Amy and I drove down on Wednesday, arrived about 4:30 at Sharron & Luke's house, who are friends of Amy's (here, have a nice run-on sentence). Thursday early (10am) Sharron, Amy and I went for breakfast and then took Marta (subway) downtown to get our con badges. And it was a snap -- walked in, walked up to the counter, got badge, done. Back home by 1pm.
Friday, I went down early to get to Quinn Yarbro's first panel at 10am. Drove my car to the Marta lot, parked in the shade, was downtown in about 20 minutes. Sat in on the panel (forgot the name) for a few minutes: Kat Richardson was one of the panelists (love her Greywalker series). Came back in at the end and greeted Quinn. Turned out Stephanie Mills was up from Florida and sharing Quinn's room and wheeling her around in a wheelchair. It was nice to see her as I haven't seen her since ICFA in 1997.
After the panel we went down to a bar (had to wait until 12noon to get alcohol) and chatted a bit and made plans to get together for dinner. They went off to get ready for the 1pm panel (with Cherie Priest and others). I wandered in to that one for a bit, too. Mostly I sat in the lobby of the Westin and people/costume watched. Totally forgot to take any pictures.
I decided to take a shot at the vendor area in the AmericasMart -- and am really glad I had my foldup stool in my backpack -- made a good battering ram. Got out as quickly as I could.
Around 4pm I decided to stroll over to the Marriott for the autographing session at 5pm. Hot hot hot outside. Finally figured out how to get into the hotel from the skywalk (after some backtracking). And then I walked into the wall of people and noise and shouting and singing. Finally made my way down to the bottom floor to wait for Quinn and found there was no seating anywhere. Sat on my stool for a while and found it to be very uncomfortable, so that's getting returned Monday. Then I sat on the floor, which my knees didn't like (the down-getting and the up-getting).
Eventually, the signing was over. Quinn had wanted to go to a restaurant a few blocks away called Fire Brazil (meat!) and Stephanie wanted to not go. But I told Quinn I couldn't push her chair as my knees and rest of legs were about to give out. So we settled on Sear Restaurant there in the Marriott. It was good but really pricey. Quinn got her meat (full rack of baby back ribs) and some wine. I had a good meatloaf ($10 less than the ribeye at $32) and a Lemon Drop Martini (with cointreau).
Then I took myself home on the Marta at about 8:30pm. And I didn't go into the Con at all today, a really good idea as Sat. is the busiest of all days, what with the parade and all the single-day people. And my legs felt like stumps, so I just hobbled around the house and stayed cool.
Tomorrow (Sun.) Quinn has four panels, and I may go or not. I'll give her a call later and maybe suggest breakfast on Monday (she has a panel at 10am and has to go to the airport by 2pm). I'd really like for her to meet Amy so we'll try to make this happen.
Amy's having a great time. She and Sharron and Luke got in about 1am and left about 10am today. It's being a fine time for all.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2014
DragonCon
Yep, Amy and I are off to see the wiza . . . er . . . dragon in Atlanta. This is a huge con, uses five hotels in downtown, cosplayers everywhere. Fortunately, we're staying with some friends of Amy's and taking Marta in each day.
Quinn Yarbro, my writer friend, is scheduled to be on ten panels in the Fantasy / Urban Fantasy / Horror tracks, so I'll get to see her (last time was in SF Bay area in 2010 when I was still RV-ing. There was a big earthquake (6.0) this morning nearby so I'll call her and my brother soon to check in.
Not only will be it hot (like 88-90 or so), it'll be full of -- wait for it -- people. I plan to do a lot of drifting around the far edges and finding hiding spots to retreat to. If I can do those two things, I'll enjoy the people-watching in short snatches.
Of course, I have lots to do before Weds., like buy a jack & tire iron (just got a spare "space saver" tire), get cash, pack. Am also going to buy one of those canes that have fold-out seats so I can rest the knees from time to time when waiting in long lines. Also, host gifts. Also also -- check my list.
If I survive, I'll post.
Quinn Yarbro, my writer friend, is scheduled to be on ten panels in the Fantasy / Urban Fantasy / Horror tracks, so I'll get to see her (last time was in SF Bay area in 2010 when I was still RV-ing. There was a big earthquake (6.0) this morning nearby so I'll call her and my brother soon to check in.
