Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => Balloon Chit Chat => Topic started by: Graham Lee on June 11, 2008, 12:03:31 PM
This is the best balloon twisting convention in the world, now there's something for it to live upto this year.
I have been organising the trip across for the last few years & will be doing so again this year. So for those wishing to come with us we go for a week travelling out on Friday Oct 31st & returning on Friday 7th Nov.
I try & book eurostar from St Pancras for mid to late morning on the outward journey and we try to get back to London around 4.oo pm the following week.
The cost will include Eurostar from St Pancras to Brussels, a taxi to the venue, registration & shared accommodation in a self catering bungalow.
If you wish a room to yourself in the bungalow the additional cost is approx £60 or you can have a single room in the hotel for approx £195 extra.
The cost this year will be £325 with the eurostar cost paid to me & the rest of the money paid to Leo on arrival at the centre.
Deadline day is 1st Aug so that we get the cheapest price on eurostar, anyone wishing to join us after this date is more than welcome but you will need to book eurostar yourself for the same train as the group are on both ways, please be aware that the eurostar cost jumps considerably.
If you have any questions please ask here as I'm sure it will help others who may have had similar things on their mind as well.
We normally help decorate the lobby of the venue on the Saturday & the convention starts on the Sunday. This year for the first time there will be a special industry dinner on the Saturday which at the moment is being advertised for approx £28.oo which will be an added extra if you wish to attend but I'm sure I can do a deal on this :)
More details about the convention & who will be lecturing etc can be found here;
http://www.millenniumjam.com (http://www.millenniumjam.com)
Graham Lee
Can i come???
I'm up for it Graham.
danny
Graham,
How does it work with the sleeping arrangements, is it 2 per room or pay £60 and have a room for yourself??
Norm
Yes It's two per room & they are single beds ;)
or you can go for the upgrades.
Graham Lee
OK, it's time to send in your deposits if you wish to come on the trip, so far booked are,
Mandy & other half
Richard
Myself
with Becky & Thelma to confirm with deposit.
The others on the list at home I cant remember so if you do wish to travel with us the deposit money £69 has to be to me by the end of this month so that we get theeurostar at a bargain price.
Anyone wishing to book after this date can but you will need to book eurostar yourself on the exact same trains at whatever the cost is. A word of warning the price increase is substantial
Please PM me for the addres to send the deposit too.
Eurostar is all booked up. We travel out on;
Friday 31st Oct on the 14.34 (9138) train arriving Brussels Midi at 17.33
Return Friday 7th Nov on the 14.59 (9141) train arriving St Pancras 15.56
Have six people booked on the trip;
Graham Lee
Thelma Levett
Danny Schlesinger
Amanda Bowes-Shorten
Gary Brayley
Richard Masters
If others wish to book to come with us you still can, the cost will be £266 + cost of Eurostar.
You have to book Eurostar yourself & be on trains 9138 outward & 9141 return
Hi Graham am I too late?
I can book eurostar train on my own but are you sorting out accommodation? I see there is one lady so I can go in with her unless one of the fellas is her fella?
Can you email your bank details and I'll bacs it over what ever you need re deposits etc?
Becky
Becky I did email you from your website a few weeks back with no reply. I also plugged it on the forum.
I need no money, this has to be paid to Leo on arrival. If you wait till I receive the tickets I can tell you our seat numbers or better still give me a ring to sort things out. Number is on my website
dont forget to bring your own towels and some dry cat food if youre a cat lover ;)
I'm COMING!!! I've Booked my seat next to you lot, I'm sooooo excited! So what do we do about the entrance to the Jam ticket do we not worry about that until we get there?
Quote from: "Wivatwist"I'm COMING!!!
Sometimes people give too much information on a public forum :D :lol:
He he :oops: thats funny!!! We are going to get on well Graham I can tell!!! you are on my level!
wish I. Could afford it sounds brilliant...
Personally I can't afford not to go.
I have been once before and it completely inspired me. I learnt so much and really think its completely worth every penny.
There will be some amazing teachers from America - Don Caldwell, Addi Someli and many others, as well as European instructors. There are competitions, stage shows, jam sessions, FREE qualatex balloons and traders too.
If you are serious about twisting, you should book your ticket right away.
As I said, I can't afford not to go. Can you?
Danny
Clash of dates for me this year but I fully intend to go next year
yes already im thinking about next year but if its the same date i cant go. Better make this year count eh? :D cant wait to meet everybody.
whats the deal with the CAT? I hate cats, i'm allergic!!!
The centre has lot's of stray cats that some people feed, they are manky & flee infested.
Some who come on the trip are sad & do feed them :o
For those that are interested in coming with us on the trip it's still not too late.
You just have to book on eurostar so that your on the same train as us, the details are;
Outward journey to Brussels, train number 9138. Train time 14.34
Coach 16, seats 42/48
Return journey to St Pancras, train number 9141. Train time 14.59
Coach 4, seats 41/47
Eurostar phone number, 0870-5186186
Thanks Graham.....................Hooooorayyyy i will be commm (no i`ll use another word).................... :) will be attending the MJ:)
Im on the same train seat 41, who will be the unlucky person to have me dribbling
on there shoulder for 2 hours! :lol:
This will be my 1st jam, i was worrying as i was struggling to make the dates but i have pulled it off!!!
cant wait to spend a week with you all:)
Normski
Well I also go to the TMJ but I only need a bungalow partner.
Is there some ware place for a Dutchman?
Else I rent my own bungalow and invite my parents for cooking and cleaning.
If somebody has a room left over please let me know.
See you in Belgium.
Quote from: "Billy Balloonman"Thanks Graham.....................Hooooorayyyy i will be commm (no i`ll use another word).................... :)
but i have pulled it off!!! Normski
Would you like to re phrase that as well :lol:
Damm............ that doesn`t read well at all!!! :lol:
Are we all going to wear balloonchat tshirts???.....(that was a joke!!!)
Graham who will share with who????
Norm
Balloon chat T-shirts, that sounds like a good idea.
Will investigate..........
hi graham if i wanted to attend could you email me the details. i have to check dates but i thnk all is clear at the moment.
cheers kerry
Kerry, All the details are on the first post on this topic with TMJ website
Quote from: "Graham Lee"The centre has lot's of stray cats that some people feed, they are manky & flee infested.
