NASFiC St. Louis (Archon31)

[ChunkyC]

Now that we have this loverly new home for meet 'n greets, I thought I'd start a thread for the upcoming North American Science Fiction Convention, also known as Archon31, being held in Collinsville, Illinois, which is just a few miles to the east of St. Louis. This is taking place during the first week of August '07.

Official site here (http://www.archonstl.org/31/index2.html).

A number of AWers are attending, myself included. As we get closer and see who is attending and who is not but are in the area, we can start thinking about arranging a get-together.

[tjwriter]

Sounds interesting. I'd be interested in driving over on one of the weekend days to meet up with some people and/or get a day pass to some of the con events. I can't take off work yet though so Thu/Fri are out for me because it will be less than 90 days since I started.

St. Louis is only about three hours away or so. Day trip material.

[Stew21]

I'm only about 20 minutes from there. You'll see me when you come to town, whether you want to or not! :D

[MacAllister]

w00t! This is going to be such fun! I've not gotten to meet Charlie and Amy, yet, or Stew, or TJWriter, or...

[Adam Israel]

St. Louis is only a four hour drive for me, so I'm a definite possibility.

[Dawno]

I'm going! w00t! I'll be the one in the sparkly ears...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/Ebil_Librarian/Dawno_SE80x80.gif

[Stew21]

You mean in a few weeks I will get to meet Dawno, Chunky, Mac, Medievalist, Amy and Tori, and, and, and who else?

I'm giddy just thinkin about it! YAY! A-Dubbers in my town! :)

[tjwriter]

A number of AWers are attending, myself included. As we get closer and see who is attending and who is not but are in the area, we can start thinking about arranging a get-together.

How close do we have to get to be making plans?

I'm terribly excited, and the further in advance I can make plans for a sitter and for the husband (I don't know if he would want to join or not), the better off I'll be.

Besides, it's exciting and cool!

[Dawno]

We can start talking about plans anytime you want, TJ! I'm going to arrive the evening of the 1st and I leave around noon on Sunday the 5th. The rest of the time, I'll just "go with the flow".

[ChunkyC]

My flight gets to St. Louis a little after noon on the first. The plan is to meet Mac at the airport and head to the hotel from there. I'll be heading home Monday the 6th.

TJ said Thursday and Friday are no good, and Dawno is leaving mid-day Sunday, so it's already looking like Saturday would be the best day. What do y'all think?

PS -- just emailed back and forth with Ray (Maestrowork) and he's going to see if he can make a day trip too. W00t!

[TrainofThought]

St. Louis isn’t that far of a drive for me, but I probably won’t make it that week. I would love to meet all of you, especially since it’s so close. Please tell us about the experience and I wish you all a safe trip.

[Stew21]

Saturday works for me (well, I could make just about any of the days work if I had to), but Saturday is fine.
And I'll see if I can put together a list of "nearby joints" that we may consider as meeting places.
And we could always make arrangements to Metro to the Landing for a really fun time.
Happy to coordinate that stuff since I'm right here.

[Dawno]

yay for Stew! (I think she just volunteered herse'f official AW NasFic get together location co-ordinator!) :D

[Stew21]

aw, you hadta go and make it all official and call me out, din't ya, Dawno!
Now I have to do all that coordinating really well. Peeps will be counting on me.
:)

[ChunkyC]

As long as we don't schedule our get-together opposite the Tribble workshop. ;) Seriously, I wish they'd put the programming details up, I'd really like to see what's happening when. Yes, I'm one of those weirdies who likes to plan out everything I'll be going to in advance. :)

Stew, is this "The Landing" (http://www.lacledeslanding.com/) you're talking about? Ooo, THIS (http://www.gatewayarch.com/Arch/info/act.riverboat.din.sky.aspx) looks like fun! Is it August yet? :Jump:

[Stew21]

yep! And there's a metro link so no one has to drive. Just hop the train, it'll carry us over the mississippi river and drop us right at the landing. Lots of restaurants, bars, even a Keys (piano sing-along type bar).
Or we could do a more mellow dinner and just the rowdies can head over to The Landing. ;)

oh yea, and River Boat cruises (and some river boat casinos for the gamblers, too)

Beer Drinkers? Anheuser Busch Brewery Tour is free (and includes free beer at the end of the tour.)


