From: Steve Davies Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.fandom Subject: VoM Issue 12 (Worldcon Newsletter) Date: Sun, 03 Sep 95 20:46:25 GMT Organization: The Fortress Unvanquishable, Save For Sacnoth Lines: 190 Reply-To: steve@vraidex.demon.co.uk VOICE OF THE MYSTERONS The INTOXICATION Newszine Monday 28th August - Midday Edition - Issue 12 Read This First - We're Not Kidding. The Closing Ceremony is in Hall 5 at 4 PM, not Hall 1 at 5 PM. Enter the Dragon Imagine the surprise and delight of the team putting together a proposal for a 2003 Worldcon bid using the the very wonderful facilities currently under construction in Cardiff's New Bay Development when they found the SECC infested with posters and a newsletter item announcing a hoax bid in the same city. The provisional plan, to be announced officially at Evolution, is to use the 6500 seat Opera House for the major events. It will be brought to you by the makers of Cymru-Cons 1, 2 & 3. Watch this space. European Science Fiction Society ESFS/Eurocon Awards Best Writer - Alain le Bussy (Belgium) Best Artist - Juraj Maxon (Slovakia) Best Publisher - Babel Publications (Netherlands) Best Journal - Andromeda Nachrichten (Germany) Best Promoter - Jaroslav Olsa jr (Czech Republic) (BW) Friends of Dan Simmons Needed Please contact Ops if you can help deliver an item to Dan Simmons back in the states. Overheard at the Fireworks Well, this more than makes up for the lack of a British space programme. Rockets' Red Glare After the explosions stopped and the smoke cleared, the Glasgow office of the Scottish Sunday Mail ("'Weirdos' Show is Branded a Rip-off") was still standing amidst the rubble on the banks of the Clyde. However, the pyrotechnics were so splendid and so stunning that we may readily forgive any minor errors in the aiming of the fireworks. Armageddon Engineering The Sturm und Drang, Intersection '95 team: Dermot Dobson, Hugh Mascetti, Gary Stratmann and Chris Suslowicz, wish to thank all those who helped make the firework display possible, especially the firing team: Gail Bondi, Chris Cooper, Bill Higgins, Steve King, Paul MacNerland, Roxanne Meida-King, Kevin Nickerson, Dave Power, Barbara Stewart, Linda Stratmann, Linda Tangalan, Erik Wessing and Guy Wicker. And special thanks to Creed for sponsoring the display. Booorrr-iiinngg! The Hugo for Best Dave Langford was predicatably won by a fanwriter. (Are you sure this is right? Ed) Delany's Children Last night a new British SF group was set up called Delany's Children. It is a support/social group for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and all their friends. It endeavors to publish a fanzine 6-7 times a year containing news, views and interests, stories, etc. SD can be quoted as saying that he would be honoured to have such a British group named after him. For more info contact the Safer Sex Stand before you leave the con today. (JD) Ukrainian Crisis Update The collection for Alexander and Hellen, who were robbed at the Central Hotel on Saturday, is going well. So far #191.14 and $0.46 has been donated (thanks to Ian Lindsey at R S McColl for accepting all the small change). Collection continues at the Info Desk. And please keep buying stuff at the Ukrainian Stall! (HL) Romanians to the Rescue Unable to hold a party at their hostel, Transylvanian fandom transplanted to the Baltimore (we just can't say "Bucconeer") & San Antonio Worldcon party at the Forte Crest. They were greeted with rousing cheers and open arms for the cases of Romanian wine they donated to the party. The Romanians will be long remembered for their generosity, fannish spirit, and general partying ability. Huzzah! (TWB) Chicken & Strawberries - And They Think We're Weird Check out the food of the future at the SECC restaurant (upstairs in the SECC). Reports are that the stir-fry chicken with strawberries is "stunning." Newsletter staff have independently verified that the restaurant provides reasonably priced side-salads. Also, the coffee is good value with free refills. For the ultimate in value, we have a report that your party can get free drinks (doubles!) and dessert - if you can convince your waiter to spill something on your lap. Graveling Apology We apologize to the convention members for the flooding of the River Clyde, which damaged the cobblestone promenade leading to the SECC. Poetic Injustice Dave Langford finds himself with embarassingly many spare copies of Ansible 89 1/2, the Xmas 1994 special issue consisting of Wm. McGonagall's "Ode to the Scottish Convention." (This is all Chris Priest's fault.) If you missed that