xkcd

by **keozen** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:35 pm UTC

Well, I'm off to Collectormania 14 this year (I've been to pretty much every one since C2 years ago) and I thought "Well, I'm going, the magnificent Moo is going and the adorable Artemisia is going, that's 3 fora members already, why not ask to see if anyone fancys an XKCD mini meet."

So, is anyone else going?

Link: http://www.collectormania.com/

Not many guests announced so far but they usually have loads (not amazing guests but there's no entry fee, just a fee if you want autographs and the number of geeky stalls is impressive).

Anyway, I'll be there from the Friday to the Sunday so I wondered if anyone wants to have an XKCD Starbucks meet up at any point?

Thoughts?

by **Moo** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:58 pm UTC

Well that is a just a smashing idea. Free mini Moo & Keo prize for anyone that shows up and buys us hot beverages. Oh, ok, just for showing up.

Here are a few piccies from C13 (my first convention!) - maybe if I ask nicely Keo will post some too later.

Spoiler:

by **LE4dGOLEM** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:31 pm UTC

keozen wrote:(not amazing guests

Collectormania front page wrote:ADAM BALDWIN

I don't know if I can trust you anymore.

by **Moo** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:33 pm UTC

I'm sure he meant quantity (only 4 or 5 confirmed so far) rather than quality.

by **Sandals** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:13 pm UTC

i'm sure i can be persuaded! I'll have a look at the details and do my best. MK isn't too far away from me.

by **keozen** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:36 am UTC

Ok then, PICS TIME!!

These are from the last Collectormania earlier this year:

Moo meets an Enterprise crew member (who needs a shave):

: enterprise.JPG (62.85 KiB) Viewed 4286 times

Moo is accosted by a Klingon:

: klingon1.JPG (362.11 KiB) Viewed 4295 times

An uneasy peace is reached:

: klingon2.JPG (59.47 KiB) Viewed 4284 times

A view of the main stalls hall, GEEK OVERLOAD!

: stalls.JPG (419.17 KiB) Viewed 4297 times

by **Moo** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:39 am UTC

(hee hee hee. Man I am SUCH a geek)

by **Artemisia** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:02 pm UTC

I'm only going for the starbucks meetup

(and I'm not even lying. I'm a fake geek

)

by **Plasma Man** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:17 pm UTC

YES! Finally one that I can get to and haven't missed through not checking the meetups thread often enough. Count me in! Saturday would be the best day, but I could probably do a late afternoon / early evening meetup Thursday or Friday and probably get there on a Sunday.

I live in Northampton, which is only a short train ride away, and I will probably have a spare room available, so anyone who wants to come but has transport problems can contact me for a place to sleep.

by **Moo** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:22 pm UTC

Hey that's really nice of you to offer, although Keo, Artemisisa and me are sorted for accommodation. I am not sure about K & A but I am only there Sat-Sun, work and all, so I think Sat sounds good.

by **Artemisia** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 1:26 am UTC

ehm Moo, you have offered me a lift, and admittedly I haven't really thought through for how long I'd like to be staying, but I might go a little earlier than Sat. Will keep you informed tho, promise!

And yay another forumite joining us!

Thanks for the accomodation offer, that's really nice!! If I'm informed well we're staying over at one of Keo's friends, but the gesture is appreciated

by **Plasma Man** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:37 am UTC

Well, my flatmate has recently moved out and I don't think I'll be getting anyone else in any time soon, so why not offer the space? Thinking about it, I could offer beds for up to four people, depending on how much they like each other / me. And there's two sofas and a sleeping bag.

Thinking about it some more, I probably have too many beds in my flat.

by **Moo** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:35 am UTC

Moo & Keo's Facebook page are hosting a event for Collectormania, with logistic details and a list of confirmed guests (it's suddenly exploded, although sadly Allen Baldwin has withdrawn).

Feel free to have a look or join!

http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Moo-K ... 1175119406

by **Awia** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:14 pm UTC

If I go I can most likely make it on the Saturday, I live in Milton Keynes, so no worry about Accommodation for me.

@Moo, In those pictures of you, what day was that, I most likely saw you, I saw a lot of people being accosted by Klingons.

by **Moo** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:17 pm UTC

Teehee, the Klingons were awesome. It was the Saturday, I'm pretty sure. And to be fair, I accosted them first (for a picture).

by **Awia** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:19 pm UTC

Awesome, I probably saw you then, that's rather strange.

by **frosty** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:36 pm UTC

I can't believe I'm saying this... but it looks too geeky for me

by **ishikiri** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:32 pm UTC

I'll be going since MK is really close to London right?

I just got into London Met: TODAY!! on clearing. So I'll be moving down to London in like 3 WEEKS OR SOMETHING!

