I know this happened last week, but the preparations for going to the Eastercon/Orbital2008 have overshadowed most other things. See also previous post.
I first became aware of Atrhur C. Clarke through the movie/novel "2001 - A Space Oddyssey" which made a considreable impression on my young self.
One of my favorite longer stories by Clarke is "Rendezvous With Rama".
I have on my shelf a brick of a book with about 100 short stories by Clarke , I think I will slowly work my way through those.
At the convention I found a signed copy of "Tales From the White Hart", and despite the (understandably rather high) price I just had to get it. Should read the short stories in that one, too.
I see Arthur C. Clark as one of the giants in science fiction, and a very influential science writer - one of the few science fiction writers with a scientific writer's background.
It was good to see a last minute addition to the Eastercon programme of a panel discussion about Clarke's influence in science as well as science fiction. On top of that, one of the panelists had been the secretary for Arthur C. Clarke for about a year, and he could bring light on theless public sides of the author. Nicely done.
He will be missed in the scifi community.
Saturday, 29 March 2008
Eastercon/Orbital2008 impressions
Here come my entries made to my LiveJournal directly from the Eastercon/Orbital2008 - covering the first 3 days.
Friday:
Arrived safe and sound at the Eastercon in London.
Friday meeting up with a lot of new people.
Having a Babylon 5 Ranger pin helps finding other B5 fans - or they spot me ...
In the morning a nice discussion about the future of the Star Trek franchise. In the end we agree that tere is indeed a future for Star Trek (no real surprise there)
Being in London, which con will be without Doctor Who in its programme? Friday had a discusion about Russel T. Davies : Fanboy let loose ?
Of course he is both a fan and the one who revived the Doctor Who as a series.
Sunday Babylon 5 is on the programme , "The Lost Tales will be on the programme - my only regret it that it is at the same time as the Neil Gaiman as Guest of Honour. difficult choice. Well , I want to meet some B5 fans here , so I guess "The LOst Tales"it will be.
Just hope to Get to have my "Day of the Dead" script book signed by Neil Gaiman.
Saturday:
Morning panel : "Doctor Who - Trickstergod ?"
Paul Cornell , writer of the double episode of the new Doctor Who : "Human Nature/Family of Blood"
Paul Cornell is a very lively panelist , lots of fun to see/hear. the discussion touched on a similarity with the Doctor and the Shadows from Babylon 5 - both being a sort of "Agents of Chaos" - quite a thought.
Lots of people reacting to the Ranger Pin , so had lots of B5 talks. Sunday "The Lost Tales" will be shown in the video room, I will be there and hopefully get some more good B5 talk.
Got some pictures - will come later - of Ranger Hilary in a very well made costume.
How about a B5 Ranger meeting a Klingon - good fun (got a pic of that as well).
In the afternoon a good panel discussion of "Religion in SF" , always a subject to generate a good discussion.
Had the "Day of the Dead" script signe by Neil Gaiman . Asked him about his position on a collection of non JMS B5 scripts , his reply sounded positive to me.
Sunday morning now - so writing this directly from the con.
This afternoon a programme point not foreseen : A tribute to Arthur C. Clarke - Have to be there.
Sunday:
Essentially no people came to watch "The Lost Tales today , so I went to the Neil Gaiman Guest of Honour performance with the author reading a bit of his work , and questions from the floor. I was slightly surprised by the reply to the question of "free circulation" of his works. He apparently has no personal objection to that as such , since it gives more people the opportunity to read his works . You could see it as free advertising. On the other hand , some of the works, like audio books are not his own property , so he can not just say :"go ahead".
A hastily panel discussion has been organised in the response to the death of Arthur C. Clarke's influence in science, space exploration and science fiction. He was one reason for me - and many of the panelists/audience - to get into science fiction, as well as igniting the interest for space travel and science.
I have always had an interest in astronomy, and I could not resist going to a video presentation playing the two editions of BBC and Patrick Moore's program "The Sky at Night".
I have always found that he possessed an enthusiasm for the subject, and a very good sense for making the complicated scientific more understandable to the general public.
Of course - lots of talks to other fans - meeting people ... very enjoyable.
Friday:
Arrived safe and sound at the Eastercon in London.
Friday meeting up with a lot of new people.
Having a Babylon 5 Ranger pin helps finding other B5 fans - or they spot me ...
In the morning a nice discussion about the future of the Star Trek franchise. In the end we agree that tere is indeed a future for Star Trek (no real surprise there)
Being in London, which con will be without Doctor Who in its programme? Friday had a discusion about Russel T. Davies : Fanboy let loose ?
Of course he is both a fan and the one who revived the Doctor Who as a series.
Sunday Babylon 5 is on the programme , "The Lost Tales will be on the programme - my only regret it that it is at the same time as the Neil Gaiman as Guest of Honour. difficult choice. Well , I want to meet some B5 fans here , so I guess "The LOst Tales"it will be.
Just hope to Get to have my "Day of the Dead" script book signed by Neil Gaiman.
Saturday:
Morning panel : "Doctor Who - Trickstergod ?"
Paul Cornell , writer of the double episode of the new Doctor Who : "Human Nature/Family of Blood"
Paul Cornell is a very lively panelist , lots of fun to see/hear. the discussion touched on a similarity with the Doctor and the Shadows from Babylon 5 - both being a sort of "Agents of Chaos" - quite a thought.
Lots of people reacting to the Ranger Pin , so had lots of B5 talks. Sunday "The Lost Tales" will be shown in the video room, I will be there and hopefully get some more good B5 talk.
Got some pictures - will come later - of Ranger Hilary in a very well made costume.
How about a B5 Ranger meeting a Klingon - good fun (got a pic of that as well).
In the afternoon a good panel discussion of "Religion in SF" , always a subject to generate a good discussion.
Had the "Day of the Dead" script signe by Neil Gaiman . Asked him about his position on a collection of non JMS B5 scripts , his reply sounded positive to me.
Sunday morning now - so writing this directly from the con.
This afternoon a programme point not foreseen : A tribute to Arthur C. Clarke - Have to be there.
Sunday:
Essentially no people came to watch "The Lost Tales today , so I went to the Neil Gaiman Guest of Honour performance with the author reading a bit of his work , and questions from the floor. I was slightly surprised by the reply to the question of "free circulation" of his works. He apparently has no personal objection to that as such , since it gives more people the opportunity to read his works . You could see it as free advertising. On the other hand , some of the works, like audio books are not his own property , so he can not just say :"go ahead".
A hastily panel discussion has been organised in the response to the death of Arthur C. Clarke's influence in science, space exploration and science fiction. He was one reason for me - and many of the panelists/audience - to get into science fiction, as well as igniting the interest for space travel and science.
I have always had an interest in astronomy, and I could not resist going to a video presentation playing the two editions of BBC and Patrick Moore's program "The Sky at Night".
I have always found that he possessed an enthusiasm for the subject, and a very good sense for making the complicated scientific more understandable to the general public.
Of course - lots of talks to other fans - meeting people ... very enjoyable.
Thursday, 20 March 2008
Eastercon/Orbital2008
I am off to the Eastercon/Orbital 2008 in London this Easter.
If I get the opportunity , I will write some posts directly at the con.
The only Babylon 5 related guest I know of is Neil Gaiman , who wrote the script for the 5th season B5 episode "Day of the Dead".
If anyone reading this is coming to the con, my Nickname will be on my badge.
If I get the opportunity , I will write some posts directly at the con.
The only Babylon 5 related guest I know of is Neil Gaiman , who wrote the script for the 5th season B5 episode "Day of the Dead".
If anyone reading this is coming to the con, my Nickname will be on my badge.
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