Sunday At Polaris
Jul. 17th, 2011 11:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rusty_armourI have to say that today is the most fun I've had on a Sunday in a very long time. It was fun, crazy, and a little on the wild side...
For those of you who don't know, this is the very lovely
njc2007 in her incredible Q costume. In fact, everyone at Polaris was so impressed by njc2007's attire that she won a Polaris Fan Fave Award for best costume. I lost track of how many people approached njc2007 to discuss her costume or ask for a picture! As sad as this sounds, it took an invitation from
lazigyrl and njc2007 for me to attend my first Polaris convention. Even though I was born in Toronto and have lived here my entire life, I somehow never made it to Polaris (or it's previous incarnation, Toronto Trek) over the twenty-five years it's been running. However, after meeting njc2007, lazigyrl , and lazigyrl's niece and having such a blast, I'm definitely going to make a point of attending Polaris next year! Here are some other highlights from today...
I know it's impossible to tell who it is based on the crappy photo, but would you believe it's Paul McGillion (Carson Beckett from Stargate Atlantis)? I caught the end of his panel just before meeting
njc2007 and lazigyrl for the first time. 
Besides
njc2007's excellent costume, there were some other kick ass ensembles such as these Doctor Who gems. Speaking of Doctor Who,
rusty_armour was a very bad girl and bought the following items: 
"The End of Time" Master in original packaging
"The End of Time" Master free of original packaging
It could have totally been worse. I mean, I was checking out the other sound effects Doctor Who keychain, the two different Adipose, a Rassilon action figure, t-shirts...Of course, who needs all that when you've got two Masters! Bwahaha!
In case anyone thinks I spent the entire day in the dealers' room (or at the bar geeking out over Sherlock with
lazigyrl and, some time later, watching njc2007 and lazigyrl consume massive quantities of Romulan Ale), I actually attended two panels. One was on Sherlock and it was pretty awesome. Okay, as lazigyrl said afterwards, it was a bit of lovefest, but it was very interesting and entertaining as well. Some of the most amusing moments were entirely unintentional. The panel was held in a fairly tiny room as the con committee obviously didn't expect that many sci-fi fans would be into a discussion on a non sci-fi show. However, people kept filing in throughout the panel and were forced to stand at the back or along the one side of the room. What I found even funnier were the people who popped into the panel not realizing that this was a discussion of an actual TV show as opposed to the Sherlock Holmes character. Actually, these same people hadn't even heard of the show, so various fans had to explain it to them. One man left the panel before he could be further spoiled, vowing that he would go watch the series. The second panel was on how to write endings, and I found it very informative and worthwhile. The panel was made up of four writers who discussed how they went about writing endings, what endings seemed to work best, and what the goal of an ending should be. During the panel,
njc2007 was not only listening but working on a fantastic chainmail bracelet. She was kind enough to give me a beautiful flower she had made that contains chainmail rings in its design:
As is so often the case, there's so much more I could and should say about my day at Polaris, but it's 11:45 pm, so I should probably think about going to bed...some time in the next hour. *g* I'm touched that I was one of the highlights of Sunday! Meeting you and
njc2007 was definitely a highlight for me too! :-)
I know you described what you won at the charity auction, but I'm really getting the full impact with that picture! I'm amazed you were able to carry that big box of Star Trek treasures back to your hotel room!
I had a great time discussing Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes and fic with you! After what you told me about your intended Star Trek BB (whichever story you go with), I'm really looking forward to the beta! :-)
I'm happy to hear that you were finally able to pick up your Ben Browder picture. It would have been a shame if you weren't able to take the print home with you.
njc2007's Polaris Recap and lazigyrl's Polaris 2011 entries (Polaris 2011: Friday, Polaris 2011: Saturday, and Polaris 2011: Sunday) 
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no subject
Date: 2011-07-18 09:01 am (UTC)The flower is lovely and unusual. I've never seen chainmail rings in jewellry.
