Scattered thoughts on BUCK 2014

So, I just got back from BUCK (after a five hour journey back compared to a two hour journey there, thanks a lot bank holiday engineering works), and because I know you all just love to hear my thoughts on life, the universe and everything I'd share my opinion of the con.

It was awesome.

More detailed thoughts:

Highlight of the con for me was GM Berrow's panel on writing and her creative process. I still can't say I'm inspired to pick up any of her books, but I'm definitely glad I went to her panel. Ms Berrow gave the impression of having a mind like a needle concealed beneath a very disarming manner; sort of like meeting a real life Miss Marple (except without the sleuthing, probably). Entertaining and informative.

Boris Johnson cosplayer! Honestly, that was the thing that made me laugh hardest in the entire convention, not least because the guy was not just dressed as Boris but also acting like him too. Unfortunately, I think that the joke rather flew over the head of G M Berrow, being an American, but I'm sure the Britons in the audience enjoyed it (Boris Johnson is the Mayor of London, and is well known for being at once a bumbling buffoon but at the same time one of the most popular and effective politicians around today; I'm sure all of you in American or elsewhere can supply some local equivalent.)

I met author Northern Course at the fanfiction panel, and was intrigued by his King Sombra prequel fic. Unfortunately this means that my unread favourites now stands at 229 chapters. At this rate I might actually have to read some of them to keep the number down (novel idea, I know).

Also at the fanfic panel, Knighty revealed that there has been a half built-review module (the panelists were talking about how useful review groups and 'professional' reviewers are for finding good fanfic, since no one considered the feature box of any use in that regard, and Knighty was challenged to provide a review tool to enable people to find reviews without having to search through a ton of blogs) in fimfiction's code for about three years, he's just never gotten around to finishing and releasing it. Hopefully he will soon, because that would be really cool to see.

I don't usually like rap, but Mic the Microphone was actually pretty good at times. I'm glad I stayed to listen to him.