drpaisley: (clever disguise)
My long international nightmare has finished. The Anticipation Souvenir Book was uploaded* to the ftp site this morning, and with a couple of final, minor tweaks** is now on its way to the printer. The cover was sent along earlier this evening.

I have to say I had no fucking clue whatsoever just how big a kidneystone this was going to be. Of course, the fact that I couldn't read half of it didn't help any (my French is limited to oui, non, sacre merde et quel fromage, and the occasional, wistful, "voulez vous couchez avec moi?"). I was certainly aware of the, shall we say, malleability of deadlines in producing such items, having done almost half of ConQuesT's 40 program books, but damn, people! Despite all the chaos, the book was delivered to the printer on time, and should be waiting for the lucky attendees when they arrive.

Is it perfect? Oh hellz no. But I do think it will match up well with recent souvenir books. I do have to say I am eternally grateful that the program participant bios were moved to the Convention Guide. The Souvenir Book wound up at 168 pages, and even with taking chainsaws to the submitted bios (and, of course, the people with the least to recommend themselves have the longest, most turgid bios), they would have easily added another 100 pages to the finished product.

In other duties finished news, today was the memorial service for long-time KaCSFFS member Julie Hise, who died of a rare form of cancer on June 27th. When I saw her at ConQuesT, her first words to me were "I want you to do the eulogy." So I was up until 2a this morning working on that once the final corrections to the Souvenir book were made. After re-writing the same sentence three times, I decided that some sleep would be a good thing, and got back up at 8.30 to finish it.

There was a very large and diverse crowd, including present and former club members, along with co-workers of Julie's from UMKC. I got through it without breaking down, though it was close a couple of times, and her father, aunt and brothers all thanked me for a job well done, as did her husband, my friend Bob Hise. I am glad people think I do this well, but it's not something I'd want to make a habit of.

Here's the text )

Following the part when people came up to share their stories of Julie, we played "When I Go," by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer. Here's a live performance of this powerful song.







Don't know what I'm going to do toomorrow, with no pressing items on the agenda for the first time since May. I'mm sure I'll think of something.


*Sadly, not uplifed, otherwise it could have bee multilingual without human intercession

**René was kind enough to call me this evening to let me know he had made changes to the book, and as I imagined some horrible error I had made, he told me the printer had asked us to add four pages to finish out the last signature, so he'd put four pages headed "Autographs" at the end. Very sweet of him to let me know, but I nearly had heart failure
drpaisley: (bacon)
Well, it would appear I survived ConQuesT once again. Things went well overall, with the few problems coming from dealing with a new hotel, and none of them of a nature that can't be dealt with. John Scalzi gave great GoH, and it my twisted plan to present him with a Bacon Explosion at opening ceremonies came off without a hitch. Saw many folks, enjoyed much alcohol, and got to overhear a fascinating conversation amongst a group of bridesmaids out for a smoke break Saturday night (more on that in another post). Had an all too brief chat with a dear friend who has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. First thing she said to me is "I want you to do my eulogy." Another downside to having shelled that $15 out to the Universal Life Church.

Now, I'm kinda in that post-con depression stage, especially given that there won't be another one until Contra, in November. Can the music save me? Let's see.



1) all the same to me, jeff tweedy (letters for santa living room show, 4.5.08)

2) Balloons, Foals

3) Antenna Rock/Strobo News, RIAA

4) We're The Replacements, TMBG

5) Box Car, Neil Young

6) Venus, Nels Cline And Gregg Bendian

7) starshine, The Jennifers

8) Never Again, Richard & Linda Thompson

9) Sunshine Superfly, Was (Not Was) [2008-05-01 Blender Theatre at Gramercy New York, NY]

10) Like A Virgin, Leningrad Cowboys


And then these happened:


11) this must be the place naive melody (extended version), talking heads

12) Vertigo (If It's A Crime), Islands

13) Satisfaction, Dolapdere Big Gang


Off to work, making signs for the new urban garden exhibit coming to Powell Gardens in June. And a quiet weekend, with lawn mowing my main goal. Joy.
drpaisley: (bacon)
Well, it would appear I survived ConQuesT once again. Things went well overall, with the few problems coming from dealing with a new hotel, and none of them of a nature that can't be dealt with. John Scalzi gave great GoH, and it my twisted plan to present him with a Bacon Explosion at opening ceremonies came off without a hitch. Saw many folks, enjoyed much alcohol, and got to overhear a fascinating conversation amongst a group of bridesmaids out for a smoke break Saturday night (more on that in another post). Had an all too brief chat with a dear friend who has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. First thing she said to me is "I want you to do my eulogy." Another downside to having shelled that $15 out to the Universal Life Church.

Now, I'm kinda in that post-con depression stage, especially given that there won't be another one until Contra, in November. Can the music save me? Let's see.



1) all the same to me, jeff tweedy (letters for santa living room show, 4.5.08)

2) Balloons, Foals

3) Antenna Rock/Strobo News, RIAA

4) We're The Replacements, TMBG

5) Box Car, Neil Young

6) Venus, Nels Cline And Gregg Bendian

7) starshine, The Jennifers

8) Never Again, Richard & Linda Thompson

9) Sunshine Superfly, Was (Not Was) [2008-05-01 Blender Theatre at Gramercy New York, NY]

10) Like A Virgin, Leningrad Cowboys


And then these happened:


11) this must be the place naive melody (extended version), talking heads

12) Vertigo (If It's A Crime), Islands

13) Satisfaction, Dolapdere Big Gang


Off to work, making signs for the new urban garden exhibit coming to Powell Gardens in June. And a quiet weekend, with lawn mowing my main goal. Joy.
drpaisley: (Default)
I knew there was something I forgot to post about last week. Last Tuesday, after doing enough work on the ConQuesT program book at work I could justify doing it, I met Carol Doms at Old Chicago for a Schlafly Brewery tasting. It was part of Old Chicago's "World Beer Tour," a free program that rewards the participant for drinking. Sign me up!

There were two flights offered, which provided samples of a fairly good variety of Schlafly's products. There weren't a lot of them I hadn't had before. The Raspberry Wheat was quite tasty, and the hefeweizen was decent (I am not a what beer fan, as I find them generally too thin fror my tastes).

The most interesting of the new (to me) brews was the Barleywine, which is part of their series of aged brews. It was very complex, with lots of fun tastes to it, and a nice kick, which the 10% alcohol content will do.

Carol and I had a nice chat with the brewery rep, who mentioned that they were seeing a big upswing in sales in their hometown of St. Louis, which had started last year when the InBev deal went dowm. He said that Schlafly had started two beers, a Pilsner and a Kolsch, to appeal to A-B patrons, and that both had sold so well they had gone from seasonals to regular releases. The highlight of the evening came with an extra beer, their Oak-aged Imperial Stout. It's aged in bourbon casks (Jim Beam casks, rumor has it), and it was very smooth indeed. Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout is stronger, but this was no slouch.

The best part of the evening came when I arrived, to find Carol had ordered the Jamaican Jerk wings, and then went to the buffet available to the tasting participants and brought back a plate full of wings, cheese sticks and chicken tenders, saying "I didn't bother getting any salad stuff." When did she and I get married, I wonder?

Last night, Tully and I got together for an evening of smoking and drinking. He was up from Wichita as part of a group going through seminars to help them get money for their boards. He was without wheels of his own, so I picked him up at the OP Doubletree, and we decamped to Barley's Brewhaus at 119th & Quivira, with 99 beers on tap and an outdoor patio where smoking was allowed. We started off with an Illusione and an order of duck wings (yeah, that's Daffy by the side of the road with the sign) to go with the In-Heat Wheat that was the special. I had the Don Corleone pizza, and he had a club sandwich, along with their "Dark Side" flight, followed by the local flight, featuring Free State, 75th St, Tallgrass, Boulevard and other Kamsas brewerys. Another round of cigars went with a Delerium Tremens (Tully) and a Yeti Imperial Stout (moi), with a pair of Hercules Double IPAs to finish a lovely evening.

