Sam Carter/Amanda Tapping Discussion/Appreciation

[RealmOfX]

I just read on Morjana's blog that Amanda will be headlining two Creation Cons in 2009. Click on the link for more info.

[tsaxlady]

I just read on Morjana's blog that Amanda will be headlining two Creation Cons in 2009. Click on the link for more info.

Creation sent out an email announcement today. I had the email in my inbox when I got home this evening. You can go to their web site for details


AMANDA TAPPING
STARGATE: ATLANTIS & SG-1’s Lt. Col. Samantha Carter; SANCTUARY’s Dr. Helen Magnus. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Amanda back to our events after a long absence!

Grandslam Link

Stargate Vancouver Con Link

[majorsal]

I just read on Morjana's blog that Amanda will be headlining two Creation Cons in 2009. Click on the link for more info.

the power of amanda.



sally

[ann_sgcfan]

Creation sent out an email announcement today. I had the email in my inbox when I got home this evening. You can go to their web site for details


AMANDA TAPPING
STARGATE: ATLANTIS & SG-1’s Lt. Col. Samantha Carter; SANCTUARY’s Dr. Helen Magnus. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Amanda back to our events after a long absence!

Grandslam Link

Stargate Vancouver Con Link

Some of us had this question.. for those of you that have been before.. what does that price generally include? We couldn't find any details other than price

[antoa]

Some of us had this question.. for those of you that have been before.. what does that price generally include? We couldn't find any details other than price

What's included is listed on the links tsax provided.

Grand Slam:

Spoiler:

GOLD WEEKEND PACKAGES

HERE’S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU GO GOLD AT GRAND SLAM 2009 (your seating will be behind or to the sides of the 107 great fans who signed up at the 2008 Grand Slam for the 2009 convention)

1) You get the VERY BEST reserved seating for daytime convention MAIN AUDITORIUM events, all three days. See all our celebrities up close, great for photographers too! The MAIN AUDITORIUM is where we have star appearances, Q&A, contests, videos, special events, & more.

2) Complimentary admission to the CELEBRITY CABARET featuring cool entertainments: take your same great reserved seats you have during the day. EVERYONE LOVED the 2008 Cabaret!

3) FREE in-person non-rushed autographs from superstar celebrities in attendance INCLUDING AMANDA TAPPING. This list is usually amazing and consists of AT LEAST 12 or more great genre celebrities. Generally the value of their autographs in total is close to the cost of the entire package.

4) FREE ADMISSION to our EXCLUSIVE TO GOLD MEMBERS DESSERT PARTY on Saturday Evening. Celebrate with fellow fans from around the globe. Guest celebrities on hand to meet and a cash bar to lubricate the night. And, in our new hotel the food service is much improved!

5) YOU ARE FIRST to get autographs for all our signings that are done row by row in the MAIN AUDITORIUM.

6) GOLD PRE-REGISTRATION: you get to register FIRST during a special pre-registration block of time. While not a necessity, just a benefit, you can get your credentials early and you are set!

7) SPECIAL CODED WRISTBANDS: once you get your GOLD coded wristband this allows you immediate entrance for the entire three days so you don’t have to wait again.

8) COMPLIMENTARY GOLD EXCLUSIVE GIFTS: enjoy! Past gifts have included Gold Coins, Collector Plates, souvenir carry-bags, autographed photos and more. In 2008 Gold folks got some amazing free autographed celebrity photos as well as a collectors pin.

THREE BIG GRAND SLAM DAYS: $369

Vancouver Con:

Spoiler:

GOLD WEEKEND PACKAGES

At this VERY early time we are happy to announce the on-sale of our top of the line GOLD WEEKEND PACKAGES. These are always an early and quick sell out and at this time, seating will be to the rear or sides of those great and supportive fans who already signed up for 2009 at the 2008 Convention. (About 150 fans did so.)

HERE’S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU GO GOLD:

1) The very best reserved seatings for our daytime convention main auditorium events ALL FOUR DAYS!

2) THE CELEBRITY CABARET (held Friday Night of the weekend). The 2008 cabaret was a huge smash hit, most said the best ever!

3) Complimentary ADMISSION to the EXCLUSIVE GOLD DESSERT PARTY: an amazing array of desserts to enjoy with fellow fans and celebrity guests Plus, the Stargate Centerpiece Contest takes place during this event. This hotel really blows the rest away with DELICIOUS food and service: LOVE it!

4) Complimentary non rushed in person autographs from various attending celebrities including AMANDA TAPPING. The value of these autographs will be substantial, at least $110!

5) First to get autographs when going row by row as you are in the front rows.

6) Fantastic complimentary STARGATE gift done just for the Vancouver Convention. In 2008 we gave a gorgeous embroidered tote bag away.

7) Wristbands for immediate entrance without waiting on line after initial registration.

8) Pre-Registration for Gold Patrons

9) COMPLIMENTARY ESCORTED TOUR & ROUNDTRIP BUS TO THE STARGATE SETS! This tour takes place on Saturday. We're already cooking up some amazing bonuses like the 2008 extra of having Gary Jones and Dan Shea in costume on the sets for picture taking! How cool was that!!

10) Professionally shot 8 by 10 color photo of YOU on the Stargate sets (location of the shoot is determined as we get closer to the convention) This photo is given to you on Sunday of the convention so you can take it home with you!

FOUR BIG DAYS AND NIGHTS: $569

[tsaxlady]

Some of us had this question.. for those of you that have been before.. what does that price generally include? We couldn't find any details other than price

At this point the only thing they have up is the Gold Tickets. If you are not interested in all the extras they will have cheaper tickets available closer to the cons for Grandslam. As for the Vancouver Con well they have had years that they sold out with just Gold Tickets and did not offere any other tickets and then they have had years that they offered other tickets.

I will be at Grandslam but I will not get a Gold Ticket. I will wait for the cheap day passes. I don't care about all the extras and I'm not willing to pay the extra money for thise items.

I will say this if you have never been to the Vancouver Con I have gone twice and enjoyed it - yes it is expensive but for me it was worth it for the chance to go on the set tour.

Grandslam will have folks from many different SciFi/Fantasy shows. Some years it is really good and others I have found it a bit boring it all depends on who the guests happen to be.

From Vancouver 2006

Spoiler:

[antoa]

I will also be at Grand Slam with a cheap ticket. Though I am disappointed the venue has changed. It was nice when it was 10 minutes from me. Now I'll have to drive all the way down to LAX.

[ann_sgcfan]

At this point the only thing they have up is the Gold Tickets. If you are not interested in all the extras they will have cheaper tickets available closer to the cons for Grandslam. As for the Vancouver Con well they have had years that they sold out with just Gold Tickets and did not offere any other tickets and then they have had years that they offered otehr tickets.

I will be at Grandslam but I will not get a Gold Ticket. I will wait for the cheap day passes. I don't care about all the extras and I'm not willing to pay the extra money for thise items.

Thanks Tsax and Antoa! lol Yes I was wondering about the single day passes too since there were so many other stars there. Thanks for all the good info!!

[Skydiver]

Please don't remind me. It was awful. What was with the OoC? One of the few S10 eps I was able to tune in for, and it was that. I seemed to miss the ones I would have liked, and only saw the eps that made me want to throw stuff. Just my luck

yeah, if sam didn't slap them down, jack should have.

[antoa]

I don't like the new location either it will be a longer drive and higher parking fees. But for those flying in for the con it will be a better location.

I know a lot of people who flew into Burbank, so the old location was a lot more ideal.

LAX is just a pain to deal with and parking is indeed expensive. I'll at least be there for AT though, I can't miss her when she's so close to me!

[Chelle DB]

Goood morning...err...afternoon!!!
Gonna make this a quickie...which is kinda rare for me but with a sick kiddie at home and a tonne of washing to be tackled, I better get into it before work tomorrow.

