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STRESS-ME-DO! - by Mr Biffo

27/9/2016

43 Comments

 
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You'll have to excuse my indulgence today. I'm not going to be writing about video games, or anything even tangential to video games, other than this weekend's Block Party/Digifest.

My brain is all over the place, and so this is going to be more like a regular, typically rambling, blog post - of the sort I don't really do on Digitiser2000. It's intended to be an attempt to regroup and ground my slightly overstretched and fretting brain. 

I've never organised anything on the scale of Digifest. It has been a team effort: lovely Dan "Teletext" Farrimond has been responsible for bringing the daytime schedule together, and dealing with the potential sponsors, but the evening stuff has mostly been down to me and my other half. 

Inevitably, when organising something like this there are numerous hiccups in the road. Little things... like losing our sponsors (and then - possibly - un-losing them...). Or discovering that the booking for the hotel a lot of us are staying in hasn't been processed, and the hotel is now booked out.

​Or that the venue where the festival is taking place has been double-booked with another event. Or potentially not being able to find a food van, so that people can eat. Stuff like that... which is all workable, and solvable, but provides stress in the moment.

And on top of that... there's the preparation that has gone into the merchandise we're offering for sale, the needlessly ambitious videos we'll be showing, and pulling all the elements together to offer a whole evening's entertainment - including a full-on game show, for some reason. Right now I've a long list of things that need doing, or require my input. 
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REGULAR TON
Aside from all that, I've also got a shed-ton of regular work to get through before now and then, and a couple of important deadlines to hit.

This is by no means intended as a whinge. I mean, I've actually loved all the organising.

​I've loved creating the stuff for the evening's Digifest, and coming up with ideas. It's all completely overboard - I know people would've just been happy for us to show up, do a Q&A, and bugger off - but I wanted to offer something more, which is going to justify them schlepping all the way to Cambridge. I want them to have fun, and feel that the spirit of Digitiser has been brought to life.

I think I'd be less worried if we were holding it in a big travel hub like London or Manchester - but I know it's a big ask of people to travel to Cambridge. We kept ticket prices as low as possible - but that has a knock-on effect that the tickets are right at that sort of disposable cusp. 

Indeed, if I were to pay attention to what my dreams are telling me, my biggest anxiety isn't that we won't be offering up a great time - I know we are - but around nobody showing up. It's just like when you organise a party. Slightly too many people have emailed this week to say they can't make it, and kindly offer up their tickets to others who might want one, but I think that's playing on me. 

It's one thing to be the host of the party, and worry about guests not showing, but I don't want Tim, and Violet, and Chris Coltrane, and our other guests, to feel they've made the effort for nothing.

I mean, I had one dream last week where I'd put Digifest on at my old high school, during a wet lunch break. Those that did turn up weren't paying attention. Then the night before last, I had a dream that everyone kept wandering off during the talks. I went outside to call them back in, and when I returned somebody had pulled a big screen across between the stage and the audience.  

Read into all of that what you will, Dr Freud.

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WHADDAYAKNOW?
I know it's going to be a brilliant day whatever happens.

Even if there are only twenty of us there it's going to be worthwhile and special, but there's always that disconnect between what we know and what we feel. You can have that intellectual discussion with your feelings, but feelings will usually do their own thing regardless.

​I'm trying to view this as a dry run for a bigger event next year, but I want it to be a success in its own right.

​I want it to be enough of a success to justify doing it again, because for all the stresses over the last couple of months - especially the last couple of weeks - it has been a joy.

If you'd asked me three years ago whether I could ever imagine helping to stage a teletext and Digitiser festival... I'd have vomited with disbelief. Yet here we are, and it's happening. And it's happening because so many of you have been so kind with your words and support since I started Digitiser2000 two years ago.

And maybe that's the real root of my stress: I feel I owe everyone who has supported me since Mr Biffo emerged from his semi-retirement, for giving me something back, which I hadn't even realised was missing.

Though you won't all be there in Cambridge on Saturday, it's my attempt to say thank you. 

So, with that in mind... we DO have a few ticket returns, so there are a handful left if you want to come along. Email digitiser2000@gmail.com if so.

Ticket holders: you'll be getting an email later this week with the timetable and full details of the event. Watch your inboxes.
FROM THE ARCHIVE:
BLOCK PARTY: WHAT'S HAPPENING

​
GAMES OF MY YEARS
43 Comments
Darren link
27/9/2016 11:02:23 am

It'll be fine...

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Mr Biffo
27/9/2016 11:04:42 am

Tell it to my subconscious...

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RG
27/9/2016 11:12:10 am

Nope - it'll be great!

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Blobin
27/9/2016 11:20:20 am

It'll be great! Been looking forward to this for months now. Just wish the last train back from Cambridge was a bit later (cant stay over night unfortunately). Worried about missing out on some of the end of night quiz. I like quizzes.

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Mr Biffo
27/9/2016 11:26:27 am

We're aiming to be done quiz-wise (it's much more than just a quiz...) by about 9.45/10pm, so that people can catch their trains. Though we're going to be hanging around afterwards, for anyone who wants a chat and a drink with us. See you Saturday, Blobbus!

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Dr. Freud
27/9/2016 11:23:21 am

I thought about looking into your dreams, but the nose on that mask tells me all I need to know.

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Mr Biffo
27/9/2016 11:26:45 am

Not my fault of John Romero has a big nose, as I see it.

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Dr. Freud
27/9/2016 11:38:23 am

Might the mask be available after the event? I need it for... research.

Mr Biffo
27/9/2016 11:40:21 am

Call yourself a doctor? It's not even a mask - it's a dummy head.

Dr. Fraud
27/9/2016 11:51:15 am

You can keep the severed head of John Romero, I just want his nose. For research.

GP
27/9/2016 12:14:54 pm

You've just reminded me to pay in advance for my Dartford crossing charge, cheers Biffo.

On the other side of the coin, in terms of anxiety about this event, I suffer a fair bit from being socially shit, and I'm worried about all that kind of thing. I loved digi, so much, at the time (and now!) but I really don't remember a huge amount about it, so my conversational chops will be limited among any true fanboys.

Stupid brain! But it will be there on Saturday, along with the rest of my body.

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Mr Biffo
27/9/2016 12:16:39 pm

Don't you worry, GP. I'm sure you won't be alone in that regard. What has surprised me is how many people are coming by themselves, rather than with mates. I'm sure you won't need to be clued up on classic Digi to enjoy yourself. Looking forward to seeing you there. Make sure you say hello. I don't bite!

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GP
27/9/2016 12:27:26 pm

Cheers Biff, most definitely will. Really rooting for digifests success :)

Spiney O'Sullivan
27/9/2016 11:27:55 pm

I'm looking forward to Mad Lonercon 2016.

Actually, I'm also coming along by myself, and I guess it's not hugely surprising to me that many people are, as Digi is pretty niche. I usually go to cons with friends, but I've met maybe three people in my life who read Digi back on teletext.

Starbuck
29/9/2016 12:01:25 am

Hip hip hip! Never been to anything at all like this before, and can suffer a tad from social anxiety as well, but can't wait to exorcise some of said anxiety through the adrenalised release and anonymous freedom of being myself in a building of like-minded berks!

Mr Biffo
29/9/2016 01:05:57 pm

Well, chaps, I think we all get a bit of that social anxiety - so worry not. Everyone involved is very lovely and approachable. You're in good company.

Dino Dini
27/9/2016 12:42:09 pm

Looking forward to buying Mr Biffo a drink.

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Mr Biffo
27/9/2016 12:53:09 pm

Hahahahahahahahha... hahah. Ha.

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Zob
27/9/2016 12:59:29 pm

I'm actually missing out on my cousin's wedding just to be at Digifest, Biffo, that's how much of a big deal the whole thing is to me. I'm also coming on my own but hoping to stumble upon a few familiar faces from the past.

FYI, this is actually the second Biffo related 'meat' to occur in Cambridge - I hosted one back in 2003 for the Bubblegunners and that attracted about 10 people. So Digifest'll be more popular than that I can imagine ;)

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Mr Biffo
27/9/2016 01:04:29 pm

Blimey! Well... make sure you buy her a calendar as a wedding present. There are definitely going to be a few familiar faces. See you Saturday!

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Damien
27/9/2016 01:04:49 pm

What you're feeling is pretty common. Whenever I organise a large party or charity event, I have the same stress and unjustified doubts that everything will pull together. Hope it all goes well and you, and everybody in attendance has a great time! :D

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Ian
27/9/2016 01:23:30 pm

I just wish I could be there but Cambridge is a bit far from here alas.

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Clive Peppard
27/9/2016 01:48:54 pm

I'll be there in spirit.

in reality i will be sat at my desk flogging my guts out for "the man"

if only this were the other way round..

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Picston Shottle
27/9/2016 02:01:45 pm

I wish I could make it because I am pretty much full of stress right now and a day of idiocy would go someway to alleviating at least a little of of that stress. But there's no was I can justify flying 6000 miles, which is part of the stress, since I had to cancel my vacation because I had to fire 180 people, and then move 180 people's worth of work to another company, all whilst trying to figure out how I move a wife, a baby, a dog, two lawnmowers, two cars, two fuck off big American fridges, a household full of stuff, and a Tardis style garage a couple thousand miles across the country, all to take up a new job which I'm not even sure I want.

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Suspect
27/9/2016 02:39:13 pm

Hmmm, seeking sympathy for firing 180 people is not really something to shout about. I suspect things are worse for many of them.

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Picston Shottle
27/9/2016 02:42:34 pm

I was one of the 180. So not really. They just got laid off. I had to lay them off as well as lose my own job.

Suspect
27/9/2016 03:14:30 pm

Sorry to hear that. Have been in a very similar situation recently and the VP (doing the firing) telling everyone "this is just as hard for me" did not go down well. Hope things work out for you.

John Veness
27/9/2016 02:02:27 pm

I'll be there! I'm sure attendance will be great, don't worry.

Out of interest, and in order to calibrate my brain on what sort of size the event will be: setting aside your paranoial thoughts that people won't turn up, how many are you expecting? Or to put it more simply, roughly how many tickets have you sold?

Also, and maybe you'll cover this in the email to ticket holders, can you let us know exactly what we need to present on the door to be let in? It was a long time since I bought the ticket, but I remember something on the screen saying we should present the email message.

Should it be the one with subject "Your download is ready!" or the one from PayPal with subject "Receipt for Your Payment to Paul Rose", or both, or neither? Do you want printouts, or is it sufficient to just present them on a mobile?

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Mr Biffo
27/9/2016 02:12:37 pm

John - there should be an email going out to you later tonight or tomorrow. Basically... bring whatever email confirmation you have - doesn't matter so long as your name is on it, and it says what it's for - if you can as a back-up, but everyone's name will be on the door anyway. So just give your name. We'll be around and nearby if there are any issues.

In terms of numbers... there might about 140 people there, but about 30 of those are a mixture organisers and guests. However, some of the ticket holders have already emailed to say they won't be coming, so it's hard to gauge exactly.

See you Saturday!

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Bruce Flagpole link
27/9/2016 02:50:54 pm

Hope it all goes well Mr B, and that everyone has a great time.

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Mr Biffo
27/9/2016 03:16:12 pm

Cheers for the good wishes, y'all.

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Damon link
27/9/2016 06:09:03 pm

I put together a small-ish convention last year.

I remember freaking out-- at one point I went in a closet where I worked and screamed primal, gutteral screams when the lead artist's graphics tablet broke.

The only nice thing is I worked at a hotel so I sort of know the game and personally have contacts in the area...

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Oliver Wright
27/9/2016 06:09:50 pm

Can't wait. An evening with your good self, Violet Berlin and some other Teletext / Digitiser fans would be ten pounds well spent even with no plans made for the evening.

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Kelvin Green link
27/9/2016 07:06:45 pm

I'd be too terrified to go, but I wish you all the best luck, Biffster. I'm sure it will be an excellent day!

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Mr Jonny T
27/9/2016 08:24:56 pm

I really wished I could go but currently on holiday... hope it all goes well and that I can make the next one.

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RichardM
27/9/2016 08:40:58 pm

http://ticketnews.eventim.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/digifest-uk-line-up.jpg

If I'd known Union J, Zoella, Marcus, Tyler and Jenn were going to be there I'd have bought two tickets.

In all seriousness, it'll be sweet Mr B. Just do your thing and enjoy it with the lucky sods who can be there. Looking forward to making next years event.

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Chris
28/9/2016 10:23:17 am

I like the fact that every time you mention Cambridge you talk about it as if it's an oil rig in the North Sea. Nobody live there, nobody lives near there, and if anybody should want to go there it's three days by boat.

I'd just like to point out that Cambridge is actually quite civilised and nicer than London, and not all that difficult to get to.

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Mr Biffo
28/9/2016 01:49:07 pm

Don't blame me! It's easy enough for me to get to.

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Chris
28/9/2016 01:57:09 pm

Me too, so who are these people doing the complainings?

Mr Biffo
28/9/2016 03:39:37 pm

Perhaps the question is... "Where" are they?

Chris
28/9/2016 04:15:02 pm

It's Oxford, isn't it? Those bastards, always think they're better than everybody else. Just get in your boat and row there! (Wait, the Oxford-Cambridge boat race does run all the way from Oxford to Cambridge, doesn't it?)

PeskyFletch
28/9/2016 08:11:27 pm

Not where are they, constable Biffo, rather when are they!

John
30/9/2016 11:49:18 am

That was alarmingly positive for a stress post. Are you sure you haven't talked yourself into feeling an enormous sense of wellbeing about the whole thing?!

Good luck, hope to join you at the next (what?) one.

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