ConDFW 2008 will feature TWO Author Guests of Honor: David Weber and Jim Butcher! The event is February 20-22, 2009 at the Dallas Crowne Plaza Suites hotel. Some of our special activities include: the Annual Sci-Fi Spelling Bee, Sci Fi Pictionary, a Late Night Double Feature, and new this year: Ms. Celestial Centerfold Competition!

We hope everyone that ‘had a bad time’ with the FedCon Fiasco will come to ConDFW (and FenCon this October, too!) and see that sci-fi cons in the DFW area ARE alive and kicking. We are close-knit, personable, and try to offer a relaxed, affordable alternative to sitting home all weekend watching repeats on TV.

Check out http://www.ConDFW.org for further info – it’s under continual update…

AND YES I’M PISSED

It is very odd that Mr. Ballard refers to his father in the third person, like he is NOT related to him. The whole “interview” and Chuck Ballard’s responses, are very strange whenever he talks.

I am also curious why Mr. Ballard uses a DIFFERENT last name than his “dad” Tim Brazel.

Interesting.

I unofficially quit attending Trek conventions in 2000 when Creation Cons finally eclipsed the smaller (and usually better) conventions. My last con was a Creation Con and I was really disappointed at how impersonal the experience was — and how expensive. During the TNG days of the late 80s and early 90s cons were wonderful, personal events that really left you feeling connected to this thing we call Trek. The big commercial cons push you through the lines telling you not to talk to the guests, wring all the money out of you and send you on your way. From treating you like a fan and supporter to treating you like another consumer.

Geez I’m starting to sound old! “Back in my day William Shatner would share his breakfast with you at a con! Roddenberry would just *give* you hand-written scripts!” Another downside to the trend of growing acceptance of sci fi in general (which has been a result of Star Trek’s success to a large degree). Ah the times we live in.

Of course, it’s no surprise that TrickUNitely pulled off yet another shell game with no nut under any shell. And with the bad press and attention I wonder how long before NBCU comes down with a big legal hammer on Sly-Ly Studios, and it’s theft of logo, intellectual property, etc….

Although perhaps they called NBCU some night late and a janitor who answered the phone told them it was okay to use a half-ringed planet behind the SciFi words in direct copyright violation of NBCU’s trademarks for the SciFi Channel…

Tim, Jane, and Cleetus Brazeal have been very quiet.

Nowhere to be seen on their message boards.

It hasn’t stopped the sheep on TU and “Sci-Fi Studios” from declaring their undying love for Brazeal.