Reversed Polarity!
Nov. 4th, 2013 10:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rusty_armourOn Saturday, I had the privilege of attending Reversed Polarity, a Doctor Who 50th anniversary convention. I was interested as soon as I heard about it, but learning that Peter Davison (my favourite Doctor) would be attending was definitely the clincher -- not that I really needed one. As usual, I met up with
lazigyrl and njc2007, who kindly allowed me to crash with her on Saturday night. And, as usual, we all had a blast. After we grabbed breakfast and I registered, we went to this great writing workshop run by J.M. Frey called "World and Culture Building". Then, as the workshop ended early, we were able to go to "Building the TARDIS and Worshipping the Emperor," a panel run by Mark Townsend (the brains behind Dalek Dreadnaught) and Paul Aves. After a wonderful panel with Dan Starkey (Strax),
lazigyrl and I checked out some of the models on display and did some shopping in the Marketplace. We then took a look at the Charity Auction Display and supported Gilda's Club by voting for our favourite Doctor Who villain. I voted for the Master (big surprise) and lazigyrl voted for the Daleks (my second choice). We caught the end of the Graeme Harper panel to make sure we got seats for everyone before the Peter Davison panel, which was awesome because it was Peter Davison. The poor man was asked some rather strange but humourous questions. These were two of my favourites: What's it like being related to David Tennant?
One of the funniest moments was when someone asked Peter Davison to read lines from a Colin Baker episode, which he did really well, if somewhat begrudgingly. As I said to
lazigyrl afterwards, the panel made me love Peter Davison even more. Following the Peter Davison panel was the Dalek Dating Game, which was as surreal and hilarious as you might expect. The highlight was
njc2007 being picked to be one of the three bachelorettes/companions when the Tenth Doctor was a contestant. However, we all agreed that the whole thing was worth watching for the villain stage of the show. A kid dressed up as an Adipose said his method of killing the Doctor would be to tear off all his limbs and feed them to him. The next big laughs came during the Masquerade, which featured some fantastic contestants as well. At the Retro Dance Party, we were all thrilled when Dalek Dreadnaught rolled on to the dance floor, rocking and spinning and issuing powerful blasts of co2. There are probably more details I should include, but I'm lazy and I have several pictures to share, pictures that are much more interesting than what I've just written.
Mark Townsend displaying a very hard-to-find TARDIS lamp
Another TARDIS lamp model
All that's left of Paul Aves' TARDIS. It fell apart after being exposed to
three Canadian winters. The next model is going to be kept under a carport.
Daleks...obviously
A "Victory of the Daleks" Dalek
lazigyrl with the same Dalek. Take note of lazigyrl's ingenious costume. She marked her limbs the way Amy Pond did every time she spotted the Silence.
Dan Starkey checking out the Daleks
Lucky shot of Dan Starkey!
lazigyrl and I were extremely fortunate to be in the area when we were!
During his panel, Dan Starkey said he was making up Sontaran Christmas carols
during the filming of the last Christmas special. In fact, one of the songs
he came up with was used in the episode. Anywaaaay, Dan Starkey mentioned
that there was a YouTube vid of his carols, so, naturally, I dug it up.
K-9!
The Silence and a Dalek
Ooops. Poor Dalek.
Weeping Angel
Cyberman
TARDIS console
Another TARDIS console
Some close ups of TARDIS consoles because it's the TARDIS and I can
Some TARDIS console poetry
Graeme Harper, a Doctor Who director
Peter Davison!
More Peter Davison!
The TARDIS
HUGE Emperor Dalek
njc2007 (in her brilliant TARDIS costume) beside the Emperor Dalek 
Dalek Dating Game set
Dalek Dating Game in progress
Dating Game contestants
Masquerade with "Bad Wolf" version of the TARDIS
Dance off competition between Davros and the Doctors
Wonderful costumes inspired by "Victory of the Daleks". Apparently,
human Daleks made it beyond Manhattan and into WWII Britain. Who knew?
