This was my first ever Convention, and I had some vague ideas on what it was going to be like based on films that I had seen (such as "Galaxy Quest") and what people had told me, so it was a bit of a surprise to find out that it was nothing like what I had envisaged.
There were some people in costumes - mainly Colonial Warrior uniforms - but I only saw one Cylon Centurion, Lucifer and Spectre. However, the time and effect that went into these costumes was incredible - they all really looked the business.
Everyone was really friendly too. I do not know why this surprised me, but it did. While you had to pay for autographs, people would chat for hours (in Virginia Hey's case, probably literally!), and pose happily for photos, and that was a lovely aspect of the Con. People just seemed like, well, people. Again, I think I might have had one or two preconceptions on what stars are supposed to be like, but the people there were not like that at all. I was not going to get any autographs, but once you started talking to the people, I just couldn't help myself. The fact that Laurette Spang just visibly swooned over my accent, and Virginia Hey mauled me for the photos did not help matters either... In fact, the more you spoke to people, the more they actually opened up to you, and while I will not repeat what he said, John Dullaghan was a great example of this. Some very interesting stories to tell, all in plain, no-holds-barred English. Richard Hatch liked to dominate the microphone and when he got started, it almost appeared as if he was giving one of his seminars! But probably because of that, you really got the impression of how passionate he was about getting the show started again, and what he's been through to get where he is with whatÕs happened already. My hat definitely goes off to him and the work he's done.
There were not many egos' there, but unfortunately there were one or two, but they shall remain nameless.
The Sheraton Universal hotel was great, and the higher up the room, the more spectacular the view, and there were some spectacular views, especially on the Friday night Starlight reception.
On the whole, it was very good. There were one or two disappointments. One shall remain nameless for now, but the other was the dealer room. There just was not really anything to buy, and the one stall that did have what I wanted, did not have it actually there, and would not ship outside the USA, which was a bit of a pig as far as I was concerned.
Would I go again? Hell yes. If I could get the money together, then I would be there in a flash.