Thanks for the kind words! The reference to the weirdo factor was more of a passing note rather than intent for topic sway. I can certainly handle myself, it just sometimes can put a bit of a downer on the whole thing, but the last year or so I've mostly just gone for the killing them with kindness approach. It saves me getting too wound up as well. Keep on smiling and growing, and they just get angrier. Before the wargames industry I worked in homelessness, so I'm pretty well schooled in dealing with bigger older guys shouting at me! Duck's back, water etc.
But on the positives, that is one of the reasons I love Salute and Crisis - they're the most diverse shows we do and also the ones we get the least hassle at. And though one incident this year was too many, it's still a mass improvement when you consider that's 0.0001% or whatever of the people there.
There will always be these people, but creating the environment where they feel less confident they can get away with it is a good aim, and I am hoping just the presence of Bad Squiddo around can help with this too.
---
BUT ANYWAY!
SALUTE!
SALUTE WAS AWESOME!
I am still knackered though.