Not only will be it hot (like 88-90 or so), it'll be full of -- wait for it -- people. I plan to do a lot of drifting around the far edges and finding hiding spots to retreat to. If I can do those two things, I'll enjoy the people-watching in short snatches.
Of course, I have lots to do before Weds., like buy a jack & tire iron (just got a spare "space saver" tire), get cash, pack. Am also going to buy one of those canes that have fold-out seats so I can rest the knees from time to time when waiting in long lines. Also, host gifts. Also also -- check my list.
If I survive, I'll post.
Friday, August 15, 2014
RIP belated
Mary Stewart, author (birthname Mary Rainbow -- too cool)
How did I miss this? She died back in May (or so). I hadn't thought about her for many years, but she was one of my favorite authors for many years. I suppose you'd call her books "romances," but her heroines were intelligent and brave, her settings were interesting, her plots not too outrageous, and her dialogue was witty and true.
Of all the books she wrote, I most enjoyed Nine Coaches Waiting.
How did I miss this? She died back in May (or so). I hadn't thought about her for many years, but she was one of my favorite authors for many years. I suppose you'd call her books "romances," but her heroines were intelligent and brave, her settings were interesting, her plots not too outrageous, and her dialogue was witty and true.
Of all the books she wrote, I most enjoyed Nine Coaches Waiting.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Update 2
Linda wants to know more about the proofing gig and my brother's sailing plans. Anything to oblige.
The proofing/copy-editing gig came about from a post on our local Facebook page. I guess I replied with an amazing answer because she hired me. She'd written an 80-pg book of what she called "prose poems," which seemed to be little vignettes and commentaries that are all vaguely linked. So, not a big job, but interesting. It went to her editor/publisher a week or so ago. Also, she paid promptly. It was fun -- I love doing that kind of work.
A friend is now working for a large printing company (mass mailing type of stuff), so I may eventually get some part-time proofing through her.
As to my brother: He's finally about to realize a lifelong dream of sailing off over the horizon and maybe never coming back. He lives in San Francisco. He bought a 42ft ketch, which seemed like a bargain but has since required more fixing up than planned. So his intended leave date of mid-March is now going to be mid-August. He's got a crew of a woman named Katrine from New Zealand, who has sailing experience and wants to go home, and Mano, an old friend with no sailing experience who wants to go before he won't be able to (sort of like my brother). There was another guy with experience but he's just gone down with medical problems. First stop will be Hawaii, where bro has friends. Then off to the South Pacific islands like French Polynesia, then New Zealand.
If he's had enough of deep water sailing by then, he may sell the boat and use the money to travel, or come home (either back to SF or to NC).
This is all assuming he survives. I got him a ballcap from the USS Asheville (4th iteration--a submarine currently based in San Diego) as a bon voyage present.
He says he's alternately exhilarated and terrified. Me, too (he's the last of my immediate family).
The proofing/copy-editing gig came about from a post on our local Facebook page. I guess I replied with an amazing answer because she hired me. She'd written an 80-pg book of what she called "prose poems," which seemed to be little vignettes and commentaries that are all vaguely linked. So, not a big job, but interesting. It went to her editor/publisher a week or so ago. Also, she paid promptly. It was fun -- I love doing that kind of work.
A friend is now working for a large printing company (mass mailing type of stuff), so I may eventually get some part-time proofing through her.
As to my brother: He's finally about to realize a lifelong dream of sailing off over the horizon and maybe never coming back. He lives in San Francisco. He bought a 42ft ketch, which seemed like a bargain but has since required more fixing up than planned. So his intended leave date of mid-March is now going to be mid-August. He's got a crew of a woman named Katrine from New Zealand, who has sailing experience and wants to go home, and Mano, an old friend with no sailing experience who wants to go before he won't be able to (sort of like my brother). There was another guy with experience but he's just gone down with medical problems. First stop will be Hawaii, where bro has friends. Then off to the South Pacific islands like French Polynesia, then New Zealand.
If he's had enough of deep water sailing by then, he may sell the boat and use the money to travel, or come home (either back to SF or to NC).
This is all assuming he survives. I got him a ballcap from the USS Asheville (4th iteration--a submarine currently based in San Diego) as a bon voyage present.
He says he's alternately exhilarated and terrified. Me, too (he's the last of my immediate family).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