Some who come on the trip are sad & do feed them :o
ummmm im telling on you Graham. Just a few days of food and those cats started to look like pet cats. I could see their eyes changing from dull to clear and bright, their coats ratty and manky changing into sleek shininess and they seemed so grateful of any food we put out. They didnt slope about by the end of the week they were gambolling like lambs, ahhh
It will be cold in november, surely you cant still hate these little pussies.
:cry:
oh and they really enjoyed the leftover chinky, thanks :lol:
hi graham can you put my name down i am about to sort out eurostar. how do you get to st pancras. is it easier to drive or to get there by train?
will i need to take anything with me in the ways of equipment for ballooning for the week?
Kerry, I would guess at it being easier by train. If you drive you have to find somewhere to leave the car for the week.
Let me know when you've booked eurostar & I'll add you to the growing list.
brilliant i will try to get it done today. i will have to also go up to train station to get ticket to st pancras.
cheers graham
Graham could you please add Sarah Thomas Lane to your list of people! She is a fellow Balloonatic and has booked her seat on eurostar!
I'm very excited! Love the new format of the forum, have to re-orientate myself but it looks wicked!
Becky
Have added Sarah to the list. Were now up to 9 going so have one more space to fill so if your thinking about joining us this may be your last chance.
Magic Moonie, did you book eurostar??
not booked yet cause been redecorating house but please keep last place for me 100% would like to go.
i will book later today.
eurostar now booked so can you please add my details please graham.
my email addy is moonieisback@msn.com
please let me know what details you require.
cheers kerry.
checked prices for euro star to go to Millennium Jam i could not beleive it
14:34 - London St Pancras 20:32 - Antwerp Centraal 04h58m
(duration) Standard and Comfort 2
Fully flexible £170.00
Inbound - Fri 7th Nove 2008
17:28 - Antwerp Centraal 19:56 - London St Pancras 03h28m
(duration) Comfort 2 and Standard
Fully flexible £170.00
Total price for all passengers (average price per person - £340.00 Fare Breakdown) £340.00
i got no chance
Tony, not sure what your checking but I just looked & the outward journey is £44.5o & return is £29.5o
The best thing to do is phone eurostar on the number above but please make sure you are on the same train.
i am on seat 33 out and seat 32 back. all booked. i cant wait my first jam of this scale.
I will go to the Millenium Jam, I hope I will meet all of you. I think there is a lot of opportunities, because I will go to some workshops in english :lol: Yes, I've ever done my program.
It will be my first jam, i'm impatient.
Graham, finally who's coming from this forum?
On the list so far are;
1, Graham Lee
2, Mandy
3, Gary
4,Thelma
5, Danny
6, Richard
7, Norm
8, Becky
9, Sarah
10, Kerry
Hi Graham
can you please post the link where you found the train price so cheap as have phoned and tried on line and i get told the same price as Tony :cry:
thanks Sharon
I got the price from the eurostar website;
http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/_SvBoEx ... g=UK&VT=EB (http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/_SvBoExpressBookingTerm?_TMS=1219402171782&_DLG=SvBoExpressBookingTerm&_LANG=UK&_AGENCY=ESTAR&country=UK&lang=UK&VT=EB)
is the prices you qouted for fixed or flexi tickets?
casue that makes a big difference.
i got fixed and was £74.
Do you know what carrage you are in
All the info is on the bottom of page two in bright red
train booked but i could not get same time as you guys on outward journy so im going 8am but i on the same train on the way home
cant wait ..................
If anyone is thinking of coming along I do have a spare seat on eurostar available sitting with us all. So please get in touch, this will also be helping someone out on the forum as well :D
Graham Lee
Hello everybody,
I have a proposal to make for this Millennium Jam.
As I am in a wheelchair, I need to rent a bungalow with a room at ground floor. Unfortunately, only bungalows for eight people possess one. For the moment, we are not sufficiently numerous to rent the bungalow, and most importantly, it's too expensive for me to rent one.
So I have place for those who need it. Three men and one woman, or three women and one man.
The rental would be € 110 per person and as we prepare meals ourselves, we ask 40 € for the food.
This gives € 150 or £ 120. I know that this is a bit more expensive than the prices offered by Sunparks for the event, but unfortunately I have no choice.
If you're interested, send me a PM with your name, age and your E-Mail.
I hope that this offer will interest some of you.
Best wishes to all,
Dominique
Everyone that is coming on the trip I need to get the name you would like on your Registration ticket that you have to wear all the time at the convention. Please put your real name in brackets if different, can you cut & paste the list onto every reply. Thanks.
1, Graham Lee
2,
3,
Everyone that is coming on the trip I need to get the name you would like on your Registration ticket that you have to wear all the time at the convention. Please put your real name in brackets if different, can you cut & paste the list onto every reply. Thanks.
1, Graham Lee
2,kerry thomas
3,
Everyone that is coming on the trip I need to get the name you would like on your Registration ticket that you have to wear all the time at the convention. Please put your real name in brackets if different, can you cut & paste the list onto every reply. Thanks.
1, Graham Lee
2,kerry thomas
3, Danny Schlesinger
4,
Everyone that is coming on the trip I need to get the name you would like on your Registration ticket that you have to wear all the time at the convention. Please put your real name in brackets if different, can you cut & paste the list onto every reply. Thanks.
1, Graham Lee
2, kerry thomas
3, Danny Schlesinger
4, Tony Twist (Tony Baxter)
5, Sarah Moore
6, Mandy Balloozles (Amanda Bowes-Shorten)
Quote from: "Tony Twist"Everyone that is coming on the trip I need to get the name you would like on your Registration ticket that you have to wear all the time at the convention. Please put your real name in brackets if different, can you cut & paste the list onto every reply. Thanks.
1, Graham Lee
2, kerry thomas
3, Danny Schlesinger
4, Tony Twist (Tony Baxter)
5, Sarah Moore
6, Mandy Balloozles (Amanda Bowes-Shorten)
Everyone that is coming on the trip I need to get the name you would like on your Registration ticket that you have to wear all the time at the convention. Please put your real name in brackets if different, can you cut & paste the list onto every reply. Thanks.
1, Graham Lee
2, kerry thomas
3, Danny Schlesinger
4, Tony Twist (Tony Baxter)
5, Sarah Moore
6, Mandy Balloozles (Amanda Bowes-Shorten)
7.Richard masters
isnt Thelma :?: coming?