issue, ask Dave... Deflating Which six fans were seen prior to the Hugo ceremony trying to set a new record in deflating the bouncy castle? After 20 minutes, the deed was pretty well done. (Christina, the one and only) Silly Questions Asked of Tech 1) Can I have a glass of water please? I don't know how to work the taps. 2) What town is the Glasgow Film Theatre in? 3) What does 'Masquerade Photo Call Full' mean? 4) Radio check... What hall am I in? 5) Can I have black light please? Note to Hugh - Gaffer tape shares have just gone up. Vogons Cancel Eternicon Party The intrepid members of the Eternicon Temporary Committee arrived at the Central Hotel last night with 98 pints of cider, intended for a party of between 100-200 people. Having paid #50 corkage for the privilege, they looked forward to running a good party. On stepping through the door, they were informed by a large Vogon on the hotel staff that the #50 only covered 8 pints, and more would have to be paid on each additional sip - this despite a long-standing agreement that there was a flat rate of #50 for unlimited corkage. Ian Sorenson and Steve Glover were helpful above and beyond the call of duty, but all the efforts at negotiations with the Vogon authorities were useless. After three hours (!) of this, the party was abandoned. Considering the amount of drink provided at other parties in the Central without extra charge, the whole situation was ludicrous. It reached a peak of futility when the Vogon floor manager replaced a sign explaining the situation with a sign "ETERNICON PARTY CXD" in pale yellow, almost invisible, ink. We're not talking feuds here, but a lot of people are understandably upset, and don't intend the situation to be pushed under the carpet. Watch out for "Cider From Heaven Guerrilla Squads" arriving soon at a party near you. Intersection has promised to refund the money paid for corkage, as no party happened. But, in the immortal words of Robert Heinlein, "What can make up for time at the Gathering?" (Ken & Jo Walton, for the Eternicon Temporary Committee) Reminder Notice Albacon 96 room party organisers would like to thank all party animals who attended. Hoped you enjoyed the music and cartoons! Now: ...How about that membership money?!! Where No Film Has Shown Before Whilst congratulations are due to Paramount Pictures for winning the Hugo for Best Dramatic Presentation (Star Trek: The Next Generation), the applause in the hall would perhaps have been a little more heartfelt if they had not refused Intersection permission to show any Trek except for the sample clips during the Hugos. Er, you did ask, didn't you?... (HP) Costly Mistakes Wizards of the Coast ad in the Read Me appears to have been replaced by one for a similar organisation called "Wizards of the Cost". Cue hysterical giggling from the indigent hordes reduced to penury by an insatiable craving for little bits of cardboard in fancy foil wrappers... More Buck for Your Bang Bob Jewett fell into conversation with some appreciative locals while on crowd control duty during the fireworks; they enjoyed them so much they offered to have a whip-round to buy some more after the display ended. Hey! No One's Done That Before! Part 2 The Channel 4 coverage of Intersection will be shown in the Castle Suite video room 3 at 18.30 today. Your chance to get Chris O'Shea jokes in stereo, as he heckles Craig Charles live and on screen simultaneously. (KW) But Did It Have A Badge? Our Inter-Species Relations Advisor categorically denies all the rumors about Head of Security finding a tribble in his bed. Thanks Newsroom would like to thank the gopher hole for sending up the box of drinks. Pratchett Character In Real World Shock Dave Hodges would like us to remind you all that bids for the Hitch-Hikers printouts close at 3 o'clock. A copy of Lords And Ladies will be in the auction, signed by Terry, Hodges-aaargh and his falcon. All profits to the Samaritans. Everyone's A Winner Keith Knight, Cherry Newton and Brian Ameringen are reminded to pick up their prizes from the FOF/Foundation quiz before 4 o'clock this afternoon. Credits This issue dedicated to Pyromania, muse of firework displays and urban renewal. Blue touch paper lit by Alex Stewart, crowd control by Steve Davies, whizzes and bangs by Tom Becker and Jan Van 't Ent, sparklers waved enthusiastically by Bridget Wilkinson, Heidi Lyshol, Jack Davies (no relation), and Harry Payne. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen M.W. Davies | steve@vraidex.demon.co.uk | sdavies@cix.compulink.co.uk | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------