Adventures with

dizzojay

I’d thought this convention had promoted itself as the taking the best from all kinds of conventions and at first it seemed like it was pretty well organised - but then it wasn’t.

But JDM was delightful. I had a lovely photo op with him early on; there was a minder guy who was friendly and got your name while you were waiting, then shouted "an Anne-Marie comin’ in" to Jeff as you walked towards him. He made eye contact, noticed my Dean shirt straight away and beamed, saying “my boy!”. I showed him the white marble and asked if he remembered the pearl, and he laughed, said should I do this? while crossing his hands over his crotch, then when we were done we had a hug and he rumbled “As if I could ever forget The Pearl!”

Photo number 2 was Jeff and the Impala, which was when the con admin side began to unravel. We were told to get our Jake photos first, then that people were already queuing outside for Jeff. We asked and staff told us Jeff was there and the queue was definitely outside. We moved outside, lots of people milling about, staff member tells people with photos to queue here. Jeff’s other minder comes out to tell everyone no photos, Jeff comes out, waves at everyone, mobile photos are allowed briefly, Jeff goes back inside, we wait. Suddenly someone tells us the real queue is INside, back where we were before. Eventually after much debate and kerfuffle, I drag Natalie inside and we find the end of the proper queue, and of course we are then right at the back. Being inside does mean we can see Jake has arrived, go get our Jake photos then go back to Jeff’s queue.

Finally we get to Jeff, the same jolly man (looking like a SPN character in plaid shirt and chef’s shoes) does the intro thing for us, and because I’d got hot while hanging around, I’m announced as Jeff’s biggest fan (ha ha!). Jeff is warm and charming again. I make an idiot of myself going the wrong way, have to wait for the next photo to be taken, am scurrying back inside to photo collection when the photographer shouts at me I need a retake because my eyes were closed. So I get to be the very last Jeff/Baby photo, get an extra squeeze and feel of the soft leather jacket, and Jeff telling me “I’m always fuckin’ up, darlin’” when I explain I messed up the first photo.

He’s so NICE!

So basically all of that - queuing for Jeff, queuing for Jake, queuing for Jeff again - took all morning and most of lunchtime. So the Stargate panels I thought I’d be able to pop in and see, big nope. We grabbed a drink and snack, Jane decided to go and queue for Jeff’s first auto session, which was due to start at 14:30. I go up to my room for half an hour or so, then think I’d better see where the others were. Joined them in Jeff’s queue, and it was just as well, as that ended up being the only auto session he did, and it was a marathon.

Because all his morning sessions had massively overrun, he was then late starting signing, came in probably about 15:30. There were several queues, no instructions from staff until we’d all been standing there for ages. Then we are told JDM VIP tickets were being given priority and should all move to the outside lane queue. An hour later it’s clear all the queues are moving together. Three hours later we eventually reach JDM! Who was clearly knackered but still giving everyone his full attention, personalising the autos, engaging with everyone.

So after that all panels were finished apart from JDM’s, which should have happened at c16:00 and only started at 18:00. Just as well he was only doing the one day because his voice had nearly gone… The panel was a lot of fun though, and it was a good day in terms of interaction, terrible for the uncertainty, mixed messages and lack of communication. I hope if this person decides to do more, they will listen to feedback from both sides, guests and attendees…