nadatron

Hey, thanks for that guys, it's much appreciated!

Definitely staying at EasyHotel Earls Court again. It's by the "Easyjet" company so predictably its very small rooms that are bright orange lol. Yeah the rooms are small at the bottom end of the price scale (3 of the walls will touch 3 sides of the double bed), you have to pay a fiver more for a room with a window (seriously lol), there is no lift and the en suite is "snug", but its all really nice, very clean, comfortable, within a short walk from restaurants, the tube station and of course the venue itself so it's really good for just one or two nights. And, for the price (£24 - 40 per night for a double room (with window lol) depending how far in advance booked), it's pretty damn good.

Lol you must feel right at home on this part of the forum then

I'm not saying that I'm annoyed because I believe they are purposefully targeting myself or anyone else for some kind of intentional torment, I'm just annoyed becuase they really don't seem to care. And no, I don't work in retail, I work in IT, but it isn't just retail workers at all. Even office staff are not guaranteed a standard working week, with banking, insurance, utilities, services, even basic admin likely to put in some weekends. Oh and don't forget health workers of many sorts, food workers, security, leisure facility staff, bar staff, tradesmen... basically a very large number of jobs not just based in shops, considering we are now a "24-7 society" and the world doesn't come to a stop for everyone outside of the high street from Friday to Monday. I wish that you were right, but unfortunately, it's very realistic to have constraints on holiday, in fact especially so on weekends because people are so reluctant to volunteer to cover. My holiday time isn't as harsh notice as others who do have to give several months notice, my constraint is that it is first come first serve, with a limited number of people (2 out of a team of 15) off at any one time, and summer is a nightmare to book off because of this - as I'm sure you can imagine, leaving a realistic timescale of a good couple of months before. And given my previous jobs (not in retail) and also many of my friends current jobs (oh, also not in retail) having the same issue, I think that it's pretty widespread. You must be one of the lucky ones I guess, so obviously several other people know they have weekends off too, and sod everyone else eh? My point isn't about starting a debate about the variety of British workers schedules and holiday entitlement and planning. My point is that without any word of a basic yes or no regarding this event, we cannot make plans for any events in "summer" while we are hanging on waiting in case they clash, or run too soon together, or cause us to waste money making futile plans. That would be a start, but with no actual date we still have the issue of ensuring we are able to go, be it one day or both, and the issue of allocating funds for it.

It's about booking holiday time. You can scoff all you like about people having to plan ahead, but it is good to know where you will be, what time off you require (if any) and how long you have to put some funds aside. If you were going abroad for a weekend holiday for example, would you get your details now, or just hop off to the travel agents a week before and hope they have something you want and that you can afford? You're lucky (if you're a full time worker of course) if your holiday booking procedure is simple and gives allowance for relatively short notice. You're also lucky, especially in present times, if you can find a stash of spare cash at short notice to be able to attend such an event. Unfortunately for many people the above two are simply not the case. We need time to get our holidays booked in, and possibly time to save up or spread a few plans out in order to maximize what we can afford. I'd like to know for example, if I have to try and get more holiday booked off certain summer months already filling up our holiday calendar (we can only have 2 members of staff off on any 1 day) , or if I can go to another event in August for example, or will I need to save especially to avoid having to split funds with another within short time span. So no, it's not about OCD, or about planning meticulous details like what snack I might have at 11.06am on the second day of the event. It's just about knowing the very basic general details like when (and if) it will be so I can find out if I can be there, or whether I can arrange to be somewhere else.

