...was written yesterday on the 1900 London St. Pancras to Derby train.
Went to the Farscape rally today in London.
No, what a dull beginning. I really should begin by saying something else instead.
How about an apology? I have a terrible memory for names, and consequently have forgotten the details of just about everyone I met today, and the whole day was incredibly confusing and tiring too. So this - by no means complete - list of descriptions will have to suffice for the moment. Greets to the following:
- Jen, with whom I didn't get the opportunity to talk to beyond the subjects of my name and my height, but who deserves all our thanks for her part in organising this whole thing.
- The guy with the Chiana placard, and the people who, I assume, came with him. Chiana is grey!
- Paul with the Peacekeeper boots, who I talked to in the pub.
- The lady from Birmingham in the light green top.
- Pip, who looked like a dark haired Spike from Buffy, and the girl there with him, who both bought Farscape T-shirts and put them on in the street... was it your placard I signed?
- The person I sat next to on the tube to London Bridge and was way too exhausted to engage in meaningful conversation. Sorry!
- The representatives of the League of the Nonaligned - I think I spoke to most of you. Great job organising the pub!
Through this list I hope to put some names (and email addresses) to memories, so if you recognise yourself, please let me know! And I've missed a load, sorry if this includes you! The turnout was great... the maximum was 68 people, of whom 48 made it over to the Creature Shop! We beat many of the US rallies in terms of numbers, which I think is amazing.
We started at 1pm outside Forbidden Planet on New Oxford Street, leafletting unsuspecting passers-by - some of whom turned out to be clear fans of the show! We dispensed hundreds of flyers to shoppers and motorists. We then proceeded on foot to the Henson Creature Shop over in Camden - a three mile walk - carrying signs, and shouting slogans, our march made quite an impression.
The Creature Shop was virtually deserted, but they had some cool stuff out in their yard. We took photos there... actually, many photos were taken over the course of the day, and I'll link to them as and when they go online.
A few people then went their separate ways, and many of us tubed over to London Bridge to a pub - the Horseshoe Inn on Melior Street - where, exhausted and dehydrated, I made a valiant effort to drink myself stupid before I had to leave to catch my train back.
Did we save the show? Well, probably not of course, since our single most impressive act was to hand a bunch of flyers through a car window to Jade from Big Brother 3. But we did have a great time and attract a lot of attention. The weather was good, the turnout great, and lots of new friends were made... the rally was definitely a huge success.
And now, hungry, tipsy, exhausted and en route to Nottingham, I can breathe a sigh of relief... not because I've just confirmed that I'm on the right train, but because today turned out to be a wholly enjoyable experience. My greetings and gratitude go out to everyone there, those I met and those I didn't get the chance to.
Let's do it all again sometime, okay?
Update: ianviking's rally photos (original geocities site) (mirror)
great to see you on sat although i think i only said hi if that, and never made it to pub (I am lady with Baby. Hope to see yo at next and actually get around to chat to more ppl anyway think we let the london streets know that farscape fans are indeed nuts, keep scaping and spreading the word catch you whenever. lj
Hi! I'm terribly sorry to admit it, but I've forgotten who you are. Any chance of a few general hints (height, hair colour, name) or do I have to ask Pip (who's memory is worse than mine) if he remembers you?
Yes, it was our placard you signed... did you leave your email address?
Do you want me to get Pip to say hi? (I'm seeing him tonight at rehearsals... at least, I will be if he shows.) By the way, he's planning on dying his hair blonde for Halloween... *grins mischievously*
I hope to see you at the next rally! :-D
Talk you you later.
Kennie
Hi Kennie, thanks for stopping by! Now I know your name! :)
No shame in not remembering who I was, I know how confusing it all was... I barely got anybody's name, and I don't think I even told many people mine. I was one of the tall guys - I've put up a couple of photos now that point out which one I was - they should be linked at the top of the front page, at least until I make another entry...
Didn't leave my email address on the placard but I did leave my site URL :) Force of habit I suppose. Anyway my email address will be on the email I'm about to send you... no need to put it here, don't want to make it too easy for the spambots.
Would be great if you wanted to suggest to Pip that he pay a visit to the site - obviously only suggest it if you think he's interested, but you could point out all the rally photos that he could see here if he hasn't already :) (not my photos, they're ianviking's, and y'know I still don't have the slightest idea who ianviking was/is, heh).
If we held another rally I'd make every effort to be there. The first one was amazing fun. I hadn't done anything even remotely like it before, but I'd do it again in a shot.
Anyway, thanks for getting in contact! Later.
Hiya, great to see the photos. Incedently, Chiana always looks kinda Blue to me, A greyey blue or a bluish grey, but there's still a bit of blue there ;)
James
(Bloke in Flamey shirt)