The Brain of Morbius
Nyssa and the Fifth Doctor
Doctor Who calendar that was impossible to resist
I probably could have resisted this keychain, but I didn't want to
Reversed Polarity shirt that I accidentally ordered along with my con membership
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no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 07:22 am (UTC)I find it pretty hilarious that a TARDIS can withstand burning planets, acid beaches, Dalek attacks and pretty much everything else but not 3 Canadian winters.*g*
And how wonderful to have met your favorite Doctor in the flesh - you must have been in geek heaven! :)
Thank you for sharing your story and those wonderful photos!
no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 04:26 pm (UTC)Ooops. I'm not sure why I didn't just say that at the time. I'm going to blame a bad week, PMS, scrambled brain and tiredness in general. And I would have directed you to this post if you hadn't cleverly sniffed it out yourself. *g*
I find it pretty hilarious that a TARDIS can withstand burning planets, acid beaches, Dalek attacks and pretty much everything else but not 3 Canadian winters.*g*
LOL! I know! That cracks me up as well! Imagine how much more expensive Doctor Who would be if it was filmed in Canada! *g*
And how wonderful to have met your favorite Doctor in the flesh - you must have been in geek heaven! :)
Well, technically, I didn't get to meet him, but I was in the same room as him and did see him in the flesh. I never imagined I'd have that opportunity, so I was definitely in geek heaven. Hell, the whole day was geek heaven! :-D
Thank you for sharing your story and those wonderful photos!
Absolutely no problem,
no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 08:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 04:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 10:10 am (UTC)(BTW, meant to tell you I got talking to someone recently who was writing a thesis on Kipling and Ideas of Empire and who LOVED Stalky and Co, so natch I directed her to your fic! She'd never heard of fanfic or erm, slash fiction or anything (v. academic person) so I imagine she'll be thrilled! So if you get a new reader wanting to ref you in her work, saying an American lady (I'm not but was posing as one for my company - it's complicated -) running a sort of matching service in a booth (it's not what it sounds like) sent you, that'll be me.)
Big hugs.
g
no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 06:01 pm (UTC)Thank you very much,
My Doctors were Jon Pertwee (what do you think of the petition for his son, Sean, to be a Doctor?!) and Tom Baker, but woah, Peter! I found him so sexy!
I quite like Sean Pertwee (even if he was on Elementary), so I would have signed the petition. However, saying that, I'm very happy with Peter Capaldi, so I have no regrets about the official choice. :-)
Tom Baker could have been my Doctor if I hadn't been so scared of the show when I was a little girl. I just had to hear the theme song and I was yelling at my parents to turn it off. *g* I think hormones were probably responsible when I did get into the show. I was 13 and had a crush on Peter Davison because of All Creatures Great and Small. When I saw he was on Doctor Who, I excitedly told my parents that Tristan from All Creatures Great and Small was now Doctor Who.
Your post made me reread the fic where Jim turns Speedy's into a Dr Who-themed night spot and Lestrade has to start working there "wearing a long brown wig, a chunky tribal necklace and a ripped faux leather loincloth dress and had a knife strapped to his thigh. Yes, he was Leela, savage companion to the 4th Doctor Who."
Yes, I can see why it might. *g*
(BTW, meant to tell you I got talking to someone recently who was writing a thesis on Kipling and Ideas of Empire and who LOVED Stalky and Co, so natch I directed her to your fic! She'd never heard of fanfic or erm, slash fiction or anything (v. academic person) so I imagine she'll be thrilled! So if you get a new reader wanting to ref you in her work, saying an American lady (I'm not but was posing as one for my company - it's complicated -) running a sort of matching service in a booth (it's not what it sounds like) sent you, that'll be me.)
Big hugs.
g
Thank you very much! It was extremely kind of you to recommend my story to this academic lady! :-D I hope she finds it somewhat interesting, though it will obviously be a massive step down from the original source material. I'll feel bad if the story turns her off of fic. *g*
no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 01:05 pm (UTC)Wow, it sounds like you had a fabulous time at the convention! The costumes and the props are very impressive. I think I like the TARDIS console made of cardboard and duct tape best, because it's so ingenious and so surprisingly authentic looking, even though it's constructed out of simple everyday items. And how exciting that you got to see your favourite Doctor, Peter Davidson!
no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 08:25 pm (UTC)Wow, it sounds like you had a fabulous time at the convention!
