Susan (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} lil_shepherd) wrote in ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} orbital_2008,@ 2008-03-26 09:50:00 |
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Con Rep
I wasn't going to do a proper conrep for Orbital 2008, having already commented on my personal highlights (and the fact that I wasn't feeling that good and went to bed early on Friday and Saturday – but then I loathe discos so would have avoided same anyway). However, feedback is sort of required, so, feedback it is.
I thought the con went very well indeed, with a few problems that were more to do with the venue than the concom's management. We have all mentioned the problems with rooms that were too cold one minute and too hot the next, the twisty little passages all alike (and the hotel management could do something about the signposting, which was far from clear), and the distance from the Real Ale Bar to bars where you could get something else or food. I would add that the disabled access really does need sorting out – I'm not disabled but I am amazed that I didn't fall flat on my face once – and that the sandwiches were... not good. The other con food was decent for what it was, if the confectionary was overpriced, the hotel shop had forgotten essentials and the biscuits that were missing from the complimentary tea-making equipment, and the staff in the bar next to the main hall were incredibly slow, despite the fact that there seemed to be dozens of them.
There was a good deal of programming, but the first couple of days seemed to me to be a bit media heavy, and, in particular, NuWho heavy. I also think that holding bondage workshops is something of a hostage to fortune in respect of the Press: definitely "Let's look at the loonies" bait. However, the George Hay lecture, and GoHs Neil Gaiman's and Charlie Stross's stints were highlights for me, as was Mitch Benn (thank youthe_magician) – and a series of panels in the main con hall on the last day, which seemed to up the ante (though I did want to gag one particular author/panellist – however, that particular person has been on my like-to-gag list for many years) in intellectual terms.
Moderators did occasionally seem to have problems keeping panellists to the point, and some participants seemed to be there to ride hobby-horses rather to engage in genuine discussion. (From what I have heard about the Religion in SF panel I am glad I missed it – speaking as a rather militant atheist who is fascinated by religion, and by its treatment within the SF field, from If This Goes On through A Case of Conscience and The Jonah Kit and dozens of others, and remembering the great panels on Religion in SF held at earlier Eastercons (Helicon?) and Novacons...)
All in all, an excellent con, and I will (almost) certainly be back in 2010.
I wasn't going to do a proper conrep for Orbital 2008, having already commented on my personal highlights (and the fact that I wasn't feeling that good and went to bed early on Friday and Saturday – but then I loathe discos so would have avoided same anyway). However, feedback is sort of required, so, feedback it is.
I thought the con went very well indeed, with a few problems that were more to do with the venue than the concom's management. We have all mentioned the problems with rooms that were too cold one minute and too hot the next, the twisty little passages all alike (and the hotel management could do something about the signposting, which was far from clear), and the distance from the Real Ale Bar to bars where you could get something else or food. I would add that the disabled access really does need sorting out – I'm not disabled but I am amazed that I didn't fall flat on my face once – and that the sandwiches were... not good. The other con food was decent for what it was, if the confectionary was overpriced, the hotel shop had forgotten essentials and the biscuits that were missing from the complimentary tea-making equipment, and the staff in the bar next to the main hall were incredibly slow, despite the fact that there seemed to be dozens of them.
There was a good deal of programming, but the first couple of days seemed to me to be a bit media heavy, and, in particular, NuWho heavy. I also think that holding bondage workshops is something of a hostage to fortune in respect of the Press: definitely "Let's look at the loonies" bait. However, the George Hay lecture, and GoHs Neil Gaiman's and Charlie Stross's stints were highlights for me, as was Mitch Benn (thank you
the_magician) – and a series of panels in the main con hall on the last day, which seemed to up the ante (though I did want to gag one particular author/panellist – however, that particular person has been on my like-to-gag list for many years) in intellectual terms.Moderators did occasionally seem to have problems keeping panellists to the point, and some participants seemed to be there to ride hobby-horses rather to engage in genuine discussion. (From what I have heard about the Religion in SF panel I am glad I missed it – speaking as a rather militant atheist who is fascinated by religion, and by its treatment within the SF field, from If This Goes On through A Case of Conscience and The Jonah Kit and dozens of others, and remembering the great panels on Religion in SF held at earlier Eastercons (Helicon?) and Novacons...)
All in all, an excellent con, and I will (almost) certainly be back in 2010.
