(Obviously, this page is "Under Construction." I'll add more as quickly as I get it written.)

14 July -- Outer Regions Tour

My attempt to find something good to say about the experience and some constructive criticism offered in the genuine hope that next year's tours will be much better for participants.

15 July -- Registration and the Cocktail Party

Registration was well organized, quick, and painless. Confirmation e-mails are sent when you purchase your tickets and they clearly indicate that you should print out the confirmation and bring it with you. This gives the staff the ticket number you purchased and makes verifying your identity quick and painless. They don't send you excess verbiage so definitely read and follow directions.

There were no other official events scheduled until the evening's cocktail party so we took a cab to Gastown, where we played tourist for a bit, and walked along The Seawall for a while. I cannot possibly say enough positive things about The Seawall and the time we spent walking along it. We barely scratched the surface and I'm already dreaming of going back next year and renting bicycles for a multi-day tour. For information about The Seawall, visit Blockwalk.ca, which has lots of good information.

Free eats and a cash bar were made available to Super Pass holders during the Cocktail Party. We ate dinner prior to attending so I can't offer any opinions on the food offered. I didn't even look to see what was there. We wandered around a little bit before settling in to talk to the two ladies who had sat across the aisle from us on the Bus Ride from Hell the previous day.

Doug Arthurs (Heru'ur) showed up early in the promised kilt and immediately became the center of attention. A large ring of admirers formed around him and was still going strong when we left at the end of the party. He flirted outrageously with women and posed for pictures. He has a Big Personality and he's skilled at projecting. He was definitely the life of the party. For me, his arrival signaled the start of the con.

I've seen Doug onscreen and seen some of his headshots and they just don't do the man justice. He's much better looking in person. Maybe it's his personality, maybe it's the figure he cuts, or maybe it's his great legs showcased by the kilt. Whatever it is, he's a force of nature when he's "on." The party was really just a taste of how he'd liven up the proceedings all weekend long.

John Novak, Colonel Bronson from the Prometheus, and Alex Zahara, who has played innumerable characters on Stargate, arrived next. I made the rounds enough to see them but they still felt like strangers at that point so I was content with just seeing what they looked like in real life.

We did not go to the HETHRO concert or the disco afterwards. Instead, I opted for sleep. This was the last day before beginning an annoying cycle of getting up ridiculously early to get in line since there was no such thing as assigned seating.

16 July -- Opening Day
Eric Avari's One Man Show: A World Premiere
Auction Night #1

17 July -- Discussion Panels
Lunch with Christopher Judge
Photo Sessions
Auction Night #2

18 July -- Closing Panels
Studio Tour Silent Auctions

19 July -- Inner Regions Tour

An incredible tour with everything that was missing from the first. Kudos to our much appreciated 'bus mom,' AmyCat, who was familiar with our destinations, and to our bus driver. Lots of photo opportunities, lots of information given, and an engaging talk over the p.a. Another excellent handout with updated site factoids - and an indication where the restrooms were!

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