From: Steve Davies Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.fandom Subject: VoM Issue 2 (Worldcon Newsletter) Date: Sat, 02 Sep 95 10:41:24 GMT Organization: The Fortress Unvanquishable, Save For Sacnoth Lines: 197 Reply-To: steve@vraidex.demon.co.uk VOICE OF THE MYSTERONS The INTERESTING Newszine Thursday 24th August - Night Issue 2 Open and Shut Case The opening ceremony went off with a bang, also a crash, boom and skirl of a Scottish pipe band. Two witches, later revealed to be toast Mr and Mrs Peter Morwood and Diane Duane, met upon a blasted heath. When they finally realised the third witch had no intention of leaving the bar they went on to introduce various official gentlemen with strong Scottish accents (sorry, your reporter is Australian and has trouble with any accents not BBC English). Anyway, these gentlemen and the Intersection chairs, made speeches of thanks and welcome. Nessie made yet another farewell appearance and the audience was then stunned by bagpipes in Sensaroundtm as formation pipers entered from both sides of the hall. They were followed by the fannish gathering of the clans and after more impressive synchronised drumming, led the fannish hoards from the hall. A rumour of free drinks soon dispersed the ensuing throng. (GdeC) The welcoming speeches by local dignitaries, and the pipers at the end of the ceremony, were delightful. Alas, the presentations of the concom were not of the same calibre. The principal guests were introduced; alas, Bob Kanefsky was in the bar, and Gerry Anderson was unavailable, replaced by a Teddy Bear. Les Edwards noted that Jim Burns has described him as lurking in the shadows on the fringes of science fiction, and thanked the convention for letting him into the spotlight. The other high point was when Nessie threatened to eat Peter Morwood. John Mansfield, chair of ConAdian, publicly thanked his wife, Linda Ross- Mansfield, which he forgot to do at last year's closing ceremony. He noted that this was the first time the gavel was pased from one Commonwealth country to another. The pipers closed the ceremony and led the attendees next door for wine, whiskey and water, provided free to the attendees. (RS) Don't Drink the Water We have been warned that the taps in the toilets are fed from a header tank, and are therefore e coli's idea of a holiday resort. If you want to drink water, order it from the bar. You Have Been Warned! Corkage has only been waived by the Forte Crest; parties in the Central may be subject to customs inspection. Where to get the Newsletter Info Desk (hall 4), Information Desk, Registration. Nice boxes with fluorescent pink signs saying "NEWS" on them. Please do not come to the newsroom to get copies of the newsletter unless you are partially sighted. We will try to distribute the late night issue directly to the hotels at around 10pm (provided we can find someone to distribute them for us!) Saint Vincent's Place Drop by the fan lounge and see the historical fanzines table, set up by our Fan Guest of Honour, Vince Clarke. There is a wide variety of zines, including some published during WW II in spite of the paper shortages and fans being caught up in military service. (Please look and read but put them back when you are finished). You may even find Vince at the table _when he has completed his 16 hours of work for the convention, he gets a T-shirt! Press Here If anyone sees anything about the con in the press, please save a copy for the Press Office (and send us a copy for the newsletter). Quote of the Day: "It fills space." "Yes, but so does vacuum, and we're not printing *that*". Gopher Tickets Each ticket now is valid for up to the value of #2 at any SECC food stall for food or soft drinks. Please note the budget is limited so please only collect what you need. Apology The newsletter crew would like to apologise for the unwarranted apology in the previous issue. Frequently Asked Questions at Info Desk 1) Where do I register? Over there! (fx: point) 2) Where do I sign up for masquerade and photography? In Hebrides Suite at the Moat House. 3) I have a problem with my hotel... If you booked through Concorde, see their office in the concourse. 4) Where is the video programme? We don't have details yet. 5) Where are they selling shuttle bus passes. Prestige Tours' table in concourse. 