All The World's A Stage

ConFusion 2005

Confusion 2005

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Friday night

We got in around 5:30. It was cold outside. We managed, in two trips, to get everything but the pirate ship up to our room. (We're here for 2 nights, please note.) We got our badges and organized the room.

It was 6:30. We decided it was time to go buy the food we had not yet bought. Quick Farmer Jack run. We forgot half and half and hummous. (so far, looks like we remembered everything.)

Back in time to make opening ceremonies. L shows up all beautiful.

Opening ceremonies were very funny. Seeing The Flash Girls with Brust and Patrick Nielsen Hayden was even more fun.

My pictures didn't turn out too well because I haven't figured out my camera quite yet, but some these two show some of the energy of the set, so I like them.

At the GOH reception thingie I got into a nice discussion with a newly met old friend that will lead me to having to do a lot of research really soon. He also was a sneaky picture taker, but I was ready for him once. The shot below is the shot I did not pose for, wasn't ready for, and is therefore a better representation of my normal facial expression. I think I was leaning on the table smiling at J. (This is cropped.)

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Saturday

It'd snowed... wow - maybe not a ton, but the wind was blowing and it looked bad. Never left the hotel.

A good chunk of my early day was spent looking at the Hubble Images and listening to Christian Ready explain them. He did a kick ass job. [Paul, if you ever get a chance to see this guy's presentation, run, don't walk.] I learned a great deal in a few hours (and I knew more than your average joe about astromony and the hubble to begin with). Between stargazing I went to small-group reading by Will Shetterly, which I enjoyed immensely. I just have to say that he, Emma, Steve and Jacqueline all came across as friendly, intelligent, and personable.

Another panel with the crew mentioned above, about what makes books good (in which Elizabeth Bear's theory of character likability was mentioned), and I finally introduced myself to Steve. Very nice guy, but there was a slow pile-up happening around us, so I went off to sign up for "Coffee with Steve Brust" for Sunday.

Took a break (during which many came by to look in amazement at the pirate ship) and sat with friends. Meet a few other folks, and as always good conversation.

Went down at 6 for the panel on religion in fiction. It was interesting, and Jacqueline signed for me. It was a hard decision between going to that, or Emma's reading. I'm counting on hearing Emma read some other time in my con life. Fingers crossed.

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Saturday Night

We raided the room parties as the pirate crew (kinda). We won a hall costume award - and then we won best party. We had a great time - it went over really well.

The ship

The crew (more or less)

The picture where you can see the fishnets and part of the whip...

Just had to take a picture with this guy. I have not gotten over my thing for long hair. He offered to do the biting picture, but I thought the husband might not appreciate that too much, so we just grinned.

And since one of our crew had the kick-ass camera, he took some video:More Pirate Pictures Here, including video of me and the ladies dancing.

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Sunday

Another good day, good panels. Bfast out with thatguyChuck was nice, if very rushed (my fault.) Had "Coffee with Steve" (a group of 10 sort of thing) which turned into coffee with he and Emma and Will. Great discussion - you know, it's odd when you meet strangers who have written things that you admire, or found inspiring, or entertaining, and you realize they're really people you'd love to have sit around with you in your livingroom to chat about all the issues that mean something to you, and where those issues come from, and where they might be going...

Anyway, I found that in large groups, I'm suddenly quiet. Never used to be this way, but as I get older I've discovered this wonderful thing, and that is that I learn a lot more from what everyone else is saying when I'm not busy thinking about the question I'm going to ask. So, I've quieted, and I learn. How wonderful.

Now I have a lot more to learn, so I'm going to be off doing some of that. Had a very good time, though I sadly missed the pool and hot tub. Darn.

Posted by Liz at January 23, 2005 8:30 PM