Tonight I finished off the jug of Brinkley's Maibock* I picked up Saturday, and then Pulsifer came over with a Boulevard Smokestack Sixth Glass Quadrupel to enjoy as we watched the Royals come back from a 5-2 deficit in the bottom the ninth by going tater, tater, walk, triple, sac fly for the 6-5 win.

With luck, I will have Thursday off, and Pulsifer and I are planning on catching the Royals afternoon game with Greinke pitching. We'll be back in time for all the pre-con activties, and the it's ConQuesT, baby!


*Oops, almost forgot: if you are not familiar with the saga of "Goat Gland" Brinkley, do yourself a favor and google that name. One of the fascinating stories of the '20s, and the man who brought Wolfman Jack to the US ("ain't this XERB, baby!")
drpaisley: (Default)
I knew there was something I forgot to post about last week. Last Tuesday, after doing enough work on the ConQuesT program book at work I could justify doing it, I met Carol Doms at Old Chicago for a Schlafly Brewery tasting. It was part of Old Chicago's "World Beer Tour," a free program that rewards the participant for drinking. Sign me up!

There were two flights offered, which provided samples of a fairly good variety of Schlafly's products. There weren't a lot of them I hadn't had before. The Raspberry Wheat was quite tasty, and the hefeweizen was decent (I am not a what beer fan, as I find them generally too thin fror my tastes).

The most interesting of the new (to me) brews was the Barleywine, which is part of their series of aged brews. It was very complex, with lots of fun tastes to it, and a nice kick, which the 10% alcohol content will do.

Carol and I had a nice chat with the brewery rep, who mentioned that they were seeing a big upswing in sales in their hometown of St. Louis, which had started last year when the InBev deal went dowm. He said that Schlafly had started two beers, a Pilsner and a Kolsch, to appeal to A-B patrons, and that both had sold so well they had gone from seasonals to regular releases. The highlight of the evening came with an extra beer, their Oak-aged Imperial Stout. It's aged in bourbon casks (Jim Beam casks, rumor has it), and it was very smooth indeed. Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout is stronger, but this was no slouch.

The best part of the evening came when I arrived, to find Carol had ordered the Jamaican Jerk wings, and then went to the buffet available to the tasting participants and brought back a plate full of wings, cheese sticks and chicken tenders, saying "I didn't bother getting any salad stuff." When did she and I get married, I wonder?

Last night, Tully and I got together for an evening of smoking and drinking. He was up from Wichita as part of a group going through seminars to help them get money for their boards. He was without wheels of his own, so I picked him up at the OP Doubletree, and we decamped to Barley's Brewhaus at 119th & Quivira, with 99 beers on tap and an outdoor patio where smoking was allowed. We started off with an Illusione and an order of duck wings (yeah, that's Daffy by the side of the road with the sign) to go with the In-Heat Wheat that was the special. I had the Don Corleone pizza, and he had a club sandwich, along with their "Dark Side" flight, followed by the local flight, featuring Free State, 75th St, Tallgrass, Boulevard and other Kamsas brewerys. Another round of cigars went with a Delerium Tremens (Tully) and a Yeti Imperial Stout (moi), with a pair of Hercules Double IPAs to finish a lovely evening.

Tonight I finished off the jug of Brinkley's Maibock* I picked up Saturday, and then Pulsifer came over with a Boulevard Smokestack Sixth Glass Quadrupel to enjoy as we watched the Royals come back from a 5-2 deficit in the bottom the ninth by going tater, tater, walk, triple, sac fly for the 6-5 win.

With luck, I will have Thursday off, and Pulsifer and I are planning on catching the Royals afternoon game with Greinke pitching. We'll be back in time for all the pre-con activties, and the it's ConQuesT, baby!


*Oops, almost forgot: if you are not familiar with the saga of "Goat Gland" Brinkley, do yourself a favor and google that name. One of the fascinating stories of the '20s, and the man who brought Wolfman Jack to the US ("ain't this XERB, baby!")

