Not a con report

[threemonkeys]

My friends page is starting to get flooded with Swancon reports, so I should report that I was at Conjunction over the weekend. As is my way, I'll throw random thoughts out there and see what sticks to the wall.

I didn't go to all that many scheduled programme items. Not putting the names of the people running the events on the programme does make it hard to figure out what they might be about, so I just didn't go to much. That meant a lot of chatting to people - catching up with old friends as you do on such occasions. So there were lots and lots of very nice conversations. Really, I think that was just what I needed this weekend.

I did do the welcome to your first con talk. Not a big audience, but I think it went down well. It certainly impressed the guy who attended the con to do a documentary. All the community of common interest stuff went down well. He interviewed me later. It will be interesting to see if any of that makes the final cut - my experience suggests that the camera is not my friend and that I will end up on the cutting room floor.

It wasn't the concom's fault that the hotel was just a few weeks short of being shut down prior to a change of ownership and revamp, but it still means that things were a bit of a struggle at times when many of the staff didn't seem to care all that much. Having a bar that wasn't open for much of the time at all was a bit of a drawback for a con.

Before the con, I had pretty much decided against going to the banquet but the prospect of trying to forage for food on Easter sunday night dismayed me and I went along and had a really great time. Perhaps the SJV awards straight after contributed - our table started to resemble a little forest of them as I was sitting with Russell Kirkpatrick & Lucy Sussex (who also accepted Paul Haines' one on his behalf as well as her own). Yes folks, you are reading an award winning blog - try not to let it go to your heads.

Lots of debate at the SFFANZ AGM about the awards. I'm glad though that I managed to get it pushed into a separate forum. I don't think a single meeting can really work through the issues properly. I managed to stay off the board again - for what I want to do this year, it is best if I continue to heckle from the sidelines.

I did eat a lot this weekend. Too many opportunities to feed. I'm keeping a wary eye out for Japanese boats equipped with harpoons.

I ended up scoring a lot of random stuff at the con. Usually that is because I buy it but I didn't actually buy all that much. I did win a raffle though. The concom did a nice job collecting goodies to sell at auction and give away as prizes.

There is a successful con bid for 2010 - Au Contraire. The announced plan is to have it just before the Worldcon so start thinking about your travel plans now to fit in a visit here on the way. I believe they are looking for an Australian guest too - applications in writing only please.

On the subject of conventions in successive weeks - Conscription in Auckland and Conjecture in Adelaide are on successive weekends in June next year. I'm planning to get to both if I can.

Went to the launch of seraphs_folly's book Deputy Dan & The Mysterious Midnight Marauder. It was a very nice event and the book itself is both charming and beautiful. Something which shouldn't surprise anybody really.

Comments

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

The awards went to all the right places. Well done all of you and well done NZ!

That's the closest to respect you'll ever get from me, you know - enjoy that half-second while it lasts.

One day (when I'm wealthier) I shall make a NZ con.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Consider the moment enjoyed.

[strangedave.livejournal.com]

Grats on the SJV. And on staying off the board.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Thanks. The latter seemed like harder work.

[russellk.livejournal.com]

I'll add my congratulations. You consistently provoke thought, and I enjoy your analyses of the books you read. It's a great blog. Sorry Donna and I didn't catch up with you on Monday, but we thought we'd get on the road ahead of the traffic. Hah.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I got the word that you had come and gone early, although to really beat the traffic you probably had to leave at about 4am. It was, as always, excellent to catch up with you. Congratulations also on your award - it is only a little bit of the recognition your work deserves.

[seraphs-folly.livejournal.com]

*beams* thank-you!!!!! I loved that you came along

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

I tried to write a review in couplets but couldn't even do one - which made me appreciate what you had done even more.

[seraphs-folly.livejournal.com]

Try and do it in syllabically correct couplets and then you will appreciate that I am a word masochist. I'm pretty sure I'll do a non - rhyming book between this one and the sequel for sanitys sake. ;)

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

I did notice your dedication to your craft. It is a reflection of my own tragic nature that before I had even finished the first page I was counting syllables although that was more about getting the cadence right for ease of reading.

[littenz.livejournal.com]

I am pleased you had a good time, that you were able to catch up with so many other fans, and that your "your first convention" talk went down well (the documentary maker may come back to SF conventions as an attendee).

I was frazzled, but then I was one of the organisers. I had hotel liaison as one of my roles and discovering that the lease hadn't been renewed a couple of weeks (or was it just a week?) before the convention made mincemeat of the planning - such as getting in a wider selection of beer.

I am now going through the post-convention clean up phase, which includes doing the accounts, so feel like I have yet to leave the event. I am cheered that I too won an SJV.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Being frazzled comes with the territory. I think most people got the message about what was happening to the hotel and that it wasn't your fault.

[cupidsbow.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the award; I've always wanted to come to a NZ con. Maybe I'll manage it next year.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It would be great if you could make it over. If it helps, there are direct flights Perth-Auckland and Auckland-Adelaide so travel arrangements aren't all that horrendous if you want to make the grand tour and take in both cons.

[cupidsbow.livejournal.com]

It's not the flights, it's finding a window of time, in which I also have money. Up until recently, there was no money, and now there is very little time.

I will be over in NZ later this year, but it's on a trip I've been promising my (non-fannish) brother for years. We won't be doing anything specifically fannish, but it would be nice to meet some people for a meal maybe. We plan to visit both Auckland and Wellington, but I'm not sure of dates yet. Probably July.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Its more than a year away - I find that if I pencil such an event in, it just stays in mind so that I can do proper decision making and planning a couple of months out.

I know there would be people who would love to catch up over a meal if you are in town - just drop a line nearer the time.

[cupidsbow.livejournal.com]

Re forward planning: good point. I'm still figuring those kinds of things out, as my life has totally changed in the last 12 months. I'll remember your advice.

And I will drop a line once I know firmer dates. It would be lovely to meet people.

[cricketk.livejournal.com]

Ooh. If the times work out right, I could come to NZ and drop by Melbourne on the way home. Exciting!

Edit 'cos I just re-read - congrats on the award!

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Start planning now :-) The con in auckland is the first weekend of june (Queens Birthday here) and the following weekend is QB in Victoria.