h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I got on a train, the same train as a Swiss/Dutch/French acquaintance. I then got off the train and crossed the platform to another train, as there was fault or some such excuse for not carrying any passengers to London. I stood with my Dutch friend almost all the way London, as it was a rather packed train. Sardines come to mind.
I got off at Clapham Junction and fought my way through the torrent of people running in the opposite direction and reached Platform Five, had cigarette and boarded a train to Kew Bridge. Here I got into a mini cab to the Premiere Lodge. This cost £5, which was a rip-off.
I checked in a paid the £180 [another rip-off] for my room, took my stuff upstairs before making my way to the bar, which was packed with Sproutlorians. I made a few 'hellos' and sat and had drink with friends. We made our way eventually to the Stripes Bar at Griffin Park [Brentford football ground]. Here after drinking smoking and talking toot, we listened to Rankin and the Rock Gods and, Soliloquy, both gave a damn fine performance. I bought a hardback [second edition] copy of Fandom of the Operator, as it's one of my favourite novels and some pewter badges. Robert had also given me a badge with 'Large' emblazoned upon it.
Eventually we wound our way back to the hotel, stopping at the 'Real Dragon' for a beef fried rice, which we forgot to get anything to eat it with, so upon getting back to the hotel bar which was serving 'til midnight I got us some swizzle sticks to eat our Chinese with. We drank and talked toot. At some point I began to get intrusive thoughts and got upset, so I retired to my room early, after some hugs and support from the Phorum folk.

The next I awoke late after not getting to sleep 'til about 5am. I made my way to the Watermans art centre in time to catch the last two panels of the day. Here I drank mainly coke, as it was quite a hot day. James Bacon, Darren and I went for a walk on the Thames [it was low tide] most folk thought we were mad. But it was good fun and I got a close up view of 'Griffin Island'. One reason we were thought mad was because somehow sewage had gotten into the river at some point in the previous few days, and many a dead fish had been seen floating through Brentford.
After walking on the Thames I returned to the hotels to clean my boots and get a rest from the heat before returning to the Watermans for the signing... I had missed out on a bookplate. This made me abit unhappy until, Stef managed to locate the last one... I think it was meant to be James Bacon's... I got Knees Up Mother Earth signed and dedicat3ed to me along with the other 6 books in the Brentford 'trilogy'... and my new hard back Fandom, Which I also got signed by the real, great Count Otto Black, 'tis the only book signed by him in existence!

At some point I found myself back in the Stripes Bar, here I smoked and drank and managed to get depressed and have intrusive thoughts again. I decided not to let my depression and BPD ruin the evening so I took myself off to the gent and burned myself four times, I was in such a state that I could even feel the burning until the fourth time. With my demons vanquished through self-harm I set about dancing, drinking and the making merry. I had damned fine night. After, it was back to the Real Dragon for another chinesey. This time, with forks. At some point I made my way bedways.

*Stops typing to have his curry*


Sunday I awoke in time to get a lift to the memorial library by helping Sally [Robert's partner] take the sculpture of the FA cup she and Robert made from beer bottle tops for the cover of Knees Up Mother Earth there... After some sitting around chatting there was the unveiling of 'Pooley's Bench', a bench donated to the borough of Brentford with kind permission of the council, dedicated to Robert Rankin. Robert was so touched by the gesture that it literally brought a tear to his eye.
We then had a photo op. everyone taking a turn to sit with Robert upon the bench and have an image to remember the day by.
Some of us then went in search of fluids to help survive the insufferable heat with. Some food too. We then returned to form into teams for the treasure hunt. The heat, I nearly fainted a few times it so overwhelmed me. We [the Porum Folk] were in 3 teams cooperating to win the day, we were the first to collect all the letters and solve the cryptic, but we decided to stay and have a drink in The Griffin public house. So Tim’s team [the crossword and puzzle loving DJ and Rankin fan] won. We all met up again at the library, where I decided that I would go and get more fluids and have a rest in the hotel before meeting up with everybody again at The Flying Swan [or Bricklayer’s Arms as the brewery insist upon calling it]. Here I drank, ate and talked with Robert for quite some time before the auction. I was outbid upon many items. So Robert who had been buying me drinks all afternoon again, bought *me* a present and souvenir of the convention. Which he and Sally signed for me. James didn’t accept my bid on something I was planning on buying for Suz. ‘The Spirit of the West’ costume, from the Antipope play. It was the highlight of the play. Jumbo wanted it for himself. Anyway, eventually we all went to the hotel bar after the pub closed. I spent the night and small hours of Monday talking to Robert and other friends. Dave, Sally, Robert and Tim have invited me to join them at some rock and metal night in Brighton.

Monday I awoke, before the alarm clock that I had slept through every previous day went off and packed away everything into my bag. It didn’t seem to fit as well as it had before I made my way to Brentford, and seemed twice as heavy. I was feeling ill. The heat from the previous day had really taken it out of me, and I had had but 5 hours sleep. I checked out and went to the Plume Café [or Paradise café as the owners insist on calling it] and tried to eat breakfast, but failed. Then I sat about with Phorum folk before heading homeways.

It was damned fine convention and I really enjoyed myself, despite my BPD and depression playing up at times. I’m now officially one of Robert and Sally’s friends. And I’m looking forward to spending a night or two out a month with them and other Sproutlorians in Brighton.

Hiya mate.

First time I've looked on here since Brentcon!

I'm glad you ended up having such a good time. I'm sorry you had to use the self harm "tool", but at least it didn't spoil your weekend too much, eh?

I've not been all that well since Saturday night. Same symptoms as then as well as my neck swelling up! Apparently I've got a viral infection in my thyroid - ~Thyroiditis - the Doc says. I've never heard of it. Absolute pain. Meant I was in a funny mood for the most of the weekend, (Saturday night onwards) cos I wasn't well!

However, I managed to have a pretty good time, all things considered. Sally and Rob are such good people. Great company, and a good laugh. So are Andi and Julia. And the Scousers, Stacey, Deackie, Lisa, Niven and all that lot! Looking forward to the next Sproutlore do, to see everyone again. Hope it's not too far away!

C ya!

Rachie

Sounds a right laugh, glad you enjoyed it! You'll be looking after me soon though, can't go missing out on all the fun now!

Some of Tim's pics of Brentcon...

Me doing I'm not qite sure what...
http://www.brighton-rock.net/gallery2/Brentcon1/Brentcon1_060
http://www.brighton-rock.net/gallery2/Brentcon1/Brentcon1_061

Me with Robert on Pooley's Bench.
http://www.brighton-rock.net/gallery2/Brentcon1/Brentcon1_098

At least these images blow away the misconception that I am not hideous and disgusting in aspect.

No more talk like that now! I've seen the pictures, and I stand by my comments, you are very good looking!

Are you sure not confusing me with someone else, I'm all sweaty in those pictures...

Nope, I'm looking at you, and I think you're attractive! Now learn to take a compliment once in a while, I'm not in the habit of giving them regularly

Compliments I can believe I can accept with grace.
I accept your compliment, but think you are delusional...

What the hey, maybe I am! Doesn't make it any less of a comment though

Indeed...
All the best people are crazy.

*is living proof of that statement*

Such is true

You're too kind!

To a fault...

Thanks hunni...

Pleasure's all mine..

That makes me think of the two Bobs in 'Office Space'.

hmm?

Alot of things people have said recently have made me thing of bits of films and songs recently...

If You've seen Office Space, then I'm refering to when the two Bobs say 'The pleasure all on this side of the table...'

If you've not seen Office Space, it's a hilariuos film, a real must see...