First day at Worldcon - Thu
Woke up early and got up at my normal time (as if for work) caught up on LJ and went out for a full English breakfast before catching the train, from Charlton Station, changing for the DLR and changing again for the ExCel stop
Got to ExCel at 9:20, spent 20 min queuing to get badge, pocket program guide & convention book.
A few hours later the queue was three or more times longer and queues were still in use after 2pm. I bought a Loncon3 t-shirt to add to my collection.
The opening started with a medley of SF themed music, which a few on stage fans acted out scenes from. It continued with a Hogwarts theme and the co-chairs as joint head teachers. All the guests were sorted into houses, Shelley, Orwell, Mitchison, new 4th house Banks (Chris Foss didn't appear)
Managed to say hi to numbers of people, especially Elizabeth C who I spent over an hour chatting with.
Met her again at Jo Walton reading.
Had a torrential thunderstorm overhead in the early afternoon. My iPod kept loosing charge so I had to hunt for a power socket to plug in. I guess I'll have to get a replacement (but I've had it for 2 years so it's paid it's dues).
I wandered around the Exhibit Hall / Dealers Room / Art Show a few times. Bought the Loncon3 filk book from Roger.
Intended to see Sassafras with Jo Walton but only stayed for half an hour. Norse myths not my favourite!
While the ExCel is full of fast food shops, they do mark up significantly, I had a subway 6" and usually get a meal deal for £3. I paid £4 for just a sandwich.
The Retro Hugos (from 1938 - Mary Robinette Kowal said she had arrived in a Delorian and we heard Rob Shearman arrive in a tardis) were a lot of fun Mary Kowal was particularly elegant with a thirties style make over. She sang an introduction with the Brideshead Ballroom Stompers.
The broadcast, live from LNCN3 & streamed on ustream.com, was interrupted by outside broadcasts regarding a large metal cylinder
Fortunately the invaders were destroyed by concrud!
To no ones surprise Orson Wells and the Mercury Theatre won the best dramatic presentation - for War of the Worlds. Best novel The Sword in the Stone (my choice for both)
The BBS band provided music for a swing dance later in the evening, but I only got to hear 15 minutes as prior to this I enjoyed hobbit snacks from the Tolkein Society in the fan village. Pork pie, mince pie & Almond seed cake - with a tot of mead to wash it all down with.
I had to leave at 10:30 to ensure I could get the last train back to my hotel. In the event I got back to my room a bit earlier than expected at 11:25. Unpacked all my goodies and then to bed (besides I'm too old and creaky to stay up all night).