BloodRedRoses1

I usually travel to cons by myself mostly because I've been going to more U.K. cons than U.S. cons lately but, depending on the con, I'll meet up with folks I know from previous ones. My very first U.K. con was one of the SM/ME Hubs and I brought my best friend with me but all of them since I've traveled alone. Irishtwighter, if you don't want to hangout at the convention by yourself the easiest thing to do is make friends here on the forum (or FB if you're willing to wade through the sludge over there). It's kinda quite on here now but the closer it gets to the event traffic should pick up. So grab a ticket, hop a flight and come join the fun!

I ended up with Platinum 075 & I'm in Group B. Not too bad as far as positioning goes. I'm trying to wake-up so I can get a move on but it's not working too well.

I agree whole heartedly about having a few minor guests on Friday night. Any thing we can get done then means that much less we have to worry about on Sat and Sun - maybe it would mean getting to hear all of a talk instead of having to arrive late or cut out early. I'm taking advantage of doing the 'you on 221B/Speedwell's' photos so they're out of the way. And hopefully will be able to see some of the other exhibits so I'll have more time for everything else. As for the Group A & B vs photo A & B - they're doing it slightly differently for the US one by using 'Baker Street' and 'Diogenes Club' instead of Group A & B. We'll just have to wait and see how that works.

No wi-fi would drive me crazy. Hopefully your headache has been beaten into submission by now.

I'm all checked in at the Ibis and even mostly unpacked. I keep forgetting how much I dislike the fact there are not top sheets or washcloths and how I detest the step up into the bathroom. But all that is minor stuff . I'm starting to get really psyched about being here.😉 A short nap then a smoke and then off to find decent painkillers. Laters!

I finally sat down and tried to work out my schedule (Plat 'B') and it is an absolute MESS! There are several talks that that I *MUST* go to & ofcourse they conflict with some photo shoots pretty badly. All of which makes me a very grumpy camper. In short, there are waaaaay too many people coming to this, both guests and attendees! Give me a smaller convention any time. I know I'm going to have a fantastic time inspite of the overwhelming crowd but a girl can dream...

What does everybody think about the party 'themes' and venues? I'm slightly more optimistic than before they were announced. I'm going to be running around this weekend like a chicken with it's head cut off because I'll be trying to get so much stuff done before I fly out Wednesday evening. I did manage to get part of my laundry done today but I still have a bunch to do At least by going to the laundromat I can do several loads at once. Leaves me more time to pack ( which I always need). I *still* haven't decided which Victorian outfits to take for the photo shoots on the sets. I guess I'll spend time on Sunday or Monday doing that. Also on Monday, I'll be able to finally figure out what extra photos to get. In other words, it's all FINALLY coming together!!! And may I just say... ARWEL!!! ::happy dance:: P.S. anyone else here Platnium B or is it just me?

No Arwel?!? NOOOOOOO! What can I say, I'm going to keep hoping that he can make it after all.

Just curious - Am I the only one who found John's chair to be kinda uncomfortable and *very* low to the ground? The couch on the other hand was much more comfy or was that just because I got to cuddle with Rupert?

I feel you pain about the airfare. I sorta lucked out there because I ended up not being able to go to a Torchwood con earlier this year but had already bought the plane tickets so I just switched the date on them. That way at least they didn't get wasted like the tickets for the con. Yes getting refundable/changeable tickets costs a little more but having that leeway can be very useful. Now I'm trying to decide about going back a day or so later so I can see Mark & Ian in Boys in the Band or not.

I'd be happy with just about anyone but there's a part of me that hopes it's Ben & that there will be a shoot w/ at least Ben and his parents but my dream shoot would be all four of the "Holmeses". That just sounds so cool.

I'm at the Ibis on Western Gateway again this year.

I've too have started sorting through what to take to be signed and I've rounded up my silver Sharpies. :) Also trying to decide about what clothes to take. Especially which Victorian ones for the pics on the Victorian sets! I need to rewatch TAB to get an idea of how 'fancy' I should go. I've got a couple of evening dresses I've haven't even worn yet but I'm worried about them being too fancy. Oh the sometimes 'silly' decisions you have to go through for a con!

Just before I had a whole bunch of things go to hell in a hand basket *SIGH* I completely splashed out and bought a VIP ticket. I thought, "I've actually have the money for once and the airfare & hotel aren't quite as expensive so why not?" (I was thinking about upgrading my UK ticket but now it looks very, very iffy for that *pout*) Now I'm just praying that Arwel will be coming so he can to the behind the scenes that he did for the VIPs at the first UK SHERLOCKED. Yep, the main reason I bought it wasn't for the actors (as cool as that will be!) but for him. I want to pick his brain about the sets because I have this yearning to do 221 Baker Street as a dollhouse. P.S. I'm on the Diogenes track.

Thanks for the info y'all. Right now I'm trying to decide on which track I want to be on.

Since the website and ticket sales go live today any idea when SHERLOCKED US will get it's own section in the 'Upcoming Events' sub forum? Thanks.

