Seeking feedback re timings, food, etc...

[arysteia.livejournal.com]

Thanks for another brilliant year, everyone. While there were a few small hitches, technical and otherwise, I'm pretty pleased with how things turned out. I had a great time catching up with everyone, and meeting new friends. Thanks also for being so great at cleaning up and packing out -- women get stuff done!

Obviously we had a couple of major changes this year, and while they were forced upon us this time, I think it's a good opportunity to look at new ideas and ways of doing things.

From my perspective, I really enjoyed the longer run time on Saturday. It made my day feel less pressured, and I felt positive about being able to have more breaks between scheduled items instead of rushing. I also thought the "pizza party" went very smoothly, and I want to take this opportunity to give a big thumbs up to everyone's ordering and cashing up skills. Sunday was less good for me; we were up against the clock, and we made the best of it, but it felt like a little bit of an anti climax. I would return to a full day here for preference. So my initial thought, then, is that I'd like to keep the long Saturday and return to normal Sunday, with a ~6pm finish and a closing dinner in the old style.

It was a bit of a marathon for me coming up with a way for us to spend Sunday afternoon together; I was very conscious that transport is an issue, as well as finding a venue that can handle a large boisterous group, and there really aren't a lot of combined restaurant/bars that are happy for people to sit around all afternoon. I actually thought the Cutting did the job well, given our limitations, and I quite enjoyed being able to have a couple of drinks before dinner. I know it's not the most salubrious of venues, however, and I'm open to all suggestions re preferences for Sunday dinner next year. Happy to crowdsource this sucker!

Any other genius ideas you might have, feel free to toss those in here too. Onwards and upwards!

Comments

[owlishfun.livejournal.com]

First off, I had an absolute ball, and I know that Erin and Amber did as well :D Won us over for sure ;D

Obviously I don't have previous years to compare to, but I really enjoyed the long Saturday. It felt like just the right length, with enough time to get lots of content is,but still have breaks and not feel rushed. I agree that the Sunday did end somewhat anticlimactically (though it was still a brilliant day!), and I really regret not being able to attend the dinner but my ankle was killing me by the then and I was ready to head home :(

I'm in Auckland next year for Honours, but I want to plan to come down to attend again. I kind of want to do a presentation next year if there is space for me (and if I end up having time to put one together).
I thought maybe something along the lines of my blog, so, I don't know, gay history is early 20th century Brooklyn/New York? Maybe looking more broadly at the value of historical accuracy in fanfcition or approaching history through fandom as a motivator for learning? Or if anyone is interested a presentation on film-tourism (traveling to locations for the purpose of reliving or immersing oneself in fandoms of some sort — Visiting Hobbiton, going to N.Ireland for Game of Thrones, visiting St. Bart's for Sherlock, etc...) I'm already doing research on that for my dissertation, so I'd already have to info on hand :)
I mean, only if those sort of topics would interest people, I'd hate to bore you lovely ladies ;D

Thanks for welcoming me so wonderfully into your group <3 I really look forward to getting to know you guys better!

[arysteia.livejournal.com]

Hi there!

Apologies for taking a million years to get back to you -- I meant to and somehow the time just got away from me. Story of my life these days.

Anyway, thanks for this, I really appreciated hearing from you. I'm delighted you guys enjoyed yourselves, and we really do hope to see you all back this year.

I for one would love a history oriented presentation. There's quite a few of us as you may or may not have noticed, and most of the others are enthusiastic amateurs in any case. Watch -- well not this space exactly -- for discussion about presentations and timetables later in the year. Hopefully you've tracked the comm, even if no one actually *uses* lj anymore.

We've booked in for 7-8 October, which is the middle weekend of the holidays -- hopefully that works for you too. And if you're in Wellington between now and then you should get in touch and we'll see if we can meet for dinner/drinks.

[arysteia.livejournal.com]

Heya, was just talking to Amber, so hopefully she will be in touch if you don't get this message. Hope you can make it, and any and all presentations welcome. If you can't, hope to see you next year. :-)