I don't think i'll be able to come for the whole time now Graham as we have a 6 day job in Dubai! I will be coming for the last day. Sorry, hope this does not cause problems. Becky
1, Graham Lee
2, kerry thomas
3, Danny Schlesinger
4, Tony Twist (Tony Baxter)
5, Sarah Moore
6, Mandy Balloozles (Amanda Bowes-Shorten)
7.Richard masters
8. Sarah Thomas Lane
well it is a bit of an awkward time of the year, with halloween and firework nite. This year will have to count cos next year this should be a busy time, businesswise.
I dont understand, they had all october and 3weeks in november to chose from.
It will be a few years before i go again, unless they change the date
getting really excited, did i mention to take towels? :lol:
I seem to have some confusion over who is coming on the trip.
I have train tickets for;
Myself
Danny
Mandy
Richard
Thelma
with a ticket going spare if anyone wants to join us.
I also have been informed that
Sarah Moore
Kerry Thomas
have booked there own train tickets to be on the same trains
I have had no contact from Norm (Billy Bongo on the site) so if anyone has contact details I really do need to confirm what is going on.
Tony, I thought you & your other half were making your own way to the venue as your not booked on the same trains.
On the Saturday night there is an extra gala show & meal for an additional cost of 40 euro's.
I will be attending, please let me know if you need a ticket for this as well.
There are 7 balloon acts booked & performing on the night, more details can be found;
http://www.millenniumjam.com/2008/index ... &Itemid=91 (http://www.millenniumjam.com/2008/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=91)
Graham Lee
Hi Graham,
I would like a gala ticket too! ta
Danny :P
hi graham.
can you put me down for the gala sat night.
cheers kerry.
This is the latest info on "The Millennium Jam" that Leo has just sent me;
UK
Less than two weeks to go to thÈ Balloon Festival in Europe .
The 9th Millennium Jam will be more than ever an international gathering of Balloon Artists from all over the world ! We have received registrations from 27 countries so far !
Balloon entertainers and decorators from places like Lituania , Latvia ,Russia , Taiwan , Thailand ,Malaysia and Singapore will compete and network with their fellow-twisters from Western-Europe and the USA !
*Early Birds
On Friday , a team of top decorators will start transforming the hotel lobby and the rest of the main building into a Halloween setting .Come early and join in !It is a phantastic experience to work in team with the best of the best . You will be in the mood in no time !
*Balloon Fashion Show : FULL !
We cannot accept more designers for the 3? International Balloon Fashion Show. We're full , full ,full !
Designers from 12 countries will gather on Tuesday Nov. 4th and give it all they have to blow you away !.
Dennis & Ingrid of HaHa Entertainment have moved a mountain or two to make this Balloon Fashion Show probably the best ever ! A super soundtrack , special FX, a heavenly balloon decor ,and superprofessional sound and lighting from hell!
And last but not least ..... a team of world class make-up artists who will pull all the plugs to bring out the angel and the demon in every balloon creation ! Be prepared to be amazed !
*CBA & QBN
All QBN members who want to take their CBA test , please send in your paperwork and the required decor photos asap. Don't miss this opportunity ! Exceptionally ,the exam is free ! Go for it !
*GALA + DINNER SATURDAY 01/11
The buffet dinner has something for everybody , even the non-carnivores amongst us. The subsequent gala show will present seven top notch performers of international level : David Bartlett aka Mr.Rainbow ,USA: 5-star clown - El Retrete de Dorian Gray,Spain : poetic balloon puppetry - Manolette,France : the revelation of TMJ 2007 -Tomate, Argentina : 2-fold winner of the TMJ-stage competition -Flipo,Belgium : European Balloon Entertainer 2005 -Don Caldwell aka Busterballoon,USA : top balloonentertainment from California -Les Mangeurs de Lapin,France : absurd humour with a twist ! Tom Bibobe the strict but just MC of this spectacle and the rumour goes that his compadre RaphaÎl may make a guest appearance .........
For the minimal fee of € 40,- you can attend this incredible party !
I know , it's a giveaway ! We still have a few places left ! Don't miss it : call the hotline or send us a mail today !!!
*Ciboulette & Oscar : special message !
Ciboulette asks that the people who attended her workshop at TMJ 2007 and ordered and paid for her lecture notes , contact her asap !Due to a fire at her house , she lost the names and contact info of these people and therefore she could not send the lecture notes for which she apologizes sincerely !
Please contact Ciboulette at : info@millenniumjam.com (mailto:info@millenniumjam.com)) or fax (++32 15294422)
This shuttle is not free : the cost is € 20 per person and will only operate if we have a minimum of three passengers . The closing date for reservations of the 'Balloon Mobile is October 30th.
Please don't forget !
TMJ hotlines : +32 475231697 & +32 475231699
http://WWW.MILLENNIUMJAM.COM (http://www.millenniumjam.com)
Hi Graham,
Have just got back from my 3 week holiday...............i am still coming and believe i am on the same train, but i think the times have changed is that right?
My real name is Norman but would like Normski on my ticket, let me know if you need me to call you, funny enough Graham on my way back to my parents today i went past you on the M25 at the watford junction!!
Take care
Norm
Out outward time for eurostar has stayed the same & coming back it leaves 7 minutes earlier.
All the names have gone in now, so when I get home I'll see what has been sent off to Leo.
Norm,
Do you ned a gala ticket?
hi, all.
i may not be around to get any messages for the rest of the week as i still work full time and it is away from home all week so i have no access to the internet or emails.
i am going to be in london at around 11am on friday and going to make my way to st pancras to have a bite to eat somewhere near there, if anyone else is going to be early then give me a ring and we can meet up beforehand.
my number is 07875335260. other than that see you all on the train.
kerry.
A few idea's on what to take,
Camera
pump
some balloons for the bungalow
towels
tea towel
large mug for the bungalow, they only have really silly cups & you need about 4 of them for a decent mug
I also take tea bags, coffee & coffee mate + dish cloth
Danny is going to St Pancras today to find a suitable venue to meet on friday, I'm planning on getting there by 1.oo P.M.
Danny's done a reckie of St Pancras station & there is a costa coffee near to the check in so we can meet there at around 1.oo P.M
We have to check in at 1.45 for the 2.34 train
Dont forget your passports & either euro's or credit cards to pay Leo, see you soon.
Graham (getting excited) Lee
Have fun everyone.
have a great time and take loads of piccies folks
I wish i was going :cry: maybe next year :lol:
:D time to pack.........yahoooo off to my 1st ever balloon jam
See some of you tomm
Normski
ok guys see you all tomorrow even though we on a earlyer train..