Trish, feelin like tour guide!

[ChunkyC]

Trish, feelin like tour guide!
Good luck keeping this mob under control. You might need a bunch of those kiddie-harness-leash things, lol!


Okay, just for me, probably. ;)

[Dawno]

Just know that I will refuse to walk past open hotel windows without some form of head protection -- last con I got hit in the nose with a chunk of ice.

[Stew21]

Good luck keeping this mob under control. You might need a bunch of those kiddie-harness-leash things, lol!


Okay, just for me, probably. ;)

I have children - wild ones - I happen to have a leash for you, Chunk.


Trish, not afraid to use it!

[Stew21]

Just know that I will refuse to walk past open hotel windows without some form of head protection -- last con I got hit in the nose with a chunk of ice.

shall I bring you a hard hat?

[maestrowork]

I'd really love to join you all. Will let you know if my schedule allows it.

[Dawno]

shall I bring you a hard hat?Couldn't hurt :)

[ChunkyC]

Cool beans, Ray. :)

So, we're tentatively looking at Saturday, possibly the late afternoon/evening after those attending the con have been to whatever they want to go to during the day?

[MacAllister]

Saturday evening sounds like a plan to me. I've not looked at the con schedule -- but I'd rather meet AW folks than go to a rubber-chicken banquet or some such, anyhow! :D

[ChunkyC]

Definitely!

As for the con sched, I've been checking the site and it's not up yet, at least that I can see. They do mention a Saturday night dance, but I'd much rather hang with you folks than watch a pair of Klingons do a bad Viennese Waltz. ;)

[tjwriter]

Sounds good. Where will we be meeting up at?

If it's in the evening and possibly involving drinking, I might want to snag a hotel room so I don't have to drive home that night.

[maestrowork]

Or we can all crash in Mac's room. I'm sure she won't mind.

[ChunkyC]

Mac is a people person, but having half a dozen liquored-up AWers sleeping on her floor might be a bit much to ask.... ;)

So, it is looking like Saturday evening is the time. Perhaps we should make a list of possible places to meet? Trish mentioned The Landing. I kinda like the idea of having dinner on a riverboat and there are lots of other spots in that area we could go after dinner. If some folks couldn't make dinner, they could hook up with the group for 'part two.'

Any other ideas? Trish, do you have something in mind that would be good for us tourists? :)

[Stew21]

I'll make a list of options and we can choose from that what we'd like to do.
The riverboat dinner sounds relaxing - good way to start, I'd think. I'll see what I can find out about all of it and get you some details.

[ChunkyC]

Ooo! It looks like we might have a NASFiC program schedule soon. There's a new square in the navigation menu on the site called 'pocket program', but it's not linked to anything yet. If that's indeed what it's going to be, once it's up and we can see what's happening on Saturday we can start nailing down the time for our get-together.

Yes, I'll probably be using site maps and Google Earth to figure out how far I'll have to run to get from one panel to the next once I know what I want to see.

:banana: < I am such a kid.

[Richard White]

I'm a guest at NASFIC and will probably be on/moderating several panels there.

Be more than happy to tip back a few with you guys there!

And those I miss there, maybe I'll catch you at Dragon*Con!

[ChunkyC]

Excellent, Richard! Looking forward to meeting you in person. :)

[roach]

I'll be there as well. Looking forward to meeting people in the flesh.

[Dawno]

Are we all going to wear our sparkly ears? :D

[ChunkyC]

I can't, they'll set of the mental metal detectors at the airport.

[Dawno]

That's from the tinfoil hat, CC, not sparkly ears.

[Stew21]

Have you had a peek at the schedule of events. Does Saturday still work well, and what time?
Just to give an idea of what sort of things we can plan (dinner, karaoke, country line dancing) Ok, I was kidding on the last two.