I like your link to the 'Oxford comma.'
I'd like to read any tips you picked up from the panel on writing endings.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-18 04:53 pm (UTC)Yes, the con was a lot of fun -- and I was just there the one day. As for the purchases, I was happy with what I bought, which might be why I was able to resist temptation when it came to other things. I've also got a number of expenses coming up, including my trip to Chicago, so I'm trying to be more careful with my money.
The flower is lovely and unusual. I've never seen chainmail rings in jewellry.
I was happy and pleasantly surprised when
I like your link to the 'Oxford comma.'
That was actually an inside joke. The three of us began discussing grammar in the bar and the subject of the Oxford comma came up. I basically threw in the link to see if either
I'd like to read any tips you picked up from the panel on writing endings.
Sure. No problem. I'll send you the tips I remember some time in the next couple of days.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-18 09:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-18 04:57 pm (UTC)Thanks,
And that flower is so pretty and intricate.
I'm glad you think so. I'm also impressed by its beauty and intricacy. :-)
no subject
Date: 2011-07-18 11:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-18 05:01 pm (UTC)Polaris originally covered Star Trek alone (first being called "Toronto Trek Celebration" and "Toronto Trek"), but then it branched out to cover other sci-fi shows, along with the fantasy and horror genre. There was actually a pretty impressive array of fandoms covered in terms of guests, panels, merchandise, and costumes. Polaris seems to be very inclusive and accepting of all the geek fandoms. :-)
no subject
Date: 2011-07-18 04:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-18 07:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-18 07:21 pm (UTC)Sounds like you had a fabulous time!
The Oxford comma is just never need at the party, unless (I totally agree) something in the list is not single words. It's redundant like having two Master action fig...never mind...carry on...
no subject
Date: 2011-07-19 01:23 am (UTC)Thank you very much,
Sounds like you had a fabulous time!
Yes, it was a blast! And it's made me even more excited about VividCon! :-)
The Oxford comma is just never need at the party, unless (I totally agree) something in the list is not single words. It's redundant like having two Master action fig...never mind...carry on...
I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with you there. I know I'm comma crazy and biased because I often use the Oxford comma myself, but it does have its uses. Saying that, I can understand why people have problems with it, but I believe that a writer should be allowed to choose when or if she wishes to use it, unless she's following a particular standard (e.g. the AP Stylebook). You've probably read this already, but here are arguments for and against it in this Wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma#Arguments_for_and_against).
Of course, I also disagree with the absurd notion that having two Master action figures could possibly be redundant. The second and newer model is the resurrected version (e.g. the Master brought back from the dead. Again.). He's, like, different because his hair turned white (not that you can really see it on the action figure) and he's had to trade in his lovely suit for a hoodie. I need the second action figure because the first one's dead. Of course, the second one is now time-locked with a bunch of crusty old Time Lords and the Doctor's mum, but at least he's alive. Besides, it's not as if I'm asking for over six billion Masters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UszT_L4QWII), like Russell T. Davies. I only need the
over six billiontwo.no subject
Date: 2011-07-19 01:46 am (UTC)Well, if one of them is dead I guess...wait! This is the dude that is constantly resurrected, isn't it? By that logic you could have countless copies! Is that why Davies claims six billion? she asks suspiciously. I will have to go back and click the link, but the madness must stop here!
no subject
Date: 2011-07-19 02:21 am (UTC)Woo hoo! I'm thrilled that the article has convinced you to use the Oxford comma sometimes, even if it's just to stop you from claiming random people as your mother. Of course, I understand that your official stance will be to renounce it, especially if it means preventing that one co-worker for suffering from delusions of punctuation grandeur.
I mentioned your linkage at teatime today, by the way, and my workplace agreed that you were very clever and amusing.
