MCM Expo, 28-30 October 2011

[BigBadBen]

Probably not that important, but I do now have a fully functioning table-top electric samovar, so we can have tea on tap!

I think you will find that is VERY important...

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Probably not that important, but I do now have a fully functioning table-top electric samovar, so we can have tea on tap!

I think you will find that is VERY important...

But do we have mains power on the pitch for it?

I note we are being given equal billing with the Manga and other elements now despite us being a single pitch (except for Miss CouCou Heart) How big is the pitch we are being given this time? (more importantly how much space do we have to fill?)

Do we have a Guest Author this time? Robert and Toby were stars .

[rhylla]

Dav and I will be there, hopefully, on the Saturday. looking forward to it.

-Rhylla-

[JennyWren]

just got my ticket see you all there
blessed be
Wren

[ladyelsie]

Hello,

We are sorting out MCM and trying to find out all the answers to your questions.

I can answer some.

We hope to have Jonathan Green with us this time as guest author.

As too size of pitch, Brian who came to the Asylum said we will have more space. We are awaiting to find out the size and how many passes we will have.

Passes will be allocated to those who are prepared to bring items to exhibit ( bringing items to trade only, is not Exhibiting) and man the stand to talk to visitors and show them how much fun it is on the 'steamy side'.

We are also awaiting on which stages our panels will be and on what subject.

Tinker and I are on it but PLEASE to be patient.

We are also working very hard to finalize things fro The Asylum 2012 so tickets can go in sale this weekend. So please bear with us.

L.E.

[Llrael]

Oh I hope Mr Green is there, I'll bring along my copy of Leviathan Rising so he can sign THAT one to Archimedes too!

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Excellent news on Mr Green.

With extra space we can break out the big stuff!

I am looking at bringing Fido and Oddbod, plus something else I  have been working on.

[JennyWren]

always happy to man watch the stand and spready the steamyness (why does that sound wrong?), dont mind buying tickets its the standing in that bloody long que that does me in

[Evangeline]

always happy to man watch the stand and spready the steamyness (why does that sound wrong?), dont mind buying tickets its the standing in that bloody long que that does me in

Jenny, if you buy the tickets in advance online, you pretty much skip the huge queue, only have to stand in line for wristband exchange once (and if you get there Friday night the queue for that is non-existent in our experiences).

[Mabel Ann]

I think that I will be attending with my boyfriend but I am very nervous as it will be my first Steampunk event. My boyfriend looks fantastic when he is all dressed up but I am a bit overweight and worried about how I will look so I may be too scared to come along dressed up.  

It'll be my first Steampunk event too, it's ok, we can be nervous together

I have got an outfit together but it is not as good as my boyfriend's outfit and I feel a bit sad about it.

[Mécanicien de Vapeur]

I have got an outfit together but it is not as good as my boyfriends outfit and I feel a bit sad about it.

Don't be sad, steampunk isn't a competition.  I know it can seem overwhelming when faced with the outfits some people create, but just making the effort will be recognised and admired. Looking forward to meeting you at Expo 

[Evangeline]

I have got an outfit together but it is not as good as my boyfriends outfit and I feel a bit sad about it.

Don't be sad, steampunk isn't a competition.  I know it can seem overwhelming when faced with the outfits some people create, but just making the effort will be recognised and admired. Looking forward to meeting you at Expo 

Indeed, do not be sad, I am betting your outfit is better than you think as we are all our own worst critics!
I was nervous about my first outfit creation and being 'judged' by others at my first steampunked Expo, but I got many compliments and discovered that steampunks appreciate and admire all efforts and there's no such thing as 'not good enough' outside of your own head.
And I guarantee that while you're there you'll be inspired by others and get ideas for more outfits, and find people who are happy to share ideas for any additions or adjustments to your outfit.
Looking forward to meeting you there!

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Don't worry there will be accessories to purchase and ideas to harvest at the VSS stand.

Therecare plenty of ways to steam up cheaply but effectively, all that is required is a bit of imagination.

If you are not familiar with the Expo the various costume groups run from professional costumes to peopl dressed in painted cardboard boxes. The steampunks generally do not acheive the costuming lows of some of the other groups.

Oh and "Free Hugs", we are British, and Hugs are not "free" they come at the expense of your stiff upper lip.

[JennyWren]

always happy to man watch the stand and spready the steamyness (why does that sound wrong?), dont mind buying tickets its the standing in that bloody long que that does me in

Jenny, if you buy the tickets in advance online, you pretty much skip the huge queue, only have to stand in line for wristband exchange once (and if you get there Friday night the queue for that is non-existent in our experiences).

no you only skip one huge que, you still have to stand in the OTHER huge que, (i always buy online)

[Llrael]

Aww, but the queue to get in is one of the best bits! You get to see loads of people's outfits, and unlike the rest of the day no-one's going anywhere so it's excellent for pictures!

But then I also enjoy the subway ride to get to the ExCel, because I'm not a Londoner and so the whole thing has a charming novelty value. Also it's fun to play the "Who's Going To Expo?" game.

[Augustus Longeye]

I agree with the "who's going to the Expo" game being fun, but I find in the queue you only see about 20 costumes from each side, and you just see them four thousand times, once for each run up and down the hall you have to do! That was NOT fun in my leather Organisation XIII coat year before last...
~Longeye~

[Capt. Dirigible]

We were quite fortunate last year when one of the stewards directed us to the end of the shortest queue directly in front of the ticket desk. I was sure we'd jumped ahead of  a gazillion people but that was where the steward directed us so who am I to argue? We were inside within about 40 mins of arriving and most of that was queing to have your wristband fastened. Some people queued for several hours before getting theuir tickets. We had ours inside of 15 mins!!

Don't think we're going to make it this year though as we have the White Mischief Halloween bash in the evening and need to save our spondulicks for that!

[Kathy_Davidson]

Hmmm, I'm not sure I would be willing to buy a ticket (mostly due to previous experiance at Expo. The Que being one of them) but if so many are going I may pop down and hang around outside.

[rhylla]

try being in the queue and hearing the dreaded cry " Hello Sir!" screamed at your husband by a group of excited students from the school he works at hehehe

we enjoyed the train journey in as we had someone walk down the entire train to find us as he'd heard there were Steampunks aboard

-Rhylla-

[Augustus Longeye]

try being in the queue and hearing the dreaded cry " Hello Sir!" screamed at your husband by a group of excited students from the school he works at hehehe

My dad had this all the time.... it's both a pain and slightly worrying how frequently it happens....
~Longeye~

[rhylla]

oh tell me 'bout it! we can't go anywhere without SOMEone knowing him! (though, come to think about it... i think we managed to escape when we went to Whitby!)

Mind you it keeps me good tempered in public as the last thing i want is for 1800 kids to all be gossiping about the row Sir had in the High Street! hehe

-Rhylla-

[and_solo_said]

Myself, five other crewmates and one pirate will be attending on Saturday.

I've never been before, but I'm expecting it to be as fun as going to a concert and watching the businessmen slowly get more and more uncomfortable as the train fills with more and more black leather and spikes the closer we get to the venue.

[Augustus Longeye]

I've never been before, but I'm expecting it to be as fun as going to a concert and watching the businessmen slowly get more and more uncomfortable as the train fills with more and more black leather and spikes the closer we get to the venue.

Oh HELLS yes! We were coming from Egham last October, and were in Kingdom Hearts Halloween outfits... When we got on it was just us (not big on cosplay is old Egham) and a few skinheads tried to give us a bit of a time... We ignored them, but they sat in the same car making jeery remarks occasionally. Two stops later ive more people got on, one as Sephiroth... not exactly subtle... by the time we reached London the whole carriage was full of us, and the skinheads were a lot quieter and decidedly uncomfortable. It was a good laugh for all involved.
~Longeye~

[Perturabo]

My girlfriend and I will hopefully be attending, though not in costume, as neither of has one. She was quite taken with the green dress on display last time we went, but I forget whether that was the October event last year or earlier this year.

The underground trip there is quite an experience. We almost got lost, but managed to get back on track by following the spiky hair and huge cardboard swords. 

[and_solo_said]

We almost got lost, but managed to get back on track by following the spiky hair and huge cardboard swords. 

Its always good to be able to go up to someone you've never met and say 'excuse me, which way do I have to go?' and have them instantly know what you're talking about.