One of the reasons I can't watch Fragile Balance is the disrespect to a senior officer. The captain? was clearly disrespectful to Major Carter in the briefing scene and CArter basically let it go. The writers were setting things up for teen-O'Neill to come in, but they did it at the expense of Carter. I'm sure they thought it was funny. I was not amused. IMHO she should have slapped him down--calmly, but effectively.

I have to say that that particular scene really really gets up my nose. I certainly didn't find it funny....can't imagine how the PTB may have seen it as funny...it was downright degrading to Carter...she should not have only slapped him down calmly and effectively...but she should have simply slapped him down!

Sorry chelle but the height requirements do exclude shorties, which service was your friend going for because 5'9" is well within general limits (6'3"). Each service has height requirements that can vary slightly but they are very specific because you have to fit in the aircraft and be able to reach all the controls.
For Australia:
Height Aviation Class 1:
Height - minimum 163 and maximum 193cm;Sitting Height - maximum 100cm;Buttock to knee length - maximum 67cm; and Buttock to heel length - maximum 122cm.
Can't remember exactly what the Yank requirements are but I think it's around 5'4" to 6'5"

Ok...well it was a rather quick discussion with the girls parents but I will ask them if she can get me some information. What I do know is that she is too tall (at 6') to be an Australian fighter pilot. And according to her folks, the height requirements cut off at 5'9"...and I did ask if this was universal and granted, they didn't seem to know for certainty but they seemed to think that seeing how the planes are made overseas, it would stand to reason that it would apply to pilots elsewhere in the world. There is only so much room in the cockpit and their daughter (who's name coincidently is Amanda!!), who is able to go on joy flights, is not able to actually pilot the plane because she is too tall. This I know for certain.
I have no doubt that there are height requirements on shorties too...but I guess that depends on your interpretation of what is considered short...to most of my family and friends...anything shorter than themselves is short...which pretty much makes me a shorty in their eyes...not that I'm worried about that...heaven knows I'd never be a pilot anyways...takes brains to do that!!

See...told ya I was gonna be quick.
Hope you all have a great weekend. Take care and stay safe.
Wishing you all enough!

(((Samandans)))

[scifithinker]

I'm not saying that working in the service industry is the only way to meet mean people, however, if you spend a year being treated like crud, you'll learn how NOT to treat people when you 'grow up'.

You'll have more understanding for why things happen as they happen and why this can't be done or why that can't be done

you'll have more empathy for the working girl/guy out there, and be a nicer customer yourself

I actually had a man apologize to me once about how his wife was behaving. He was embarrassed and so sweet about it that it almost made it worth putting up with the witch.

Customer service gah! In my short working life I have worked in fast food, retail (nicer than most, but still...) and on the phones helping people quit smoking. The negative customers used to get me down, but the ones I remember are the ones who rocked the ones who flagged down the owner of the store and told her "this one's a keeper!"

I completely agree with Sky about gaining a bit of empathy with this work. My mum has a theory about how NZers all sort of have to work for what they have (not much "old money" like in some countries) most people have to have jobs like this at some stage. The majority of uni student and even highschool students have to work part time (or full time if you're insane like me ) so there is no excuse for not having empathy and some respect for people in customer service.

I've discovered that I'm actually more likely after spending a few years in retail management to complain now for shoddy performance. I don't do it often, but when I do, something's really wrong. It's more likely that I'll ask to see a manager to compliment someone's performance. A compliment from a customer used to make my day, so I try to do it when someone impresses me.

I don't believe in karma in the religious/Buddhist sense as it relates to reincarnation, but I do believe that people are more likely to treat you well when you treat other people well. And the most kindness ever costs me is the exercise of a little impulse control when I want to rant and rave.

From what I've seen, Amanda feels the same way, and I can't help but respect that in a person.

[Tittamiire]

Previous job OT:

Spoiler:

I used to work at a call center for an internet credit card billing company. Yes, we most billed for *those* sites, so we got many a fun call from a mother or wife wondering what the heck these charges are on her credit card. Also from guys who fell for the 'Free 3 day trial' and didn't cancel the subscription so got billed monthly and didn't realize for several months (or years!).

Needless to say, they weren't happy when they called and got even angrier when they found out what the charges actually were.

My favorite trick was to just let them yell (and hold the ear piece away from my ear). When they were done, I would remain silent for a while and then calmly ask if they were finished.

Good times.

It's amazing how many people feel that they shouldn't be responsible for the actions of their teenage boy.

As for Sam, I agree that she uses the technobable strategically.

*snicker snicker snicker*

I love the number of calls we get along these lines, "I can't get my teenage boy to behave. All his life I've let him do exactly what he wants and walk all over me, but now when I tell him what to do it won't listen!"

Customer service gah! In my short working life I have worked in fast food, retail (nicer than most, but still...) and on the phones helping people quit smoking. The negative customers used to get me down, but the ones I remember are the ones who rocked the ones who flagged down the owner of the store and told her "this one's a keeper!"

I completey agree with Sky about gaining a bit of empathy with this work. My mum has a theory about how NZers all sort of have to work for what they have (not much "old money" like in some countries) most people have to have jobs like this at some stage. The majority of uni student and even highschool students have to work part time (or full time if you're insane like me ) so there is no excuse for not having empathy and some respect for people in customer service.

Antoa, your credit card job sounds insanely awesome! Woah... I don't think I could ever work on the phones if my job wasn't to help people. At least with this situation we can say "look, you called me for help. I have the resources here if you just calm down and work with me here."

I had a handful of guests last winter actually take the time to right into the resort and tell the management how wonderful I was, the mentioned our 'friendly staff' in general and then named me as 'Hannah rocks' it made all the complaints pale into insignificance.

Of course in the military, subordinates are required to show respect even if they don't feel it--Well, you could tell Sam was holding herself carefully in check in Chain Reaction when Bauer was being an idiot. I could see her going back to her lab and ranting if she couldn't change their minds.

I think Sam would certainly has developed a calm authority that would get results. For example, in ATlantis, she handled Ronan well in her first ep, I thought.

One of the reasons I can't watch Fragile Balance is the disrespect to a senior officer. The captain? was clearly disrespectful to Major Carter in the briefing scene and CArter basically let it go. The writers were setting things up for teen-O'Neill to come in, but they did it at the expense of Carter. I'm sure they thought it was funny. I was not amused. IMHO she should have slapped him down--calmly, but effectively.

Yes! I totally agree, that scene is so flipping annoying...there should have been a better way of showing how young Jack was still Jack without needing to undermine Sam's authority. You shouldn't need to make one character look bad to make another look good (unless they're a bad guy )

[Nolamom]

Happy Birthday America

[Celandine]

I've discovered that I'm actually more likely after spending a few years in retail management to complain now for shoddy performance. I don't do it often, but when I do, something's really wrong. It's more likely that I'll ask to see a manager to compliment someone's performance. A compliment from a customer used to make my day, so I try to do it when someone impresses me.

I don't believe in karma in the religious/Buddhist sense as it relates to reincarnation, but I do believe that people are more likely to treat you well when you treat other people well. And the most kindness ever costs me is the exercise of a little impulse control when I want to rant and rave.

From what I've seen, Amanda feels the same way, and I can't help but respect that in a person.

I've had many years of customer service and have found that if you really love your job, being nice to people isnt all that hard. Sure there were always the few that kinda threw a wrench into your day and were just naturally mean and nasty as a way of life, but I'm very easy going and love to talk to people. Once you get them chatting about themselves they always ease up and start smiling which in turn makes your job lots easier, even when a snag doesnt go their way because of store/company policy or whatever. They seem to take it better and all because of a little friendly chit-chat.

Where I work now, being friendly really pays off. Literally. I deal blackjack and baccarat at a casino. If you show a general interest in them (greet them personally with their name, etc..) and make them feel special, they're more likely to tip you and when that happens, it just adds to your overall pay. I already have a few who frequent my tables as regulars and besides being advantageous for me, it makes my time at work more fun cos I can kid around and tease them a bit having that friendship base already established.