RoDCon 2007

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Lotsa lotsa books everywhere!!

RoDCon 2007

Day 1 : 3 February Saturday

I took a VL for the day ^__^ Later on, I found out that my colleagues in the office had to stay on until 6pm that day to finish work coz I wasn't there and the other editor was there for only half a day.

Registration was at 8am. I was hoping to get there earlier so I could get the better goodie bag, and I got there a few minutes after 8am, I guess. I registered and waited, coz they were supposed to open with the speeches at 9am. They didn't, but we waited and waited and browsed through the goodie bag that I got.

There was anticipation coz this was the first of its kind in the country so it was exciting to be there.

Finally, the doors to the Hotel Intercon's Grand Ballroom opened. Books, books, and books galore! And people too, but hey, I was there for the books and the interesting forums.

Goethe Institut was the first booth you see on the right side. Turn to the left and there was Avalon Publishing. Next to them was a booth selling second hand books that I have forgotten the name of. Next was Ex Libris, and the booth with the the comic sketches and the artist of the Elmer comics was there, forgot his name, only that he was in a panel on the second day and Joy chatted him up as well as the other comic book artists there.

Following that when you turn, still on the left-hand side, was the book donation booth and the swap booth. Continue on and there's PowerBooks up to the stage.

In the center area was the Read or Die booth, Solidaridad, Booktopia, Comic Quest, National Book Development Program, Adarna, Mango, and a few other publishing houses that I have forgotten. On the other side was the UP press, UST press, Ateneo press, and the other booth ^__^ hehehe as ever, forgot the name.

Purchases made on the first day: 2 Agatha Christie novels, Hercule Poirot mysteries.

My plan was to make the first day a recon mission so I can scout what's available and for how much. The second day was for the buying ^__^

Met with Joy. Made new friends. Of special note would be Anne and Jen, and the four of us went to lunch at Tsoko.Nut where we made tentative plans for a trip some time this year to the North. Backpacking trip. I will admit I am so game for this coz I really want to travel and see places.

Note to self: Buy digicam before trips.

Trips coz Tin, Fe, and I are planning on a trip as well later this year. Hopefully, Emma can join us as well.

Speakers this day included the director (I think) of the AHON foundation, the one who will benefit from the convention, and National Artist Rio Alma.

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And there were a few Jedi Knights running around!

Panels attended:

Philippine Folklore -- Really interesting! It was too bad we were late but heck, they wouldn't let me in to the panel I signed up for, the New Worlds Alliance panel coz I was late (only by a few minutes!) and the room was full already. The Philippines has a rich treasure trove of folklore that is way better than the recognized western ones.

Goethe Institut -- I like the German people and German literature. Never mind that I can't understand what they're saying but I do know a few words of German. The discussion was about German literature, on the Grimms Fairytales. Too bad they weren't selling the book coz I like fairytales. I'm thinking of pursuing further studies, maybe in Germany or somewhere, but it would be nice to be a student in a foreign country.

British Council of Manila -- Performance poetry. We had to wait a bit coz the guest from the British Council of Manila wasn't there. He made it though, Roger Robinson, and he read his short story Tree and it was hilarious! Joy and I bought his two books and 1 CD, and we're sharing custody of them.

I would have gone to the Publishers Forum, but Joy had to go and I stayed with her until her Dad came coz they were going to the province that night.

Anyway, really fun.


Day 2 : 4 February Sunday

I got there really early, 730 am, and I got a new goodie bag ^__^

Today was buying day so I made sure I had enough money with me.

My first purchase was for my sister-in-law, book 1 and 3 of the new Nora Roberts trilogy, Circle Trilogy. I got 2 magazines free coz of that and the booth next to Emerald gave me 2 magazines as well for free.

I went by the second-hand books booths coz my sister-in-law gave me a list and I had to look for them there. Instead, I found 2 books by this author that I had been looking for ever since highschool! JT Edson.

Shout-out: To anyone who would like to dispense of their JT Edson books, contact me please!

Then it was PowerBooks. One more book for my sister-in-law, and the rest of the purchases were mine, mine, mine!

*cue evil laughter*

Of course, that meant lugging around a really heavy bag, and my messenger bag broke.

*wails*

I fixed it some though but it's really broken now.

*sniff*

It's only now that we can get to the speeches. The last speaker was F. Sionil Jose, and oh gods, was he a funny old man ^__^ I bought a book of his so I could have it autographed and I chose one of his collections of short stories. I like stories. I'm writing several, aren't I?

Anyway, we had to line up for his autograph and 3 storm troopers helped make it ordered. Not to mention the few Star Trek crew and a Slytherin student ^__^;;

So, F. Sionil Jose signed my book, he asked if I was related to this person he knew who shared my last name -- unfortunately, I was not, but I told him she must be from the other branch of the family -- and he told me to read the book that inspired him to write one of the short stories in that collection of his that I bought *sweatdrop*

Panels attended:

Local Historiography -- Not as interesting as the Phil. folklore and I had to leave early for the next panel anyway.

Ang INK -- I want to be a member! I have to prepare a portfolio of art work though, and I don't know if I'll have the time. Heck, make time! Life's too short to dillydally as it is.

Speculative Fiction -- Really interesting group of people from LitCritters. I don't know if I'm going to be as into spec-fic as they are, but I do read a few from the fantasy genre. Interesting points of view.

Comic Book Panel -- 4 comic book artists talk about their work et al.

All in all, I had fun, even though I am as close to being bankrupt as I would like to be.

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feifu: Saw Paul with his girlfriend at the convention. Also saw Joyz, Jun, and Sasa, if you remember them. Lots of books! You would have loved it!

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Office aside: I'm supposed to be on VL today, but Donna asked me to take my VL tomorrow instead coz she said she was worried that the workload for today would be as severe as it was when I was on VL last Saturday and yesterday.

It was not.

And I am going to take my VL tomorrow, that's for sure.

The McDreaminess of Daniel Radcliffe

Bear with me.

I am going on full fangirl mode.

*screams in the inside coz I'm still at the office*

I was late at the office yesterday, by the way. And I lay the blame at the feet of Dr. McDreamy. Him and the fact that I bought DVDs of Season 1,2, and some of 3 of Grey's Anatomy, and I had to have just another look at this fine specimen of the male kind.

You have got to love the eyes and the hair...

*swoons*




















And then last night, just as I was convincing myself to go to sleep, I caught this HOT picture of Daniel Radcliffe on TV. I ask you, how can a girl get to sleep with THIS image imprinted on her eyes? I mean, really...



Yes, I know he's jail bait still, but that doesn't mean I can't look at publicity photos, aye?

He's starring in the EQUUS play at West End.

Ah me, for Goku's instant transmission ability... maybe then I can sneak in a peek at the live performance.

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Among other things to take a peek at anyway

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Should I pre-order a copy of Harry Potter and the DeathlyHallows?