What is this mythical thing called free time?

[watervole]

Knackered.  My last two weekends have been a hotel visit and a committee meeting respectively.

Today, I'm working through programme-hotel stuff.

The right number of chairs and tables in every single programme room (plus the extra ones needed for the autograph session).  Three items needing a lectern, one needing the smoke alarms turned off.

The ceilidh band want to know if they can use our sound system.  Another programme item needs mikes that aren't normally in that room and I'm not sure if we can find them at short notice, but we'll try.

We've got fixed projector screens in some rooms and the hotel is letting us use their portable screens in some other rooms.  Managed to talk them out of charging us for the screens and lecterns, (and hopefully all the extra tables they'll have to get in for us), but think I may be stuck having to pay £50 for an overhead projector for the one item that needs one as the one we were going to use doesn't work any more.

But it's a good programme item (Exobiology) so I don't begrudge the cost.

I don't think I've programmed in the art show clear down yet.  That will require 5 strong gophers which I'll need to note for our gopher mom.

Some misc dealers room stuff, but that's mostly being taken care of by others.  But it reminded me that not all attending writers are mentioned on our web site yet.  Passed on some data on that front.

Checked that the Green room has a credenza - it does.  Still not sure on green room budget.  It'll be large - we've a large programme, but memberships are looking really good, so won't be a problem.

Checked out an alternative room for a workshop (choral harmony) that might have more people than I anticipated.

Followed up on a screen for Battlestar Atlantia, which I forgot on the first pass about projector screens.

Still looking for a moderator for a programme item with Iain Banks - but we've got two good panellists (both involved in linguistics) and I'm sure I'll find a moderator soon.  (Last minute change of item owing to factors beyond our control)

Followed up on drinks for the Worldcon bid launch, we have prices now.

Still need to programme in shifts for prog ops, but at least the programme items themselves are all bedded down now.

I'm glad I'm morris dancing this evening - I need to get away from this damned computer before my arms fall off...

Comments

[fjm.livejournal.com]

I won't know how good it is until we test it next week, but I've just bought a hand held lcd projector/

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Would that work for standard OHP transparancies? That's what Jonathan Cowie has used to prepare his talk.

We're okay for data projectors, but the dinosaur OHP is what's proving to be the problem.

[fjm.livejournal.com]

Ah, no. Sorry.

[davidwake.livejournal.com]

It's all much appreciated by those of us looking forward to the con.

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

I've worked Green Room for 20 years, but had to lookup what a credenza was, as it sounds more musical than anything. Looks jolly useful!

[rockwell-666.livejournal.com]

I looked it up. It's a sideboard!

[coth.livejournal.com]

If it's any consolation, it's all a lot easier with spreadsheets, email and programming databases.

Of course, it's the fact that it's easier that allows you to programme 300 items. You win some, you lose some.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

LOL. You've hit the nail right on the head.

[rockwell-666.livejournal.com]

Gods, I'd hate to have to tried doing all we did *without* the aid of databases and e-mail!

However did people manage Cons in the old pre-net days? (That's rhetorical, I hasten to add, before it starts a "When I were a lad" thread :-) )

[djelibeybi-meg.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you've got it all under control - and thanks for the tables update. i'm also interested in the choral thing so will have to check times etc for clashes with my volunteer stint.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

It's a two part workshop. You'd have to leave half way through the second one, but you're fine for the first.

[blazingskies.livejournal.com]

Free time you say? Never heard of it...

(Says the person with two role-playing games, a film night and a party on the calender for this week alone)

[the-magician.livejournal.com]

Of course if you really want an OHP, or mikes/PA in a small room, there are fans you can ask (it may be less hassle of course to just pay the £50)

For example, John Stewart has a small PA system, I have a small PA system, Martin Hoare has the one he uses to run Novacon main hall ... and I have (in my storage units) *two* OHPs, one a nice big orange school-style one (bulb underneath OHP foil), and one a 3M "folds into a large briefcase" one (bulb is in same head unit and shines down onto a special reflective mirror/lens with the OHP foil on it). I can look for these next weekend if that helps.

[mirrorshard.livejournal.com]

The semi-demise of OHPs is a really sad thing. There's nothing else that's nearly as good for improvised stage-lighting effects.

[jon-a-five.livejournal.com]

Sadly I can't come to the con but I do appreciate all the work you and the committee have done in the past. You are a rock of fandom!

Exobiology -- OHP

[(Anonymous)]

Hope the OHP cost was worth it.... The room was full for this item.

Re: Exobiology -- OHP

[watervole.livejournal.com]

That counts as worth it in my book.