This having been my first year to attend Gallifrey One (or, for that matter any con of any kind), it was a learning experience as much as a chance to rub shoulders with some whovian Names. Since there are still bunches of people out there who’ve never been (despite this year’s record attendance of 3183), I thought I’d pass along a few of the things I’d learned, in hopes that others might benefit. Or at least that I can come back and remind myself of them before I go next year…

1. Plan far enough ahead that you can book a room at the Marriott itself. While the place I got was convenient enough (a 4-5 block walk, or about 5 minutes) and had free (if weak) breakfast – something I’m not sure the Marriott offers – it was an extra little hassle. I envied the con members who could just pop up to their rooms at the end of the day, stash most of their things in their rooms and just carry the basics, or not worry about still having to walk stably for several blocks at night after Lobbycon. And speaking of Lobbycon…
2. Arrive early enough to enjoy Lobbycon on Thursday night. Although I in no way regret my Thursday this year – I got to see three distinct sets of friends, all of whom I’d last seen years earlier – it would have been nice to be able to socialize with other con members in that unique way.
3. Stay till Monday morning. Note to self: redeyes suck; don’t do that again. Regardless of the fact that things officially end after the Closing Ceremonies around 7pm (unless you’re lucky enough to be able to go to the Volunteers’ Reception), there is still Lobbycon happening Sunday night. And really, who wants Gally to end? Stretching it out a few extra hours and not worrying about a flight till the next morning would be a nice way to finish off.
4. Use a decent camera that’s good with long-distance shots. Although it’s possible to get super-good seats for many of the panels, let’s face it – not everyone gets the best spot, and sometimes you’re just going to be far away. If you have a simple point’n’shoot camera, it’s not going to get sharp, well-lit photos of all those folks up on stage in the ballroom. Find something that will.
   Also: don’t lose the camera you do have. ~sigh~

There are also a few things that I definitely want to do again or try out next time:

1. Spend the time and money to get those autographs. The guests were – to a one – wonderfully warm to the fans in person. Having never done any of this before, and feeling small and insignificant amongst 3000 of my closest (new) friends, I did not expect much more than “hello” from the guests. However, for example, Richard Franklin commented on my lovely surname before striking up further conversation. I was brave enough to give Daphne Ashbrook one of my “I ♥♥ Eight” ribbons and a business card for the blog. I don’t know that she ever will, but she promised to come check it out. (If you do ever read this, Daphne, then hi! You should go check out my reviews of the DVD release and of the Eighth Doctor’s “era”…)
   Now, sadly, I don’t think I was ever cogent enough to make any sort of impression on Paul McGann (though I also gave him one of those ribbons, and he shook my hand with both of his, so I’d like to think he was touched). However, to give you the flavor of his personality and the way he really seemed to appreciate the fans, let me tell you about a woman just a bit ahead of me in line for the photo op. When it was her turn, she ran up to Paul and gave him a squeal-y hug. He gladly returned the embrace, and – far from pulling away quickly – turned back to the camera and told the photographer to take the shot like that, with their arms wrapped tightly around each other. ~melt~ This weekend did nothing to assuage my crush on that man…
2. Try to get in on that Guest of Honor Brunch. By the time I first heard about this year’s Gallifrey One and started thinking about whether or not I should try to go, the hotel was already sold out, let alone the Brunch. I understand that sold out at the con last year. (To the best of my knowledge, they’re not selling tickets to that yet for 24; stay tuned to their website for emerging details on next year.) How bloody cool would that be, to sit down for a meal and be able actually to have something resembling a real conversation with the folks who are usually up to their eyeballs in fans, doing autographs? (I wonder: does Gally have to have the guests sign a Carpal Tunnel Indemnification Form…?) I never did get to fully explain to Paul about my hypothesis that his sense that his Doctor is “tolerated” is a holdover from 1996, when fans weren’t expecting the show to evolve, and since then Eight has become ever more popular (“Ugly Docling,” indeed)… Oh, well. Maybe Daphne will read this and tell him – HA!
3. Do another panel. That was a blast! I was pretty tired and rather nervous heading into it (and I really should have been a bit star-struck by David Wise and Simon Guerrier, who were also on the panel, but I wasn’t clever enough to be so), but once we got started, it was great! I loved being able to talk about my favorite topic – and sub-topic – to a room of people who actually were interested. Great stuff.
4. Try to do the autograph session on Friday or Sunday. Saturday is the busiest day of the con. It’s nuts. You will miss programming to stand in line for 2+ hours to get those Premium autographs if you do it Saturday (who knows, maybe the other two days, too). It may not be much better the other two days, but with so many fewer attendees, it can’t be worse.
5. Bring friends! I loved meeting new people. I had some awesome conversations standing in line (that’s queuing, for those of you on the other side of the Pond) with people I’d never seen before. Pretty much everyone I met was lovely. I just couldn’t help thinking how much more awesome it would be if I could have shared it with my Ladies as well as Con Buddy (who I didn’t really see very much after Friday). Next year! I’m gonna start working on them now.

All I can really say is, this was an awesome experience. I can hardly wait for next year. If you can possibly make it to this con – and I know it’s expensive when you count in airfare (unless you live close enough to drive), hotel, food (LA is not cheap) and souveniers – but if you can swing it, I highly recommend it. It was beautifully run, and I can’t say enough good things about it.

Three cheers for Gally!