[maestrowork]

Karaoke would be fun -- I've heard Dawno sing very well and CC does a perfect Elvis impersonation.

[Stew21]

are you for sure going to be there Ray?

[maestrowork]

I am 80% sure that I will be there. I have a teacher conference thing in Pennsylvania I have to go to on August 1, but I should have enough time to travel.

[Stew21]

awesome!
That's quite a crowd.
We'll have to get a definite headcount so if any of the things we decide to do that require reservation, we can get it done (I'm still looking into riverboat riding/dining for Chunky)

[ChunkyC]

It looks like we have about a dozen peeps that may make it. I think we're settled on Saturday evening, unless there are any objections?

The con site still hasn't posted the actual schedule, but as I mentioned upthread, there's a new spot in with all the other links on the main page that says "Pocket Program", it's just not linked to anything yet. I've been monitoring it daily and I'll post here the moment something changes. My feeling is they'll be putting it up soon. (They'd better, we've got less than a month to go now. :D )

My thought is that we can probably think about heading off to whatever we do mid-afternoon-ish, unless when the schedule is posted, there is something so compelling that afternoon that we con attendees don't want to miss it.

ETA: I found an email addy for the person involved in the programming for the con, I sent a quick note asking when a schedule might be available. Stay tuned!

UPDATE: According to the lovely Michelle at Archon, they are working on the sched as we speak. They hope to have it completed and up on the site early next week. It could take a bit longer, but shouldn't be more than about ten days before it's up.

[tjwriter]

Sounds groovy.

I'm trying to figure out if I should try to snag a room by the con or by where all our activities will be.

[ChunkyC]

The NASFiC site (http://www.archonstl.org/31/index2.html) says the nearest hotel to the con that still has a room open is nearly ten miles away. If you go to the site, click on Addl Hotels and scroll down from there to see what they're showing as still available. Of course, there could well be other spots nearby they don't have listed on the con site.

[tjwriter]

If you go to those actual sites, like the Drury Inn Collinsville for instance, it says there are three rooms open for a one night stay on the fourth.

So, once I know where it would be better to stay, I can grab up one of those stray rooms.

[ChunkyC]

I suppose no matter what we end up doing, if you get a room in the vicinity of the con, you could just hook up with us attendees and we could all go from there.

[Medievalist]

The NASFIC site is only referring to the numbers of rooms in the blocks they've reserved at a special rate. It's worth dealing with the hotels directly. You might still get the NASFIC rate--or a better rate.

[tjwriter]

I think I've talked my husband into coming with, which is good because I didn't want to drive by myself.

Any other news? I noticed the Pocket Program still didn't have a link yet.

[Bartholomew]

I might be there. I'm not sure yet. I'll let you know.

[ChunkyC]

Kewl, Bart. :)

TJ -- kewl about your hubby. And yeah, no Pocket Program link yet, but that's the one to watch for the full con schedule.

[tjwriter]

Come on Pocket Program!

*Crosses fingers, toes, and legs.*

The husband's asking questions but I have no answers. Like if we are going to be doing a bunch of stuff near the Con, he wants to get a room near the con, as there are a few still available across the street even if he has to go outside to smoke. But if what we are doing not so much in that area, where we are located matters much less, and opens the options to include nearby hotels with smoking rooms.

Decisions, decisions. I still can't believe I talked him into.

*Does the Piper Happy Butt Wiggle.*

[ChunkyC]

W00t! They have an early draft of the program up. There are panels running right up to midnight every night, so no matter when we get together, there'll be something going on at the con. The masquerade thingy is the big event on Saturday evening and I for one won't mind missing that.

So should we just go ahead and finalize our plans for Saturday and let the chips fall where they may?

[tjwriter]

Boy, they really don't have much going on at the same time do they? ;)

I agree, CC. It seems best that we lay out the AW plans and then we can plan the con plans around that. Unless there is something that really interests someone, and then maybe we can make some exceptions. I'm all for meet-n-greet stuff first and con stuff second. It's the whole reason I'm coming.

[ChunkyC]

It is a draft of the program, it's going to fill in quickly, I'm sure.

