Bubonicon 40 update
Updated, 8-25-08 - Quick one … I’m home to take a break after doing a reading and signing. Way too tired. Though I headed home just before 11 last night I have to tend to various things after I get home, so didn’t get to sleep for a bit.
Got a couple hours off and need to get some rest, because I need to be all bright and sparky for my turn as masquerade MC tonight.
Been fun so far. Yesterday I did the first panel of the con, with Laura Mixon, Ian Tregillis Steve Gould, and Author GoH David Weber of Honor Harrington fame, on terraforming versus bioengineering, which turned out surprisingly well, plus a late Wild Cards panel with George RR Martin, Melinda Snodgrass, John Jos. Miller, Daniel Abraham (who’s also Toastmaster), Ian again, and Carrie Vaughn. WC Mafia OG Walter Jon Williams also appeared long enough to say he had been talking for an hour and was going to the ar: wimp. That was fun and the audience seemed to enjoy it.
I read the first chunk of my contribution to the next Wild Cards book, Suicide Kings, as well as Chapter 51 (!) of The Dinosaur Lords. The audience was small but seemed entertained. I mentioned half-jokingly to Kathy Kubica-Kelly, who’s basically playing Con Sheepdog, that Ian claimed he intended to attend the reading. She lit out, leaving her husband Steve Kubica to listen, and shortly returned with Ian in tow, not quite by the ear. I hope she didn’t actually coerce the poor guy into coming; he claimed to enjoy it. He’s a good sport.
This afternoon we had our marathon mass signing. I sat with Steve Gould and John Miller. He was surprised when people presented the recently-released DVD of Jumper for him to sign; I told him I regretted not remembering to bring the one Roslee was kind enough to give me for my birthday. Got a decent response. I think Dave Weber got all the books signed before his hand fell off, which is bonus.
Gah. Need to nap or something. Gotta be back long enough before the masq’s 7:30 start time that show-runner Tanley and con chair Kristen don’t freak.
More later…
August 25th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I most certainly did enjoy your reading, have no doubt. I especially loved the visual aids. And Kathy didn’t drag me in there, but I’m sure glad she found me because otherwise I would have bumbled in about halfway through after realizing I was late! (I wasn’t on the bioengineering panel, btw. Wish I had been able to see it, though– sounded really fascinating.)
August 25th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Thanks, Ian! Glad you enjoyed it after all.
Sorry about the bioengineering panel cross-up - as well as apologies to Steve Gould should he happen by. Steve was fascinating on the panel, and, uh, sat right by me. You’d've been a fine addition, though.
See? I really did need a nap.
August 25th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Also I’m glad Kathy didn’t dragoon you. She’s a true friend - anybody’d be hard-pressed to find better than her and her hubby Steve - and she can sometimes be … zealous.
August 26th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I was there, so I can attest to the fact that all she said was, “Vic’s reading is now,” and Ian immediately said, “Is it already?” and took off to find you.
There was no coercion of any kind.
Was I not on my way to lunch with Carrie at the time, I’d have run up to it too.
August 26th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Hey, Ty,
Thanks for setting my mind at ease.
Also, that’s cool about you missing my reading for lunch with Carrie. I’d miss me for lunch with Carrie too.