Yes I will be mentioning this in every post I make for the next few days.

by **Awia** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:36 pm UTC

So, what time is everyone going to be there?
And does anyone mind me bringing Girl? I'd already promised I'd take her to the convention.

by **Moo** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:58 pm UTC

Well I'm bringing Hubby, and I don't think anyone should feel obliged to spend all day in each other's company as there's just SO much to see and do. So you should bring anyone you like (you should anyway!).

Ishikiri, it's relatively close, driving takes me just over an hour and it looks from a quick check that it's even shorter out of Euston station by train. Also, London Met, yay!

by **ishikiri** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:46 pm UTC

Cool. Depending on funds (and the level of parent flippage about me going to London anyways) I'll almost certainly try to get there.

by **Moo** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 1:13 pm UTC

Oh, forgot the "when" question, sorry; we're aiming to leave the house at 9ish (so 9:30 at the earliest) and then swing by to pick up Artemisia; then get lost in MK again, so... between 11 and 11:30?

by **Awia** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:25 pm UTC

Moo wrote:Oh, forgot the "when" question, sorry; we're aiming to leave the house at 9ish (so 9:30 at the earliest) and then swing by to pick up Artemisia; then get lost in MK again, so... between 11 and 11:30?

Ahhh, cool, I will attempt to be there then, but buses run on the quarter where I live, so at worst I will most likely be about 10-15 minutes late if I take the 11:15 one, I'll try and take to earlier one.

When Keo says Starbucks, does he mean the Starbucks way down near midsummer place, or the Costa outside the convention hall? I should stop asking questions...

On a side note, I read the dates wrong and went today...I needed to buy some stuff so I didn't really mind, but it's a bit stupid of me.

by **ishikiri** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:51 pm UTC

Awia wrote:When Keo says Starbucks, does he mean the Starbucks way down near midsummer place, or the Costa outside the convention hall? I should stop asking questions...

Ah the old Which Starbucks does Keo mean? question.

by **keozen** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:00 am UTC

Mwa ha ha ha, too many Starbucks, too little time!

Right here we go. The low down for the Collectormania Meet:

Where: Starbucks! (as clearly marked on the attached map of the Centre MK).
(this is in the "Centre: MK" a large shopping centre in Milton Keynes, for more info on the con and how to get there see http://www.collectormania.com )
Map (spoilered for Huuuuge) Collectormania itself will be in the events hall towards the bottom (marked) and the starbucks is nearer the top on the right (also marked):

Spoiler:

When: I'm going to say a little later than has been said on here before, mainly because I know what it can be like getting parked, etc here and whatnot. I'd say
1pm

What will happen: Well, it's a simple "get together at Starbucks and chat" meet I believe

We'll all get our chosen caffinated beverages and talk geeky to each other for a while. And to make your day worthwhile afterwards there is a convention for you to delve into at your own speed

I know I'll be heading back to the stalls for a bit afterwards.

by **Plasma Man** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:23 pm UTC

I don't mind if it's the 1100 / 1130 time or the 1300 one, either is good for me. Anyway, just so you know who to look out for, this is me

Spoiler:

I'm the one that's not a raptor.

by **Awia** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:38 pm UTC

Awww, not the Costa in Waterstones? That would add a sort of geeky charm to the meet.

by **Moo** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:20 pm UTC

@Plasma Man: Hubby happened to be looking over my shoulder when I looked at your pic, and he went "not a raptor?? Wtf?" so I explained to him, and he lolled. I had lolled on the inside too but to make him chuckle was quite the achievement, usually I just get the "my wife is weeeeeeeeird" face

Speaking of which, poor thing may not know quite what to make of Collectormania and meetup in one day but he needs to be more exposed to my lifestyle

Anyhoo, Keo is there from this afternoon and I'll be there tomorrow, really looking forward to it. So, see yous alls at 1 at the designated Starbucks? I think it gives people a chance to find their bearings, have a look around, and then we can talk about what awesome/bizarre/sad things we've seen so far.

by **Plasma Man** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:57 pm UTC

Yep, see you tomorrow at 1300 in Starbucks. I'm quite excited, my first forum meetup, woohoo!

by **Mighty Jalapeno** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:00 pm UTC

Brief aside: I need to know if this is true.

The One True Bible wrote:Both Heaven and Hell claimed Milton Keynes as a success. (One of several ‘notes for Americans’ explains that “Milton Keynes is a new city approximately half way between London and Birmingham. It was built to be modern, efficient, healthy, and, all in all, a pleasant place to live. Many Britons find this amusing.”)

by **Noc** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:11 pm UTC

Mighty Jalapeno wrote:Brief aside: I need to know if this is true.

