MediaWest*Con 2008, part 2 of 2

[wraithfodder]

 And here's the rest!

 

A fantastic Indiana Jones-Stargate SG-1 combination door that took best door in the Door Decoration contest. Congrats to B7_Kerravon!


This was on the wall outside the Indy-SG1 door.


Just many photos of pretties on a door ;)


A door (part of it) devoted to British TV.


Part of the line, early in the day, lining up for pre-reg for next year’s con.


Slash Stargate Atlantis door that took Best Slash in Door Decoration contest.


All the smaller pictures are mockups of books about Doctor Who, etc. Rather imaginative. Won an award too.



Wowzers, a Chuck Norris 3D door! Won best 3D presentation in door decoration contest.


Various slashy comments on photos.


Ha!


Door where you could find The Brotherhood, an excellent multi-media zine which had some Stargate Atlantis stories.


Pirates of the Caribbean door.


A dealer’s table with tons of t-shirts. I got my Godzilla shirt from them last year.


A dealer’s table with absolutely gorgeous Stargate Atlantis, Supernatural shirts.


A rare glimpse of the atrium with no people in it. Well, wait, I think I see someone…


Outside courtyard, which was sunny and the smokers tended to gather out there.


A Harry Potterish door, or something like it, with lots of British stuff on side. Very cute.


A Pirates themed door.

Saturday, May 25 & Sunday, May 26

Well, the days sorta all blend together, but I know I picked up two Daleks (one cute small gold one, the other, larger, a piggy bank). Okay, a Dalek coin bank. And an evil thing it is. You can remove the opening at the bottom but try to get all your coins out. It keeps a bunch as the surface inside is not smooth. This is good if you want to save as you would need to unscrew the bottom to get everything out. Also ordered a Sheppard/Weir SGA shirt that had sold out at the con.

We also did the pool again, dragging poor Sheppard and McKay back into the Jacuzzi. We found out later (Sunday?) that the rumors of Shep & McKay in the jacuzzi were spreading around.

But mostly, met up with lots of friends, watched SGA on the DVD player and people would wander in and watch and we’d chat about the show. And attended panels on Stargate Atlantis, livejournal and other topics. Also participated in the annual fan version of Who’s Line Is It Anyway. I was a bit rusty and hopefully will be more creative next year.

Oh, and the enjoyable traditional breakfast with cannelfan and spouse. J Can’t miss that!

The best thing about this con, as someone else pointed out on their LJ, is that it’s a relaxed area. You do what you want, when you want. And you get to meet people you see just once a year, and some of us have been doing it for decades! Met cannelfan, B7_kerravon, the_other_Sandy, waldo, and many friends don’t have LJs but they were there as well. I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone, as I usually do ;)

The programming went well this year, I think. Not as many people signed up to do panels but then not as many people were there. We also experimented with ‘open discussion’ panels – we had a topic, but no moderators – but sat the panel anyway. They seemed to work out well. If anybody has suggestions, comments, etc. about programming, or suggestions for next year, just write to mwcprogram@yahoo.com. The addy is open year-round and we are accepting suggestions for next year. Just put 2009 SUGGESTION in the subject line.

Stargate Atlantis seemed popular as the panel room was pretty much full during that panel, most of whom hung on for the hurt/comfort/whump SGA panel, which came with visual aids. I bandaged up my Sheppard action figure, stuck him on the table. “This is hurt,” I declared, then stuckl the non-bandaged McKay figure next to Shep, and had McKay pat Shep on the head. “And here’s the comfort.” They both got whumped when I opened up the laptop and clobbered ‘em with the screen. If anybody got pictures, let me know J

Supernatural was the fandom, I’d say. Lots of SPN zines, photos, t-shirts, etc. Paneling was pretty heavy with SPN as well. But the British Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood was running a close second. We were across the hall from friends with a Torchwood door and Torchwood bunnies. Long story there…

Hmm, what else? When you’re at this con, you just roam and talk. Let’s see, at the SGA panel discovered how many SGA fans don’t do Gateworld – they might visit the main site but avoid the forum (too much squabbling, etc.) … There were lots of laptops at the con. In fact, I would IM a friend (MP) who was across the hall (diagonally) and type “Hey, turn down your TV! It’s too loud!” and we’d snark back and forth at each other. ;) … Went to the Stargate party which had food and prizes and had a good time chatting with friends, although I’m not sure if it was all Stargate because I was showing a few the Zombie Bambi video that Photobucket had removed due to being ‘ojectionable or offensive.’ Still not sure as I stuck it up on my account and it went down and heck, I hadn’t even told anyone about it… (and I guess several people do read my LJ as the ‘dead deer’ comments cropped up every so often during the con). … taking my remote controlled Dalek, all ‘blinged’ up with green Mardi Gras necklaces (actually, from Saint Patty’s day) so the black Dalek was visible. Had some ferrets check it out but they were interested.