You'd think that in a time of recession, where innumerous companies are going bust because of declining markets, especially in the service industry, that a company wouldn't **** about a decent number of its main customer base. But apparently not, and even if Showmasters have made a tactical business decision to ditch Manchester and focus on possibly more profitable ventures, then it is still poor policy to ignore such as basic question of "yes or no" from customers who, if getting the "no" early enough, could then go on to pass their custom onto these other events. To be honest I don't think we will get an answer until late summer, either weeks before if its a yes, or an eternal lingering "maybe" before a final admission if it's a no. Which would be pointless either way. And if the views of previous posts by Showmasters are to be read, I can already predict what their likely response will be.... "we're busy, so like it or lump it / we make the rules, either go to the show or don't go, we don't really care". Oh and not to forget accusing all those who ask for a date or get frustrated with being ignored as being "trouble causers". No doubt Showmaster's first response will now only be an attack on people pushing for a response rather than addressing their issue, or banning/suspending people who have posted their frustration on this. But its not like there are no other companies out there offering decent events with decent guests and decent notice of events....

I figured I'd throw the question out there to see how many people will be attending, and we can see how much of a crowd and which areas might be more busy than others etc. These things are useful for us because if we know for example most people here were going for dealers, we can plan ahead a bit more regarding arrival times etc. I know there are still issues about the actual date, but treat the first question as if the date had been confirmed; let's face it, if it never is then this poll will mean diddly squat anyway. So, providing a suitable date can be arranged, how likely are you to attend Collectormania Manchester? And which aspects of the event are you mainly attending for? (I know this question is specific when most of us go for several aspects, but I mean the major reason for us going or the aspect of the even we would spend the most time on) Myself I'm definitely going, and mainly for the autographs

This is mine

Even a rough idea of the date must be known by SM or else how have they already apparently booked guests for this and put them on the leaflets given out at earlier cons for Manchester? In fact, even if we cant get a date, not even a roundabout month, then we just need to know if this is on or off. Surely it's in SM's best interests as a business to let us know asap whether this is on or not; I can't be the only one who has planned sidelined cash for this event, so if SM cancel it too late towards summer when we cant make other arrangements for the other events because of notice for holidays etc, then they will lose out on this money, which if they tell us now yea or nay we can plan ahead for use on other events.

Oh My God. Enough time for me to hopefully secure decent T2, AHX and Dark Reel posters! Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou!!

Yeah it wasnt bad. I bought a Hammer sketch card and a couple of autographed cards. I hope thats not all we are getting in Manc this year. There is one of those every month in summer, but yeah it would suck if its all we got becuase they are really small. Good for hard to get Troma imports though, even if they do charge you an arm and a leg for them. Wouldn't mind seeing some of the horror guys from there at a collectormania event, that is of course if we actually get one....

Heh, at Sachas by any chance? I'm rapidly starting to believe that the small, room size fairs we get here every couple of months are all that we are going to get this year. Is there still time to book a convention area, set a date, book guests etc? If so then great, cause we've just been sorta left hanging here... If not then just please put us out of our misery and tell us that there will be no event so we can at least plan ahead for one of the others.

I have quite a few asian friends, and they often use the word "Paki", although normally to refer to the non westernised people within their own community who exhibit "typical" Pakistani customs, dress, attitude, expression or cultural traditions. If someone recorded a conversation between them which was played to the media not knowing they were asian themselves, and was instead attributed to another person, there would be uproar. For me it depends on the context, which no-one really seems to know for sure. If it was an in-joke which is very common indeed with mixed groups, then its just a case of it looking dodgy out of context. If he didn't know this guy and was deliberately being insulting then yeah it was of dubious morality. As for the other part of the video where he mocks his mate for looking like a "raghead" - it's an obvious reference to the people they are out there to fight against, and not anyone else. If we can happily expect them to get shot at, killed and/or kill these guys, then it's just ludicrous to act all PC when they call them names. If someone shot at me, I'd take the p* out of them at the very least. If a story came about that some soldier saw a guy who walked a bit stiff for a moment in a WWII trench, and mocked that he "looked like a Jerry", we wouldn't bat an eye lid. God forbid the video show that a prince is just like the average Joe!

