Alx

An autographica guest possibly. An inspired guest and a current guest who has helped (with his team) to push the limits of the human body and space travel forward leaps and bounds.... I would love to see him and Mr Kittenger together at a show, I am sure they would be a popular duo. Anyone with any thoughts on this? (If you are confused or not recognising the name, google RedBull Stratos - for sky diving from space and travelling at 730mph in free fall)

Just remember, these shows are great, especially the bigger ones with 10s of 1000s of people, these people you may if your lucky be able to strike up a relationship... but if not and you ruin all chances between you, and you dont want to be seen by that person you can both disappear for the rest of the show... unless you start asking EVERYONE at the show :-s

I am confident in making an assumption here that you have never crewed an event. But to help you understand I know that the crew member in this post had travelled over 200miles to crew LFCC, before amounting 34crewing hours, 5 hours travelling between the venue and the crew hotel before a 7hour journey home. This was then followed by a full working week, before making a 250mile journey from work to Milton Keynes for this event. So being drained is perfectly reasonable, after all if you had worked 3 full time working weeks in the space of two weeks I'm sure you too would feel drained. Please remember that the crew are all volunteers and we do it because we enjoy the interaction with the attendees, we want everyone to have a good time. I appreciate that something's can cause frustration and make you feel upset. I am sure however that someone that has been doing this for 8 or 9 years knows what they are doing. If they didn't know what to do they wouldn't be asked back.

I think Karen was perfectly placed. Showmasters knew her normal form and knew she could go with the demand. In terms of the handing out of VQ tickets for Karen, that was myself, and Im not new to Showmasters, I have been crewing with them for 8years. I was aware of what had been going on, and I think the people that waited until the end saw the speed in which we were able to put the ticket numbers up by. The only thing that had slowed us down following Karens talk was everyone who joined the queue despite their numbers not being called. As for handing out VQ tickets, I kept handing them out and pointing out the realistic chance of meeting Karen was dwindling. Anyone from 1150+ would have had me say that you would need to come back after 5pm, and it would be a push, from 1250 onwards I was saying that it was then highly unlikely, Nonetheless if you can stay as close to 6 as you can, some of my VQ's will have been to each family member, some of the tickets will have gone to people who couldnt stay for whatever reason, and we would try our hardest to get everyone through. Proof is in the fact that with 3minutes to spare we had an open queue, and Karen signed until everyone had gone through. Alex

I can completley understand the frustration. The 4 people are Showmasters, everyone else comes in for the shows. A few people add help outside fo the shows, but the 4 were solidly working on this major issue. Annoyingly it wasnt something that could be sorted at this late time. I dont know the in's and outs, but my overview of understanding, The hotel booking is like a plane ticket, the hotel upgraded its computer system and double booked. Whether money had been taken or not there was nothing that could be done at that time. If money had been taken then it was simply a case of turn and chase it after the event as there wasnt time to mess around before the event. I am sure knowing how passionate Jason is, that he will ensure the tribute is what he wanted it to be :-)

I know it can be frustrating when things don't go100% to plan, especially of you travel for a specific reason. As I am sure you can appreciate that Showmasters work very hard to make this event work. Furthermore they did not finish working until the small hours this morning (with the immediate tasks, such as removing dealers and equipment from Earls Court). Having said this Jason has come on line last night to state he would give a full statement... He has then come online again this morning to give a brief statement, explaining why some things did not happen as planned, and that they would be featured at future events. In all honesty, SM have no gain to say they will do something and thenot do it. I know from experience that the full time team can literally go days without sleeping trying to get everything done. They have a passion for ensuring everyone has a good time.

did we trend?