6) When is the Art Show open? Thursday 18:00-21:00, Friday 10:00-21:00. Pratchett in On-Line Shock Interact with your favorite authors and the virtual fan community at the Microsoft Network theater in Hall 4 throughout the convention. Ask your own questions as part of the live audience and see the virtual conversation on the big screen. Initial schedule is as follows: Mike Resnick will appear at 2:00pm Friday, Joe Haldeman at 14:00 Saturday, and Terry Pratchett at 17:30 Saturday. Watch for further developments, including a possible interview with Arthur C. Clarke Saturday. Watch the newsletter as we schedule further appearances. Smoffing Policy Members of the convention are to be advised that smoffing may be conducted only in clearly marked areas of the SECC and convention hotels. Please mind this symbol. It appears to be a top view of a propeller beanie, but actually is the international symbol for a "No Smoffing Zone". Anyone caught wearing a bow tie or talking about WorldCon(sm) bids within 10 Standlees of a no smoffing zone will be asked to go to the WSFS meeting. Parties Zagreb in '99 Party postponed. See party board or newsletter for latest details. Friday 21:00 Central Hotel A joint Stag/Hen Party for Nick Mills + Jo McCahy _ join the Best Man (Fran Dowd) and Bridesmaid (Alison E Weston) to celebrate. Due to the absence of Nick + Jo, Virtual Bride and Groom will be determined during the course of the evening. Saturday _ Central Hotel The Antarctica Bid Party is now the Antarctic/USSG Bid Party. Boston in 2001 will be in Philadelphia (and vice-versa) Flash! The Boston in 2001 and the Philadelphia in 2001 bid parties will be occurring in the same space and time: the Forte Creste Gallery Suite, starting at approximately 9 PM. Boston in 2001 was scheduled for the Central Hotel but instead will be sharing a spiffier venue with the City of Brotherly Love. Now you can have a frappe with that cheese-steak! Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Hall 4 is *NON-SMOKING* apart from fan bar (the smaller bar at the far end of the hall) and the end of the fan lounge nearest the fan bar. Dealers behind their desks in the fan market may smoke, but they are rarely privileged; do not try to imitate them, on pain of pain. All other areas are non-smoking. No Witty Heading Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) meeting (unprogrammed) Sundays at 11:00 at 38 Elm Bank near Charing Cross underground station; all welcome. Phone 221-7770 or voodoo/see Michael H. Boulton. Camra Ready Martin Morse Wooster is writing an article about breweries in Scotland for Beer: The Magazine, and would like to talk to any CAMRA members with information on the subject, or who may be planning pub crawls. Contact him via the voodoo board. How do you get assignments like that, ask plaintive and thirsty newsletter staff. Kevin Costner, Eat Your Heart Out Michael Saunders and his merry band of film students are seeking finance for a new British SF movie; look out for their presentation at Evolution. The world needs a new Danny Cannon. No, really... Just Kidding At a previous convention one of the best items I went to was part of the "children's programme," enthuses honorary child Chris O'Shea. This year the Kidcon programme is even better! Kids aged 3-12 are welcome in Hall 4 for a wide range of activities less boring than a WSFS meeting. Children born before 1977 are also encouraged to sign up and help out. Children up to 3 years old are looked after in the Moat House creche, room 901. A small fee of 1 an hour (ie about half a pint!) is all it costs. Hours at Kidcon are 9:30-18:30 with an hour off for lunch. Psion of the Times Wandering reporters with psion organisers can dump their copy straight into the newsletter. Make our life easy; join the psi corps! Things That Confuse Americans #2 Why are Anoraks considered amusing, asks a baffled Martin Morse Wooster. They are a practical garment. True. Because of this they are much favoured by train spotters, and, by extension, have come to be identified with any brand of geeky, obsessive hobbyists. WOOF WOOF WOOF (the Worldcon Order of Faneditors) will assemble its annual APA at 4pm Sunday in the Fan Lounge in Hall 4. All are invited to contribute (copy count 100). Please drop off contributions in the Hall 4 Fan Lounge by 6pm Saturday. But is it Art? Direct all queries about the art show to Sylvia Starshine, care of, erm, the Art Show. Glad we could clear that up... Credits This issue dedicated to Calliope, the muse of epic poetry and merry-go- rounds. Declaimed by Alex Stewart, with candy floss from Chris O'Shea, hot dogs and goldfish in plastic bags from Steve Davies, Jan van 't Ent, Mike Scott, Giulia De Cesaere, Robert Sacks, and other passing roustabouts. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen M.W. Davies | steve@vraidex.demon.co.uk | sdavies@cix.compulink.co.uk | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------