The convention has a stealth theme, one not advertised to attending members in advance. At Spaceport Glasgow, it's launch weekend for the WFSF Armadillo, a spaceship which will, as the plot goes, take all con attendees to Alpha Centauri for its maiden voyage, beginning Monday afternoon. The opening ceremonies covered much-needed introductory material for the plot: safety announcements (Don't Panic), orientation, introducing the ship's captain, and providing all of us with a copy of the lovely in-flight magazine. A Glasgow city councillor gave an inspired speech, before formally naming the spaceship.
With the exception of one largely academic panel on the Middle Ages, I spent most of the rest of the afternoon and evening being social to some degree or other, including meeting enthused first-time Worldcon attendees at the reception, reunioning with