Tolcon

[primsong]

Just back home from a rather long drive back from Seattle and playing catch-up - I've tried scanning over what everyone has been up to, but can't take the time to reply everywhere (((flist)))...

Tolcon was a teensy con, not even 150 of us, but very well organized and run so it was more of a 'cozy' feel than an irritation to have it so small - we were all quite pampered. Peter Lyon from Weta was there to show us slides of the swords he had made and to tell some great stories, and Kiran Shah was a hoot! Kiran has quite a few good tales too tell and has done so many things over the years, plus he's just a real sweetheart. He was only able to tell us a very little about his work on Narnia, but had lots of other stuff to say. We enjoyed him so much, and he seemed to really like it too - he,Peter & Ted Nasmith just hung out with all of us for three days and said if they were invited back they would definitely want to come. :-)

Won a couple gollums in the "Stump Gandalf" event, displayed my artwork for the first time and got to have Ted Nasmith judge it... Ted, btw, is a *fabulous* singer! I had no idea he could play and sing so beautifully - I liked that even better than his artwork. All of us were asking him when he would record a cd so we could buy it.

Also had the Dork of the Rings there, part of the cast and the crew came out from Indiana for the con and showed us their 'making of' and trailer. It was quite a fun parody - watch for this one, you'll probably enjoy it. They were a part of the fan-films that were shown, including a new director's cut of Journey to Microdor which was much better than the one they had at ORC.

If any of you want a good friendly con where you can really spend time with the guests of honor, dance until midnight and never have to stand in line for anything, this is the one. :-)

Comments

[voontah.livejournal.com]

I keep saying I'm going to go to one of these "local" LOTR cons and keep missing them. There's one this fall, too, isn't there?

[primsong.livejournal.com]

Is there? All I know of was the Indianapolis LOTR exhibit in the fall that I'm hoping to save up enough to go to, though it's a bit doubtful at the moment... When is Orycon? Is it in the fall?

[voontah.livejournal.com]

I was thinking there was one that was held around Bilbo's birthday in the Seattle area that has been going on for years, but maybe I was mistaken.

Orycon should be in November, I believe, if things remain as they usually are. It is at a different hotel this year, but I'm not sure which one. From what I hear, things went a little topsy this year hotel-wise, so I'm not sure what changes have been made.

[the-tinidril.livejournal.com]

I wish I could have come. It seems like every time Tolcon comes along I'm broke.

If you rave to everyone about it too much it won't stay small and cozy for very long!

[primsong.livejournal.com]

They came within a hair of getting David Wenham this year - I bet the numbers would have gone up then! ;-)

Here's hoping for another chance at it.

[estellye.livejournal.com]

Now that sounds like my kind of con! Crowds and lines are not my thing and I have no desire to meet the cast and crew just long enough for them to scribble on something. Something more intimate where you can really see and hear them talk is definitely the way to go for me. I am so glad you enjoyed yourself! It sounds like it was a wonderful time!

[onegoat.livejournal.com]

And how I would love to go!
I love Ted's work, never imagined him as a singer, but I'd def buy his record just because it's Ted ;)
Lucky Kiran for being involved both in LOTR AND Narnia! Sounds like it was a great weekend :)

[primsong.livejournal.com]

You'd buy his recordings for their beauty, even if you'd never heard of him. A lovely clear voice and such music to set Tolkien's poems and tales to... His wife was with him and seemed to be elbowing him significantly as we all begged for him to record them. :-)

[mrspippin.livejournal.com]

It was Kiran!! I recognized his face at the cast list from the Narnia site, but I couldn't remember his name!!
So it sounds like you had fun. Ted was here a few weeks ago at the Elf fantasy fair but unfortunately I couldn't go there.
I'm glad you had a great time Prim!

[primsong.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Wish all of you could have been there too.

For LOTR Geeks everywhere

[tuilelindowen.livejournal.com]

I had to laugh at your reply to my newly acquired letter from Franz Liszt ("Wow...a total historical Geek Moment!"). Geeky indeed! Here's a special one just for you from the same source:

http://www.manuscripts.co.uk/stock/19945.HTM

Time to start saving up pennies, everyone. Sigh. Is it my imagination or does the handwriting look a bit Elvish?

Re: For LOTR Geeks everywhere

[primsong.livejournal.com]

Oh, wouldn't that be marvelous to have, matted and framed on the wall? And how Tolkien would have laughed to think we would do such things for a simple note. :-)