DragonCon

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.