Monday, May 26

Alas, all good things must come to an end, and we left around 10 a.m., for the first time not attending the dead dog panel as we had to get to Columbus, Ohio, where we stayed overnight with a friend who couldn’t attend. Below are shots of her cats.


This is the cat that avoided me at all costs in previous visits. However, I brought kitty crack (aka catnip) and after snorting that for a minute, he was putty in my hands, heh heh. We stuck him in incriminating photos with the SGA action figures.


This was the cat that loved me the last time I visited. It was like a personality switch. This is about his feelings on me this visit. However, he did like the catnip toy quite a bit and then mellowed. Yup, just call me the kitty crack dealer ;)


Sunset on Monday night in Ohio. Gorgeous!

And fortunately, no tornadoes. Certainly were enough in neighboring states. We had had some rain before we got to the house but it stopped, which was good as we did a picnic with some friends.

Tuesday, May 27

 

 

Now comes the hideous part. Returning home. Ack, at least ten hours if not more of driving! THIS is why we rent a car. If anything happens, we don’t lose a car.

We left at 2:00 a.m., hit the Speedway and got coffee and ice for the cooler (plus a few, alas, losing Mega Millions tickets) and well, traffic was again lighter than usual. The entire trip back was pretty uneventful, except when at the traditional Snow Shoe stop, I opened the car door, which sprung open fast and clobbered me in the face. Ow! And somewhere in PA some moron in an Audi tore by us at about 85mph. About twenty minutes later we were chuckling with glee when we saw him pulled over by a state trooper. Yes!!

By the time we got home, the sky was clouding up. We dumped my stuff at my house, I got my car, we drove to Avis and dropped off the car. Hopefully we can get it next year as it was nice. As soon as I got home, I was like, I’ll unpack, take a shower – bang! T-storm had struck, power was out. No water. ARGH!!!

Best part of trip – seeing friends. Priceless!
Worst part of trip – having it end and coming home to gasoline at $4.35 a gallon. Highway robbery!

Oh, shall be doing another post which I think I’ll title ‘Sheppard and McKay’s Not-So-Excellent Adventure,’ as heck, I took all those shots of the action figures that I might as well do some deliciously horrid with ‘em. So, once I get that written, I’ll post. I mean, Shep and McKay in a pink flamingo float. I know someone will want to see that shot! ;)

---------------------------------------------------

Other fans are posting about this year’s con, so I’ll provide links to their LJs, which I found with a quick Technorati blog search.

Flickr pictures

http://flickr.com/photos/tags/mediawestcon/

LJ links

http://b7-kerravon.livejournal.com/8779.html
http://cannellfan.livejournal.com/67208.html
http://cannellfan.livejournal.com/67477.html
http://cannellfan.livejournal.com/67832.html
http://cannellfan.livejournal.com/67884.html
http://cannellfan.livejournal.com/68285.html
http://cannellfan.livejournal.com/68494.html
http://cannellfan.livejournal.com/68800.html
http://cannellfan.livejournal.com/68898.html
http://captpeterblood.livejournal.com/15952.html
http://d8rkmessngr.livejournal.com/19176.html
http://goldiebug.livejournal.com/11751.html
http://goldiebug.livejournal.com/12565.html
http://goldiebug.livejournal.com/12120.html
http://goldiebug.livejournal.com/11802.html
http://grypeseye.livejournal.com/6747.html
http://khylara.livejournal.com/35105.html
http://lizvogel.livejournal.com/26071.html
http://moonprincessnat.livejournal.com/25007.html
http://mrwubbles.livejournal.com/10001.html
http://mrwubbles.livejournal.com/10579.html
http://mrwubbles.livejournal.com/9951.html
http://obelix.livejournal.com/
http://graculus.livejournal.com/ (May 27^th entry)
http://thefannishwaldo.livejournal.com/672082.html
http://community.livejournal.com/mwcontripdiary/
http://neadods.livejournal.com/683380.html
http://neadods.livejournal.com/683889.html
http://neadods.livejournal.com/684275.html
http://olivia-sutton.livejournal.com/21984.html
http://ozlelila.livejournal.com/13691.html
http://penfold-x.livejournal.com/35290.html
http://spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com/223219.html
http://the-other-sandy.livejournal.com/75872.html
http://the-other-sandy.livejournal.com/76141.html
http://the-other-sandy.livejournal.com/76318.html
http://the-other-sandy.livejournal.com/76942.html
http://winter-elf.livejournal.com/80031.html
http://tlyna.livejournal.com/983.html


YouTube videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aUm7f-0Z0w
(by the manager of Hummingbirds)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KujAK-tnhBQ
(art auction insanity)

If I missed anything, feel free to add to the comments section below :) 

Comments

[lysambre.livejournal.com]

I am in awe of the doors decorations ! Both because the hotel let you do it and because they are absolutely fanastic ! :D

Thanks for sharing those pics, it's inspiring ;).

