Day one Vancouver Stargate April 2011
This is a public post for the very first bit of my Vancouver Stargate con report. This one will be a bit different since I am volunteering and seeing more behind the scenes stuff than in front.
First off - don't hate the wrist checker! (if you've been to a stargate con or any event where you had to wear a wristband, this is sufficient explanation - someone has to be obsessed with looking at your wrist as you go in and out!)
My flight to vancouver was uneventful and I made it through customs in half an hour. The skytrain was a little trickier because the signs to change platforms were kind of confusing to me. I did eventually make it to Burnaby though. I also couldn't figure out which way was north or west so I kind of chose the most obvious direction and started walking and then caught sight of the hotel.
I got my key, changed into my black dress clothes and rushed to the registration desk. Call time was 11:30 so I didn't want to wait too long. I started around 1;30 when they put me on the doors to check lanyards and wrist bands. Saw lots and lots of people. Also overheard Dan Payne and Alex Zahara talking to people. They were in the vendors area with photos and autographs. At 6pm, I took a break for food.
There is a chinatown food court attached to the hotel which is a bit overwhelming for a sheltered wisconsin girl like me but I was able to get sushi and terryaki chicken as part of a daily special because they had pictures!
When I came back, i ended up working with Mark Burgess during his autographs. Because I was working the door, I missed his panel. However, he is an amazing man. He talked to every single one of the people coming up for an autograph. it was very cool. I had a chance to talk to him a little bit before the autos started and then after we chatted a bit as well. Hugs were exchanged :) (speaking of hugs, Dan Payne is so so lovely. I reminded him how I asked for a hug at Gatecon cuz I love a man so much taller than me!)
I then had some time before the happy hour. the other Hollie (from minnesota, with the lovely lovely rambunctious child) was celebrating a birthday. At happy hour I was checking tickets again but I could overhear how much fun the people who were at the happy hour were having. The guests rotated tables and everyone looked absolutely thrilled.
Highlights of the day:
Mark Burgess has lost 30lbs in the last year and looks AWESOME. www.imdb.com/name/nm0121323/
Dan Payne is working on Underworld 4. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1026161/
Today is Alex Zahara on stage, Andee Frizzell, Kavan Smith and Alexis (Skaara). Plus a cabaret and a karoake party later! Will be a long night I'm sure since I was up at 5:30am!!
I
First off - don't hate the wrist checker! (if you've been to a stargate con or any event where you had to wear a wristband, this is sufficient explanation - someone has to be obsessed with looking at your wrist as you go in and out!)
My flight to vancouver was uneventful and I made it through customs in half an hour. The skytrain was a little trickier because the signs to change platforms were kind of confusing to me. I did eventually make it to Burnaby though. I also couldn't figure out which way was north or west so I kind of chose the most obvious direction and started walking and then caught sight of the hotel.
I got my key, changed into my black dress clothes and rushed to the registration desk. Call time was 11:30 so I didn't want to wait too long. I started around 1;30 when they put me on the doors to check lanyards and wrist bands. Saw lots and lots of people. Also overheard Dan Payne and Alex Zahara talking to people. They were in the vendors area with photos and autographs. At 6pm, I took a break for food.
There is a chinatown food court attached to the hotel which is a bit overwhelming for a sheltered wisconsin girl like me but I was able to get sushi and terryaki chicken as part of a daily special because they had pictures!
When I came back, i ended up working with Mark Burgess during his autographs. Because I was working the door, I missed his panel. However, he is an amazing man. He talked to every single one of the people coming up for an autograph. it was very cool. I had a chance to talk to him a little bit before the autos started and then after we chatted a bit as well. Hugs were exchanged :) (speaking of hugs, Dan Payne is so so lovely. I reminded him how I asked for a hug at Gatecon cuz I love a man so much taller than me!)
I then had some time before the happy hour. the other Hollie (from minnesota, with the lovely lovely rambunctious child) was celebrating a birthday. At happy hour I was checking tickets again but I could overhear how much fun the people who were at the happy hour were having. The guests rotated tables and everyone looked absolutely thrilled.
Highlights of the day:
Mark Burgess has lost 30lbs in the last year and looks AWESOME. www.imdb.com/name/nm0121323/
Dan Payne is working on Underworld 4. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1026161/
Today is Alex Zahara on stage, Andee Frizzell, Kavan Smith and Alexis (Skaara). Plus a cabaret and a karoake party later! Will be a long night I'm sure since I was up at 5:30am!!
I