pinksonia | Gallifrey One: Part One (Reply)

I am officially back home after Gallifrey One and ready to write my wrap-up of the weekend. Really I got back last night but didn't feel like typing anything because it was way to late. Anyway, here was my weekend in rather bullet pointed highlights from each day.

Thursday

Stopped by Lowes on the way to the airport to pick up a trowel since mine appears to have disappeared during out last phase II. They almost had one of the correct size.
Airport security wasn't too thrilled about the trowel, but let it through after swabbing my bag. Yay!
Met at the escalators at four to help set up as requested -- seemingly no one around.
Order a Chai Latte in the lobby only for someone to announce "anyone looking to volunteer follow me." This was probably at 4:45
Finally figured out where to go to help. Got to unload snacks for the con-suite and one side of the TARDIS. Also met one of "The Torchwood Kids" (Owen) who seem to be a ubiquitous group at the American cons
Went to "Lobby con" for the first time.

Friday

Came down at 8ish to continue helping to set up. This time I got to help build the TARDIS (which is rather flimsy despite that fact that various people have said it is more substantial than the actual prop.) and set up video rooms.
Followed setting up with my first session on the vendor doors. Also my first run in with Katy Manning's inability to keep track of a badge.
Panels I attended today included costuming 101 and the Louise Page costumer's reception and interview. Clearly we can see where my priorities lie. Costuming 101 mostly included information that I had already hear (since I'm a fairly constant lurker on dw_cosplay but I did ask about where to find more historically styled wig. Apparently if I want to costume Barbara (and I really, really do, I'm going to have to find a wig shop where I can get wigs styled. The Louise Page reception was pretty amazing. She had her book with all the costume plans and material swatches. Every time someone would ask about a costume (and some the questions were rather specific -- about zipper placement and what not-- she would get out the book. Every time a swatch came out you could just hear the room holding their collective breath. Really cool.
Hung out at the ice-cream social for a while talking to people and then headed down to the casino and karaoke. I made the mistake of joining a table playing Texas Hold'em without even trying to find out what was going on at the table. Apparently I managed to pick the table with four hard-core players already at it, so my complete ignorance of the game was not terribly appreciated. Instead I went to go play Bingo -- 'cause I know how to play that -- and craps -- because no one knows how to play that. Karaoke I drifted in and out of because there was much singing of musical theater songs and I have a low tolerance for people singing them off-key.
Went to bed fairly early because the time change had resulted in me waking up at 4:00 am.