KeoghCon IV ... DISCUSSIONS ... CONTINUED...

[Silky]

Hello Fellow KeoghConians...

As time draws near to KCIV I thought I'd drop a few lines in. I've closed off the other discussion post since it's at it's two page stage and the last post there was beginning of June ... and started this continuation post.

From what I can tell now ... we've got about 20 of the 30 available rooms booked. I don't know how many, if any, of those other 10 rooms are booked. So any one of you who are procrastinating, get on the ball. ;)

Note: I'm asking of you ... please ... for those of you who decide to call the hotel in lieu of asking me for hotel info ... which is fine ... but at least be so kind as to drop me a line to let me know you have booked, how many people and when you will be arriving and leaving as I'm trying to keep my records as accurate as possible. Your help in this would be very much appreciated.

Now, on to other bits. As the weather here has been so abominable ... I spent 10 hours split between two days getting the goodie envelope ready. All is done and stuffed away except for putting in the program. Programming is something Brian and I will start seriously thinking about probably sometime in August.

On a sad note ... we've lost a few of our familiar faces which we will all miss ... but ... we are gaining some new ones. This you can see just by looking at the attendee list.

On a happy note I'm very pleased that we'll be having Shadoe with us this time around. He's always very entertaining.

We'll I'll end this for now. With the date of this posting there's only 81 days to KCIV, but of course, there's the two nights schmoozing before the con even begins!

I leave you with avid anticipation... smile.gif

[Lagula Longarm]

Me and Mazrah are totally p*ssed off that we can't make the con. One of the reasons we can't come is because we will be attending a wedding in Ireland at the end of September.

Ironically I have just been told where the stag do is......TORQUAY... :rolleyes:

We will be in Torquay from the Fri 3rd to Sun 5th September. We have also arranged a rugby game against Torquay for the Saturday.

I suppose there will always be next year.. :(

[Silver]

Well I thought I might have to cancel my room for various reasons, but thank goodness that won't be necessary anymore, I'm about to book my ticket and I can't wait!

[Goth Girl]

Glad to hear it m'dear!

[Silky]

Me to ... it wouldn't be the same without your two smiling and laughing faces... ;)

[Silver]

Aww, thanks you guys!

[Helmet Head]

MWAH HA HA HA HA HA just sent my money off to Debs for my ticket so all thats left to do is book me a train ticket and I'm on my way to sunny Torquay............ grin.gif

[urchin]

I should be going for the first time. Im going with Eeyore skullguise who has been to the last three. Ive left the arrangements to her but she says we will definitely be there

[Eeyore Skullguise]

I know, I can't wait! gonna send off a cheque soon for the tickets.

[Tvmorbid]

He he, I only live a 20 minute train ride away from Torquay so I'll be there with bells on (or possibly spikes) grin.gif

[Helmet Head]

Everythings booked up and ready and I shall be arriving around 1-ish on Thursday as my train gets in around 12:30

[bloody path]

Hi all long time on chat but the good news is i should be getting there wednesday night and going home Monday i can't wait to see all new face and all the old ones as well grin.gif

[topol_sheap]

I'm now all booked up... cool smile.gif Driving to Bristol on thurs to stay at Wookie's and driving the rest of the way on friday morning sometime.

[ShadoeWolfe]

I guess I should join in the fun - All booked up as well. grin.gif I'll be getting into Gatwick Thursday morning and then heading over that day. Will be there till Sunday when hopefully I can bum a ride with somebody back to London and crash Sunday night before I fly home on Monday. Any takers for having a Wolfe over to dinner on Sunday night? heh heh...

[Lupa the Ancient]

I've had the hotel booked a while ... travelling down by train from Leeds on Friday early doors, hoping to get to Torquay mid afternoon.... then I'll be heading back on Sunday . Plenty of reading time on the train journey .....

Really looking forward to it .....

[Rixy]

I'll be getting there sometime on Friday (depends on the traffic) and heading back on Sunday (depends on my hangover)!!

[Silver]

We might see ya on the train Lupa, that's our plan too!

