AussieCon 4

[simhanada]

The quest took place late on the Sunday night/early Monday morn after George had finished with some of his Hugo commitments. Now, Australia has few foods we consider quintessentially Australian and certainly in Melbourne after midnight they’re even harder to find. So the quest was modified slightly. Melbourne has the largest Greek population in the world outside of Greece so we were sent out to find some mouth watering Greek fare, in the form of either Souvlaki or Haloumi. So, there were many knights that ventured forth into the dangerous streets of Melbourne town and luckily all who set out came back with their quest successful and a feast was had! So now on the board be prepared to see various Knights of the Spicy Meat, Knights of the Flaming Cheese and (if my memory serves me right) a Knight of the Black Fungi (for a vegetarian souvlaki). The question is will we see a change of name from Ski the Swift to Ser Ski the Last ;)??. To top it off, for magnificent service beyond and above the call of duty there was the raising of Lord Mountain Goat, Lord Stubby and Lady Laoise. Huzzah!!

[Maltaran]

It was a knight of the Spicy Fungus for the vegetarian souvlaki - the majority of people are knights of the Spicy Meat, but there are I belive three knights of the Flaming Cheese, being the guys who brought back saganaki (I hope I spelled that right). I forget which person is which, but MG and Stubby have the names.

And yes, Ski the Swift failed to live up to his name, and is now Ser Ski the Last.

[Paxter]

Thanks for the update simhanada. Sounds like it was a great night - wish I could have stayed for the quest.

Congrats to Stubs, laoise and MG :cheers:.

[Ran]

As with past tradition, knights who successfully completed a quest can inform me of their new title and I'll set up a custom title for them to that effect. :)

[Horza]

I'd just like to express my gratitude again to Stubbs, laoise, MG, Malt and anyone who had a hand in organising any of last weeks revels - it was a blast. To the BWB: youse are all top people and it was an absolute pleasure to break bread and guzzle booze with you. This goes double for George and Parris who put up with Australia's inferior pizzas and my tenuous hypotheses with good grace.

Special thanks to Ser Camaris for chaffeuring my booze-addled arse back to base on several occasions and going well out of his way to do so - I am in your debt, Quincy.

[Paxter]

My one and only picture from the Con, but it's a good 'un: link.. From left to right: [top row] Stubs, laoise, Mountain Goat, Maltaran, Ser Camaris, Horza [bottom row] Pod, Ski, Christine (storm's friend), stormborne, Pax.

There's plenty of BwBers missing from that one, so hopefully morningsword, MG, Horz and others can update us with a few more pics in due course.

[theMountainGoat]

I know I promised almost live updates but it just proved impossible what with being in a more involved organisational role and the limits of wi fi access and phone data roaming. Oh yeah and time which was in short supply.

I am at Melbourne airport right now ready to board my flight, 10 hours to Hong Kong, 2 hour break and then another 12 hours to London. Was it worth the trip? Ah hell yeah.

Full reports, photos, YouTube videos of panels and the quest to come at some point later this week after I get home. Stay tuned.

It was great to meet all you Aussies and I hope to see you all again at some point in the future. I can confirm that post con emo is setting in especially knowing I won't see Stubby and Laoise until Chicago 2012. Two years is too long.

Time to go, I will check in again when I get to HK.

[Neal]

I just got home, I had a fantastic time. Thanks everyone!

I'm off to sleep for two days straight now (and to read my copy of Brayan's Gold :))

[Ran]

Thanks to SMG, two part quest video. Neal -- Ser Neal, I should say! -- I do believe you're in the second video. :)

[Stubby]

Hey all, we are home.

We are emo, tired and somewhat drained. Had shitloads of fun wrangling an awesome bunch of noobs and catching up with some people we hadn't seen for too long.

I will make a more detailed post a bit later - so many people to thank and many stories to tell.

[theMountainGoat]

Can't believe Ran found those videos already, I was going to wait till I had them all uploaded before posting the links. Anyway, I am at Hong Kong airport now and the free wi-fi here is so good I was able to upload three more videos completing the quest in no time at all.

Here are the links:

Ran, feel free to edit my post to add the embedded videos or post them again if you need to.

[Ran]

Think I need to repost them to get the media tag to work. Here goes:

[Jebus]

Ah such a shame I didn't make it to Sunday night, it looked like a lot of yummy fun. How far did people go to find the Souvlaki and Saganaki? It also looked like some people cheated and grabbed generic kebabs, but they're pretty much the same anyway :) Either way I bet that area was seriously aromatic by then!

