being their official commentator on Star Trek Online - for my full review of the game see the site.
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Speaking of which, I've also been playing a fair bit of STO and quite frankly although it's not brilliant I can't really help myself. Just hearing that Star Trek music and getting to beam my away team down to a variety of missions is rather endearing, despite the shortcomings of the engine and the gameplay. And the thought of getting my own top-end cruiser is enough to keep me doing my missions like a good little Picard wannabe. Maybe this something like what happens to other people who play WOW. Or maybe I just need to get out more...
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One of the other hats that I wear is being the Storyteller for a vampire-themed live-roleplay game that takes place in London every month. It's kinda complicated as it's part of a national network of games and ongoing stories. Last summer I foolishly volunteered to take over the local game when the previous ST bailed on the group, leaving them in the lurch. Alas I didn't realise just how much of a mess the game was in, and I'm starting to wonder whether I should've kept my mouth shut. Having said that, I am a sucker for a challenge, and it is rewarding to have a hand in entertaining people.
For the unitiated reader, it works something like the Murder Mystery dinner party sets you can get from WH Smith except that you get to decide who you want to play and what you get up to each game is up to you and not really scripted at all. I play the role of the referee who has to resolve everyone's actions and work out what's going on behind the scenes. If you fancy giving it a try then please let me know - no experience or understanding is necessary - you just need an open mind and a bit of enthusiasm.
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Sadly with much of the above in mind it's been difficult to hit the cinema much. I did however make time to see The Wolfman, which I really enjoyed. The reviews in the press have been somewhat unkind, and I can see why. Essentially it's like someone made a traditional Hammer horror film, but with big-budget special effects. If you appreciate that kind of thing then you'll love it, but if it's not your thing then it's not going to win you over.
Otherwise I've been more devoted to the small screen, with Dollhouse, Being Hiuman, Lost, True Blood and Caprica all vying for attention. I'm also taping Supernatural season 5, but haven't watched any of it yet, as I'm still catching up on season 4 on DVD. And I've given up on Heroes, as the new season is just shit.
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I enjoyed seeing everyone last month for Creamy's birthday bash and it reminded me that I genuinely do need to get out and about a bit more. To that end, I was out this last weekend and the Barrowboy and Banker in London Bridge for their goth club night, which was also fun, although not really my scene. At heart (and despite losing my hair recently) I'm still a metal kid, but I don't really know anyone who's up for hitting the metal scene any more *sighs* Roll on the Nottingham meet next month, as Rock City makes me all warm inside...
This particular Pontins is possibly one of the shabbiest and most delapidated places I have ever seen. It needed refurbishing 15 years ago when the annual gaming event GenCon UK used to be there, and it would seem that not a penny has been spent on the place in the intervening years.
The event itself was also somethiing of a shambles. This was actually no surprise to me given that I attended a similar 'SFX Event' organised by the magazine in 2001 in Blackpool (another shabby hell-hole if ever there was one). I was surprised to hear that they were claiming this year's event was the first one of it's kind, but in retrospect maybe it was deliberate obfuscation on their part to blot out what a complete mess the previous one was. This time it was only marginally better - for example the schedule wasn't posted online until the week before, and then it could only be found on the main SFX web site, and not the SFX Event web site.
Luckily I didn't pay to attend, so I didn't really mind. Pushing my nerd credentials to a whole new level, I got to attend the convention for free as an exhibitor and ran demos of Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition for both days. I did get to sneak out to catch some of Tom Baker's reminisces on the main stage, and to get an autograph from Michelle Forbes (Ensign Ro from Star Trek, Admiral Cain from BSG and Maryanne from True Blood). I also got to hang out on the Saturday night for the cosplay ball, which is where I dressed up as Agent 47 (see the pics from my last blog). I think my friend Nick stole the show though with his awesome Doctor Who costume:
The night was pretty bonkers, with a lot of very trashed people in a all kinds of costumes (some good, some bad). The entertainment was a bit iffy - ex children's TV presenter Pat Sharpe is quite frankly a terrible DJ. We settled for the relative quiet of the VIP bar until we were kicked out at 2am.
Apparently the magazine are planning a similar event for next year. I don't think it would really be worth it if I had to pay for it, but if I can blag my way in again like I did this year then I'll probably go back. Not sure what costume I'd go for - doing Darth Maul could be fun, although it would be quite a lot of effort... *shrugs*
---
In other news earlier this month I was invited to become a contributing (and paid) writer for the new gaming communirty web site www.alltern8.com, and (amongst other things) I've ended up being their official commentator on Star Trek Online - for my full review of the game see the site.
---
Speaking of which, I've also been playing a fair bit of STO and quite frankly although it's not brilliant I can't really help myself. Just hearing that Star Trek music and getting to beam my away team down to a variety of missions is rather endearing, despite the shortcomings of the engine and the gameplay. And the thought of getting my own top-end cruiser is enough to keep me doing my missions like a good little Picard wannabe. Maybe this something like what happens to other people who play WOW. Or maybe I just need to get out more...
---
One of the other hats that I wear is being the Storyteller for a vampire-themed live-roleplay game that takes place in London every month. It's kinda complicated as it's part of a national network of games and ongoing stories. Last summer I foolishly volunteered to take over the local game when the previous ST bailed on the group, leaving them in the lurch. Alas I didn't realise just how much of a mess the game was in, and I'm starting to wonder whether I should've kept my mouth shut. Having said that, I am a sucker for a challenge, and it is rewarding to have a hand in entertaining people.
For the unitiated reader, it works something like the Murder Mystery dinner party sets you can get from WH Smith except that you get to decide who you want to play and what you get up to each game is up to you and not really scripted at all. I play the role of the referee who has to resolve everyone's actions and work out what's going on behind the scenes. If you fancy giving it a try then please let me know - no experience or understanding is necessary - you just need an open mind and a bit of enthusiasm.
---
Sadly with much of the above in mind it's been difficult to hit the cinema much. I did however make time to see The Wolfman, which I really enjoyed. The reviews in the press have been somewhat unkind, and I can see why. Essentially it's like someone made a traditional Hammer horror film, but with big-budget special effects. If you appreciate that kind of thing then you'll love it, but if it's not your thing then it's not going to win you over.
Otherwise I've been more devoted to the small screen, with Dollhouse, Being Hiuman, Lost, True Blood and Caprica all vying for attention. I'm also taping Supernatural season 5, but haven't watched any of it yet, as I'm still catching up on season 4 on DVD. And I've given up on Heroes, as the new season is just shit.
---
I enjoyed seeing everyone last month for Creamy's birthday bash and it reminded me that I genuinely do need to get out and about a bit more. To that end, I was out this last weekend and the Barrowboy and Banker in London Bridge for their goth club night, which was also fun, although not really my scene. At heart (and despite losing my hair recently) I'm still a metal kid, but I don't really know anyone who's up for hitting the metal scene any more *sighs* Roll on the Nottingham meet next month, as Rock City makes me all warm inside...
VIEW 8 of 8 COMMENTS
I always did like the episodes Stephen Moffat wrote. And having put Amy in a police uniform for that whole episode, I'm now convinced that we share the same wavelength.