[sdkdmd]

I booked this and paid for that.
Should be there by Thursday sometime, if I have no problems with the train.Leaving end of week sometime.

[Lupa the Ancient]

.... I'll be getting the trains sorted soon Silver, I'll let you know the times......

[Botch the Mad]

i can swing the con ticket and the airfair, but not the hotel room. anybody have a car i can sleep in?

[Botch the Mad]

weel, truth be told, i can swing the hotel but not for another two weeks. i doubt there will be a room available by then. maybe though.

[Goth Girl]

I've heard from someone who recently tried to book that our hotel is now full, so I'm trying to find an alternative for him... I'll pass my findings onto you too Botch.

Although if last year is anything to go by, you'll be in the bar all night anyway!

[topol_sheap]

GG,

how many people are coming now???

Tops

[Silky]

Quite a few are coming but only those who have paid their memberships are listed on the official list.

Botch, if you are serious about coming let me know, there are several hotels nearby and I can check them out for you and give you their numbers. But I'd need to know when you plan to arrive and leave so I can get room rates and availability for you.

Same for anyone else that needs a room, let me know now. I need to know within the next few days.

Don't send me a personal message on the board ... use silky@brianlumley.com And for goodness sakes ... use the subject KeoghCon hotel information so it doesn't get flagged as spam.

Sorry I haven't responded ... we just now got back from Greece to absolutely wonderful weather here and from what I understand it's supposed to last for six weeks ... fingers crossed.

[ September 02, 2004, 08:40 AM: Message edited by: Silky ]

[Botch the Mad]

well, being an insomniac and a big drinker usually leads to long hours at the bar. so, yes, i do believe that i don't need a room, just a bar stool. by the way, am i the only one not bringing a significant other?

[Silky]

Botch ... of course not. There are plenty coming without a significant. And I'm sure they'll chime in to let you know that.

I'm going out this morning to some B&B's and I'll see what info I can get. Hopefully they'll have some openings. It's still quite popular down here that time of year.

[Botch the Mad]

thank you silky. i appriciate it.

[Goth Girl]

A lot of people aren't... we have at least two people coming on their own who've not attended previous cons. So no worries about wallflowers!

[Botch the Mad]

good, i hate being a wheel. especially the third one.

[topol_sheap]

botchy,

don't worry, I never bring my significant other to KC - it's not her thing, and I don't think it ever will be, but she doesn't mind me doing my own thing!

Tops

[Botch the Mad]

does that mean that you and i can cuddle?

[Silky]

Okay, I've got a hotel, just one hotel but I've got to do some other stuff first. I'll get back to you all asap with the info. I've got groceries I've got to get in the fridge...

[Silky]

Okay, only one hotel available and they do have a few rooms left for these dates:

Thursday September 30 through Sunday October 3.

If you want extra days you’ll will have to ask the hotel.

Contact either myself silky@brianlumley.com or Debs gothgirl@brianlumley.com for information as I won't post it here.

This accommodation is very close to the con accommodation and no extra transportation is required. It’s only a five minute walk away.

But again ... don’t snooze on this...

[topol_sheap]

Botch,

I've already promised hugs to others, but if you're good (and you don't mind sharing), then maybe you'll get a hug also... ;)

Tops

[Silky]

Well, all but two or three memberships have come in and I thank you all for not waiting until the last minute.

I will shortly be sending out a post with the preliminary programming so you'll have an idea of timings.

Panelists have already received their post but they will be shown on the program as well.

Time is ticking away now. Less than three weeks. grin.gif

[topol_sheap]

is it really that soon? smile.gif

[Lupa the Ancient]

... counting down the days....

[sdkdmd]

Let the count down begin 22 21 20 ....

[Silky]

Ah, nice. I've got all the programs printed off and stuffed in the goodie envelope.

Programming has been sent to everyone now all I have to do is wait.

It will take one day when Brian gets back from Germany to decide on the readings. Of course, me, I'll have to suffer listening to him read them before the con. What a horrible thing to have to do ... be the sounding board for Brian's work... ;)

It's chilly and windy here right now but you never know. We may have decent weather. If we can't sit out an evening that's alright. We will manage. But in any event, things are close enough by that you can quicky dash back and forth. It might be wise though to bring a brolly. I have one in my purse all the time. Take no chances...

