mfdtrepidation

Our Eastercon was always going to be dominated by the ever pressing need to sign up members for Satellite 2. With that in mind, we loaded up the car with posters, leaflets, fliers, cuddly Apollo and Roger <beep>, the inflatable astronouut and headed south for Bradford. After getting completely lost sowehwere between the two ring roads (thanks for nothing AA road directions) we made it to the hotel on Friday afternoon. We were even in time for the opening ceremony, for about the first time ever. Not that we made it, it merely became the first casualty on the programme items I did not attend list. Got the desk set up and proceeded to drink beer.

 However, over the few days I did make it to some programme items. Simon's fencing workshop was excellent, reacquainting me with muscles I had long forgotten about since giving up karate and giving me a chance to stick pointy metal things into Gary Strassman. Simon was a good teacher, getting a bunch of clodhoppers up to fighting in an hour, and coping with a disruptive small person.

 The evening events were both very ambitious. I only made the first half of the orchestra concert, but thought the programme was a bit heavy as an introduction to SF music. I am not sure if the whole of Beethoven's F major symphony was the best second half, and its connection with SF is sideways (although it was used in Solyent Green which Vince forgot to mention) David Wake's play was complex and thoughtful, but I am still not quite sure if I understood it!

Managed to survive the 3 hour art auction in the baking hot conservatory. The item I was most interested in, the Anne Sudworth print of her picture of Whitby Abbey, came up close to the end. At least everyone else was auctioned out by that time so I got it for little more than the asking price.

 I enjoyed the talk on the WIMP detection system, but less so the music panel with John Clute. There was no audience participation and too many long, rambling speeches.

 

The highlight of the weekend was the appearance of Roger<beep> the Astronaut transformed from small size to full life size. He appeared on Saturday afternoon but did a runner and was not seen again until he rolled in, somewhat the worse for wear, on Sunday - naughty Roger!

 A notable mention must be given to Fran Dowd at the Easter morning service. After communion we all were invited to share the Peace with each other which brought out the comment from Fran 'Buger Peace, I've got chocolate!' (which she then shared with everyone – what a nice lady!)

 All in all a very enjoyable Eastercon. Satellite 2 sales were a bit lower than we had hoped for but not for lack of effort on the committee and helper's efforts. Hotel was good with cheap real ale and con slop. Thanks to James, Peter and all the LX committee.

Hear it first!!

Transition the newest book by Iain M Banks is due for publication on September 3^rd. However, if you can’t wait till then, you can get a sneak peek at Satellite 2 in July where Iain will be reading from his new novel.

Be the first to hear from his latest book – come to Satellite 2!

Michael

Chair, Satellite 2

www.satellite2.org.uk

http://community.livejournal.com/satellite_2/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Satellite_2/

Roger <beep> , 3 of the committee members and Simon attended Redemption 09 in Coventry. Satellite 2 was well represented at the con. Christine give a talk on forensic science in fact and fiction which consisted of telling everyone how forensic science was really done then everyone laughing like a drainpipe at CSI clips of how not to do it. The talk was at 10 o’clock in the morning, but she still pulled in a pretty good crowd of about 80 people. I think they were there to find out clues of how to get away with murder!

Michael hosted the latest ‘Deface the Music’, an SF-based music quiz, with much appreciated help from Christine and Simon. In a close contest, Odyssey, led by Gaspode, won the quiz (finally!). The audience came last – one of their poorest showings ever.

 Colin and Simon re-ran Elf’s game from Satellite 1 – ‘Finding Uranus (with both hands)’, a blindfolded, and generally random, tour of the universe. It was programmed at a crappy time so not many people turned up for it. It did not help when several people told us they thought it was a Slash item and stared away deliberately!

Roger, meanwhile, was off helping Dexter the Dinosaur in his bid to become Ruler of the Universe. Dexter poled a disappointing number of votes, probably due to the fact the Brigade Leader Lethbridge-Stewart and his evil henchmen of the RSF party were putting the frighteners on everyone who did not vote for his Freedom Party, a blatant piece of election gerrymandering.

 We also ran a convention desk which generated a lot of interest and a few promises to attend Satellite 2. There was a panel on future cons which gave us more opportunity to make our pitch.

 All in all a great con and great fun had by all! Big thanks to Steve Kilbane and his committee for all their work putting it together.