Well the bags are packed & we're ready to head off to the station on what to me is the most important convention of the year & the one I most definately look forward to the most.
Can't wait to meet up with old friends & hopefully make some new one's :)
I think I've uploaded everything onto my laptop so that I can post some pictures while I'm over there to give people a taster of what there missing so that hopefully they can make the life changing decision of coming to The Millennium Jam next year :D
Graham Lee
here we are at st pancras, (Mandy where are you? your ticket is at the ticket office), Graham's munching grapes.
we are nearly away!!!
danny
Wish i was going. Enjoy yourselves and post loads of photos.
PS dont forget to drink as much as you can. :D 8-)
Are they nearly there yet?
im gutted i couldnt make it. I just got funding for free driving lessons and the first is on Monday. They give you two hours, every other day until you pass, up to the value of 2000 so its very worthwhile. Im not that young and really need my own transport. (my business should be starting up end Jan and my finances are low) Its an offer i just cant refuse. I already paid for 40 lessons and then the money ran out, (very nervous driver)
Ive been so looking forward to the jam since last June and have my competition piece all worked out, i was all packed and ready too.
My brother even offered to pay for this trip cos he thought i couldnt afford it but i still had to refuse.
I know any drivers on here would agree.
really gutted
I do hope theyre all ok and the chalet is warm.
sorry Graham, no fruit cake. sorry pussycats, no biscuits. :(
Well I've got internet access & have loaded the pictures ontothe laptop, just going to try & resize them & put a few up.
Mandy, a phone call saying you weren't coming would have been nice as we were concerned & worried about how you would have got to TMJ. We were thinking you may have missed a train from Norwich or it was running late :(
After a slight technical error, had to get the pictures from bmp? into jpeg.
So with luck here is Thelma on the tube;
Some more pictures of the reception area that was decorated on Friday;
1, Thelma & Sarah coming back from the chineese, dont ask anymore :D
2, Sabina Kellner
The eurostar was un eventful getting over to Brussels but the taxi ride went via the airport to pick up a few others, after driving around the airport 6 times with no where to park the driver double parked while we jumped out to find the people we had to pick up so the hour & a quarter journey ended up taking 3 hours.
Still the good thing is our bungalows are very close by the reception area.
As you can see from the picture Sarah & Thelma had fun on the way back from the meal last night.
I've spent the morning working outthe settings for the internet acess & uploading the pictures for the site, off to try & get my mobile phone to work. Normally it connects straight away but at the moment I have no service.
It's been really nice just meeting up with old friends that we've not seen for a while, very much looking forward to the gala dinner tonight with seven balloon acts performing.
The gala meal last night was excellent, a 3 course buffet & a 7 balloon act show all for 40 euro's. Money well spent.
Have written down the acts & a quick guide to what was performed, will try & give a brief write up later.
The basic classes are going on at the moment with Marvin Hardy doing the twisting class & Dee & Jodie the basic decorating.
I won't embarass anyone from our party by telling you that someone didn't know who Marvin Hardy was :o
Here are a few more pictures from the gala evening decorations;
More pictures;
A couple more pictures;
Here's a link to a live webcam feed for The Millennium Jam
http://www.millenniumjam.com/2008/images/cam/ (http://www.millenniumjam.com/2008/images/cam/)
I think the picture updates every 15/20 secs
The jam room is up & running, met Denzal from America who is a friend of Daniel's on the forum, he says hi :)
Handed out a few balloon chat cards today so hopefully will get a few new members soon.
Petra from the site has agreed to do an interview for us when we get back.
Had a talk with Don Caldwell today about his hidden gems on his DVD's & also asked if he'd like to do the star interview sometime.
A few more pictures from thejam room;
1, Soo Chin & Michael weaving
2, Marvin Hardy busy in the jam room
Last few for tonight, went to see the Dave Bartlett lecture quick & impressive & we have to agree they were quick & impressive, Danny thought so as well.
Wish I was there, look forward to next year, just back from my hols already this year. :) :(
heres a link so you can wet your appitiat for next year ;)
//http://www.millenniumjam.com/2008/images/cam/
rollie
thats well cool we should play a game if you see some one save the pic by right click on it and save it
I SEE GRAHAM
(//http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm207/cashmagicballoons/tmj.jpg)
Craig
What a great game, we like this one. :D :lol:
There are about 10 people from the forum here so spot away
This morning they were doing more decorating classes & a class called a classical twist with Jodie & Dee so after having a nice breakfast with Norman we went of with Danny & Kerry from the forum & had a session with Sean Rooney, what a great half hour that turned out to be :D
Great Fun & worth the price of admission alone
This afternoon we have Adi Somech, Don Caldwell, Tomate & Sean Rooney teaching, what a great line up.
1, Danny wearing Kerry's hat in the jam room
2, My variation of a Dave Bartlett Crocodile, I had no green on me
3, Petra from the forum with her duck?
More pictures;
1, After our session with Sean Rooney
2, Thelma with the dog that Don Caldwell made for her after she showed him her technique for attaching the nose, Thelma was well chuffed :D
3, Sarah & Tony with his duck, any suggestions for a caption competition with this one?
More Pictures;
1, Clearing the jam room after day one
2 & 3, Design's from Jodie & Dee's class "A Classical Twist"
More pictures;
1, Don getting ready for his lecture this afternoon
2, Marvin Hardy teaching a class in the jam room
3, The rubbish again???
I spotted 2 others I don"t know if they are on the forum but they should be
DON CALDWELL AND MICHAEL ABRAHAMSON
(//http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm207/cashmagicballoons/tmjdon.jpg)
Graham you should get a 646 white and put http://www.balloonchat.co.uk (http://www.balloonchat.co.uk) on it and put it on that table you was sat on last night so we can see it :D
The guy in the stipey top is Norman (Normski, Billy Bongo) from the forum
I saw Thelma last night in the jam room doing iron-man how did she do and have you got any pics i couldnt see what she made?
(//http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm207/cashmagicballoons/tmjthemer.jpg)
one other thing WHO is the very tall man I havent see him make any thing just walk around having his pic with every one lol
Some pictures from day two, sorry not too many balloon pictures;
1, Dee White winning entry forthe iron latex competition
2, Willemijn's duck
More picture's
1, Patrick & Willemijn
2, Rie
3, All the rubbish from the first two day's
Has the webcam been shifted cos all i can see is the back of some kind of electrical equipment???