Serendipity

May. 4th, 2009 03:09 pm
drpaisley: (Default)
Got out of the house late this morning to do some grocery shopping, due to the need to do a load of laundry, which was due to the comeplete lack of clean undergarments (and no, I wasn't wearing my kilt to go grocery shopping). We hit the Price Chopper on North Oak, then headed over to the City Market to get Italian sausage and lasagna noodles at the Italian grocery there, only to discover they are closed on Mondays. We considered hitting their sister store in Brookside, but opted to go to the Cosentino's downtown, which had what we needed.

At that point, luch beckoned, and we headed over to Grinders, a great deli/restaurant/live music venue at 18th and Oak. We headed toward the back, and sat down in sight of a tv showing that douchebag Bobby Flay*. Just after we placed our orders, in walks Stretch, the sculptor/owner/entrepreneur of the operation, who announces that his appearance on Guy's Big Bite is about to air, and he sits down next to us to watch it. Guy Fiero had profiled Grinder's on his Diners and Dives show a while back, and the two hit it off well enough that Stretch was brought to NYC to make one of his signature pizzas in Guy's kitchen. Stretch provided a running commentary throughout the show, mentioning bits that got cut and jokes that they had played on each other. It was a wondrful experience.

And Grinder's is an amazing restaurant. the variety of food is incredible, from goat cheese salads to New York pizzas with ingredients like gorgonzola and tandoori chicken available. And the selection of beers is top-notch, including three from Montreal's Unibroue on tap. I mentioned the con to Stretch and his assistant, Holly, and they were very enthused, and offered to provide coupons to give to the membership. Grinders is four blocks north of the Hyatt, and well worth the trip.

in a little bit, I will be heading downstairs to get the lasagna started. Haven't made it in years, but I think I can remember how. Om nom.

*For awhile, i as one of the top responses to googling "That Douchebag Bobby Flay." Mayhap I'll get back up there again.

Serendipity

May. 4th, 2009 03:09 pm
drpaisley: (Default)
Got out of the house late this morning to do some grocery shopping, due to the need to do a load of laundry, which was due to the comeplete lack of clean undergarments (and no, I wasn't wearing my kilt to go grocery shopping). We hit the Price Chopper on North Oak, then headed over to the City Market to get Italian sausage and lasagna noodles at the Italian grocery there, only to discover they are closed on Mondays. We considered hitting their sister store in Brookside, but opted to go to the Cosentino's downtown, which had what we needed.

At that point, luch beckoned, and we headed over to Grinders, a great deli/restaurant/live music venue at 18th and Oak. We headed toward the back, and sat down in sight of a tv showing that douchebag Bobby Flay*. Just after we placed our orders, in walks Stretch, the sculptor/owner/entrepreneur of the operation, who announces that his appearance on Guy's Big Bite is about to air, and he sits down next to us to watch it. Guy Fiero had profiled Grinder's on his Diners and Dives show a while back, and the two hit it off well enough that Stretch was brought to NYC to make one of his signature pizzas in Guy's kitchen. Stretch provided a running commentary throughout the show, mentioning bits that got cut and jokes that they had played on each other. It was a wondrful experience.

And Grinder's is an amazing restaurant. the variety of food is incredible, from goat cheese salads to New York pizzas with ingredients like gorgonzola and tandoori chicken available. And the selection of beers is top-notch, including three from Montreal's Unibroue on tap. I mentioned the con to Stretch and his assistant, Holly, and they were very enthused, and offered to provide coupons to give to the membership. Grinders is four blocks north of the Hyatt, and well worth the trip.

in a little bit, I will be heading downstairs to get the lasagna started. Haven't made it in years, but I think I can remember how. Om nom.

*For awhile, i as one of the top responses to googling "That Douchebag Bobby Flay." Mayhap I'll get back up there again.
drpaisley: (clever disguise)
Cute! LJ has a special header for today. Very festive.

I'll be heading out to Independence for ConTraception after work; hope to see at least some of my hordes of fans and admirers there. Looking forward to it is an understatement*. The theme is Pirates this year, so I'm resurrecting the Paisley Pirate outfit. Beware!

1) Province, TV On The Radio (Live on KCRW 9222006)**

2) Confused Phantom, Justice Vs. New Order

3) Elevator Operator, The Rays

4) Oliver James, Fleet Foxes

5) Too Much Into Nothing, John Wesley Harding

6) Donegal Express, Shane MacGowan & The Popes

7) Lost Coastlines, Okkervil River

8) Sitting On The Doorstep, Dangtrippers

9) From My Own True Love (Lost At Sea), The Decemberists

10) Coverture, kARHu

And then these happened:

11) Mellow My Mind (Neil Young cover), Okkervil River (Live Manufaktur 25.09.03)

12) Motorcycle Mama, Neil Young w/Booker T. & The M.G.s (7/18/93, Bad Mergentheim Schlosshof, Bad Mergentheim, Germany)

13) Sea Wolf, Folk UnderGround


Have a good weekend, people. And remember, like Rachel Maddow says, Don't be a Dorknozzle! Vote!




*Though not without a certain sense of melancholy, as someone very dear to me won't be there this year.

**Their new album, "Dear Science" is quite good on first listening; I'm looking forward to repeated playings. So of course they are playing a free show downtown tonight!
drpaisley: (clever disguise)
Cute! LJ has a special header for today. Very festive.

I'll be heading out to Independence for ConTraception after work; hope to see at least some of my hordes of fans and admirers there. Looking forward to it is an understatement*. The theme is Pirates this year, so I'm resurrecting the Paisley Pirate outfit. Beware!

1) Province, TV On The Radio (Live on KCRW 9222006)**

2) Confused Phantom, Justice Vs. New Order

3) Elevator Operator, The Rays

4) Oliver James, Fleet Foxes

5) Too Much Into Nothing, John Wesley Harding

6) Donegal Express, Shane MacGowan & The Popes

7) Lost Coastlines, Okkervil River

8) Sitting On The Doorstep, Dangtrippers

9) From My Own True Love (Lost At Sea), The Decemberists

10) Coverture, kARHu

And then these happened:

11) Mellow My Mind (Neil Young cover), Okkervil River (Live Manufaktur 25.09.03)

12) Motorcycle Mama, Neil Young w/Booker T. & The M.G.s (7/18/93, Bad Mergentheim Schlosshof, Bad Mergentheim, Germany)

13) Sea Wolf, Folk UnderGround


Have a good weekend, people. And remember, like Rachel Maddow says, Don't be a Dorknozzle! Vote!




*Though not without a certain sense of melancholy, as someone very dear to me won't be there this year.

**Their new album, "Dear Science" is quite good on first listening; I'm looking forward to repeated playings. So of course they are playing a free show downtown tonight!
drpaisley: (clever disguise)
Thanks to the benificence of NPulsifer and Gisele, Rohanna and I were able to attend Fencon V, in Dallas (or at least one of the swarm of municipalities, each with their own unique [read: bizarre] liquor laws that make up the metroplex). It's a beautiful con, friends, with doors to match! Anyone hankering for a fun time should check them out.

Sadly, I missed the LJ meetup Friday night because I was participating in the Liar's Panel, where the Giant Breast moderator (Jay Lake) christened me Robert Silverberg upon my entrance (when Silverberg said Hallowe'en was not "a holiday of my people" and mentioned that pumpkins were neither circumcised nor Kosher, a good chunk of the audience fell to actively debating both points). Other highlights included helping auctioneer the combined art/charity auction, attending a concert by Bland Lemon Denton, David Lee Anderson and "The Lemonades" (the incredibly lovely and talented Caroline Spector and a drummer playing a wooden box designed to sound like various drums [I didn't catch his name, I was mesmerized by Caroline, as always]) and being on a "Read These Books" panel with Teddy Harvia and Scott Cupp. Each of us had a list of 10 books that would form (in our opinions) a good starting place for a reader new to sf/f. Out of 30 books, there was only one overlap (Scott and I both had Zelazny's Lord of Light). When I can find my list, I'll post it here.

