Speculation, Fact and Fiction

Overall, an excellent convention and the biggest Eastercon in – well, I’m hearing ‘ever’. Speaking as one who’s been involved in organising conferences etc for work and fun, I really do know just how much intense advance hard work and behind the scenes activity will have gone on to achieve that. Everyone involved in the event deserves hearty congratulations and sincerest thanks.

All the Guests of Honour were working their socks off – being entertaining, informative and amiable in their very different and yet wonderfully complementary ways. No, sorry, I must not get into writing up detailed reports – I just don’t have time what with getting over to Dublin for P-Con this weekend. Suffice it to say Neil Gaiman’s readings and remarks were an unobtrusive education in what makes him such an outstanding author. China Mieville took on the ‘but it’s just a story’ objection to literary criticism and reduced it to smoking rubble. Charlie Stross wowed us all with insights into where technology is going – without leaving the non-techie like me either utterly at sea or patronised for feeling dumb. Not an easy trick. Tanith Lee was, as ever, a delight.

And there was so much else! Bryan Talbot’s Alice in Sunderland presentation – wow! Panels on comics and criticism and religion and ancient history and oh, lots more – all good meaty stuff for debate that saw plenty of laughs as well. Plus the things that big conventions can offer - the Twilight Zone play and Mitch Benn’s entertainment. As has been mentioned before on this blog, Mitch Benn is a rock god. And money raised for good causes, notably research into Alzheimer's Disease and oesophageal cancer, thanks to the splendid generosity of good-willed folk.

My twelve year old son came along - his first ‘proper’ convention - and he had an absolutely splendid time. He went to panels with and without me – and by Sunday, apparently, was chipping in with contributions. Politely, I am assured. Phew. He also tackled Battling Daleks, Stargate Crazy Golf and the K9 Agility Challenge – coming second in the first two and winning the last, quite possibly through sheer force of determination. I can report that the cool points at school for now having two giant inflatable champagne bottles and a similarly inflatable trophy are incalculable. And he got to see Mitch Benn live. From about four feet, actually, since he grabbed us seats in the very front row. And he got talked to by Mitch Benn – well, to be fair, the aforesaid giant inflatable trophy was a bit eye-catching!

As ever, the only downside was not actually getting to talk more to folk I’d have liked to have a conversation with. And then there are the folk I never did get to talk to, just passing them with a wave in the corridors. But that’s just life and conventions – and email is the answer there, once we’ve all caught up on our sleep. On the plus side, I had a good many of those unforeseen and hugely rewarding conversations with entirely new people that make a big convention such fun.

So that was Eastercon 2008. Just as soon as I know when the school holidays fall in 2010, we can start making plans for coming along to Odyssey 2010.

Hopefully we’ll be along for at least some of Eastercon 2009 – that’s a bit more problematic as senior son will be coming up to his GCSE exams this time next year so there will be revision and revision classes to be factored into the family holiday and travel equations.

( One final note on my panel programme over the weekend – and on programming generally - for those who are curious )