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Friday, April 21, 2000
One year ago: Imagine
Two years ago: Bohemians
A year ago, I was comparing a dance with Matteo with a previous time I had danced with him. I'd gained some experience with the dance styles he usually uses, and I'd progressed in following skill and in confidence, enough so that I was able to connect with him much more successfully!
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Today was the day that Jack had signed up for stage-managing the most panels. I drove us down to the hotel near the airport in time to park in the hotel lot, and in time for him to check in at the volunteer office and the stagemanagers office. I was there for most of "NASA vs Private Space Launches." One of the panelists revealed that he was the originator of the idea for the panel, which he had subitted as "NASA vs Private Space Flight" -- a slightly different concept. Another panelist was a former submariner. He discussed some of the problems that might come along with any "tourist" category of flights. When the environment around you is deadly, all aboard must be ready to deal with emergencies. But will passengers on a luxury space trip want to undergo that much training, before and during any trips?
Jack and I grabbed lunch in the hotel coffeeshop during a panel that he was working -- he started off the panel, we dashed downstairs and ate, then he took off before I did. We both had salad and bean soup, but I also got the fish lunch special. Eating salad made me feel especially virtuous -- so healthy!
I wasn't familiar with Barclay Shaw, the Artist Guest of Honor, so I went to hear him interviewed by Paul "Concrete" Chadwick, whom I'd seen last year at Foolscap. As I listened to stories about how Shaw got started as an artist, and what he's been doing lately, I realized why his name wasn't known to me -- he was very busy with SF covers and illustrations in the eighties and early nineties, but more recently he's done more with online stuff and cool graphics for the government. Chadwick did a good job at drawing him out, giving him the cues for various stories. Shaw was adamant about the role of luck in his career -- he'd never considered making a living as an illustrator even though he was graduating from a prestigious university's art school as a sculptor, but a fan suggested that he bring a few pieces to a convention art show. Harlan Ellison happened to see his stuff and like it, and Harlan (at that time, at least) had cover approval for some books of his that were being reprinted. Harlan insisted that Shaw get the job! which was an incredible break for him. That was Shaw's first two years of work, all laid out, so he could move to New York, and so on.
"Trouble in Orbit" blended with the earlier space panel, and had a number of the same panelists, so I don't remember much about it!
"GOH Spotlight," in the main ballroom, had authors David Brin and Gregory Benford (a fan site) chatting with each other. Brin has a new program to encourage teachers to use hard science fiction short stories in teaching -- the program provides pre-done curriculum units. This is supposed to turn kids on to reading science fiction, though I fear it might have the opposite effect. His other topic was a series of young adult novels (some by good authors) in a share-cropper style shared universe he's designed. Benford teased him to good effect. The large room was nowhere near filled -- perhaps a lot of people were involved elsewhere.
When I emerged from this, I saw what might have been the reason for the light attendance -- many people were lined up to get John Travolta's autograph! He was making a special appearance to promote Battlefield Earth. I would have liked to see him, perhaps, but not enough to wait in line. I found Seattle journaller Julie R in the line. She's very happy not to have to work at the con this year; last year she was in charge of all of hospitality!
I was disappointed in "My Starship Crew is Naked." I'd hoped to actually get some talk from Bjo Trimble and the other costumers about how to dream up effictive, practical costumes for a ship's crew (not that I'm going to be creating such), but the talk didn't really go anywhere. I left before the end.
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After Jack started the five o'clock panel, he was free to leave. We wandered down to the lobby and collected a few people to eat dinner with. This is always dicey at a convention. You don't want the group to get too big! But we assembled some of Jack's Bellingham friends, and a few of their friends, and walked across the street to the Jet City Diner (my idea!).
It was early, but I was suprised that the place wasn't busier! I had a good classic potroast and Jack had a large steak. The waitress was goodhumored about the number of separate checks, and did a good job at keeping track of things.
By the time we got back, it was probably beyond time for Jack and the other Vikingcon committee members to go help Jacqueline with the promotional party scheduled for tonight. I mostly sat on a bench near the door and observed. They do throw a good party! A woman dressed as Deanna Troi introduced herself to Jacqueline, and allowed as how she had won a costume contest at the last Vikingcon, and wanted to claim the free membership that was her prize. J was very happy to see her, since the guy who had organized the contest had since died, and all record of who had won had gone with him.
I was getting tired, so I bailed out around ten thirty. It was good to get back to my own quiet space! That's my introverted side coming out; I need some peace to recharge my batteries.
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