The hotel does have a nice sized lounge area with sofas and chairs and nice seating area in the bar itself. As we have most of the rooms for that weekend it shouldn't be too bad. It won't be like the old hotel with 300+ rooms. We do seem to have a way of taking over but we aren't bad, we're good. And don't anyone dare to differ on that statement.

[sdkdmd]

I don't mine a little chill Silky but lets see what you can do about the wind.

On second though,if everyone has fun who cares if it's a little windy. ;)

[Silky]

If given the choice between wind or rain I'd have to choose wind. We don't want any extra liquid in our drinks.

I'll see what I can do about it. It's been windy all week so it's time it calmed down a bit.

[Silver]

I don't care about the weather, it rained last year in Manchester and we managed alright!

[Lupa the Ancient]

Me neither..so long as the trains run okay from t'North!!

[sdkdmd]

The count down still continuing 15 14 13... smile.gif

[topol_sheap]

this time in 2 weeks I'll be on my way back, not fun really.

[Silver]

Aye Lupa, the trains and hoping that they haven't double booked my room at the hotel(which is a worry I have whenever I have cause to stay in a hotel) are causing me concern at the moment, as they do everytime until I'm actually there and find that everything is ok!

[The Ginger Wookie]

I can't wait. I'm like a kid at Christmas. losing pool for the first time in a year. ACE!

[Botch the Mad]

hello all. just a bit of an update. i cannot attend this year. i just got out of the hospital. i spent quite a while in intensive care. my heart doesn't beat correctly, it's arrythmia (or however you spell it). :confused: :( i am recovering, albeit slowly, it took a lot out of me. i didn't think i was going to make it. my heart was beating 140 beats per minute and the norm is around 80. they had quite a hard time getting it under control, it's almost there a week later. i have been told that i can't travel more than half an hour or so, and definitely no planes. i am very depressed about not being at kciv, but very happy to be alive. i guess this is not too common for some one my age, and it was very severe. i am recooping though. i want lots of details when it's done, and somebody jump off of something high for me. and if some one would mind having a newky brown for me, that would be great.

[Lupa the Ancient]

I will have a few in your honour mate!! Sorry to hear that, but so long as your health is improving thats the main thing.... look after yourself.

[Silver]

Sorry we won't be seeing you this time but glad to hear you're doing ok Botchie, Take care.

[topol_sheap]

Ahhh, Botch man, you'll be missed (and your riffle man stains). Hope you get better quicker and quicker, and you can make it to next years, I'll drink some brown for you, although the last time was about 11 years ago, and I was very ill! ;)

[Red Willow]

:( sorry you can't make it babe but glad to hesr that you're better. Good luck with it all and i'm sure there will be a next year. Big hugs.xxx
(as i'm only a tiny person most things are quite high for me, i could risk my life and jump off a kerb for you if you like)
on the me side, booked the coach tickets earlier for myself and the boy- five and a half hour journey here we come! Arriving friday afternoon and leaving sunday morning. Come on student loan cheque!

[ September 21, 2004, 07:34 PM: Message edited by: Red Willow ]

[John & Paul]

Hi guys
finally got our act together and hope to see you at K4.
John & Paul

[Helmet Head]

In 6 days I'll be on my way to that place that is that place where there having that thing that iv'e been looking forward to since the last one in that other place that wasn't the new place but it was the same thing but 3 not 4...In other words Keogh Con IV is just around the corner WWWWWWhhhhhhheeeeeeeyyyyyyy HHHaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy grin.gif

[ September 24, 2004, 01:36 AM: Message edited by: The Helm ]

[sdkdmd]

The count down 10- 9- 8

Getting closer to that time and we'll be at that place where that thing is going to be.

[Silky]

Wow, looks like this is going to be a good con. It has really shaped up. As of right now, there are 30 of us attending.

