posted 06-14-2016 04:17 PM               

Professionally I work on some large projects with a lot of moving parts and I can't even begin to understand everything that goes into a Spacefest, but I know it is astounding at how well it all fit together. Just amazing at how well it all went.

posted 06-14-2016 08:07 PM               

Came home heavy with new memories and a much lighter wallet.

posted 06-15-2016 12:41 AM               

Below is a photo of my art display adjacent to the work of none other than Alan Bean. His signing table was directly across from my art, just over my left shoulder as I took this picture. On the other side, to the right of where the photo was taken, was Michael Collins and his artwork. And, Nicole Stott and her artwork were next to Alan’s. I had a prime spot, for sure!

It was also a great pleasure to spend some time chatting with Robert on the last day of the show. I was glad to hear of some of the things he has planned for the collectSPACE insignia... which I am certain he will share with the rest of the community when he is ready.

posted 06-15-2016 07:28 PM               

Well done, great venue, and almost an embarrassment of riches. The range of great talks, movies, conversations, art-browsing, etc. made for a packed schedule at times. Nice problem to have.

posted 06-16-2016 06:58 AM               

At some point I put down two rolled 16x20s of the Hale-Bopp comet that I took, to ask Alan Hale and Tom Bopp to sign. Got distracted, turned around and they were gone.

posted 06-17-2016 06:14 PM               

As the art show was been set up on Thursday I saw this painting of Stephen Hawking and bought it on the spot.

At Starmus two years ago I was fortunate to pick up two books signed by him and they only cost me 90 euros.

The only disappointing part of the trip was that I missed the Skylab and Apollo panels on Friday night. After a 10.5 hour flight I developed a severe pain in my leg and ended up in hospital having an ultrasound to check for blood clots due to DVT. Thankfully nothing found although back in the UK I again ended up in hospital with chest pains as apparently I tore a muscle in my chest lifting my case off the conveyor belt at Heathrow.

At the last Starmus the speakers included Charlie Duke, Walt Cunningham and Alexei Leonov. Along with three Noble prize winners and other leading scientists I was able to get them to sign my book.

posted 06-18-2016 06:46 PM               

All of the panels and talks I was able to attend were carried out with great professionalism, wonderful content and good humour. The moderators did a wonderful job, and many of the responses to their questions were a source of constant delight and interest to the audiences.

The banquet went well, although many of the auction items sold for well below what they should ordinarily have realised. Certainly not auctioneer/MC Mark Larson's fault - the interest in signed items just didn't seem to be there this year, although the hilarious antics of the two assisting "Vanna Whites" - Dick Gordon and Al Worden - were a true highlight of the evening.

One of the more emotional but lesser-seen highlights of Spacefest VII on Sunday at the end of the show was a special presentation of a lovely piece of artwork to Kim Poor in recognition of his outstanding efforts in putting together this event along with his wonderful wife Sally in spite of his debilitating illness, followed by the presenting of a special poster signed by all of the volunteers who assisted so incredibly well throughout the days of the event. It brought a tear to many an eye.

One thing that I noticed which worked well was having a number of talks on the afternoon before Spacefest VII actually began, which gave early attendees something to do ahead of the official start of the event. And of course on Sundays in the past the signing hall has been almost a ghost town as most of the astronauts have already packed up and gone, but this year there were still four panels one could attend and several astronauts still signing well into the afternoon, as well as the ongoing screenings of "Last Man on the Moon" and the amazingly good "Mission Control."

One last thing I should mention is that most of the attending authors signed residual copies of their books for the good folks at Novaspace, so if you were not able to make the show and you would like a book signed by one or more of the authors, please contact Novaspace and they may be able to help you.

posted 06-18-2016 11:09 PM               

Saturday meal I hear you ask? Well I'll explain... since you asked. Frankly, it was hilarious, and it would have been even more hilarious had I not been very very hungry!

I opted for a vegan meal (there is always one, I know) and on my name card it stated "vegetarian," so naturally I correct the mistake — a minor thing, no big deal. A few minutes go by, the stomach is rumbling, and much to my stomachs desire the starters are served, only to my amazement I was given a plate of... lettuce. An actual plate of lettuce. No garnish, not even a handful of peppers, no, just lettuce. After a moment of being taken back I, as well as others on the table, burst into laughter!

I have to say I've never paid so much for a bowl of greens before, but there is a first time for everything! Plus we got a good laugh out of it (and I had some donuts in the room, so all was well in Hungertown). Moral of the story kids? Either don't be vegan at Spacefest or develop a love for lettuce.

On the flip side of that coin, I got my two Apollo 12 flown SNAP 27 pins signed by Bean and Gordon, and my two Paul Calle Armstrong lithos signed by Collins, as well as Rick Armstrong and Chris Calle, both of whom were extremely friendly and were more than happy to do so!

I met cS'ers I've conversed with for years, and never met, and also made plenty of new friends. I'm much richer for the experience!

My rating: 10/10 - good fun all around!

posted 06-19-2016 10:35 AM               

Here's me in my A7L-B and Charlie Duke: