Posted: 07 August 2008 at 1:09pm | IP Logged

Well, it's Thursday, my kidney's aren't hurting too badly anymore, so I might as well give a more full rundown of the event.

For the first time ever, I 'volunteered' so got in on the Friday night. It was more of a collective effort, Spec did all the carrying/lifting/work and I sat around in a nice suit drinking, on the basis I had to be there to enable Spec to work as he was staying at my house. Met some lovely people, had a little poke around, all was well. It was interesting to note the amount of people who turned up well after the work was done without even the cajones to admit they were doing eff all (at least I did), just to have a poke around in the name of 'helping out'. We then popped to the Quality Quality Quality Hotel for a few pints with some of the (actual genuine) volunteers, where I met some friendly Irishmen, an unfriendly Irishman, an obsessive stalker, and one of the guest panel w/girl. Next up, we popped to the pub next door where the friendly obsessive stalker was hectored into buying a round by an unpleasant man in a lovely suit, which he gladly did. For some reason it was thought a great idea to head into town in a taxi to get hammered. As it happens, this was a great idea. We got back to my wonderful house about 3am via an argument with a beggar, a table full of smashed glasses and a tasty curry from a wise, wise man.

Saturday, I again got in early and absolutely did not buy anything before the doors officially opened. Indeed, I had little chance, for I had to depart to help Prez with his woes regarding actually finding the hall, and the fact he'd forgotten his ticket. This man conveyanced my house, thank Christ for professional indemnity insurance. Upon entering the hall I made a beeline to get my Sky Lynx off those fine people at Xybertoys, before manfully holding the fort at the official Transformers.net beer display stall for the next few hours. Whilst the dealers were great, I felt the lack of Ellis Models really hit my interest in buying anything beyond pints and pints of Guinness. Fire sale auction notwithstanding, I still just didn't fancy much of Spacebridge's stuff, and with water coming through my ceiling I didn't want to spend too much on the more interesting stuff from the fine people at 2ndStar or T-4-E. I thought, however, that Maz's stall, and whoever was next to him, were great, glad they're back next year. I've always loved picking up cheap, old, bagged, not-quite-junker bargains or curiosities at AA (see my South-American minibots or Diaclone Lockbots from previous years), but for whatever reason there just didn't seem to be as much of it about this year.

Fair play to Bluestreak56 for coming, but I just felt underwhelmed by the Hasbro stall. However, I'm looking at it as the foot in the door - at least they know we're here now. Some of Sven's comic display was great, especially the Time Wars art.

As ever, I was either in the pub/bar for the guest talks, so missed anything of any use whatsoever. But AA's always been about the dealers for me, and I guess with the new priorities re my precious cash/the relative lack of cheap interesting curiosities, it was always going to be a bit of an odd one. As ever, it was grand to meet up with thetf.net lads/token lass for a few pints, but it was a pity that some of the former regulars weren't about this year.

Naturally, thanks to Simon, Sven and all the volunteers, the bar staff, the Chinese guy who wouldn't buy me a pint, the small child who asked if I was 'where you can leave your bags' before going through Percy's shopping, and the bloke who just did not want to join thetf.net.

Posted: 07 August 2008 at 1:26pm | IP Logged

I don't think the absence of Ellis Models hurt Auto Assembly too much although it's always sad to see a dealer disappear off the scene and I know I always used to spend a fair amount on Dave's stall and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

One thing I DID notice is that there seemed to be a group that have been to a number of AA events over the years - probably no more than about 10-15 people - that were regular customers of Dave's noticeable by their absence. Maybe Dave's absence made them decide not to come along?

We did have a couple of new dealers this year to fill the table space and some others who didn't make it so the numbers balanced out but depending on the capacity of the new venue next time, we'll be approaching new dealers to add to the mix and I'm sure the press interest and new attendance record should attract some new blood!

Posted: 07 August 2008 at 1:28pm | IP Logged

I've been considering it myself.

Who was the chap at the back next to Maz? His stall was the business.

Posted: 07 August 2008 at 10:19pm | IP Logged

Just created an online version of the Auto Assembly 2009 Questionnaire with a few new questions and some slightly tweaked versions of the original ones so if you haven't already completed it and sent it in, you can now do it online! If you've already sent it in, you can still do the online one and I'll remove your physical response!

Even if you didn't attend AA2008 you can still vote and put your ideas forward. The survey can be found here...

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=DkIO_2b1E485TJD6KbOum8 Mg_3d_3d

Posted: 08 August 2008 at 9:55am | IP Logged

Wreck and Rule wrote:  I've always loved picking up cheap, old, bagged, not-quite-junker bargains or curiosities at AA (see my South-American minibots or Diaclone Lockbots from previous years), but for whatever reason there just didn't seem to be as much of it about this year.

I noticed that, there was only really 1 table with decent bagged loose toys and that was almost empty by about 11:30.  I managed to pick up a great condition Sludge.  I love looking through the loose stuff, so it felt a bit empty for me with not much about.

Simes wrote: We did have a couple of new dealers this year to fill the table space and some others who didn't make it so the numbers balanced out but depending on the capacity of the new venue next time, we'll be approaching new dealers to add to the mix and I'm sure the press interest and new attendance record should attract some new blood!

I think it was last year there was a stall with lots of random Japanese robot stuff, more of that would be most welcome.

MECHACAT wrote: I guess I learned my lessons for next time: STICK to a budget, be confident and bring an empty suitcase to haul all my toys home!

Budgets are for Jedi, give in to the Dark side.

Posted: 08 August 2008 at 10:15am | IP Logged

The one ciritsm about AA I would have is that it seems to be suffering from 'slightly too many guests' syndrome.  I'd prefer fewer guests with more time to speak, than lots of confused looking guests falling off the stage.  I think it's a case of 'less if more' (unlike chocolate)

Also, anyone notice who won the Prime bust at the end of the raffle? It ran on so long my friends and I had to give our tickets to some random girl by the door and leave.  Mr Gilvezan was still outside waiting for his taxi when ours turned up, it felt like we were jumping his ride

Oh, and the stroppy moo having a hissy fit and shouting "For F**ks Sake" in the middle of the raffle was my GF, apologies for that.  I have no control over her trigger mechanism, neither does she

Posted: 08 August 2008 at 10:28am | IP Logged

Yeah, it was Tripitaka who closed down I think at the end of 2006 or early 2007. :(

If we do go for the two-day option what I'm planning on doing is splitting the comic panels into two and having separate comic guests on stage on each day to have some variety and to give them all a chance to have some mic time as well.

I've already got a rough programme drafted incase we do go for the two day option and I'm running out of time slots for a lot of things so I may end up needing a "break-out room" for some things as it is and the Saturday night is looking a bit packed too!

We're certainly going to get our guests - comic and otherwise - doing a lot during the weekend and keeping them all busy and there will be a lot of other things going on as well, some old ideas returning and plenty of new ones...!

Posted: 08 August 2008 at 10:30am | IP Logged

amazing it was wish i could have spent more time there

but next year i will!!