Yes, this little meerkat left the quiet sophistication of Melbourne to venture into the uncouth wilds of Sydney. On Sunday I trekked out to Parramatta to attend the Best of Both Worlds Stargate convention. Attendance wasn't huge - about 100-120 people. Pity - it was a GREAT day, and if you live in Sydney and didn't come you missed out on a treat.

I view public events in a somewhat critical and cynical fashion (that's what we loners do). So if an event wins me over, it must be pretty good - BOBW passed The Meerkat's stringent quality control!

First guest was Ivy Isenberg, a Stargate casting director. She was cheeky, warm and funny and obviously loves her job.

David Nykl (Dr Zelenka) was next. He was cute, informative and funny - a talented man who speaks four languages and is very keen on science and his acting.

Teryl Rothery (Dr Fraiser) was next and she was the best of the speakers. She is petite, looks much younger in real life and was effervescent, very funny and cheeky. This woman didn't just move around constantly - she bounced! She loves being the centre of attention, but in a charming way. She made some humorous references to the fact that she was now "dead".

Paul McGillion (Dr Beckett) was next. He was your basic naughty boy, told good anecdotes and was down to earth. During Paul's session, David Hewlett (Dr McKay) strolled in with a brightly coloured girlie shopping bag, and took out two wine glasses and a bottle of Johnny Walker. He poured two generous glasses, and then he and Paul launched into a very funny routine of insulting each other and outdoing each other with good natured one-upmanship. They are clearly good friends.

Paul sauntered off with his glass of JW and David's session commenced. David stated that he and McKay had much in common - their obsession with allergies, crush on Amanda Tapping/Sam, and a no-nonsense sarcastic approach. However, I felt that David was a much quieter, happier and sweeter guy than McKay. He certainly doesn't have McKay's arrogance, but he does have the biting sardonic wit. Some of his stories were hysterically funny - he has wonderful vocal talents.

Not being a shy little meerkat, I asked each of the guests questions. I was particularly chuffed when Paul referred to me as the "young" lady down the back. Gad!

The auction raised an impressive amount of money for the Guide Dog Association, with Paul and David H being very competent auctioneers (good acting!). During some spirited bidding, Teryl threw herself on the floor and threatened to hyperventilate and throw a tantrum if more money wasn't raised for the item. She got her way, and we just laughed at what we now knew was "typical Teryl".

But it doesn't end there, dear reader - it gets better!

I attended the Wrap Party and managed to have some conversation with the two Davids. Paul was swamped by people, but I managed to get a warm cuddle from him. Notch number one on my Cuddle Belt...

Teryl was holding court in her spirited and charming way. I stood right next to her and just listened intently.

David Nykl was planning to spend two weeks just travelling by car anywhere around Australia, so I suggested some destinations. A group of us warned him about accidentally hitting kangaroos, emus and wombats with his car. He listened, fascinated, as we told him that roos are very dumb and kamikaze themselves in front of cars, emus are also idiotic, and a wombat will cause major damage to a vehicle. We also outlined what spiders to avoid, and we were just about to describe our venomous snakes when he was whisked away for photos. He was becoming more and more good naturedly apprehensive about his Australian road trip - was it something we said?

I actually had David Hewlett all to myself for about five minutes. I asked him for details about his allergies and he happily obliged as it's one of his favourite topics! I'm not divulging what he said, but it was funny! His lovely girlfriend, Jane, was also there, and she just smiled and rolled her eyes when I told her that David was also describing her allergies. I must say that the more I saw David H, the more I liked him, and I will be viewing the irritating McKay in a more positive light from now on. I extracted Cuddle Number Two from the delightful David H.

In passing I grabbed a cuddle from David Nykl. When I told him he was notch number three on my Cuddle Belt he laughed.

BUT THERE'S MORE....

The celebrities left for another engagement and the rest of us just continued our very nerdy Stargate chatter. At 11.30pm, this little meerkat was exhausted. I was staying at the same hotel as the convention. I trudged to the elevator, pressed the "up" button and reflected on a great day. The lift doors opened - and there was Paul, David H, Jane and Teryl. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

They looked very tired, poor possums. I stepped in, now very awake. I made a lame comment about "where's the emergency stop button?" and they smiled. David H asked me if I had had a good day and I smiled goofily and said it had been great. When the lift opened at my floor, I did a silly little pirouette out of the door and said, "Thanks! Bye!" They smiled and bade me goodnight. I just floated to my room.

DEAR READER, THE GODS MUST REALLY BE SMILING ON ME, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T END THERE...

On Monday, I checked out and my intention was to take the Parramatta River Ferry to the city and then hop on a train to the airport, and home to Melbourne. I was looking forward to some time to reflect and be alone (I said I was a loner).

My suitcase and I were sitting alone at the Parramatta Ferry Wharf, watching the river flow by, waiting for the 11am ferry.. and who should rock up?

Yep.

The Best of Both Worlds crew and all the Stargate guests. I spoke to the sweet Adele, who runs BOBW and she told me they were taking the celebs on a cruise on Sydney Harbour. I told her I loved the conference and she stated the guests had been really happy with it too. I promptly accused the two Davids and Paul of stalking me - "everywhere I go, you guys are there!" I protested. They smiled and David H recognised me as the lady in the lift. When I boarded the ferry, David H was behind me and I pretended to plead with him to stop stalking me -"I just want to get back to Melbourne!" I complained.

I did what any fan would do. They all decided to sit out in the front of the ferry, so I sat near them, but not next to them. I didn't talk to them either - I thought that would be an intrusion into their privacy. Teryl was on my right, Paul and David N were directly behind me and David H and Jane were on my left.

When we arrived at Circular Quay I finally farewelled them all and David H asked me if he could follow me to Melbourne. I smiled and said that it would be great to have him stalk me all the way home. And with that I waved them all goodbye, and wished them a great day on the harbour. They all waved and said their goodbyes.

And that's it folks! I sailed into the train station on an absolute high. My stay in Sydney went way beyond my expectations, and it's a holiday I will certainly remember and reflect on for a long time.

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