Another highlight came when, after helping NPulsifer throw a Seattle bid party, I wandered down to the ApolloCon party, and had a great time chatting with folks. When the crowd dwindled down, and the hosts started packing up, I looked at my phone and discovered it was 5 a.m.! I hadn't done that in years. Felt great in the morning, too.

Again, I recommend FenCon to anyone looking for a great convention. With any luck, we'll be back next year.
drpaisley: (clever disguise)
Thanks to the benificence of NPulsifer and Gisele, Rohanna and I were able to attend Fencon V, in Dallas (or at least one of the swarm of municipalities, each with their own unique [read: bizarre] liquor laws that make up the metroplex). It's a beautiful con, friends, with doors to match! Anyone hankering for a fun time should check them out.

Sadly, I missed the LJ meetup Friday night because I was participating in the Liar's Panel, where the Giant Breast moderator (Jay Lake) christened me Robert Silverberg upon my entrance (when Silverberg said Hallowe'en was not "a holiday of my people" and mentioned that pumpkins were neither circumcised nor Kosher, a good chunk of the audience fell to actively debating both points). Other highlights included helping auctioneer the combined art/charity auction, attending a concert by Bland Lemon Denton, David Lee Anderson and "The Lemonades" (the incredibly lovely and talented Caroline Spector and a drummer playing a wooden box designed to sound like various drums [I didn't catch his name, I was mesmerized by Caroline, as always]) and being on a "Read These Books" panel with Teddy Harvia and Scott Cupp. Each of us had a list of 10 books that would form (in our opinions) a good starting place for a reader new to sf/f. Out of 30 books, there was only one overlap (Scott and I both had Zelazny's Lord of Light). When I can find my list, I'll post it here.

Another highlight came when, after helping NPulsifer throw a Seattle bid party, I wandered down to the ApolloCon party, and had a great time chatting with folks. When the crowd dwindled down, and the hosts started packing up, I looked at my phone and discovered it was 5 a.m.! I hadn't done that in years. Felt great in the morning, too.

Again, I recommend FenCon to anyone looking for a great convention. With any luck, we'll be back next year.
drpaisley: (Default)
We'll be heading to Addison, TX in a few hours for FenCon, and since I don't have a portable computer, like these kids nowadays, with their YouSpaces and MyTubes, hell, they don't appreciate a high-quality steam-powered dual cre processor, now get off my pixilated lawn, ya punks!

Where was I? Oh yeah, heading to Texas for a great con. So here's your tunes, just a day early, 'cause that's just the kind of guy I am.

1) Habebe, Anne Dudley And Jaz Coleman

2) Lord Redfern's Return, Folk UnderGround

3) The Talkin Song Repair Blues, Alan Jackson

4) Idioteque, Radiohead (08-13-08 : Comcast Center : Mansfield, MA)

5) Crosstown Traffic, Apollo Sunshine

6) Half-Eating Baby Lions Nightmare, Shirley and Spinoza

7) No Time to Burn, Black Heat

8) Id Engager (Mad Decent Remix), Of Montreal

9) It Won't Be Long, Franz Ferdinand

10) Strawberry Fields Forever, The Beatles

And yet more:

11) Nude, Radiohead

12) Happy Days Toy Town, The Small Faces

13) Hidden #7 This Ape's For You, TMBG


And now off to finish packing and all that. Try and enjoy the weekend without me.
drpaisley: (Default)
We'll be heading to Addison, TX in a few hours for FenCon, and since I don't have a portable computer, like these kids nowadays, with their YouSpaces and MyTubes, hell, they don't appreciate a high-quality steam-powered dual cre processor, now get off my pixilated lawn, ya punks!

Where was I? Oh yeah, heading to Texas for a great con. So here's your tunes, just a day early, 'cause that's just the kind of guy I am.

