MediaWest 2011

[przed]

I spent this past weekend in Lansing, Michigan at MediaWest, the one fan convention I try to get to every year. (I've only missed one year since 1996, and that was the year we brought Rosalind home.)

The con has changed a lot since I started going. It's a lot smaller for a start. The UNCLE contingent, except for st_crispins, has mostly stopped coming. But in spite of that, I still have a great time.

It helps to have fantastic roomies: FJBryan and m. butterfly. FJBryan and I have hosted the Pros party for the last few years, and that's always a highpoint. We put together a quiz, including a video portion, and sc_fossil provided fantastic prizes. krisserci5 couldn't come this year, but sent her fantastic bingo game, and was there in spirit.

I lost my mind and volunteered to mod six panels. Four were Pros, co-modded with , either FJBryan or sc_fossil, and they were all attended by a small but enthusiastic bunch of Pros fans. (The last panel, on Sunday, was interrupted by a tornado siren, which added some real life excitement to the proceedings. There was, fortunately, no actual tornado, but we did get one heck of a thunderstorm, complete with the eerie green sky that accompanies tornados, and everyone was scrambling to find places in the hotel with no windows, just in case.)

Along with sc_fossil, I did my usual Spies and Slash panel, which this year morphed into a discussion of which fandoms have lasted in the long term, and how some huge fandoms can burn out. And I solo modded a Human Target panel focused on Guerrero that turned into a wake for the show. I'm still irked the show won't be coming back, but it was nice to commiserate with a room of people who got it.

Apart from the organized bits of the con, there's also the joy of meeting up with people who get the whole fandom thing. It was lovely to spend time with silver_cyanne, and Sonya, and Flamingo, Kath Moonshine and Glo. To see sithdragn and her crew. To meet new people I haven't hung out with before. (Even with less people that there used to be, it seems there's never enough time to spend with everyone I'd like.)

This year, as I've done the last few years, I pick st_crispins up at the Detroit airport, and drop her off at the end, so the con is always bookended by our discussions of UNCLE and motherhood and academia and politics, and whatever catches our interest.

All in all, it was a really great time, and a nice way of renewing my fannish energy. (In celebration, I signed up as a vidder for the Pros Big Bang.)

Now if I could just convert a few more people North Americans to join in the Take That fandom madness. ;-)

Comments

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

I love reading con reports so thank you for posting this.

[przed.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. It was a fun time.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Right! The next year that I am not going to England during Memorial Day weekend, I'm going to plan on MW. It's been years! I miss cons! I could be part of a small, enthusiastic Pros contingent! *g*

Thank you for posting about this. It sounds like a wonderful time, and a good way to relax and reconnect. Also, yay for signing up of the Pros BB!

[przed.livejournal.com]

Actually, FJBryan and I have a scheme. We're planning on putting together a Pros relaxacon, along the lines of Sharepoint, probably next year. To keep costs and admin. down, the plan is to book in a suite hotel where we can use a large suite for the con functions. We're probably looking at Detroit, since that's mid-way between the two of us.

I'm going to be posting in the near future so we can start consulting with people about when the best time would be for everyone.

In case you're interested. ;-)

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Absolutely! And Detroit would be super easy for me! Brilliant idea! Count me in! With Exclamation points! *g*

[windrain10.livejournal.com]

It sounds like it was a wonderful con and I'm so glad you had a nice time. I doubt I'll ever head to MW as it is so far away but I always enjoy hearing about it first hand from Cyanne when we get together as we do periodically.

I am wondering if there was much of the new Holmes movie there? The movie w/ Robert Downey Jr. I really like that movie and I can't wait for the next one to come out in December. It will be a birthday present for us, she says from one December person to another, as I think you like it too? Have a great day!

[przed.livejournal.com]

There was, alas, not too much about the RDJ/JL movie. There was a ton about Sherlock, though. That seems to have usurped the movie as the Holmes fandom of choice at the moment.

I like both the movie and Sherlock (we staged an impromptu showing of the Sherlock pilot in our room), but I have to admit I can't wait for the next movie. And yes, it'll be a fab birthday pressie for us both!

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I keep hearing that MW has gotten smaller, but I also keep hearing that people had a great time so that's okay. :-) I remember one year at Shore Leave there was a tornado warning so the hotel had everyone stay down in the ball room (which is in the basement,) for about an hour until it cleared. Fun, in an odd sort of way. *g*

[przed.livejournal.com]

Smaller does not necessarily mean worse. I loved when there were more people and tons of people to hang out with, but it always had an air of freneticism back then. Like you couldn't possibly spend time with everyone you wanted to. Now it's more relaxed, more calm, and there's a better chance of spending quality time with the people you really care about (even if others you also care about are no longer there.)

The tornado warning was an odd sort of fun. But then I'm weird that way. I love big storms. Just, you know, not ripping off the roof big.

[nsandik.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the con report!
If I make it to MW again, it will be by car. But I'm glad I skipped this year. Tornados terrify me! LOL!

I love hearing that you all had a good time. :-)

[przed.livejournal.com]

I hope you do make it to MW again someday. You and Marian both. (I love my new roomies, but I miss you guys tons!)

The tornado warning wasn't so bad. Though I did briefly wonder if I should call the Sweetie and little girl to tell them I loved them. :-/

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

It was great hanging with you and S and the other gals. I had a fun time. Yeah, the con is smaller, but honestly, the past few years have been the best for me. I've had a good time and still met new folks. I also get to hang out with friends I only see once or twice a year, so for me MW is a definite destination.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I wish I'd gotten to spend more time with you! At least had a meal together. But next year for sure, yeah?

Otherwise, yes, a smaller con definitely has some advantages.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Sounds lovely! I'd love to attend a fan convention one day (although a TT tour is in many ways a similar thing - struck up some wonderful conversations/reminiscences in the queues).

Now if I could just convert a few more people North Americans to join in the Take That fandom madness. ;-)
Obviously it's unlikely (well, more or less impossible since apparently it's the most difficult thing to do in music) but wouldn't it be AWESOME if they randomly broke into the big time in North America through the power of slash fandom? *g* And interviewers would be all 'why do you think this happened now?' and they'd have to say 'Well, there was this fic about Mark, see...' *g*

[przed.livejournal.com]

although a TT tour is in many ways a similar thing - struck up some wonderful conversations/reminiscences in the queues

I found that with the a-ha tour last year as well. I met a very nice gal from Norway at the NYC show and we bonded over our mutual love of the band. Fandom is fandom, no matter what the venue. (I'm so going to see a TT tour the next time 'round. If it kills me. And I'm hoping Ros is old enough to come at some point too. She calls Shine "Sparkle"! How awesomely perfect is that!)

wouldn't it be AWESOME if they randomly broke into the big time in North America through the power of slash fandom? *g*

Hey, it could happen. *g*

[cyanne]

I'm so glad that I got to spend some time with you. Like you said, it's sad in a way that it's smaller but you also do get to spend more time with the people who are there.

I'm excited about the mini-Pros con, you guys throw a great party and I know it would be a lot of fun.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I wish we'd gotten to spend even more time together. (I'm greedy that way. *g*)

Here's hoping the mini con comes together. We're batting around dates that we can both make now, and should have a post/message out and about sometime soon.