Thanks again for Saturday night, the party was great fun (despite our early fears of running out of money at the start - how did that side of things go by the way?) and I honestly do hope the Aussie BWB contingent manages to catch up sometime in the future.

I'm very tempted to now think about Chicago 2012...

[Ser Camaris]

I am currently dealing with the double whammy of my body clock seeking revenge upon what I did to it over the Con and a bad case of Post Con emo, so please forgive the somewhat disjointed nature of this post.

Wow, what an amazing couple of days! I had no idea what to expect going into the Con, but it exceeded all my expectations, and without any hyperbole whatsoever has to count as one of the most enjoyable experiences I have ever had. Funnily enough, the things that made it such a great time had little to do with the Con itself, because as good as the program was, in the end I only actually made it to two of the panels. I pretty much would go to the after Con events, get home in the wee hours of the morning (something my wife was very good about, even when I got home at 4:30am and realised I had no keys and had to tap on the bedroom window to get let in!) and then take a few painkillers so I could sleep and crash out. I would then awake around lunchtime and the cycle would start again. As much as this might sound a waste of the Con, I am completely satisfied I got my money’s worth, for a couple of reasons.

The first was of course the chance to meet George and Parris. I cannot speak highly enough of their attitude to fans and how accessible they made themselves to us, even in the last stages of the Con, when they must have been exhausted. The way they treated us was in stark contrast to some other authors who were there, including one very big name, who I will refrain from identifying!

Obviously, George is someone I have always wanted to meet and I really did feel honoured and privileged by the amount of time I got to chat to him one on one. I am, however, terribly embarrassed by the fact that I really did babble like the rankest fan boy! He was also very kind about my very modest writing achievements (which I couldn’t stop myself from telling him about) and left me inspired and encouraged to keep going with my dreams in that area.

But, as much as meeting George was the fulfilment of a long held dream, I have to say that I enjoyed just as much the chances I had to chat with Parris, and getting to hear about her fascinating life. She really is a lovely person, and I wish I had been able to round up the three goats that George was asking for her so that we could have kept her! She really made us fans feel important and valuable and I just can’t say enough good things about her (my wife thinks I have a bit of a crush on her because of how much I have talked about how wonderful she is, and maybe she is right haha).

Ran, I am sorry I didn’t ask George a single ASOAIF related question, however I did ask him whether he had ever considered revisiting his “Thousand Worlds” mythos and perhaps filling in some of the back story. His answer was (as best as I can remember) that he wrote those almost thirty years ago and that he is a different person and writer now, so it would be very difficult.

The Con would have already been a once in a lifetime experience because of George and Parris, but there was also the incredible privilege of getting to spend time with the BWB. What a great bunch of people! Usually when you have a group of people come together like this there is one or two people who you don’t get along with or who reduce your enjoyment. But, I can honestly say that every single person was someone I would love a chance to spend some more time with, and so many who I am missing terribly right now!

I had been looking forward to meeting some people I had known for a long time (I had been talking to Pod, Gryphon Strike and Maltaran, for example, for the better part of a decade!). I wasn’t disappointed, those guys were wonderful to meet, but there was also so many people there who I had only had a few interactions with on the board or had never encountered at all, so I didn’t know what to expect. But, in all my life, I have never felt so completely welcomed and included in a new group of people as I did by all my new friends in the BWB. It was an incredibly diverse spectrum of personalities, but it was like we had known each other forever. It sounds sappy, but it was like coming home. I can’t wait for a chance to meet them all again!

I had been waiting so long to be part of a Knighting, and that was a very special experience. Looking at all the names on the banner, and seeing so many how have been a big part of my life over the years, I really felt a part of a truly meaningful tradition and it reinforced my belief that the BWB is something unrivalled and unique. It is an honour to have my name on a roll that includes such illustrious members.

The goodbyes were pretty tough as we were gradually whittled down. Finally I was with Stubby, Laoise, SMG and Malt when the time came to say farewell and I have to admit it was a quick goodbye because I had to get out of there before I lost it and started blubbering! haha As I said to Stubs, it is an au revoir, not an adieu.

Like Maltaran, I was a bit embarrassed by Parris’ thank you post, but the difference is he deserved to be in it! I was disappointed that I was limited to a degree in what I could do to help. Whatever I could do deserves no thanks, because it is nothing compared to the pleasure I have gotten from GRRM's writing and the Board, I was happy to give back in any way I could.

I can’t praise Stubby, Laoise, SMG and Malt enough for all the hard yards they put in, and the Aussie BWB owes them a big debt of gratitude. And, it’s a tribute to the group as a whole the way everyone pitched in and those efforts were validated by what an amazing time we had.

As I said at the start, I am tired and more than a little emotional, so I can’t really find the words to do justice to the wonderful time I had and the awesome people I met. I came away with some great souvenirs (Such as a sword George named “Bunyip Slayer”, a signed book and a House Stark shirt Parris generously presented me with) which I will always treasure, but the real legacy are the memories of the wonderful people I got to spend time with.

Once I come down I will post a bit more on some of the funnier moments, like the “Picker” and tell some more stories, but for now...thank you all for a great first Con!!

Signed,

(A finally legitimately titled) Ser Camaris

P.S. One Con is not enough...my wife and I are planning on being in Chicago for 2012 unless something drastic happens

[Jake Stormoen]

Okay look. LOOK. I was struggling enough having to head out at like 5am Sunday morning and leaving you all behind after such an amazing weekend, but now with all these kind posts, footage from the knighting (I am so going to have to attend a future one for that!) and reminders of fond memories...I pretty much hate you all. But it's because I fking loved you guys. I hope you all had a safe trip home and are recovering nicely :) If I had a millionbilliondollars, I'd say I'll be seeing some of you next month in Ireland hahah. Maybe Reno or Chicago though :)

Miss you, brothers!

[arantius]

I miss everyone so so much and Cam's post just about had me in tears. I woke up this morning after 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep and my first thought was that the last week had all been a dream, it was such a surreal moment!! This is just a quick post to check in and I'll post photos and a report later today.

So now on the board be prepared to see various Knights of the Spicy Meat, Knights of the Flaming Cheese and (if my memory serves me right) a Knight of the Black Fungi

As well as 2 Dames of the Spicy Meat!!

My one and only picture from the Con, but it's a good 'un: link.. From left to right: [top row] Stubs, laoise, Mountain Goat, Maltaran, Ser Camaris, Horza [bottom row] Pod, Ski, Christine (storm's friend), stormborne, Pax.

Great pic Pax - I love how Ser Cam is doing Blue Steel again :D

I know I promised almost live updates but it just proved impossible what with being in a more involved organisational role and the limits of wi fi access and phone data roaming. Oh yeah and time which was in short supply.

I am at Melbourne airport right now ready to board my flight, 10 hours to Hong Kong, 2 hour break and then another 12 hours to London. Was it worth the trip? Ah hell yeah.

Full reports, photos, YouTube videos of panels and the quest to come at some point later this week after I get home. Stay tuned.

It was great to meet all you Aussies and I hope to see you all again at some point in the future. I can confirm that post con emo is setting in especially knowing I won't see Stubby and Laoise until Chicago 2012. Two years is too long.

Ah, so there's a term for what I'm feeling :(

Ah such a shame I didn't make it to Sunday night, it looked like a lot of yummy fun. How far did people go to find the Souvlaki and Saganaki? It also looked like some people cheated and grabbed generic kebabs, but they're pretty much the same anyway :) Either way I bet that area was seriously aromatic by then!

OK so what is the difference between Souvlaki and a kebab? As we headed out on the quest that was definitely in our minds, that we mustn't just get a kebab, it had to be Souvlaki but we didn't know the difference. The first place we headed for, we knew definitely had kebabs so we thought we would have to bypass it, but when we got there they had a massive sign saying Souvlaki and even the packaging round the 'souvlaki' was labelled Souvlaki, but it looked no different to a kebab!

As we all left the Crowne, a small group of us headed right and the others went left to go up Flinders St. We just headed across the bridge to the Crown Casino, with the intention of walking along the South Bank restaurants as we knew there were a couple of Greek restaurants further up (though if they would still be open at 12:30am on a Sunday night we weren't sure!). But we didn't have to go that far, as we found what we needed at the food court next to the casino and were back in no time at all. It was a fairly lengthy wait before the next group came back from their quest!! As we had already been knighted we were able to share in the bounty that the second group to return delivered. For those that don't know, when you compete the quest and are knighted, you give your offering to George and the other knights, lords or indeed kings that are present, and as a newly-made knight you don't partake in the feast.

Love you all so much :grouphug:

[Ski the Swift]

All I can really say is that if you missed the Naked Clown Art, you basically wasted your time at the Convention and Melbourne.

[Paxter]

Bloody hell. I hate being wrong about something I should know, especially when Ski is right :bang:.

