Gone to Orycon

For a crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love.
-- Francis Bacon

Friday, November 17, 2000
Two years ago: Back to Work

I asked Kellie to do the articles that needed to be posted in the afternoon -- I was eager to leave! I was on the road at a quarter to two. But it still took about an hour and a half to get to Olympia. There are just parts of the highway that get crowded very early.

H---- was there at the trailer; I only had to wait a few minutes for her to grab her bag. She saw her younger sister coming home from school as we drove out of the trailer court, and told her to go to a friend's house. It must be tough on H---- if she is responsible for child care every afternoon!

I puzzled out the route Jack takes when we drive south, which bypasses downtown Olympia. I told H---, "Just look for the signs for the airport!"

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I had H--- play the two CDs I'd brought. I hadn't used the CD player while driving before, I think. Cab Calloway is such fun! Then a Cecilia Bartoli collection. H--- talked about her sister A----, who has been banned from the house by her mom after stealing and causing trouble. She reflected on all the times her sister's behavior had messed things up for everyone, since expeditions or treats would be canceled when she acted up. Unfair!

We were getting hungry, so stopped for a snack at Three Rivers Mall. (That name reminds me of Two Pines Mall in Back to the Future!) We each got a slice of pizza. I didn't want to eat too much in case Jack wanted to eat dinner with us.

Over the hills, cruise control on, till we gradually blended into the Vancouver/Portland metro area. Over the bridge and there we are! Orycon 22 at the Doubletree Hotel. But they've built a few new stores since I've been here last -- I had to puzzle my way into the parking lot. I was excited to arrive at last!

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We schlepped our stuff inside, and headed for the main lobby. I knew I'd see signs advertising the vikingcon party, and that Jack would be there. Sure enough, up on the third floor they were getting ready. The bed had been upended, with a big banner pinned to it. The box spring served as a couch. There was still work to be done. H---- and I got the keycard from Jack and went to the other end of the hotel, where our room was.

I changed to my sweetheart neckline black velour top, and put on some fancy earrings, to be more festive. The Bellingham folks got the bar set up, platters of veggies and snacks. Jack was tired and not feeling great, but perked up before the party began. I wandered off to visit the internet cafe and the fan lounge.

Finally the party started. I decided to do door duty -- I don't drink and that room got very crowded! As door guard I could just look on from a distance, and chat with a few people. I checked for badges and ID, stamping those 21 and over with "Clinical Specimen".

Two women in costumes were very friendly (and a bit tipsy). One asked Jack to play his guitar, which he did. She asked how long we'd been together -- around two and a half years since we first were in contact, I said. Jack mentioned that he'd actually seen me at the Norwescon before that, which he'd never told me before! When he was first emailing me he said he'd been at one of the same panels, but didn't say that he'd noticed me there! That was surprising.

As I was watching him play guitar, the same woman said that she could see we love each other. How perspicacious of her!

Jack took H---- back to the room around eleven, and I took myself there about twelve thirty. A long day, but fun! I think Jack didn't come in until four in the morning.