ptenbob

I'm not going to be as nice as Roxy. Madam, how *dare* you cast such a blanket statement and threat out like that. I was between Patrick Stewart and Adrian Pasdar on Sunday morning, specifically at the head of Dominick Monaghan's queue. I neither manhandled anyone, nor cursed at anyone, and neither was I aggressive - to the point that several of the nicer attendees literally asked me how we put up with the people with attitudes like yours. By the tone of your post, you are certainly not adverse to complaining, and I can think of absolutely no reason why you would not have reported rudeness or assault immediately to either a pitboss or the information desk. This was an event with an extraordinary turnout, and the real heroes of this weekend were the crew - many of which had to put up with being sworn at, kicked, punched and spat upon, and I take a very personal offence to your blanket statement that the people looking after the busiest guest area since Collectormania 4 were not up to the task. We crew these events because we enjoy doing so - it's attitudes like yours that can potentially put people off crewing next time, leaving the event short handed and in an even bigger mess. Brendon.

Persephone - You summed it up perfectly. With these events becoming bigger and bigger, with Showmasters' ability to get increasingly bigger guests (c'mon, four of the main cast from *the* breakthrough smash hit of the year), the demand for a piece of them will also increase. There are only so many hours in a day, and the needs of the many (wanting the autograph) will be outweighed by the needs of the few (wanting a posed photo at the same time). So, Showmasters put these photo sessions together, to offer the fans who really can't live without a photo with their favourite star, the chance to have this memento. However, this still isn't apparently good enough now. I appreciate that the photo sessions cost money, and I appreciate that the autographs cost money - but all of it is your individual choice. I personally make the choice not to have the photo sessions - which is a shame, because I'd love to add to my collection of photos with the really big stars. You, however, choose to have that photo - and then blame Showmasters because you have no money to spend on the stalls. Can anyone see a way to turn this into a win/win situation? I certainly can't. Brendon.

Well, Speaking as someone who had the dreaded job of informing the attendees on Dom's queue that photos were not allowed at all, I can see both (though one side stronger than the other) sides of the argument. When the guest (and I'm not saying that this was or wasn't the case for Dom) asks that no photos be taken at all, there is nothing any of the crew can do to change his mind. When the guest's PA or Security asks that no photos be taken at all, even if the guest says yes, we still have to say that no photos be taken. When we realise how busy a guest is going to be, there are two choices open to the crew of a busy queue. 1. Allow posed photos, and turn 500 attendees away unhappy. 2. Not allow photos, and make sure that 1000 attendees get to meet the guest. As I've said on many an occasion, if you were desperate to meet someone and necessity left you with the dreaded ticket number 1000, you'd be *very* glad that no photos had been allowed all day, as it's that simple fact that allows you to meet the guest in the first place. Brendon.

If that's what you think, then it proves to me that the security measures in place are more than acceptable - they're not intrusive on your personal liberties and don't subject you to what can often be humiliating searches. You say that because you can't see something, it doesn't exist - I say that the fact you can't see it means that the job is being done exceptionally well. I don't suppose there's a middle ground we can meet on is there? You *do* seem a little negative on the whole experience. Let's look at this objectively...There were possibly more than 30,000 people attending the convention over the weekend. Has there been more than 30 complaints - other than "It was too busy/I didn't meet my guest/my guest ignored me"? Even 30 complaints would represent 0.1% of the total attendance (based on my own reckonings alone, these aren't official figures or anything). ANY business in the world would be extremely happy to have a customer happiness average of 99.9% There will always be disagreements on what constitutes a great guest, and if you don't believe me, ask the people who went to meet those "D list" stars - and who were just as excited as if they'd met Patrick Stewart. Just because you weren't one of those people, doesn't make the experience any less for them. I say live and let live - there's a superstar out there for everyone. Brendon.

As gutted as I am, at least I'll have my hormones in check this weekend then!!

Bobby Moore - Fulham - Liam Rosenior

I'd be happy with Kennedy being the son. That would give motivation for his always repeating the name too. Kennedy with McMahon in his corner vs Shane'o'mac anyone? Shane turning face and bringing <insert old legend here> back into the bargain? Who else loved the nod to Irwin R. Schyster last week? :)

It's how far?! *considers purchasing a segue* Who else is here? Let's have us an Ambassadors roll call :)

Legend! *is happy now*

Heh, received and replied. Guess I'll be seeing you all there then! (I'll be the one in the bar) B.

That's like, about 4 miles away from me! I'm in Stainsby. Also, not been on here for a while, so a lot of people might not know me (not saying whether that's a good thing or a bad thing - hey, make your own damn mind up ) http://a728.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/image...04a58062a1f.jpg - 's me. B.

Received.... and replied :) *crosses fingers*

I don't understand? B.