[Maltaran]

I am in Sydney now, shamelessly abusing a free wifi hotspot. I miss you all! I also miss the mods-eye view of the forum that Stubby let me have a brief glimpse of last night.

[Stubby]

This post is about my appreciation for the efforts of the Bros and selected others at Aussiecon. My ‘best moments post’ will follow later. I use the Aussie term ‘good bloke’ interchangeably for men and women. This week I met many good blokes and only a couple of wankers.

Firstly to Stego, X-Ray, Mr X, Kat and Odie for their assistance and advice pre-con. Kat’s buttons and the banner standard that Odie sent us at very short notice were big hits. It’s a shame that we will not know how the punch recipe Mr X sent me would have turned out, (enough has been said by others about the attitude of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Unmentionable Palace and Parris summed up my feelings on that issue perfectly). Stego and X-ray had advice for me on how to handle all this which was gratefully received. You guys are all good blokes.

Secondly, I think we all owe a massive thanks to MG – on top of everything he did with the parties, the general organising (and his input was immense) and preparing the advertising flyers he also singlehandedly organised prizes, tickets, sellers, and buyers for what was a fantastic raffle. He even managed to draft in Peter V Brett and Campbell Award nominee Lezli Robyn to assist GRRM with the drawing of the prizes at the Saturday night party. Laoise and I were only too happy to go for a run in the rain on the last day of the con to help MG with the banking of the proceeds. The BwB ought to be proud that we raised so much cash for a children’s literacy charity. MG, you’re a good bloke.

I think Maltaran did more running backwards and forwards between the Convention Centre and the Unmentionable Palace with errands of importance than the rest of us combined. He was also happy to look after all the cash and I know that he went to and from the nightclub party in a somewhat nervous state on several occasions with a big wad burning a hole in his pocket until he could get it to his safe. Thanks MAAAAAAALT – you’re a good bloke.

Two of our con n00bs need some special mentions and thanks. Ser Camaris’ exploits have been covered in great detail elsewhere (seriously Cam, getting up after surgery on the Tuesday before the con and being worried about getting us the stuff you had bought before the con?) His purchasing in the weeks leading up to the con was awesome. During the con he drove Bros around and generally presented with enthusiasm. Thanks, Cam, you’re a good bloke.

The second n00b that did fantastic things, even when he couldn’t get to the con during the day until the weekend was simanhada. This guy came out of the blue as a total surprise. All he knew about us was from a few posts here and a couple of urgent pleading phone calls. He took it all at face value and showed us a phenomenal amount of trust. He was responsible for printing all of the posters MG designed (which looked fantastic), driving Padraig and Paxter around to buy more supplies for the second party and for really useful local knowledge about shop locations etc. Unanimously amongst the crew, simanhada is (to shamelessly quote Ghost of Nymeria in an earlier con report) the “motherfuckin’ n00b of the year”. Chris, you too are a good bloke.

Its been said elsewhere that the BwB would have been in a very deep hole on the Friday afternoon were it not for the efforts of selected staff at con ops. I can only wholeheartedly agree. The selfless work put in by Stephen Boucher, Julian Warner and Janice Gelb was something special and I and the other Bros at Melbourne will be eternally thankful for their work. They certainly made my job a lot easier. You three are all good blokes.

Agung, Matt, Rob and the staff of Co Nightclub at Crown Casino were far more helpful than most of the bros know. Their venue was the only venue within a reasonable distance of the Con that were prepared to have us – let alone allow us to do all of our nerdy stuff. When one ‘no’ to my first phone call to them would have saved them an enormous amount of stress on the night (which was, after all, a Saturday night) they simply said ‘yes’ to hundreds of requests. Agung got a photo of himself with GRRM for his ‘famous people’ wall and the bros got a party. Agung and Matt – you are good blokes.

I am constantly amazed at the all-round awesomeness of GRRM and Parris. They were so free with their time, their spirit and their good humour. There were trying times this week, and they were only too happy to accommodate the BwB with all of our proposals and plans. On a personal note I was stoked to spend some more time with them and to catch up. :grouphug: I’m sure I speak for the entire BwB and for the Bros that made it to Aussiecon 4 when I say thanks so much to both of GRRM and Parris for everything. It doesn’t really need to be said on this board, but GRRM and Parris are top blokes.

Finally, I want to extend a public thanks to Laoise. As a sounding board, analyst, accepter of expenditure (even when such expenditure eats into the pony fund), generator of ideas, designer and companion, you are awesome. You know the rest. :wub:

The wankers we encountered know who they are. They deserve no further words from me.