I absolutely did! :-D
The costumes and the props are very impressive. I think I like the TARDIS console made of cardboard and duct tape best, because it's so ingenious and so surprisingly authentic looking, even though it's constructed out of simple everyday items.
I was blown away by the time and effort people put into their costumes and models, especially the models. And, yes, I agree with you about the TARDIS console made out of cardboard and duct table. Like you, I admire the way in which the builder could create something so authentic looking using relatively simple items. Oh, and I think the builder should get bonus points for the poem. *g*
And how exciting that you got to see your favourite Doctor, Peter Davidson!
Very, very, very exciting! I honestly never thought I'd get to see and hear him live! Tee hee hee! :-D
no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 02:47 pm (UTC)On Sunday, Peter, when asked what he weirdest request from a fan at a convention was, may have referred back to the day before and something about doing a certain sixth's doctor's speech.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 08:28 pm (UTC)Well, if the Master couldn't win then I'm glad he lost to the Daleks. I totally would have voted for them if the Vote Saxon option hadn't been available. *g*
On Sunday, Peter, when asked what he weirdest request from a fan at a convention was, may have referred back to the day before and something about doing a certain sixth's doctor's speech.
LOL! I have a feeling that he's not going to forget that any time soon. He'll be asked how that Canadian con went and say that he was forced to recite the Sixth Doctor's speech. *g*
no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 04:55 pm (UTC)Did you notice "creepy Santa" in the group shot? He's the farthest away from me. I can laugh about him now, but he was creepy.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 10:11 pm (UTC)Thank you! I feel the exact same way! I wouldn't have had nearly as much fun if you and
Peter Davison is still sexy as hell.
*Sighing dreamily* Yeah... ♥
Did you notice "creepy Santa" in the group shot? He's the farthest away from me. I can laugh about him now, but he was creepy.
Oh, no! I hadn't realized that was him! I guess I didn't recognize him without the Santa suit and all that creepiness. I'd be more than happy to crop the little sh*t out of the photo if you'd like. It wouldn't bother me at all.
I'm glad you can laugh about him now. Now, that I'm not around him, I can see the humour of the situation too. I actually thought about mentioning him in my mini report, but I didn't think you and
no subject
Date: 2013-11-06 02:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-06 04:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 05:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 07:07 pm (UTC)It looks like you had a good time. It's great that you got to see your favourite Doctor.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-05 10:39 pm (UTC)Well, I'm lucky enough to live in a city that seems to offer a lot of fun things. Of course, the price I have to pay is Rob Ford, so it's not always a good thing. *g*
The photos are great - so clear - and what you wrote is interesting.
That's such a kind thing to say! Thank you! :-D Some of the photos aren't as clear and crisp as I'd like, but I think most of them turned out pretty well. I'm just happy that Peter Davison is actually recognizable as Peter Davison in those two pictures I posted. *g*
I'm glad you found the writing interesting. I wish it had been better, but I just didn't have the time or energy to write a fuller, more detailed report. I was really hoping the pictures might fill in some of the gaps. *g*
I like all the shiny Daleks, the Tardis and the Tardis Consoles.
Oh, good! I'm glad I'm not the only one, especially considering how many pictures I posted of them. *g*
I'm happy you think so. Actually, a lot of people thought so. She received quite a few compliments and requests for photos. :-) Anywaaaaay, I admire
I like the keychain and the calendar.
Thank you! :-) I could have easily spent a lot more money, but I managed to restrain myself and buy the items I wanted most.
It looks like you had a good time. It's great that you got to see your favourite Doctor.