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I know. the hotel is very nice to let us tape the place up, as long as we use low-tack tape (no scotch tape) and stay away from painted walls, etc. I just can't see a con without door decorations. Looks darned naked.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

The action figure post will take a few days as I must upload and then provide totally inappropriate dialogue for the guys ;) glad you enjoy the con shots. Yup, it's definitely fun :)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yup, definitely. I know the money feeling too. As soon as I get some saved, the car or pets eat it up.

[pisces227.livejournal.com]

Love all the pics, sounds like you had a great time.

"Shep and McKay in a pink flamingo float. I know someone will want to see that shot!"

*raises both hands*

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

See, see, I knew someone would want to see it. *cackles*

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

A Harry Potterish door, or something like it, with lots of British stuff on side. Very cute.

That was actually a Torchwood door. It was a mock-up of the entrance to the Cardiff tourism office, which is one of the secret entrances to the Torchwood hub. The pizza boxes were from a local place that delivers to Torchwood, and the pterodactyl has a Welsh name that I can't spell and lives in the hub.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Ah! Obviously I have not seen Torchwood. Thanks for the proper ID :)

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

Fandom 'Ho, at your service. ;-)

[suzy_queue]

Heh. Myfanwy. (muh-Vahn-oo-ee) Eating Ianto's chocolate - loved that touch.

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

That was a cute touch.

It's so sad that I can spell 'pterodactyl,' but I can't spell 'Myfanwy.'

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Heh, I can spell Pterodactyl cuz I've seen the David Nykl scifi flick of the same name ;)

[leesa_perrie]

Wow, those door decorations are great! Brilliant of the hotel to let you all do that!! Glad your door won an award - and yeah, get that lot scanned in and up on LJ!!

Have to admit, only looked at the pretty pictures as I'm about to get the last of the packing done for our holiday - we're hoping to leave in an hour or two, but will definitely read the rest when I get back!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Have fun on your vacation. You're welcome for the photos.

Mediawest 08

[ashgirl2.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for posting so many photos from the con. It brought back a lot of memories from past cons. I attended the con for over 20 years in a row but i haven't been able to attend since 2004. I had hoped to attend this year but it didn't happen.
Sigh. Maybe next year.
Patti

Re: Mediawest 08

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Don't forget to check out the links I posted at the bottom, particulary the Flickr pictures. Makes my batch pale in comparison! :) Yeah, I've missed a couple due to illness. Hope you can make it next yera.

[aelfgyfu_mead]

Thanks for the report! I lived in the Midwest for many years but never made it to MediaWest; it's so close to the end of the school year I'd never recovered enough by then....

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Ah you've got to try next year. Really, you may be tired but it's not a frenetic con. It's a relaxacon. Heck, you can just lounge all weeekend if you want and watch DVDs with other fans :)

[aelfgyfu_mead]

The big problem now that I don't live in the Midwest is that every year, I go to the International Congress on Medieval Studies in Kalamazoo--two weeks before MediaWest. I just can't fly to Michigan twice in May, and at this point in my life, I can't stay the intervening two weeks! I should have gone when I lived in the area, but I always thought "next year"!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Ah, well, yes, that's definitely understandable. I did try winning the Ohio Mega Millions (since all hte big bucks seem to be won in the midwest) but failed miserably. Darn. I can only do the one con, really. Anything else needs to be within close driving distance so I can avoid hotel fees, which I'm sure will just keep climbing like everything else.

[margec01.livejournal.com]

Loved your report and all the pics. Especially that lovely sunset in Ohio. Congrats on the Door prize, your door was funny as always and definitely deserved a prize.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) Yeah, that sunset was gorgeous! Very lucky to have caught that shot.

[saltyd.livejournal.com]

Wow, look at that t-shirt table!! Remind me next year to give you $$ to buy me stuff ;)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, that, or give me money for Comic Con next year (or better yet, come along). That's just one day, NYC, They had lots of T-shirt tables too, but, the SGA shirts - only at this con...

[libra-traveller.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the post and links and everything. It was really fun to experience it all secondhand, as I've never been to a con of any type before.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. I'd say MWC is a great con to start with. Low key, lots of fans, no actors. Just a relaxacon, plus parties, you can talk fanfic and shows to your heart's content :)

[abracah.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you had so much fun!! Can't wait to see the floating AFs. Those doors were amazing. I couldn't stop staring at the Chuck Norris one. Wow!

Thanks for all the links too.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

The CHuck Norris door was amazing! ANd B7_Kerravon's Indy/SG1 door was astounding. She always does great work!

[moonlite-reader.livejournal.com]

I would have LOVED to see that Doctor Who door upclose. David Tennant is such a brillant man. The Indy and Danial door would have been interesting to read.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

It was a very nice door! Check the Flickr links I posted as there are more shots of the doors.