It really depends on how long you can wait. To explain I had handed out over 1000 VQ tickets before standard entry (Showing thwe true value of ordering the early bird tickets in advance). I worked my ass off to help everyone get a VQ ticket and try and put an estimate of when you would get to see Karen. Following her talk the queue appeared, with hundreds of people that hadnt been called, nonetheless we sorted this and once we got the queue where we had wanted we were getting the numbers up quickly. Sadly for anyone that hadnt been able to stay, we had managed to get Karens Queue to an Open Queue for the final 3minutes (It dosent sound like much, but that was an extra 20 people who hadnt even picked up a VQ ticket). It is possible. Karen was a real Trooper though and I wish her all the best. I would also like to Thank all of you guys who wanted to meet her. I know that it must have been difficult to stand / sit and wait, but I was determined to get you all through and if I upset anyone throughout the day, I hope you can understand the pressure (and further more I hope you managed to get to see Karen. Alex

I would just like to thank ALL of the attendees, because without you attending, I wouldnt have spent the last 10years spending the odd weekend with some of the best people in the world (my friends) And Team Karen, because this machine was well oiled and we were insane with that effort....

SM wont have gotten home until this afternoon at the very earliest... I didnt get home until 2am, and I didnt have to clear Earls Court, ensure people were where they should be, eat in London, pack, etc. Videos will be a few weeks I think :-)

Cheers DB, but Ill have you know, not only did we blitz it and keep it on form, at 5.57 we went to OQ, a full 3mins for anyone to get into that queue, as long as you had passed the entrance to the booth ;-) Idris and Stuart were instrumental in helping me with that (not to mention Debs, Yvie and Graham flying through and keeping a smiling face all the way through :-) )

Just an idea, but with the name, The very first and the very last Discovery Crews?

I agree with Christa, I remember chatting to him alot in London, and enjoying his company in the evenings. He was a really good guy, gutted to hear this. RIP Buddy

I think the only thing missing was a bit of Be careful you don't get stopped at the borders with all those fireworks... And hell if we run out I have some scottish fireworks from bonfire night on my phone :-) :-) Yayayay

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Towel as well, so at the moment I have no bedding and no Towel, this is what happens if I rush!

They saved my life, well almost... Easy jet cancelled my flight 3 times in the last three days, so I managed to jump on a Ryanair flight... even if it did land me 3hrs from my selected destination and only 2 hrs from my house, so that I had to do 5.5hrs of driving just to pick up my car...they got me home for christmas... Though I hated their adverts!

I cant wait... though having just realised that I havent packed half my stuff, Im pretty gutted! No sleeping bag, so i need to source alot of stuff, but ill be there for the 5 days, but maybe in and out :-) So much to do so little time, but ill be around to Party loads... and I cant wait, I miss you :-(

They are indeed buying it.... In their masses.. Although alot of people will be waiting for the physical single of the X-Factor, When I last checked yesterday RATM were #1 and also #5 in the charts?! O_o How that works im not entirely sure... also Joe wasnt inside the top 10 at that time. Alex

Well it wouldnt exactly be NYE if you wernt there would it?

Im willing to bet money that this article has stemmed from the other primary board topic... Otherwise it would have been released on Monday! Alex

Stuart I know ive not crewed in a while, but I have had a lot freeing up now, so if any drops out and you needs a replacement give me a call and ill get on my way down. Alex

Right Ill definately be there now, most likely for all 5 days, though I may be working NYE (Depends on shift length and contract price - its got to be worth a 140mile round trip) When do you need me to pay by guys?I can drop it by next weekend if anyones around? Alex

Hi guys, Well voting has now closed and I appreciate any suppport that came through this forum . Between 12noon on Thursday and midnight Thursday she managed an addittional 90 votes, which saw Emily surge from 7th to 5th and she made it into the finals. I believe this is no longer a public vote, but if it goes public Ill be back.... I really apprecite your help and I know she does too, you lot are fantastico!

Thank-you. I know she appreciates the support ... Shes currently just 100 votes from the top so its quite close, if anyone here hasnt voted Thanks Alex

Hi Guys, Now the title is a little confussing, but I have a good friend who is working hard to make a career in anything. She has been through several directions already, but modeling seems to suit her, and shes enjoying it. Well Oceana (the nightclub) have been holding a competion alongside a modeling agency, Oceanas Next Top Model, and well shes done great so far and got into the Semi-Finals. Now its down to another heated public vote, and she really needs some help. To see her picks for the competition and also for info on how you could help her out and vote, please visit : http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=102957787070 or visit www.lookphotos.co.uk and click the banner.. Voting for Emily Simpson I really really appreciate this guys Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Alex