Shame the rooms booked up. But out of the 30 rooms we had 20 of them booked, unless someone coming booked and didn't tell me. That leaves only 10 rooms occupied by non-KeoghConans. Oh dearie me. But that pretty much makes the hotel our own.

Brian and I will be going there on Monday. I want to check several things out to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Like making sure the bar is stocked up with breezers. grin.gif

As I said before the room is very small but we'll all fit in. I just have to determine the best way to situate everything.

And please ... no sneaking any ciggies in the room. There won't be enough ventilation for that but there's plenty of room for that in the bar area and lounge. And I've made sure that I've provided breaks between the events so you'll have time for bar, smoking and toilet. So you won't have to miss anything you don't want to miss.

Guess that covers things for now... ;)

[Red Willow]

Those poor non-con people, oh well maybe they could be converted! Getting all excited now, looking forward to seeing everyone-especially the newbies.

[Red Willow]

Anyone started packing yet?! I've realised that i can't get home before i go so won't be bringing much signable stuff, to save room i only brought the Necroscope series, The Compleat Crow, House of Doors and Maze of Worlds, hoping to ensnare some uni peeps. Also who's planning to dress up and as what?

[sdkdmd]

Signable stuff! They won't allow me to bring enough suit-cases on the plane :(

I'm limited to one suit-case of signable stuff :(
A big one smile.gif

[Bungus Blood Beast]

Signable stuff!!
Is that the separate bag (30 + books that I can hardly lift). Might get a wrist support bandage just in case.

[Red Willow]

you can put some books in with your clothes, you don't need many of those!

[topol_sheap]

I'm going to sort out a box, and chuck that in the back of the car!! I hope the box is big enough for all the books! Need to work out which ones to bring. COuld be a heavy box this year.

how many days Mr SDKDMD

[sdkdmd]

THE COUNT DOWN: 8- 7- 6...

ONLY 3 days 10 hours I'll be on my way.

OH! about the clothes RED,tell my wife [Carol]that.

[Silky]

Hey, it's beautiful down here this weekend. I went out to cut the grass and near roasted. It rained a bit yesterday but it was still warm...

Hope the weather holds...

[The Ginger Wookie]

Hey Botchie boy. Sorry i'm a bit late on this one. Jeez man i hope you are OK. Thinkin of you mate. I'll be sure to raise a glass to an absent friend. Hope you recover all your stair leaping, stain making strength soon. take care of your self

[Goth Girl]

Hope this link proves useful for deciding on which clothes to pack... 5 day weather forecast (http://uk.weather.yahoo.com/UKXX/UKXX0150/index_c.html)

And for our US contingent, that's in Centigrade not Farenheit... 16 = about 61-62.

Umbrella essential methinks... but remembering Manchester last year, what's new!

[ September 27, 2004, 04:10 AM: Message edited by: Goth Girl ]

[DC 1]

As long as it don't rain in the bar we should all stay dry smile.gif

[Lupa the Ancient]

Thats exactly right!! Roll on F--f-f-f-riday!! grin.gif

[Silky]

On the weather ... BBC 1:00 news today said 14 degrees and raining ... at 1:00 I was sitting out by the pool topping up my tan ... 19 degrees and beautiful sunshine...

Went to the hotel this morning and everything is set. I was talking to the owners Sue and her husband Martin.

I checked just to be doubly sure ... the smoking policy is:

Although there are no signs posted in the hotel ... except for the one I'll be putting up ... smoking is permitted in the bar area only. They don't allow it in the restuarant/lounge area. If they see you smoking they will ask you to put it out. And for any smokers out there grumbling right now ... Sue and Martin are both smokers. ;)

Most of you do adhere to this but there are always a few who are persistent not to. Remember, Brian smokes as well and he has no problems with this.

Also, there are plenty breaks in between everything for your smokies and such.

Once again, no problem on drinking. If you want to drink they'll serve.

That pretty much covers everything for now I think...

[Silky]

A note on the rooms. Don't forget ... your room rate is inclusive of breakfast if you so desire one.