There setting the room up for the fashion show tonight so they may have put some lights in front of it at the moment???
looks like it right now it will move its a dome cam must of been powerd down last night and has gone to the reset they will do it soon
The tall guy is a famous basket ball player here, I have some pictures of him with Thelma
1, Tony Twist in the iron latex man competition
2 & 3, Thelma with the basketball player, I think he's about seven feet tall
Last few for the day;
1, Sarah taking part in the iron latex competition
2, Norman in the iron latex competition
Yesterday I went to see a couple of lecture's.
Sean Rooney, Bubble in a balloon. All about various effects with putting, yes you've guessed it a bubble in a balloon & then Don Caldwell with his little wrist friends, variations with three different bases.
We had the dress fashion awards last night, just amazing. Words would still fail to express what an amazing event this is. Hopefully a few were watching the web cam to appreciate the work that goes into making this event possible.
I had the pleasure of sitting next to Don Caldwell all night & having a nice discussion about various balloon related topics, a very nice guy.
Will try & post some pictures later as the internet connection is so slow this morning, i'ts taken me over 20 mins to just put up two text post's.
Graham Lee
I saw it on the web cam last night looked like some great work looked like heven and hell
Some pictures from last night
1, Hat I made for Brenda's birthday
2, Petra at the fashion show
3, Rie & her fabulous dress
more pic's
1, Korean dress entry
2, Alberto Falcone's dress entry
3, A lot of the gang with Don after the fashion show
even more pic's from the fashion show, dresse's made by;
1, Fiona Fisher
2, Nico Fric
3, Colin Myles
Still more pic's
1, Vera Stalker
2, Israely entry, she did give me hercard but it's in hebrew
3, Dr Bob
Last few for today
1, The 7ft basketball player acting as the doorman with his donut coat on
2, Don & Danny
3, Not sure who made this dress?
Rie's dress is stunning - it must have been a great show
Wow! Those dresses get better every year.
Twistina
That Caldwell dog that he made Thelma is so cool.
Perhaps it could be November model of the month... 8-) 8-) 8-)
Martin
http://www.balloonimals.co.uk (http://www.balloonimals.co.uk)
I'm at the Jam. Were all here and say hi. Once again a lot of alcohol has been drunk and we are up to our knees in latex. Old billy bongo and moony moon man have made skirts. I have a lovely braclet. Looking forward to the gala tomorrow. Graham is in bed at 9 oc'clock every night.
Don and Tomate rock.
TTFN
well i hope you stick aroundto see what the forum can do for you welcome :D
Have more pictures today although the connection is again ver slow, just been to see Dave Bartlett lecture about how to mak yourself more valuable than your balloons.
With no balloons in sight & an hour + talk on the philosophy etc best just to say that it could well have been the most valuable class to have ben in to date.
Off to see Don Caldwell this afternoon & his magic & balloon class, should be interesting :D
A few more picture's from yesterday;
1, Decor from the fashion show
2, Brenda the birthday girl
3, Sofia made this model of Tomate the performer
More picture's;
1, Models from Jodie & Dee's class
2, Model from Dr Bob's class
3, Decor from the fashion show
The gala show final night was very good, did make a few notes so will try & post some more info on it later. Just waiting forthe taxi to start our journey back to the UK.
It seems like everyone had a good time, I thoroughly enjoyed the week it will be in the memory banks forever :D :D
I'm just sobering up after Mjam and folks this has been fantastic. Now for the long drive home, including two ferries. Not looking forward to that.
I'm so glad I didn't take part in any competition since that gave me more time to drink and pass shot glasses around. See you all next year! 8-)
Well I've just seen Thelma off after getting back from TMJ, what a great convention again.
Thanks to Leo & Johan for organising the best balloon convention in the world.
You really should try & get there next year as it's the 10th anniversary & I'm sure lots of special things will be arranged.
Just got back from TMJ.
Thanks Graham for organising the trip.
Huge thanks to Leo and Johan and all of the team at IBS.
Had a fantastic time and will post more after I get some sleep!
danny ;)
Graham, thank you for keeping us updated, next year wild horses couldn't keep me away
what a a week ... this jam was Was absolutely fantastic I had such a great time and cannot wait till next year hopefully we will have a bigger group going every day was great we had so many laughs too here are a few pics I will be making a web photo album for you all to see I have over 300 photos
THANKS Graham...
1. DAVE BARTLETT A.K.A MR RAINBOW
2. ME AND TINY http://www.tinyballoons.com (http://www.tinyballoons.com)
3. MARVIN HARDY
3 MORE
1. ALL OF US WAITING FOR TAXI THAT WAS 15 MINS LATE
2. THE HARLERIOUS TOMATE THE CLOWN
3. ME AND DON CALDWELL
Thanks for all the updates guys... it has been so much fun just watching you all having so much fun :)
I've told the wife I'm going next year... I'm sure with 11 months to work on her she will have come around to the idea by Oct 2009 ;)
Martin
Hi
Just back from the Millennium jam very tired and a little pickled. I feel overwelmed with what I have just experienced A very special thankyou to Kerry for helping me with my luggage,Graham for organising the trip, and everbody else for making this such an enjoyable few days. next year's Millennium jam can't come quick enough it really was mindblowing.
why do you feel pickled must be all that vinegar you drink ,,,, lol ;)
hi all finally got back from mj at 10.15 last night i am very tired as i couldnt sleep very well.
a big thank you to graham for organising the trip, i learnt loads and cannot wait until next year as i am definately going i learnt loads and had lots of fun.
Did I sleep well last night :D A couple of more nights & I should be back to normal.
The event for me certainly lived up to my expectations & more, it was just great to meet so many old friends & make some new ones along the way.
Seeing the dresses being made for the fashion show & the Dave Bartlett lecture "How to make yourself more valuable than your balloons" with not a balloon in sight were probably two of the highlights for me.
1 & 2, Some weaponry made in the Dr Bob class
3, A few of the gang in the jam room
Patrick & Sabina decided at the last minute to give away there secrets on how there competition pieces were made & I was honoured to introduce them both as they are two of the nicest & creative people in our industry.
There a joy to work with & to know as friends.
Over 60 people came along to there class.
1, Patrick
2, Sabina
3, The audiance
1, This couple from Israel were on their honeymoon at TMJ, now that's what you call dedication to latex :lol:
2, The gang waiting for the taxi home which was over 30 mins late, we just caught the train home with 5 mins to spare.