Thanks again! Yes, I had a very good time and was thrilled to be able to see my favourite Doctor! :-D
no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 10:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-10 10:32 pm (UTC)Yes, I was extremely lucky! This was an opportunity I couldn't possibly miss! :-D
Yay Dan Starkey, he is so awesome as Strax. He's clearly having a ball playing that part and seems like a delight to boot :)
Dan Starkey is not only awesome as Strax, but as Dan Starkey as well. *g* From what I can tell, he absolutely loves playing Strax. He was a Doctor Who fan before he got the part and actually asked his agent if he could get him a part on Doctor Who as a birthday present. Anywaaaaay, I could tell he was a fan when he decided to check out those Dalek models, and he seems like a genuinely nice and down-to-earth kind of fellow. He's also funny and smart and gives a great panel. :-D
And you got to see Graeme Harper one of my favourite Who directors.
I was sorry not to be there for his whole panel, but what I saw and heard was really good. It was really sweet towards the end because he had such nice things to say about Peter Davison. He said that Peter Davison is the kind of actor who really listens to his co-stars when he acts and is very much about teamwork and seeing that everyone shines. Of course, I also respect Graeme Harper as a director. He's probably one of my favourites too. :-)
Glad you got to see Peter Davison, he does seem marvellous :)
The Peter Davison panel was a joy, though I may be saying that because I've been a fan for sooooo long. Still, I think everyone in the room was thrilled to see him. He was really funny and engaging and really fed off the audience. And he seemed happy to answer most questions and even particular requests. Well...maybe not the one about reading Colin Baker's lines, but he did invite a fan to come up on stage to give him a hug. :-)
no subject
Date: 2013-11-13 12:21 am (UTC)Oooooo.... writing workshop, world building, that sounds fascinating.
"What was it like having to stick your arm up all those cows in All Creatures Great and Small?"
Seriously? Hee! How in the world did he answer?
Well, really, not much could survive three Canadian winters. There was a reason roads were brutally bad back home.
Love njc2007's costume! Brilliant and it looks very comfy which is a damn hard combination to achieve!
The Dalek Dating Game sounds hilarious (although somewhat dangerous). "You are not acceptable. Terminate!"
no subject
Date: 2013-11-13 10:53 pm (UTC)Oh, most definitely! :-D
Oooooo.... writing workshop, world building, that sounds fascinating.
It was a fairly informal workshop, but great all the same. J.M. Frey was keen to share what she had learned from her own experiences and seemed genuinely interested in her class and their own writing pursuits. She was also a fellow geek, which helped me to relax. :-) She described the fantasy universe she writes in and I really want to check out her first book (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10795208-triptych?utm_medium=api&utm_source=author_widget). In fact, I threw it on my Christmas wish list when my mom demanded one from me on the weekend. *g* Anywaaaay, I'll try to remember to bring along the handouts she gave us on Sunday (if we do meet up). You're more than welcome to borrow them. :-)
"What was it like having to stick your arm up all those cows in All Creatures Great and Small?"
Seriously? Hee! How in the world did he answer?
He said that when he was first cast in the part of Tristan, he thought that there was no way they would expect him to stick his arm up a cow. Then, when he did have to stick his arm up a cow, it was a bitterly cold day. Apparently, his arm was the only part of him that was warm. *g* I guess it reached a point when he just got used to it. Both he and Christopher Timothy had to stick their arms up a lot of cows over the course of the series.
Well, really, not much could survive three Canadian winters. There was a reason roads were brutally bad back home.
Poor TARDIS. :-( Well, in the guy's defence, I think the backyard was the only place he could put it at the time. I guess as a huge Doctor Who fan, he assumed that the TARDIS could withstand anything... *g*
Love njc2007's costume! Brilliant and it looks very comfy which is a damn hard combination to achieve!
That was very clever planning on her part! As you say, it's not an easy combination to achieve! :-)
The Dalek Dating Game sounds hilarious (although somewhat dangerous). "You are not acceptable. Terminate!"
Well, the organizers were able to make the game a bit safer by having the Daleks be the bachelors (with a female Dalek (girl in a Dalek dress) as the main contestant). I think the only dicey moment was when Dalek Dreadnaught blew off some steam (literally) because he wasn't chosen, but the Daleks were remarkably behaved otherwise.