ARGH!!!! I will quite possibly expire from sheer overwhelming crushness. *dies*

The epilogue seems to be everyone's bugbear! I know what you mean about Tonks and Lupins deaths - they were there, then they werent. I know that war can be like that, and there's a huge chance it was done purely for the shock - that the first thing you know about them having died is when their bodies are laid next to Fred's, but I feel that a lot more should have been made of it. I gotta disagree with Jason on the Beaubatons and Durmstrang thing though. I think it was important that the characters that we've invested so much time and emotion in be the ones to fight - it's so much easier to care when we feel we know every single character fighting on behalf of good, and I think that inviting what would essentially be extras in would dilute it too far. I still say that I really wanted Draco or one of the other Malfoys have to thank Harry for saving him! B.

I think I did! Don't know if I was the first here to say it, but I definately felt it had to be true - in almost exactly the right way too :) Snape was always going to turn out to be good - or Dumbledore was a fool, and I don't think JK would have done that. I wanted Draco to turn to the light side too though - and I have no idea why. Did anyone else feel that Draco's henchman biting it may or may not have had anything to do with the young feller what played him in the films get caught being naughty? ;-) Also... I can't wait to speak to Matt Lewis next time he's at an event, he's got a hell of a lot of preparation to do to nail that "DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY!" line at the end :)

I may be talking out of my... hat here, but didn't the sword come out of the sorting hat in the first place? What's to say that it didn't do that again?

On the whole, I really enjoyed it, but with a few exceptions... I think that Mad Eye went out too weakly - but I can completely understand how the death of an extremely strong member of the order was necessary to set the right tone. I'm glad that Dumbledore was in it, the King's Cross chapter was one of my favourites, and the few pages afterwards where Harry realised what fate had in store for him, and walked towards it... I'd definately got a lump in my throat... There were too many pages left however, so I knew it couldn't be all bad! For me, the absolute hero of the battle was Neville - to rise up again when all seemed lost was a truly heroic action. I think that a few of the parts were a little too.... Deus Ex Machina? Particularly with the diadem being in the Room of Requirement all along - that was too conveniant for my liking! McGonagall was terrific, and I loved that she never questioned Harry again when he said he was working on Dumbledore's orders. I think we may very well see the battle from other perspectives at some point, there was so much left untold about it that I can very well see another student taking up the helm, maybe a book about someone who just happened to be there at that time (ala Star Wars: Tales from the Cantina) I thought that the epilogue, though nicely written, was *definately* weak, with way too much left untold - but one thing that did stand out was the "curt nod" that Draco gave Harry... My guess is that he'll never get over having to rely on him Overall, I liked it.

That's why Ipods were invented!!! Unfortunately, I can't run off home when I get mine, I'm working for waterstones for this release too! (At least it looks good on the CV...) I wonder if I can add a new filter to my browser.... {if{pagetitle}=harrypotterending/harrypotterspoiler(not includin nospoiler)then RUNAWAY FROM THE PAGE!} You reckon my browser will know what I mean? ;-) B.

Right... Do you have to *murder* someone to make a horcrux, or merely cause their death? See, I can imagine that Dumbledore may have caused the deaths of a few Death Eaters in his time, when no other alternative was available. So, would it have been possible that he could have used that as the necessary sacrifice? There's another way of looking at it though... What if Dumbledore wasn't actually killed? Snape was particularly adept at casting silent spells, so could he not have been casting something like a stun spell on Albus, causing him to be knocked back, dropping to the floor many storeys below. The only person who dealt with Dumbledore's body was Hagrid - how long before he lets something slip? It does the Order a terrific amount of good to have Mouldywart believe that Dumbledore is dead - after all, if they've lost their figurehead, it would be easier to pick them off one by one, which could mean that the faked death is merely another in a long line of traps for old Tom... I've thought all along that Harry has to be the final horcrux - remember, one of them has to die... If Harry dies, Mouldywart gets that part of his soul back... B.

It wouldn't let me use the same hair that Christa's used with a hat! *grumpy* B.

This might be unexpected, and I'm not sure if it'll be wanted, but Congratulations! We've all passed a lot of water in the last year - I've been trying to get in touch with you for a while, but can't find an email address that gets through to you. Hope we can speak soon, B.

I could probably find one from the most glamorous fixture known in the English league... Yup, that's right... The clash of the titans... Chesterfield vs Rochdale. (it was a cold and rainy Tuesday night, they'd sold out of Chicken Balti pies, and I was in a bad mood. The mighty Chesterfield lost 2-0, and my cat got the customary "We've lost and I'm mad" boot up the a$$ when I got home.)* B. *I didn't really kick my cat, he'd take my bloody leg off if I tried it.

Well, from a statement on wwe.com this morning, no substance found in the Benoit house could be classed as steroidal in nature, and Benoit passed his last "wellness" test on April 10th. No matter how many media outlets or rumormongers we watch, no matter how many times we hear "Roid Rage", or suspect the worst, the truth is that not one of us will *ever* know the truth. It's truly a terrible thing that happened, but I honestly feel that the most respectful thing we could do would be to not talk about it or gossip any longer. Let them rest in peace, and let others spread their lies and gossip, we're above that. B.

Awesome!! Another guest for my Carnivale set :-)