2, The event was just too much for some.
looks a fantastic trip. have to start saving the pennies for next year. :D 8-)
HERE ARE SOME MORE PICTURES
SOME MORE
EVEN MORE
HOPE THIS IS NOT TOO MANY
THATS IT FOR TODAY IF YOU WANT TO SEE MORE LET ME KNOW..
Tony,
Just keep posting, I'm enjoying seeing them :D
...............just got back from aruba so damm tired had to do two gigs today but now un-winding laughing and remembering my new friends and the great experience we all shared. A bit shout out to Graham for his great organization skills, Leo and Johan for putting together everything and a massive ((((RRReeesppect)))) to my new friends we bent a serious amount of balloons and laughed a lot, maybe too much.........
1) Tony keep posting the pictures........hows Sarah`s parrot:)
2) Thelma " I love you Mum" ;)
3) Kerry "You rock" :evil:
4) Sarah "will you ever make it on here??" :roll:
5) Richard " Lay off the Vinegar " :o
6) Graham " Legend"
7) Danny " Your damm funny"
Thanks you my new friends for your friendship, help and inspiration and look forward to doing it all next year
Night
Normski
Speak to all soon for a good catch up......................
Wow! I sure am sad I had to miss this year! I always have so much fun, and it sure looks like all of you had a great time this year.
My daughter just sent me some pictures too. Someone should post a picture of Sofie Vandewyer's dress.
I have been to several conventions in the US for balloons and entertainment, but I have to say, TMJ has always been my favorite. Next year my whole family will be there. :lol:
Simply Shonna
More More
as requested Sofie Vandewyer's dress
Some of the dresses from the fashion show, if anyone can help with who made what etc, I'd also like to get websites for all the designers so tha we can give credit to all who made the fashion show what it was, excellent, breathtaking, inspirational in fact words fail to describe the event.
Capital letters, designer. Small, model
1, BARAK DAGAN
2, ZSOLT DOMOTOR - Agnes Pozsgai
3, VERA STALKER from the USA - Susam Krijnsen
More dress's
1, MAXIME DUBY
2, KAREL WALLIE-GERRIT - Kathalijne
3, MANON DUDZIAK - Herself
Here are some more pictures
dress 6 ... is Manon - (not sure of the spelling), modelling her own dress.
d :D
More dress's
1, DR BOB - Anke Frede
2, FIONA FISHER -
3, MARJOLEIN & PATRICIA - Patricia van Bodegom
More dress's
1, NIKO FRIC - Jo Ann
2, MARIE DADOW
3, COLIN MYLES
More dress's
1, RIE HOSOKAI
2, MICHA DA HAAN - Liselot Pluister
3, CHANG CHAO-FU
Last couple of dress's. I thought there were 18 entries for this?
So I'm guessing I may have not taken a picture of one of them.
Do you have the missing one or were there only 17 in the competition?
1, ALBERTO FALCONE - Anke Ost
2, SOFIE VANDEWYER & KOEN - Tugba
Hi Everyone, wow so many memories from last week, it was great to put faces to names,
Danny,Tony (great picture of you with Rie and Akiko, I will saend them a copy) Kerry, Natalie,
Billy Norman, Sarah, I know I have forgottern to mention some but my head is still in
overload.
One of the highlights for me was Addi's performance at the Gala, absoloute genius.
Name for dresses I have some
The first dress was by a guy called Barack from Israel
2)Zolak ( I think from Hungary) I liked this dress a lot
3) Yes Vera Stalker
4)Do not know this guy made most of the dress in the jam room Belgian I think
5) Keren Fredman (Israel)
6) Yes the one and only MANON
7)Yes Doctor Bob, with help from Kerry
8) Fiona's temptation dress ( I think we were all tempted)
9)I have no idea
10)Yes Niko
11) Just Marie from Arizona
12) some Scottish guy
13)Rie Hosokai ( still the best)
14) Micha De Haan from Belgium
15)Stone ( his English name from Taiwan
16)Alberto Falcone from Italy
17) Sophie from Belgium, ( fantastic)
There is on more I will Email it to you Graham
This is the dress I missed, Colin just sent it over :)
FIRST OF TODAYS PICS
Everytime I see more pictures, I am even more sad that I could not attend :cry:
I am glad that everyone had so much fun.
I will do my best to be there next year with my whole gang of balloon addicts.
Best to everyone,
Shonna
Quote from: "colin myles"4)Do not know this guy made most of the dress in the jam room Belgian I think
No no, he's from north of France.
His name is Maxime Duby. It was his first fashion show and he's so talented.
Hi everyone
I had a lovely time and not least because of the company. I had a bit of catching up to do with friends I have made over the years so I did not get to hang out with some of you nice people as well as I would have liked. Huge thank you to Graham for organising everything and for his patience. Norman is also quite a gentleman as well as being bonkers. Sarah is bonkers too. I like her a lot. Well really everyone was nice and it was a good trip. Here are some photos.
Graham, Sabina and me
My friend Jochem trying to eat me
Sarah playing having fun
Manon
Dr Bob
Vera
Mental preparation for the Iron Latex competition
Barack
Sofie working on her masterpiece
Have just updated the previous posts with all the names for the balloon dress designers as Ingrid who ran & organised the fashion show kindly sent over all the details. We have also put in some names of the models & will update the rest asap.
More works of art in the making and Sarah with her finished work of art.
and..
More photos to follow later
Picture's from the Thursday night gala show
1, French act, very funny
2,
3, Part of Manon's stage setting
Gala show
1, Manon during her act, she also won the stage competition
2, French second act
3, Tom taking a light hearted look at the french act
Gala show
1, Paul Bellanger
2, French third act
3, Don Caldwell
Gala show
1, Don with Sue from Conwin
2, Addi Somek playing base. Amazing
3, Dave Bartlett
Gala show
1, Tomate
2, Spanish act that was very moving, probably the stars of the show?
Hi guys, it was AWESOME! My first jam ever! Man, what have I missed all these years and only 70 km from my home...Next year I hope to stay also overnight in the hotel so I can hang out more with this nutty gang.
I'm still downloading from this thrilling experience..
Ciao!
The Spanish guys were amazing, blew everyone away with their simplicity of puppetry with two balloons.
Their name is "El Retrete de Dorian Gray" which apparrently is a play on the phrase 'a picture of Dorian Gray' but instead its "The toilet seat of Dorian Gray". But maybe you have to speak Spanish to appreciate this!!