The One True Bible wrote:Both Heaven and Hell claimed Milton Keynes as a success. (One of several ‘notes for Americans’ explains that “Milton Keynes is a new city approximately half way between London and Birmingham. It was built to be modern, efficient, healthy, and, all in all, a pleasant place to live. Many Britons find this amusing.”)

Is that a Good Omens quote, or am I just being paranoid?

by **Plasma Man** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:01 pm UTC

Mighty Jalapeno wrote:Brief aside: I need to know if this is true.

The One True Bible wrote:Both Heaven and Hell claimed Milton Keynes as a success. (One of several ‘notes for Americans’ explains that “Milton Keynes is a new city approximately half way between London and Birmingham. It was built to be modern, efficient, healthy, and, all in all, a pleasant place to live. Many Britons find this amusing.”)

I don't know about heaven and hell claiming it as a success, but the rest of it is true enough. Milton Keynes is also notable for its traffic management system consisting almost entirely of roundabouts, with very few traffic lights.

by **keozen** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:43 am UTC

If you turn left enough in mk you can get anywhere.

Anyway, see you all at one ~~tomorrow~~ today!

by **Sandals** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:55 pm UTC

one roundabout for every 4 people i think, or at least it was last time i heard/made up that statistic!

sorry i'm not going to be able to make it (kinda obvious, seeing as it's 2.00 pm and i'm posting this...) hope you all had fun!

by **Plasma Man** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:26 am UTC

Yes, it was great fun. Photos will be posted as soon as I've finished off the film and had it developed (Yeah, I'm old-school).

by **Moo** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:36 am UTC

I wrote down some of the more memorable quotes, some of them really did make me laugh out loud!

Moo & Keo's friend L wrote:The floor is lying to me!^[1]

Keo wrote:I am quasi-evil. I am the Diet Coke of evil! I am "I Can't Believe It's Not Evil!"

Plasma Man in Discussion with Mr Moo wrote:A slightly surreal exhange about tears in the time/space continuum, the use of duct tape to seal them, a panicked announcement from Mr Scott that he couldn't do it because he didn't have the duct tape; and a decision that he wouldn't use duct tape after all but scotch tape instead.^[2]

Keo wrote:<much inuendo regarding "plugins"> *gasp* geek gasm!

Keo, a little later wrote:I have tea gasms,too. ... What? You can have teagasms!

L: "I love Moo's accent. I could fall asleep listening to her talk."
Mr Moo: "I often do!"^[3]

Keo and Plasma Man wrote:I stroked your wooky!
That's what she said!

Keo wrote:All canons set to "nom"!

Moo: "To most English people's great ammusement, in South Africa we refer to a 5 1/4 inch floppy as a "floppy" but a 3 1/2 inch as a "stiffy".
<giggles all round>
Artemisia (dead seriously, presumably about removable storage disks): "I have never been able to tell the difference between the two. I think I've only seen one type."
Our friend K: *completely and utterly dies laughing*

^[1]Referring of course, in a moment of panic, to the fact that the road directions painted on the tarmac differed from the signs posted overhead.
^[2]Well, it was a xkcd meetup at a sci fi event; what did you expect?
^[3]*punch!*

by **Gowerly** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:27 pm UTC

Sandals wrote:one roundabout for every 4 people i think, or at least it was last time i heard/made up that statistic!

sorry i'm not going to be able to make it (kinda obvious, seeing as it's 2.00 pm and i'm posting this...) hope you all had fun!

I always thought that was Swindon. When I lived there I was so proud of the Magic Roundabout, too!

by **Awia** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:00 pm UTC

Moo wrote:Snip

I'm sad I don't have any quotes, but that really comes from not saying anything.

Sorry I disappeared so abruptly guys, I needed to go get some stuff for school, and by the time that was finished I was going to come and find you, but it was too late, seeing as I had ridden my bike there and it takes an hour and a half to get home...Sorry guys

by **Moo** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:10 pm UTC

No worries; it was still cool to meet you! Hope you guys had a good time and managed to have a look around Collectormania too (even if it was a bit small this time...)

by **Artemisia** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:55 pm UTC

What Moo said

The con was a bit shit. But I had fun with all you guys and that was all the fun for me! I have also got some really cool new shoes that I am very pleased with.
Ugh I'm such a girl.
I was VERY disappointed there was no Wall-E stuff. There was absolutely NONE!
On a brighter note, I got to read more of The God Delusion while Keo went back to the stalls to see more on Sunday.

I have also figured out the floppy-thing. I know both the "floppy" and the "stiff" kind, but in Dutch it's not referred to as something different, it's both a floppy, which is why I got confused.
I was also _very_ tired that evening. And K was tipsy.

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