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Click on any picture to see a larger version. Move mouse over picture for explanatory text. IMPORTANT NOTICE: All images on this site are Copyright Ian Smith and may not be reproduced or sold on Ebay without my express permission! |
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Day 3 - Costume Exhibition and Official Fan Club Pub MootClick here for Day 1 report Click here for Day 2 report Click here for Day 4 report (The One Party) |
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More new arrivals today. Our British friend Alice (FAK), temporarily working in Chicago, joined us at breakfast, and came with us on the first excursion of the day - to the Fashion Institute and Design Museum where an exhibition of oscar movie-nominated costumes was on show. |
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As usual, Jen (Lady O'Bloom) and Susan (Moocholas) came to everyone's rescue, ferrying us all to the exhibition and back
to the hotel afterwards. This year's exhibition was bigger - and better - than last year's. If you are in the Los Angeles area at all this comes highly
recommeneded (Mum, not really a fan of the movies, thought the exhibition was "fantastic") Plus points: the costumes are stunning and admission is free.
Minus points: the staff are surly and no photo's are permitted, even in the lobby
leading to the exhibition. None of us understood why this silly rule was in place, but it meant that we had to assemble in the gardens of the building for
a photo opportunity, rather than underneath the sign advertising the venue. Many fans believed the "no photo's" rule was down to New Line
Cinema - unfair I feel, since this was clearly a venue decision. For me, most impressive were (of course) "The Two Towers" costumes - the detail is
unbelievable and the costumes really are far more impressive than they are on film. Close seconds for me were the "Star Trek: Nemesis" costumes and
those from "Gangs of New York".
After the exhibition it was on to the Tam O'Shanter pub moot. This was an excellent "Old English pub" venue, although splitting the attendees across two rooms meant that those of us not in the main room, missed the live music being played until it was pretty much over. The buffet was excellent and the company more so with most attendees moving between the two rooms to greet old friends and be introduced to new ones. I think this was the fan club's biggest moot to date with over 100 people in attendance. Many thanks to Josh and Sam for organising it all, Amy for sorting out name badges for everyone, and Jen and Susan for transporting everyone. Alas, because of the room split and the time constraints such meetings always impose, I missed the opportunity to talk more to some people I "know" online: Culathien, Baron Wilderness and ElfinWolf. Hopefully there will be more chance at The One Party, although with a rumoured 1000 attendees, this may prove even more difficult! As is becoming the norm at these events, there was a free raffle and Josh (Sarumann) performed a fantastic job as Master of Ceremonies. Gifts were handed out to those who'd played a key part in organising the proceedings, Rosie and Icarus had an applauded dance as the fan club's "first couple" and all glasses were raised to our absent friend Bill Powers (Sauron's Truss) currently out in Kuwait working for the American Navy. There was much laughter and fun, along with gossip about the movie stars. Rumours abounded as to who might be at "The One Party". A New Zealand fan (sorry, I forgot your name - oops!) confirmed that the Hilton hotel had told her that Craig Parker (Haldir) was staying in the hotel, while others got excited at the news that Orlando Bloom had cancelled attendance at an Australian premiere which would have clashed with The One Party. To say anticipation is at fever pitch would be an understatement and I just hope that most of those attending take a leaf out of my fellow Brits' book and remember that the Party is the main thing and any special guests are just an added extra. There was another moot later that evening, but our party had other business. I am afraid I cannot reveal more about the debauchery and downright sleaze I witnessed (as official "documentarian") in a room on the 19th floor, but suffice to say that a surprise for Bill Powers was being cooked up by the ladies of the boards, lead by chief conspirators Peggy (Sierra) and Jen (Lady O'Bloom). All I can really say is that someone somewhere has photo's that could fetch a fortune on Ebay or in The News of the World, and the sight of my mother in bed with.... well, never mind, but I was shocked, shocked I tell you! ;-) After what became known as "The Desert Storm Project" we all headed off to Universal City for way too many Mud Slides (to die for!) and good food at Tu Tu's. Some of the girls went off clubbing while the boring old farts like me decided we wanted an earlyish night. Today was a great day, and has set anticipation levels nicely for what is this trip's main event - TORN's "The One Party" to be held at The Hollywood Athletic Club, just down the road from the offical oscar venue. A few placeholder pics will be published early Monday morning, with a full report of the party probably not appearing untill I am back in the UK on Tuesday afternoon (UK time, Tuesday morning LA time). Click here for previous report Click here for next report (The One Party) |
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Don't forget you can check out reports of lots of other Lord of the Rings -themed events in the Web Logs section |
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| Email: ian@iansmith.co.uk |