The French guys are a company called "The Rabbit Eaters" in French "Mangeurs de Lapin". They were hilarious and I haven't laughed so much in a while. The Bald guy - Monsieur Sigrid - does awesome hats with lights in.
danny :P
If everyone that came over on the trip that I ran,
Tony, Thelma, Danny, Richard, Sarah, Norman & Kerry send me your address in a PM I'll get all the pictures I took put onto a disc & send you a copy, hopefully later on in the week ;)
Same thing here. Send me your address in a pm and you can have a disc from me too.
It was inspiring to see that there really is no limit to what can be achieved with balloons. Here's the Balloonatic Massive...[attachment=2:3jfevnqc][/attachment]DSC00034.jpg[/attachment:3jfevnqc][attachment=1:3jfevnqc][/attachment]DSC00146.jpg[/attachment:3jfevnqc][attachment=0:3jfevnqc][/attachment]DSC00148.jpg[/attachment:3jfevnqc]
Quote from: "Graham Lee"Picture's from the Thursday night gala show
1, French act, very funny
2, Sylvain Gérard, a french entertainer
3, Part of Manon's stage setting
I'll try to let you know all the french people I know.
;)
Too Much Fun....
After the Gala
Oy vey
Quote from: "Graham Lee"If everyone that came over on the trip that I ran,
Tony, Thelma, Danny, Richard, Sarah, Norman & Kerry send me your address in a PM I'll get all the pictures I took put onto a disc & send you a copy, hopefully later on in the week ;)
LIKE WISE I WILL DO SAME SEND ME YOUR ADDRESSES
TODAYS PICS
PICS
Quote from: "Graham Lee"If everyone that came over on the trip that I ran,
Tony, Thelma, Danny, Richard, Sarah, Norman & Kerry send me your address in a PM I'll get all the pictures I took put onto a disc & send you a copy, hopefully later on in the week ;)
Do you have to be a member of the trip you ran???? :(
Willemijn,
I'm sure we could sort something out.
I could personally present you with a memory stick with all the pictures (452) on when you & Patrick come over to the UK :lol:
hi to all TMJ crowd. Missing you crazy guys. Hope all's good, will try and sort out photos this week too. Some on here are so funny I can't even remember half being taken. but I think that was the beer....
Lots a love S Xx
Hi=)))
If somebody has pictures from Cocktail Night at 05.11.08 ,send them,plz at leann@inbox.lv
Thanx. Julia.
I'm SO PROUD of my Balloonatic guys. Well done.
http://www.balloonatic.biz/costumes.html (http://www.balloonatic.biz/costumes.html)
For those who met some of the ballonatics i have just seen some funny pictures on the site.........especially Danny in a swimming costume :lol:
Excellent:)
Thanks Billy, its fun wearing them. You definitately can't hide in them!
8-)
My turn to post pictures...
Well I'll be in London for the next couple of days and I'll be sure to leave me skirt at home. Thanks, Tony!
SO.... there I was you see, minding my own business, dress in my favorite comfy jeans and a top. When suddenly I happened to put my right hand in my back jean pockeck. An action I clearly do not do on a regular basis.
"Whats this?" I though, as some strange cold fabric crinked in my finger. Ooh its a balloon, "but I never put any balloons in that pocket!" I pulled it out to reveal a Mocha brown 350, curioser and curiouser..... thats not a balloon I would ever personally choose to jam with...... Then a flash back of a latex man challege..... The person next to me who made an amazing headless elf.... but that elf never contained the all inportant mocha brown 350.... Could it be that normski had hid that one too in MY back jean pocket????
Good job we didn't win (we both know it was close) we may have had to make a public pardon.
I was looking at Normski's sculpture and it was commented that not all the balloons had been used so perhaps he did win the competition & then got disqualified? Who knows?
I was hoping that a few more from the trip would put some pictures up from TMJ for everyone to share :) ;)
Quote from: "Graham Lee"I was looking at Normski's sculpture and it was commented that not all the balloons had been used so perhaps he did win the competition & then got disqualified? Who knows?
I was hoping that a few more from the trip would put some pictures up from TMJ for everyone to share :) ;)
yes come on guys you took loads of pics cant wait to see them
i will try to post some pics this weekend and pm everyone about swoping photos on discs but i think that my camera is naffed cause i didnt get many tidy photos so will sort out the best ones.
kerry
Here are a few more.
Quote from: "Sarah is boring"SO.... there I was you see, minding my own business, dress in my favorite comfy jeans and a top. When suddenly I happened to put my right hand in my back jean pockeck. An action I clearly do not do on a regular basis.
"Whats this?" I though, as some strange cold fabric crinked in my finger. Ooh its a balloon, "but I never put any balloons in that pocket!" I pulled it out to reveal a Mocha brown 350, curioser and curiouser..... thats not a balloon I would ever personally choose to jam with...... Then a flash back of a latex man challege..... The person next to me who made an amazing headless elf.... but that elf never contained the all inportant mocha brown 350.... Could it be that normski had hid that one too in MY back jean pocket????
Good job we didn't win (we both know it was close) we may have had to make a public pardon.
well i had to give the competition a chance!! Actually i did use the mocha i have the pictures of my creation on my mobile...................but i will NOT be posting it!!!
At least i know now why dee sculpture beat mine!!
Here are my thoughts on TMJ done from memory, will have a look through my note book when I get time to see what else I may have missed off;
I thought I'd write some thoughts on "The Millennium Jam" but they are only my thoughts & others may differ & like to put there version of accounts so that we get a few differing views.
To start of it was absolutely excellent & more than what I'd hoped for.
This is all done from memory & for those that don't know I took an organised trip with nine people coming over on Eurostar & two more meeting us there.
In the past we have travelled on the Friday so that we could help with decorating the foyer, this year for the first time there was an industry awards ceremony on the Saturday so that all the foyer decorations were done on the Friday leaving my group who a lot had not been before slightly twiddling there thumbs. Although the main hall for the industry awards was being decorated on the Saturday it all seemed well under control & those from my party that wanted to help seemed surplus to requirements.
This was not a problem for me as it was nice just to wait around the reception area meeting old friends from previous years & catching up on what 's been happening, in fact for me a very pleasant day.
The Sunday & Monday seemed very light in the lecture area for twisters, I appreciate The Millennium Jam is for decorators as well but a more even spread during the first few days would have been nice especially as Dr Bob had four classes after being up & I'm guessing very stressed preparing for his fashion show entry on the last two days.