But when you get too many guests, attendees end up not having time to enjoy the event. Instead they end up in some practically endless line or have to miss something because too many things get scheduled at once. Right now for the U.K. (placing no 'value' whatsoever on who they are) there are 9 actors & 2 (or 3 if you count Mark twice😄) from the production side. With that many there is likely to be quite a bit of waiting in line and having to juggle the schedule to see the talks as it is w/o the "more guests to be confirmed". I realize that there are a great many people who couldn't care less if anybody other Ben and Martin show up and will feel perfectly justified in clamorouring for their money back if they aren't there but the con is supposed to be something to celebrate *THE SHOW* and a chance to meet up w/ friends old & new and not just to celebrate Ben & Martin. Yeah I'm a Grumpy Old Fan but continues to amaze me that so many fans these days don't look beyond the 'main leads' in a show (in this case B & M) and seem to forget the rest of the cast, both regular and guest, and the production crew. Without the rest of the cast and the behind the scenes people the show would be a whole lot less interesting. Besides sometimes it's those other actors and the production people that can end up being the most fun to meet because they're less rushed than the leads. I'll be *completely escatic* if Ben and/or Martin can make it but it won't ruin my day if they don't because the rest of the line-up is pretty cool already. I'm gonna trust that the organizers will do the same for the US event. Yes either Ben or Martin will need to headline the guests to keep people from rioting but attendees need to remember that most (if not all) of the actors are based in the UK and not the US so it takes more effort/money to get them to a US event. When there are UK events of US shows the same thing applys. Anyways this is just a long-winded way to say I'd rather have fewer guests and have to pay a little more so I can get all the photos, autos *and* talks w/o wearing my nerves to a frazzle or standing around so much that I end up being in huge amounts of pain. I'm so incredibly lucky that I can afford the sometimes outrageous prices some cons charge these days (and that's before hotel & travel costs!) but a lot of that's because I'm very selective about the ones I go to and I budget & save for them all year long and not just the last few months before the event.

My first thoughts on learning it would be more traditional were "OH THANK YOU GOD!!!" and "it's all my Christmases come at once!" and if I was a more energetic person I would have 'Happy Danced' all around the house. Hell I'd still probably be dancing. :) As much as I enjoyed last year's SHERLOCKED UK (and will enjoy the one coming up), there were about a gagillion too many people there for my tastes. I very much prefer the smaller 'hotel style' conventions like the HUBS that SM/ME did for Torchwood. Hopefully it will mean less massive queues and being able to sleep in the same building as the event. I *love* being able to run up to my room at the drop of a hat, something that's hard to do with the usual set-up for mega conventions like SHERLOCKED. The big drawback is gonna be whether or not the website crashes when it goes live because I'm sure that there will be a lot of folks like me who will be waiting to pounce when the tickets go on sale tommorow. :) I've got all sorts of alarms set so I can be ready and waiting!

I went with a Platinum pass again this year because if I'm gonna spend the big bucks to fly across the pond then it only makes sense to get the best ticket I can (I'd love to get one the the VIP passes but even I can't justify roughly $4500 for a convention on top of travel/hotel. Maybe for the U.S. one depending on where it is ). I haven't booked a hotel yet because I'm still debating about which one to use. Last time i stayed at the Ibis and it was nice & also fairly close to the venue. Does anybody have any thoughts/suggestions about other hotels at the Excel? One thing that does really tickle me about the setting of TAB is that I can wear some of my Victorian outfits and actually (sorta) do cosplay for once. And here i always swore I'd never cosplay, dress in costume sure but not do 'real' cosplay. Having the long lead time until the con means i shouldn't have to rush to get an outfit together. Morgan

What was the article from the Daily Mail about please?

Personally I'd rather have *fewer* guests so I wouldn't have to constantly chose between photoshoots, talks & other stuff. (I didn't get to hear any of the 'techy' talks except for the SFX show & I only saw 2-3 talks all the way through since I was late because of photos. Also just a smaller number of people in general would be ideal.

Like everyone else here I think, given the size of the event, that the crew did an outstanding job. Especially since I saw several times where they were having to deal with some pretty grumpy people. There was one young lady with these fantastic red braids who was working the second stage late Sunday who was absolutely marvelous as I was close to exhaustion. She found me an aisle seat so I could sit down before I fell down and after I rested for bit and was headed out into the fray again, she checked back in with me to make sure I was okay and that I knew accommodations could be made for medical needs. I assured her it wasn't medical but just old age and SHE THANKED ME FOR BEING HONEST! That just made my day! She is the caliber of crew member I've come to expect from ME/SM. (I will admit to missing having the time to chat with more of the crew because we were all so busy) Thanks again guys!!!

I'm at my hotel now. Forgot to pack all sorts of stuff. (gotta find a Boots) In fact, I managed to get to the airport w/o one entire suitcase (the one with my Victorian dresses). The room is sweltering & I'm not sure the A/C works or not. I finally managed to hit the right buttons to turn the TV on. But right now I'm gonna sleep for a bit because achy legs & knees are ACHY! Hopefully I'll see y'all later

I was going to say that it has been my experience that Massive Events hasn't done things quite so piecemeal that I know of. Admittedly I only have experience with The Hub cons for Torchwood but it's still the same core group of folks and they work their butts off to give us the best experience they can. I'm sure it doesn't help that this is the first Sherlocked and they are working w/ a new (or perhaps newish) partner/sponsor because the first one can be more glitch prone than the ones that follow. Yes, it's a similar format to others they've done but each con/fandom comes with it's own unique challenges I'm sure. Yeah most of us have probably spent more for this event than is prudent but it's so going to be worth every penny!

I 100% agree.The production crew at this con is a massive, massive draw almost moreso for me than the actors. (despite my Martin-themed whining) As someone in branding in Graphic Design, (on international licenses) the show's presentation is very important to me. The text, the colours, the moods, the little touches in the interior/exterior design... I'd love for there to be more crew added, but those peeps are usually every bit as busy as the stars. :/ Yes the crews of shows tend to miss out on all the love that fandom heaps on the cast and that is so unfair. Like you said without them it would only be half as great.