Oh, my frickin' God! WHY? I'm not even thinking of myself here, but what your co-workers were forced to endure. Well, I'm happy and relieved that they found the entry amusing. If men in white coats show up at my apartment or the workplace, I'll know that someone didn't find it entertaining. *g*
Well, if one of them is dead I guess...wait! This is the dude that is constantly resurrected, isn't it?
Yuh huh! :-D
By that logic you could have countless copies!
Tee hee hee! I KNOW! Isn't it fabulous? :-D
Is that why Davies claims six billion? she asks suspiciously. I will have to go back and click the link, but the madness must stop here!
Uh, oh...Well, you might find it interesting, or you may end up backing out of the link seconds after you click on it. I have to confess that I watched the vid three times after digging it up for that comment. The "Master Race" always brings me such joy. :-)
no subject
Date: 2011-07-18 11:29 pm (UTC)Yes, I did notice the Oxford comma link. I just wish I could remember the example that made its necessity obvious to me.
For the record, I was awarded "a" fan fave award. Several are given out over the course of the weekend.
As for the flower, the instructions are available at http://theringlord.com/cart/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=199&cat=Downloadable+Chainmail+Patterns+%2B+Instructions&websess=72508585247849 (third item down). The Ring Lord also sells the supplies.
We consumed more Romulan Ale after you left (4 each) and then turned in for the night. Alas, the fire alarm provided a repeat of the previous night's shenanigans. I'll describe it all in a main post some time tomorrow. I'm off to reconnect with hubby.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-19 01:55 am (UTC)No, no, not at all. I had a wonderful time yesterday and it was such a pleasure to meet you and
Yes, I did notice the Oxford comma link. I just wish I could remember the example that made its necessity obvious to me.
Okay, I realize it's Wikipedia, but it has a section outlining the arguments for and against (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma#Arguments_for_and_against) the Oxford comma. Oh, and here's a section on how it can be used to resolve ambiguity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma#Resolving_ambiguity).
As for the flower, the instructions are available at http://theringlord.com/cart/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=199&cat=Downloadable+Chainmail+Patterns+%2B+Instructions&websess=72508585247849 (third item down). The Ring Lord also sells the supplies.
Oh, awesome! Thanks for sharing! :-)
We consumed more Romulan Ale after you left (4 each) and then turned in for the night.
Well, it's not as if you have a lot of other occasions to drink Romulan Ale, so I can understand why you made the most of it. Of course, thanks to that kind bartender, you two can have it any time under its other name. ;-)
Alas, the fire alarm provided a repeat of the previous night's shenanigans. I'll describe it all in a main post some time tomorrow. I'm off to reconnect with hubby.
Yikes! Two nights in a row is brutal, especially when you've got a bunch of guests who are already sleep-deprived. I'm looking forward to reading your post on the subject and I hope you'll have a lot more luck sleeping now that you're back in Ottawa.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-19 02:03 am (UTC)Hi again. I forgot to respond to this part of your comment. I blame all of this intense research and discussion on the Oxford comma for melting my brain. *g* Anywaaaaaaay, I changed the "the" to an "a," though I don't think it makes the award any less impressive. You should still be proud. :-)
no subject
Date: 2011-07-22 10:19 am (UTC)Paul McGillion is a great panellist, isn't he? All the Stargate people are.
Sounds like you had a fun and informative time!
no subject
Date: 2011-07-22 03:27 pm (UTC)Yeah, tell me about it! And, apparently, there was more than one Weeping Angel at Polaris, so guests had to be doubly careful!
Paul McGillion is a great panellist, isn't he? All the Stargate people are.
Unfortunately, I only caught the very end of the Paul McGillion panel, but what I saw was great. I was especially impressed when he started to throw Hersey's Kisses out to the audience.
Sounds like you had a fun and informative time!
Yes, it was an excellent combination of both the fun and the informative. In fact, I'm playing with the idea of going on both Saturday and Sunday next year if that weekend is clear and I have enough money for both days. I can easily picture myself spending everything on the Saturday and having nothing left on Sunday! *g*