Butterflies and Moths (evil butterflies with fur coats on and a penchant for dive bombing). Scare the living crap out of me. Also heights, which isn't just from a "standing somewhere high" point of view, I also can't look up at high buildings (not hills, rock or anything, just man made stuff) becuase I get this bizarre feeling like a fear that I'm going to be sucked up into the air. I know I wouldn't be of course, but it still makes my gut flip.

My family have several pets, all have kinda odd names though, mine more than the rest I think ... My cats: Beefcake/beefy - HUGE fat torty Mongy - really stupid tabby Satan - really evil full black cat Wanda - really naughty kitten, daughter of Satan (the cat of course) My mum's/mine cat: Daphne, also known as mongy senior My dad's cats, or his "boys" as he likes to call them: Oscar - HUGE Bengal almost adult (looks like a leopard, weighs over 2 stone) that likes to eat rats Otis - very naughty Bengal kitten with rare marble colouration Ollie - BIG fluffy fat white Persian who licks you like a dog would My dad's dogs, or his "bitches" as he (accurately I guess) likes to call them: Mel - grumpy Belgian cat-hating sheepdog who has already killed one of his cats Olivia Lilo - very dumb boxer dog, also has epilepsy My sisters Horse: JC's just cruisin' (show name), known as "Cruise" - Giant frenchmans lunch/pedigree chum waiting to happen. (or thats how I like to wind her up anyway). Very nice horse.

If it was just me in the house, and my housemates and pets were already safely outside I'd try and grab one of the following (or all if I could)... My 1979 advanced D&D set, still boxed and mint with all dice. My entire collection of Fortean Times magazines (if I had help lol) My x-files autographs

Yeah I have to agree with the above posts, I live in Manchester but I'd still need to book time off and with a max of 3 people in my office off on any one day, summer fills up pretty fast, as I'm sure it must do for other people. Even if they give us a month, like it will definitely be in July/June whatever, its better than nothing as Id just book off every weekend in that month and await confirmation - it's easier to cancel holidays and free the day up for someone else than it is to book them when others want them.

Hopefully by "combined" you mean "totally separated areas of the same building". I don't really fancy sifting through the sports Collectables and fans to get to the film/tv/author/artist guests and stalls that I do want to see, and am used to seeing at collectormania events. And vice versa I'm sure. Normally SM are very good at "genrefying" the layout of events which make it easy to see and visit certain groupings of guests in the same area. This makes the event also go much more smoothly because of the clarity and ease with which you can navigate the event area. So I guess it could work as long as it was very well defined which area was which. It's just a personal feeling that makes me dislike the idea of such a crossover though. Maybe living in Manchester and far too often seeing the horrendous mess and noise created by crowds of drunken men who have travelled down whenever major sports events are on have clouded my mind though....

Lol don't worry we were genuinely looking for a housemate with similar interests and not a victim, but I can see where you are coming from with that one and I did point out in that post to please delete if it wasn't appropriate. I don't want this to sound petty becuase it's not, its genuine, but it just hit me that you justified it as someone might get hurt. That is a very real danger, and call me naive but that hadn't actually struck me, but it made me think immediately of all those posts that pop up around the time of an event where people put up requests to buddy up in hotel rooms. Surely that is more dangerous and should be nipped in the bud too? (That's not trying to argue it's actually agreeing with you guys btw) As for the Athiest bus, I'm a Christian and wasn't the least bit offended, but I can see why it was deleted. This forum is for people to gather about shared interests and particular events/shows etc, and when you introduce any polarizing topics like religion it can lead eventually to arguments deviating from why we are all on this forum in the first place. The topic was very civil, with no signs of arguments on the horizon, so I can see why it was ended on that note rather than risk what could be started by just one ill thought out inflammatory comment.