Also, the room rate is inclusive of VAT ... so don't pay any extra. I know there were problems of this sort in Manchester but I don't think you'll have any here.

[Red Willow]

Eep, getting all excited and bouncy! Can't wait!!!

[Lady Louise]

Yes, I am still alive and kicking.

Getting ready to make the long trip south.
See you all there

[John & Paul]

We're all set to go too...just one more day at work(a short one if I can manage it) then start the long journey south first thing in the morning.

[topol_sheap]

RIght OK... I have a small problem...over the last few years, I've been leaving books behind at home (read neglect) in favour of other possibly better books to have signed... this leaves me with a 31 book dilema. Do I bring them all, or maybe half of them... I think this might be taking the rise a bit, but maybe I could get them signed in sessions of 10 or something.

Help me, anyone?

Tops

[sdkdmd]

Less is better.

[sdkdmd]

For me that is.

The less everyone else brings,the more I can :cool:

[topol_sheap]

I just found another 2 books...

[Lupa the Ancient]

... I brought a PILE over to Manchester last year, so not as many to cart all the way South. Just a few paperbacks I reckon.....

Not long to go now...... if the trains are a-ok I should be arriving on the English Riveria around 13.00 ...... ETA at the bar 13.05!!! grin.gif

[Silky]

No problem on the amount of books. So if you are driving by all means bring them. (If they will all fit in your cars, of course. ;) )

Most of you should know by now that Brian loves to sign books.

There will be about 11 of you there for Thursday check in, and of course Brian and I will be there for Thursday night schmoozing.

Really looking forward to it now. grin.gif

[Ema]

Ok, since it is getting close, just wanted to say (which it isn't needed I'm sure!) to have a ball! Will be yet again, patiently waiting for photos and wishing I was there! One of these days...

[topol_sheap]

Silky,

Thanks for the reply on the books - I know Brian will sign most things, but I didn't want to be silly about it! smile.gif But if he's OK with it, then that's fine smile.gif

Tops

[Goth Girl]

Would love to have you around too Ema... like you say, one day...!

If anyone (thinking more for first-timers) has any queries/questions for me, you've got until 8pm tonight (UK time) to email me, otherwise I'm contactable by mobile only. Y'all got my mobile number, right?

And for those of you flying over, have a safe and comfortable flight! See ya soon! grin.gif

[Hubris]

Yeah no kidding. Hope you all have a great time (sounds like a sure thing.) Wish I could be there. :( Maybe next year though.

[sdkdmd]

I"M OFF TO CATCH A PLANE. :cool:

[topol_sheap]

I thought you would have been gone by now... ;)

[ShadoeWolfe]

Bags are packed, electronics are charged, emotion is high. grin.gif I'm off in about an hour to head to airport for my two hour wait before departure. I'll see you all on Friday, and some of you on Thursday night.

And just so you guys know - I'm not bringing any books to have signed - ok - one. The Companion so I can get the contributors signatures. smile.gif

See you all soon!!

[Rixy]

I can't believe how quickly it's come around. I'll be there sometime Friday afternoon.

Some scumbag tried to break into my car two night ago and managed to trash the door so the Insurance has coughed up for a Ford Fiesta, big of them. I'm expecting to be overtaken by many vehicles on the way down!

See ya

[Sophie]

See all you guys who are going to the con soon. I'll be there on Thursday night so can't wait to see everybody grin.gif

Sophie

[Lupa the Ancient]

1 DAY TO GO.... PACK TONIGHT ... EARLY TO BED .... 5.00AM START ..THEN FINGERS CROSSED FOR THE TRAIN....

SEE Y'ALL THERE SOON GUYS!!

[topol_sheap]

See you all on firday (I'm leaving this spelling error in!) about lunch-ish.

[Exsanguinator]

Aye - always turns up in time for food!

[Silver]

Yay! All packed and ready, have been since yesterday in fact, I can't wait! Will see you all tomorrow!!

[The Bloody Lady]

HAVE FUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAVE DRINKS FOR MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

*HUGS* to ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

grin.gif tongue.gif ;) grin.gif :cool: smile.gif