The industry award evening was very good with some excellent balloon acts & a very nice buffet meal, we were the last table to get our food & there was still the full selection to choose from & it was still hot. The only thing to say & it really is a minor point was that we were only half way through eating our main meal & the evening entertainment started as the first table had been to get there food a good 15 mins before us & it was slightly awkward to eat in the dark, but no worries we managed.
First up was what I was told later was a motivational movie clip for the qualatex people. Various balloon sculptures from all over the world being made by various artistes.
Tom with some help from Rafael were the compeers for the evening & what an excellent job they both done. The audience seemed to warm to them straight away in a difficult setting for the acts.
The dance floor was left empty of tables I assume to make it easier for later on in the evening for the dancing. I would have preferred for a few tables for the earlier part of the evening to be set up here so that the performers were not having to reach back about 20/25 feet to the front row of the audience, so making it more difficult for them. To move a few tables later on in the evening would only have taken a few moments & I'm sure would have made the artistes far more comfortable on stage. Having said that it didn't look as though it caused a major problem as the show was excellent with everyone around me seeming to have a great time laughing & joining in & we were sitting at the back.
So what did I see? From memory & no particular order;
Dave Bartlett, no balloons but absolute golden nuggets of information for the working pro. For me probably the best lecture for information that I've sat through.
Tomate, some very good information on trying to find your character on stage & how to develop it. Some good advice for those just starting out on this road.
Don Caldwell & his little wrist friends;
For me this seemed to run very slowly with Don waiting far too long for people to get pictures of every step in the building of every sculpture.
The majority of what was shown was on his latest DVD & things could perhaps have run a bit smoother& quicker with just picture stops just at the end of every sculpture or even right at the end of the lecture.
Don to me seemed very cautious & not fully himself which may be due to lot's of things, jetlag?
I think I'd better review Don's second lecture now as I thought they were chalk & cheese. The one on magic & balloons being very informative with lot's of very good & usable ideas.
Don seemed so much more comfortable in this class which was later on in the week compared to his wrist friend lecture earlier in the week, perhaps he got to know a few people or maybe he's at his best when performing which is what he did in this lecture.
This lecture & Dave Bartlett's were my favourite from this year's list.
Dr Bob,
I believe I saw two of Bob's four lectures. These were scheduled after Bob had been making his fashion show dress & being up all night previous to the fashion show.
So what with lack of sleep & the stress the previous night with the show Bob was obviously not at his best. I did wander in & out of his class but the costumes he made were very good if a little on the over elaborate side but he said he made these for the birthday child at party's etc when he pre makes a lot of his wearables rather than in front of people & line work.
A lot of the costumes could be streamlined down & be great for line work.
Perhaps Bob could have done two of his lectures on the Sunday & Monday so giving him a day to recover from taking part in the fashion show as personally I thought it wasn't fair on Bob to be under so much pressure as after the fashion show he had to prep for his lectures & there was a lot of prepping that he done, but I also thought it wasn't fair on the delegates seeing Bob not at his best as he is an excellent twister with a lot of great ideas.
The second of his lectures I have to say I walked out on as it was all to do with using the qualatex odd shapes, bee bodies, geo's, donuts etc. I did go back in after the class to take some pictures but got the view that the class was just to try & sell more of the qualatex odd shapes. Others that sat in on the class also made the same comments to me after so this was not just my view.
Addi Someck
What a great class, full of energy. Addi's so loud even without a microphone, hats & wings is what was talked about & I know from others reactions that this class was great fun, enjoyable with a lot of very good information passed on.
Sean Rooney
Sean is a real talent & I watched just one of his classes, getting a bubble in a balloon but just so that others that sat in the class know that I was listening, it perhaps should have been called according to Sean as getting a balloon around a bubble.
Sean is very informative and a few of us during the week spent a nice time with him having a coffee & discussing balloon related ideas, this was another highlight of the week for me.
The fashion show was amazing, I don't think any words could do it justice; you just had to be there (Full Stop)
Tom & Rafael again done a great job compeering, Tom did make perhaps some border line remarks which did get an intake of breath from the audience & I too was fortunate??? to get a mention here as well.
The Thursday night gala show
There was no stage competition this year & I think two acts competed within this gala show for stage performer of the year.
Manon won the title this year with an act that would take quite a while to set but she has wonderful mime skills & is a joy to watch, 75% of the act was new & as she told me "very crazy"
A question to mull over; should those teaching take part in any of the competitions???
Quote from: "Graham Lee"Don Caldwell & his little wrist friends;
For me this seemed to run very slowly with Don waiting far too long for people to get pictures of every step in the building of every sculpture.
The majority of what was shown was on his latest DVD & things could perhaps have run a bit smoother& quicker with just picture stops just at the end of every sculpture or even right at the end of the lecture.
Don to me seemed very cautious & not fully himself which may be due to lot's of things, jetlag?
In Don's defense I have to say this really is a no-win situation to be in as a teacher. Step-by-step classes are just hard to teach because of the variety of people that show up for them. You get everyone from the raw newbie to the masters sitting in. If you wait for everyone to get the pics they want the class drags, but if you don't wait then people get frustrated with you and feel like they have been cheated out of important photos. Someone always feels the class could have been better "if only".
As for Don seeming a bit cautious and not fully himself... I have heard that Don is actually quite shy in real life and only starts to shine when he preforms .... perhaps you guys scared him in the beginning. ;)
In my opinion, the important thing to remember about classes of this nature... "Did you learn anything new that you will use?" Learning even one new design or concept to me is worth the time of a class.
Happy twisting,
Bonnie, The Balloon Lady
Quote from: "Bonnie"As for Don seeming a bit cautious and not fully himself... I have heard that Don is actually quite shy in real life and only starts to shine when he preforms .... perhaps you guys scared him in the beginning. ;)
Bonnie,
Those were my thoughts entirely.
The reason I did the write up was to try & be as fair & honest as I could about what I thought about the whole convention & if I'd have just said everything was brilliant etc this would not have been true to my thoughts about a convention that I truly hold very dear to my heart.
It would be nice for others to do a review of what they also thought as this would give a more rounded review of the event & what went on & not just from my thoughts ;)
At the beginning of the week Don did seem quiet but he soon warmed up & his magic lecture & gala stage show were very good.
I also enjoyed a few good talks with Don about the business & enjoyed his company immensely.
I also spoke with Dr Bob at the event about what I wrote in my review, I do wear my heart on my sleeve but I also like to think that people know where they stand with me.
Graham Lee