1) Habebe, Anne Dudley And Jaz Coleman

2) Lord Redfern's Return, Folk UnderGround

3) The Talkin Song Repair Blues, Alan Jackson

4) Idioteque, Radiohead (08-13-08 : Comcast Center : Mansfield, MA)

5) Crosstown Traffic, Apollo Sunshine

6) Half-Eating Baby Lions Nightmare, Shirley and Spinoza

7) No Time to Burn, Black Heat

8) Id Engager (Mad Decent Remix), Of Montreal

9) It Won't Be Long, Franz Ferdinand

10) Strawberry Fields Forever, The Beatles

And yet more:

11) Nude, Radiohead

12) Happy Days Toy Town, The Small Faces

13) Hidden #7 This Ape's For You, TMBG


And now off to finish packing and all that. Try and enjoy the weekend without me.
drpaisley: (siegfried attacks!)
. . . who want to touch my clothes,* my schedule for FenCon next weekend in Dallas. Hope to see lots of folks there.


Friday 6:00 PM Addison Lecture Hall
The Adventures of "Cap'n Coconut." (M)

Description: Most of us know the smile and the laugh, but take this chance to get to know our Fen Guest of Honor, Gerald Burton.




Friday 10:00 PM Trinity 3
Liars Panel

Description: Round out your evening with tall tales from convention veterans. once the door closes, don't believe anything you hear.



Saturday 7:00 PM Addison Lecture Hall
Art And Charity Auction (Hour 1)

Description: The annual FenCon Art and Charity Auction. Come and bid on some rare and collectible items, right here in Dallas! Bid high!



Saturday 8:00 PM Addison Lecture Hall
Art And Charity Auction (Hour 2)

Description: The annual FenCon Art and Charity Auction. Come and bid on some rare and collectible items, right here in Dallas! Bid high!



Sunday 10:00 AM Trinity 6
This Book is Bad for You!

Description: Certain books have caused censors to riot through the years. Most recently, the controversy seems centered on young adult fantasy, but horror and science fiction have certainly see their share. Is it justified?


New Addition!

Sunday 2:00 PM Trinity 6
Books you should read

Description: Top ten books any serious SF/Fantasy writer (and fan) should read to know what has come before (to impress your friends and avoid cliches).




*Anyone who can identify the source of this quote wins my admiration for your most cromulent taste.
drpaisley: (siegfried attacks!)
. . . who want to touch my clothes,* my schedule for FenCon next weekend in Dallas. Hope to see lots of folks there.


Friday 6:00 PM Addison Lecture Hall
The Adventures of "Cap'n Coconut." (M)

Description: Most of us know the smile and the laugh, but take this chance to get to know our Fen Guest of Honor, Gerald Burton.




Friday 10:00 PM Trinity 3
Liars Panel

Description: Round out your evening with tall tales from convention veterans. once the door closes, don't believe anything you hear.



Saturday 7:00 PM Addison Lecture Hall
Art And Charity Auction (Hour 1)

Description: The annual FenCon Art and Charity Auction. Come and bid on some rare and collectible items, right here in Dallas! Bid high!



Saturday 8:00 PM Addison Lecture Hall
Art And Charity Auction (Hour 2)

Description: The annual FenCon Art and Charity Auction. Come and bid on some rare and collectible items, right here in Dallas! Bid high!



Sunday 10:00 AM Trinity 6
This Book is Bad for You!

Description: Certain books have caused censors to riot through the years. Most recently, the controversy seems centered on young adult fantasy, but horror and science fiction have certainly see their share. Is it justified?


New Addition!

Sunday 2:00 PM Trinity 6
Books you should read

Description: Top ten books any serious SF/Fantasy writer (and fan) should read to know what has come before (to impress your friends and avoid cliches).




*Anyone who can identify the source of this quote wins my admiration for your most cromulent taste.
drpaisley: (clever disguise)
Rohanna and I had a great time tonight at the Oktoberfest with NPulsifer and Giselle. Rohanna and I waltzed and did the Chicken Dance, but she let me do the Hokey Pokey by myself. For this I bought you a funnel cake?

