Titancon – aka Eurocon 2019

Eurocon Banner

The reason we came to Belfast was to attend Titancon, which was also Eurocon for 2019. The convention is very much oriented towards Game of Thrones (it was filmed here), and is much smaller than many conventions we’ve… Read More

On to Belfast

Stephen and Andy read the map

We had a wonderful dinner at Fallon & Byrne on our last night in Dublin. We’d been there 5 years ago on the Fab Food Trails tour, although we just went to the wine cellar and shopped. We… Read More

Worldcon 77, aka Dublin 2019: An Irish Worldcon – Part 2

Masquerade Award Ribbons

The Masquerade We started on Wednesday afternoon with a tour of the CCD Auditorium, and had a chance to meet the professional staff. We verified our plans (made from afar with just drawings of the auditorium), and solidified… Read More

Worldcon 77, aka Dublin 2019: An Irish Worldcon – Part 1

British Airways plane at San Jose Airport

After Worldcon 76 in San Jose last year, we traveled to our sister city Dublin, Ireland. We’ve been looking forward to this since our visit there for the 2014 Eurocon. British Airways now has a non-stop from San… Read More

Worldcon 76

After years of prep, and some very frantic work through July and early August, we finally got to the day:  August 16th, Worldcon 76 in San Jose. We left home to travel 3 miles to the Fairmont hotel,… Read More

Worldcon 75 – a trip to Helsinki, part 5

After the Masquerade, I was ready to sleep in!  But we weren’t quite done yet. We had a Masquerade Show & Tell scheduled for 2pm.  The contestants all came and wore or brought their costumes from the night… Read More

Worldcon 75 – a trip to Helsinki, part 4 – The Masquerade

Here we are, the big event for me, the Worldcon Masquerade.  I’ve been working towards this since before we got into town. A Worldcon Masquerade is a major stage event, just like a play or musical.  Except that… Read More

Worldcon 75 – a trip to Helsinki, part 3 — The Hugos

The Hugo Awards are one of the main events at a Worldcon.  They have been given out annually since 1955, and are one of the primary purposes of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS).  Retro-Hugos may be awarded… Read More

Worldcon 75 – a trip to Helsinki, part 2

Remember that advertisement about Worldcon?  Our expectations had been for a convention of 3500-4000.  In the last week, though, memberships surged.  The crowds on Wednesday were so bad that many members couldn’t get in to see the panels… Read More

Worldcon 75 — a trip to Helsinki, part 1

While we were in Kansas City last year, for MidAmeriCon II (Worldcon 74), I was asked if I could help run the Masquerade.  I said sure, and figured it would be a good opportunity to visit Scandinavia.  Stephen… Read More