RENOVATION, the 69th World SF Con, Reno, NV
Renovation, the 69th World Science Fiction Convention was held in Reno, Nevada, August 17 - 21. The weather was clear & hot, but I didn't find it that humid. It was also very dry because I kept getting chapped lips. Some people were getting nose bleeds.
The Atlantis Hotel & Casino and the Peppermill Hotel & Casino were huge and confusing, but nice. I was in the Peppermill. Though I love playing Blackjack, I was a very good girl; I only played one evening and stopped after I'd lost $50. I usually sit at a Blackjack table for hours.
The con itself was well attended and the convention space in the Reno-Sparks Convention Center was more than sufficient. Most of the programming was here. HBO had sent a replica of the Iron Throne from "Game of Thrones" for display. Unfortunately, there was no Sean Bean to sit on it (so I could sit in his lap). However, the attendees were allowed to sit on the Iron Throne and take pictures. As a costumer, I didn't sit on the throne until I'd dressed for it. I'm sure HBO got their throne back with a highly polished seat from all the tushes that sat in it. George R. R. Martin was also there to speak and sign autographs. I missed his talk because I was on another panel, and I didn't get an autograph because the line was incredibly long.
I was on two panels and I had the Merlin Meetup. Three people showed up for the Meetup which pleased me no end, because I thought no one would show up. I had prepared some questions for discussion (for the lulls in conversation) and a trivia contest based on the actors who have been on Merlin and on Doctor Who. Interestingly, the three people all agreed that Arthur should find out about Merlin's magic by accident.
I was a Masquerade Judge for the first time at a Worldcon. I've judged before at other conventions, but never a Worldcon. It was not that different. The other two judges and me could not decided between two entries for Best In Show, so we had two BIS winners - one BIS Original Costume and BIS Recreation Costume.
I had a fun time at Renovation, seeing old friends (some I hadn't seen in years), making new friends, and just hanging out.
I got home in time for the earthquake and Hurricane Irene. I survived both.
The Atlantis Hotel & Casino and the Peppermill Hotel & Casino were huge and confusing, but nice. I was in the Peppermill. Though I love playing Blackjack, I was a very good girl; I only played one evening and stopped after I'd lost $50. I usually sit at a Blackjack table for hours.
The con itself was well attended and the convention space in the Reno-Sparks Convention Center was more than sufficient. Most of the programming was here. HBO had sent a replica of the Iron Throne from "Game of Thrones" for display. Unfortunately, there was no Sean Bean to sit on it (so I could sit in his lap). However, the attendees were allowed to sit on the Iron Throne and take pictures. As a costumer, I didn't sit on the throne until I'd dressed for it. I'm sure HBO got their throne back with a highly polished seat from all the tushes that sat in it. George R. R. Martin was also there to speak and sign autographs. I missed his talk because I was on another panel, and I didn't get an autograph because the line was incredibly long.
I was on two panels and I had the Merlin Meetup. Three people showed up for the Meetup which pleased me no end, because I thought no one would show up. I had prepared some questions for discussion (for the lulls in conversation) and a trivia contest based on the actors who have been on Merlin and on Doctor Who. Interestingly, the three people all agreed that Arthur should find out about Merlin's magic by accident.
I was a Masquerade Judge for the first time at a Worldcon. I've judged before at other conventions, but never a Worldcon. It was not that different. The other two judges and me could not decided between two entries for Best In Show, so we had two BIS winners - one BIS Original Costume and BIS Recreation Costume.
I had a fun time at Renovation, seeing old friends (some I hadn't seen in years), making new friends, and just hanging out.
I got home in time for the earthquake and Hurricane Irene. I survived both.