Tomorrow is the hotel walkthrough. Go ConQuesRT.
drpaisley: (clever disguise)
Rohanna and I had a great time tonight at the Oktoberfest with NPulsifer and Giselle. Rohanna and I waltzed and did the Chicken Dance, but she let me do the Hokey Pokey by myself. For this I bought you a funnel cake?

Tomorrow is the hotel walkthrough. Go ConQuesRT.
drpaisley: (Default)
The meme is "States Where I've Been to Conventions." Ganked from Geri Sullivan, who did it from someone else.

Seantaclaus, put that cat down. I don't know how to do the cutid thing yet.



create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.


In addition, Manitoba and Ontario in Canada, Scotland and Japan.

Worldcons in KC MOO, FL (SunCon), AZ, LA, MD, PA, CA (2), MA, and the foreign sites listed above.
drpaisley: (Default)
The meme is "States Where I've Been to Conventions." Ganked from Geri Sullivan, who did it from someone else.

Seantaclaus, put that cat down. I don't know how to do the cutid thing yet.



create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.


In addition, Manitoba and Ontario in Canada, Scotland and Japan.

Worldcons in KC MOO, FL (SunCon), AZ, LA, MD, PA, CA (2), MA, and the foreign sites listed above.
drpaisley: (Big O'Pimpin')
So, those of you who have visited Casa Intergalactique von Paisley are aware of the huge (10' high, 8' diameter) mulberry stump 2/3s of the way up the driveway. Someone tried to put a cap in its ass, but merely made it angry and somewhat shorter, with a number of large branches reaching up from the top and sides. Well, whilst we were taking in a sneak of Stardust (very entertaining; as best I can remember from reading the book a couple-three years ago, it kept to the story reasonably well and did a good job of capturing Neil's unique tone and style; the song over the credits sucked [Neil could have written a better one, or had Stephen Merritt {Magnetic Fields, Future Bible Heroes, the Sixths} do it]), a storm front made its way here. When I headed to bed at 12.30 or so, there was much wind, thunder and lightning, as well as (relative) coolth.

Edit: I forgot to mention my biggest disappointment with the film, which I fully expected: in the book, after Yvane crashes to earth, there is a lovely description of the trail of destruction leading to her landing place, and the reader is treated to her first comment, which is a very quiet (rendered about 3 point sizes smaller than the rest of the text, for emphasis) "Fuck." No so in the film.

When I arose this morning and headed downstairs to get the paper, I was greeted by the sight of a small forest on the deck to the left of the front door. On of the mulberry's woody tentacles had snapped at the base and collaped over the driveway, managing to miss both cars parked there (mine resides on the street, as I leave last in the morning). I cut a few branches off and pulled the van out far enough that Rohanna could get in. The insurance people looked at it, and determined there was no damage to house or cars.


Maybe this weekend I'll post a bit about Archon/Tuckercon/NASFiC/Stills/Nash/Young, but I do want to share one highlight. Back in the day, Nancy Edwards Hathaway held a relaxacon called Czarkon in St. Louis. She instituted the Tucker Awards, named after Wilson Bob Tucker, famed author, editor, fan and raconteur without portfolio. The awards had been mothballed since Nancy threw a Dawn Patrol con in KC in 2002. They were resurrected for one last time for Tuckercon, and by some miscarriage of something I was given the Fan Award. I was truly shocked, and got a tad verklempt, I must admit. It's a great honor, and I am amazed I was considered, much less chosen. My liver would thank the academy, but the award comes with a bottle of Beam's Choice that I had a great deal of help emptying.

So, last but not least, a comment stolen from http://www.sadlyno.com/, which is a great blog you should all be reading. The subject was the violation of the vehicle of one of the bloggers on the site. The "ripped from the headlines" comment:

"some young republican broke into my car and gave me a blowjob."

Couldn't have said it better, myself.

Profile

drpaisley: (Default)
drpaisley

September 2017

S M T W T F S
     12
3 456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930

Syndicate

RSS Atom

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags