Tetch Talk Ep 3 – BattleBots Competitor Craig Danby

One thing I like about this is that I get a chance to talk to people in new ways and about things I wouldn’t normally. Sometimes they’re people I’ve never spoken to before (like Jarid Scott), sometimes they’re people I’ve swapped a few messages with online but never anything in-depth, as with Peter Sunde, and sometimes it’s people I’ve known for decades, as here. Yes, I’ve known Craig for over 20 years, from when we were both teenagers starting out in Robot Combat together in the UK around 2000, but we almost met earlier….

So we explore 20 years of Robot Combat, including the differences between the US and UK combat, one of the more fun incidents at an event (where a fan favourite all-but explodes at an event I’m running safety for, and he’s running the antweight competition) and the progress since the late 90s, from hobby to sport. And again, I want to thank Craig for his time in the interview. He can be found at TeamDanby.com

Future of Robot Combat – Dragon Con 2017

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2018 makes it 20 years since I first started with Robot Combat, joining Liverdyne Robotics in 1998, and while we could look to the past, we also have to look to the future.

Dragon Con 2016

So, this is normally the time I’d release my schedule of panels for this years Dragon Con, so people interested in seeing me (both of you) can look there instead of sending me a message the usual way.

I was actually down for several panels, but a week or two back I realised I wouldn’t be able to attend for a uniquely American reason – Medical Bills.

Back in May it was the High School Graduation of my eldest (yes I’m that old), and going to watch it meant sitting on bleacher seats and that aggravated a back injury I’ve had for a few decades.

Now, were I back in the UK, this wouldn’t be an issue, I’d go to the doctor, get referred to a specialist or the hospital if needed, maybe spend some money on a prescription or two. However, this is the US, where no chance to make a buck can be allowed to go by. As a result, the money put aside for Dragon Con (yes, I have to pay for everything except my badge, despite both me and my wife being track assistant directors – me the EFF track, my wife with Signage) has gone to medical care instead.

In Memoriam: Lee Reherman

Lee Reherman — better known to many as American Gladiator, ‘Hawk’ — died February 29th in California. He was 49.

Some might wonder what difference that makes, as we seem to have a glut of famous people of all ages dying at present, but Lee had a role you won’t see if you look at his Wikipedia page as I write this. He was BattleBots™ very first host at the Long Beach, CA event back in 1999.

K`Tetch’s Panels at Dragon Con 2015

Yes, I’ve been kinda quiet about this year’s Dragon Con, at least on here. Truth is, I’d only just finished off processing all the videos from last years convention, which came to 21 videos totally 22 hours. You can find the playlist with them all here.

After the 8 of last year, I’ve cut down to save my voice and my sanity, to a more standard 4.

Of course, throughout it all I’ll still be beavering away in Hilton 201, making sure that the EFForums track runs smoothly (as befits the track’s Assistant Director)