Definitely having an effect. Thankfully I don't have any so called "bad debts" but I do have a mortgage which the two year deal I had on it ended recently. It would have gone up over 200 per month. I got a new deal but it's still 130 per month(!) higher than it was previously. I can't believe how much gas and electric is now too, and my food bills are a lot higher. I'm thankful I don't drive! Can't charge me extra for the air I breathe so me and my bike will be just fine lol. I'm starting a new job tomorrow (had to get out of banking asap) which is more money though and I have had to let out my spare room to a friend, which is good in many ways to be honest as well as more than covering the increase in the mortgage. So I think although my income will be dented, I will still have enough to go to cons, just not to spend as much as I used to and by far I need to put more thought into what I buy there. Do I really need it? I used to spend quite a lot on autographs and collectibles but I really do hold back now, not just becuase I have somewhat less disposable income than I had before (if there even can be such a thing as "disposable income" at the moment) but also becuase I don't know what exactly is round the corner, so I'm hoarding away money like I used to with collectibles lol. I just think if it gets any worse I'd rather have a larger savings amount than a larger sci-fi collection.

Oh my god, ten years already?! Where the hell did they go?!?! That makes me feel so, so old!!! As for reunions I'd like to see I'd love an x files feature, obviously Duchovny and Anderson would be a rather unrealistic coup, but there are so many other people from the series I'd love to meet. Backing the call for a Nightmare on Elm Street reunion all the way, that would be amazing. Also would strongly support a horror theme or feature.

Panics first UK tours were in early 06 as A fever you can't sweat out only appeared in 05.They first did a tour supporting The Academy is.. in the January.Then in the april they did their own tour. Ahhh would make more sense, I have no concept of time lol could've swore I was in college but my uni student days too are a bit of a blur

Topless photo-shoots would be one thing but what about talks? They could go up on stage and we could just stare...no need to say even one word. I'm not a fan of page 3, at all. Promotes shallowness, abnormal breast size and influences numerous boob-job decisions. But many are fans and hey if a Page 3 event would sell (and let's face it it would) then sure, go for it. Topless photo shoots and talks from the modern P3 girls maybe (even though it would attract amongst the crowds of men enough grotty middle aged perves to warrant a cosplay comp based on BBC's Bottom and would likely result in a record number of groping based assault charges). But for the 80s glamour models? 80s? I hope you would be going for the surely deep and interesting personalities of these ladies becuase that perkiness you drooling men might be expecting could be looooong gone.

First has to be A Perfect Circle, Manchester Apollo - I'm terrible for dates but I believe I was around 18/19 so about '04/'05. Note perfect but with that amazing live atmosphere you just cant reproduce on cd. Second would be System of a Down, Manchester Academy - again as for the date I can only estimate but I think I was in College so we're talking '02/'03? Third Panic at the Disco as much as I generally detest Emo music I do love this band. Manchester Academy, sometime 03 I believe (their 1st UK tour anyway) and they were superb. Fourth Marylin Manson "Holywood" Tour, I believe '01 Manchester Evening News Arena. A true showman, great live, and the tour of a great album also included a tonne of songs of his best album by far, Antichrist Superstar. Fifth is all the ska/punk gigs I have ever been to. None have EVER dissapointed. Lars and the Bastards, Madsin, Farse, Uncle Brian, No Comply, Ten Foot Pole, Mustard Plug, Mad Caddies, Whitmore, Waaaaaay more than that but I can't find any of my ticket stubs lol all those there are the ones where I have signed cds from. Ill add another here, an award for "most disappointing live act" has to go to Placebo - Manchester Academy in 04. I have loved this band for a long time and they put on a show that was just awful. They did play Nancy Boy for the 1st time live in 6 years or something, but I wish they hadn't as they utterly killed it. They all looked off their faces, the songs were rushed through and the vocal audio was poor. The severely OTT distortion on the guitars meant no distinguishable note patterns and at times it was hard to tell which song they were actually playing. Thankfully the next time I saw them they seemed a little better, but still not worth the £20 door price.

I second this! An all horror con would be fantastic. Definitely would be up for that