Notes from ChicagoTARDIS

Had a thanksgiving dinner that couldn't be beat with wonderful friends, then proved how much
I love 'em... by running off to hobnob at ChicagoTARDIS. Fortunately, they're all fannish, so I think they are still my friends.

I had a chance to say something to Gareth D-L because he was the first person I saw at the reception. Fortunately I also had the wisdom to realize I was startled and tired and would only say something stupid, so I passed by and caught up with Rob Shearman instead, because he is lovely and I only ever get to see him here. After a quick round of my other reception tradition (reminding calapine that she does actually know me), I sat in listening to Rob and Tony Lee teasing Tommy Knight. Tom is frustrated that he has no action figure - he wants to go into the store and buy himse- I mean, Luke Smith. He says if he does, he'll make it kiss a slitheen. (He also made it clear that he knows just WHAT some fans would do with it and a Clyde figure!). Rob and Tony told him he'd never get one until the character was written out, so they started making up death scenes and mutilated action figures ("It's poseable - you can move the arms for shock or agonizing pain.")

Today I made Toby Haydoke's whole year by skipping an autograph with Rob to get his, instead of the other way around. I'm mad at myself for forgetting my Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf cd and I'm too cheap to buy a second copy just for an autograph, so I had Toby sign the back of my con badge and I'll slip it into the case.

Gareth & Kai Owen panel in 10 minutes, so I'll swing by later. Please forgive typos, as am still adjusting badly to ipad onscreen keyboard. It is funny - last year everyone had different netbooks in the lobby. Now everyone has an ipad. Tony Lee was showing me some excellent apps.

Notes from ChocagoTARDIS, pt II

Gareth David Lloyd & Kai Owen are a very profane, very funny pair. GDL is tired of bring Ianto back stuff ("He's fucking dead!") but is also making jokes about being out of work. The money shot - which I did not get but which is doubtless all over the internet by now - was him auditioning as Rhys' & Gwen's baby, by curling into Kai's lap, thumb in mouth.

In other news, GDL's band is in the top 20 for a prize; go vote for them on facebook. ("Even if you hate rock and roll, vote for Ianto! Do it for the Jones!")

GDL is tired of being asked what it's like to kiss Barrowman. He's still being asked it.

On learning to use the props, they work with them for several takes "until it stops being a piece of plastic that John put his willy on."

Kai has read a Torchwood audio-only adventure in which Rhys breaks Ianto's coffee machine, prompting a long riff about breaking Ianto's knob and screwing it back on. Both men claimed they had no idea why the audience was laughing.

After them, Tommy Knight of the SJA was an anti-climax. He was very gentle with the young kids asking him questions, though. He did say that he took lots of Bubble Shock stuff from the set. (GDL said he'd taken most of Ianto's suits, but was givg them away bit by bit to costumers.)

This keyboard continues to be a brat.