My only real concern is that since Mac, Amy and I are there on AW business, we don't miss something important. But odds are any business we do will be outside of a scheduled program event. Then there's Richard, who is on some panels, but so far it doesn't look like he has one on Saturday evening.

So I'd say we're looking good!

[MacAllister]

Mac can reliably be found in the hotel bar, after about four. Sometimes before four.

[Richard White]

NASFiC schedule is out.

I'll be the guy who's wandering around with the dazed look on his face, asking for the teleport booth to the next panel.:e2thud:

[Stew21]

Mac can reliably be found in the hotel bar, after about four. Sometimes before four.


on any given day? :) We may have to make a Friday happy hour plan before the Saturday festivities, Mac. You being in town and all, and I so near - it only seems right I pop in for a drink after work on Friday - oh hell, why wait until after work. I could always leave early!

[ChunkyC]

NASFiC schedule is out.

I'll be the guy who's wandering around with the dazed look on his face, asking for the teleport booth to the next panel.:e2thud:
Man, nice sched on Saturday, Richard. They really have you bouncing back and forth between the Gateway Center and the Holiday Inn, don't they?

Overall, it looks like things die down around six on Saturday, right after your Kaffeklatch. So if we still want to do something special as a group that evening, we could kidnap you after you've had a chance to freshen up. :)

[Stew21]

We could hang out in the hotel bar until Richard is ready and then find a place for dinner nearby since he is likely to be BEAT!

[ChunkyC]

I think that sounds like a good idea, Trish. Are you familiar with Ravanelli's? It's within walking distance of the con, over on Collinsport Drive. I was checking it out for myself since I really don't want to be eating at Arby's or McDonalds all the time. It looks pretty good.

Website here (http://www.ravanellisrestaurants.com/default.aspx).

[Stew21]

I've heard of it, but haven't been there. Looks fine to me!

[Richard White]

I don't know, Chunky.

That's likely to cut into my White Castle time.

OK, OK, you talked me into it.

[ChunkyC]

LOL! Hey, I've never been to White Castle, we'll have to do lunch there at some point. :)

[Stew21]

I like White Castle - about twice a year and only after drinking too much.
I eat a bunch of sliders and fries, then regret it but I always end up back there at some point ready to try it again.

[tjwriter]

Sounds good. We'll snag one of those rooms near the con then.

[tjwriter]

Okay. One reservation for the Fairfield Collinsville is secured. Now we just have to figure out what time to leave here.

[MacAllister]

on any given day? :) We may have to make a Friday happy hour plan before the Saturday festivities, Mac. You being in town and all, and I so near - it only seems right I pop in for a drink after work on Friday - oh hell, why wait until after work. I could always leave early!

You're on, Trish. :) I'd love that!

[Dawno]

Mac can reliably be found in the hotel bar, after about four. Sometimes before four.

There's a very good chance Dawno will be near-by having an Irish Coffee. Just keep me away from "Southern Lemonades" ok? That stuff is sneaky.

[tjwriter]

Just get an Italian Surfer. They're swell.

I wish I had vacation days so I could be there for the whole con. I'm looking at the program and thinking there are lots of things for my amusement and education.

[Stew21]

OK Folks!

Looks like Saturday evening dinner plans. As ChunkyC mentioned above, we can meet at one of the hotel bars and wait for Richard to get his con responsiblities wrapped up, relax for a bit and get dinner about 8. I'm making a reservation for us, so I need a head count. Who is in?
If you want to PM me, that's fine, too, and I'll shoot back my cell phone number so we at least have someone on point to keep everyone in touch (especially those coming in on their own instead of with a group.)

And Mac, I'll take a couple hours off work on Friday and meet you at 4 in the hotel bar.

[Dawno]

I'm in :)

[ChunkyC]

:hi: Me too! (Ravanelli's won't know what hit them, bwuahahaha!)

[maestrowork]

Jot me down for Saturday. I should be there unless something happens (like, say, I have a hot date with Kate Beckinsale).

[Dawno]

Just bring her along, Ray. We won't tease her about her weight.

[Stew21]

and we'll dress down so she doesn't feel so badly about how she'll likely be dressed.

[maestrowork]

I'm just kidding. She's way out of my league (not to mentioned married). I'll more likely end up with Jessica Alba instead.

[Richard White]

I'll be there, (if I'm still coherent)

[Stew21]

Poor Richard, it's a work-intensive weekend for you, isn't it?
We'll be sure to have a drink waiting for you. What is your drink of choice?

[ChunkyC]

(if I'm still coherent)
You think the rest of us will be? ;)

Speaking of coherent -- most of you know I'm a recovering alcoholic who has been clean and sober for 20+ years, so I offer my services as designated whatever-requires-sobriety. :D

[roach]

Add one more to the head count.

[Stew21]

you've been added.

[Birol]

Is this the thread for the restaurant? You can add me to the headcount.

[MacAllister]

MacAllister, Medievalist, and also Dawno. :) I didn't see either of them check in yet, so thought I'd do it for 'em

[tjwriter]

Count me and the husband in too.

If someone wants to go ahead and PM with a number so we'll have some point of contact, that'd be great, too. And I'll respond with my number as well.

I expect to arrive mid-morning on Saturday. I have to work late on Friday, probably until 8 or 9 in the evening, and I'd like to spend a bit of time with my daughter before we leave.

If anyone wants to meet up with us before dinner to maybe do con stuff or something, that would be cool too.

[Dawno]

MacAllister, Medievalist, and also Dawno. :) I didn't see either of them check in yet, so thought I'd do it for 'em

Didja ever feel invisible? *sigh* ;)

I was the first to respond (post 71) I'm in :)

[ChunkyC]

Did you guys hear something? :Huh:

(dang, this is gonna be fun!)

[tjwriter]

I think that was just a breeze, CC. :tongue

[Dawno]

:tongue to you both. Fiddledesticks and poopiedust.

[Komnena]

It sounds really interesting, though I'm not sure about the dinner. I hope to at least meet some of the people from AW.

[Stew21]

I think I'm coming over that direction friday afternoon for a quick meet and drink with mac (and anyone else game) in the hotel bar, and then Saturday I'll come to the hotel to meet everyone early and we'll do a little happy hour before dinner time.

[Stew21]

I have 11 of us for dinner so far and one maybe.

[ChunkyC]

We may have a baker's dozen. :)

I emailed Scott Hawkins too, he's going to be at the con and I'm pretty sure he'd want to join us for dinner on Saturday. He'll either drop by here, or if he replies to my email, I'll confirm here on his behalf.

[Stew21]

great!
And didn't Bart stop by this thread and say he might be coming to the con too?
We'll have to check with him as well.

[MacAllister]

I'll drag Hawkins along, even if he proves recalcitrant. Put him down, too.

[ChunkyC]

great!
And didn't Bart stop by this thread and say he might be coming to the con too?
We'll have to check with him as well.
I did PM him to let him know you're doing the head-count. Hopefully he'll be by to give his yea or nay shortly.

ETA: And I've PM'd AmyBA too. You should pencil her in as well, I know she'll want to be there.

[Birol]

Stew, what are the names/userid's you have down?

[Stew21]

Roach
Dawno
Chucky
Birol
Medievalist
Mac
Ray
Richard White
TJwriter
TJ's husband
Scott Hawkins (of his own will or otherwise)
AmyBA
Stew (of course)

With a "maybe" on Komnena and StoneTable and a "who knows? " on Bart.

[ChunkyC]

Oh, and there's StoneTable -- earlier in the thread ST said maybe, I sent a PM.

Cripes, that's 16 if everyone comes. Wow!

[Stew21]

Oh, and there's StoneTable -- earlier in the thread ST said maybe, I sent a PM.

Cripes, that's 16 if everyone comes. Wow!

I added StoneTable to the list above, I'll just keep editing it until we have the complete list.

[AmyBA]

You can change my pencil to ink-- yes, I'd like to go too. :D

[ChunkyC]

I just checked and StoneTable hadn't posted in a bit, so I emailed him.

[MacAllister]

A couple of important links, guys, if you've not been to cons -- especially BIG cons -- before:

Please Read! (http://suricattus.livejournal.com/743250.html?mode=reply):One of the campers spent much of the weekend supplimenting a lack of food and sleep with Red Bulls and other stim drinks. She wasn't drinking, she was otherwise healthy... and Saturday night she suffered a seizure quite probably as a result of those slammed Red Bulls, falling and giving herself a concussion and several stitches, and scaring the FUCK out of the rest of us.

We have all had days when we needed an extra boost to get through. It happens. But stimulant drinks are not a replacement for food and sleep. Stimulant drinks are not "harmless." Abusing them is DANGEROUS and I will forever regret the fact that I didn't say something to this camper when she told me on Friday how many drinks she'd had that day alone, because the damage could so easily have been so very much worse.

And our own very excellent HapiSofi posted some advice a couple of years ago -- It was in the ezboard days, so I couldn't find the original link, but they reposted much of her original advice on Making Light (http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/005451.html#005451):The worldcon can be overwhelming to people who’ve been attending it for decades. It will unquestionably overwhelm you. When things get to be too much, go back to your room and nap for an hour. It’s a sovereign cure. The other sovereign cure is to try some smaller conventions. Boskone’s good.

Another sign of trouble is that you suddenly realize that all your friends hate you, you’re having an awful time, you’ve made a fool of yourself in every conversation you’ve been in so far, and you should never have come to the convention. This is definitely a sign that you should go back to your room and take a nap. When you wake up, things will be better.

If it’s early evening and you suddenly can’t find anyone you know, it’s probably because your friends have gone off on a dinner expedition. Eat in the hotel coffeeshop, keep an eye out for their return, and get yourself invited along on the next one.

Drink lots of water. Take your regular medications on your regular schedule. Carry your vital medical information (if you have any) on your person at all times. Remember to eat at least two meals and get five hours of sleep within any twenty-four-hour period. Spend at least half an hour each day outside the hotel, doing something that has nothing to do with the convention.

She also says:Be kind and polite. Never assume it’s safe to be rude or condescending to someone just because they appear to be a very odd bird indeed. Interpersonal connections in the SF community are complex, multilayered, and wholly unpredictable; and the community itself is notably tolerant of disabilities and personal eccentricities. That very odd bird may turn out to be your favorite author, or the agent you have your eye on, or the editor to whom your novel is currently on submission. They might be one of the field’s mandarin theorists: highly respected, but almost impossible to spot from outside the community. But what you really have to watch out for is the odd bird who was your hoped-for agent’s or editor’s best friend when they were teenage neofans together, or their former spouse and business partner, or their fellow member for several decades now of a small and obscure but oddly influential APA, or their opponent in the worst fan feud in twenty years.

On the other hand, that very odd bird may be bothering you because no one else will talk to him. Disengage, and go do something else that’s more fun.

And finally -- Sherwood Smith on con-going especially for writers. (http://sartorias.livejournal.com/31706.html)

[tjwriter]

That's lots of good advice, Mac. Actually pretty solid for any large crowd situation.

The closer this gets the more excited I'm getting. It's going to be great to meet all of you.

[Richard White]

The interesting thing I've found moving from comics to SF/F novel writing is that the conventions are much smaller in SF/F.

A mid-sized comic con is 10-12K people, with Dragon*Con (at @30K+) and San Diego (120K+) at the high end.

A mid-sized SF/F con is 2-3K+ people, with many being around 500-1200.

Talk about culture shock . . .

[Adam Israel]

Hey gang,

I don't know if I'm going to make it down. After being away from home for three weeks (James Gunn workshop + Heinlein Centennial + work), I'm ready to stay close to home, sleep, and give my bank account some time to heal.

I've considered just driving down the one day, but it's a 4-5 hour trip each way. That's still a remote possibility, but not one to hold any plans to.

[ChunkyC]

That's a heck of a drive, ST. We'll certainly understand if you can't make it down, especially considering your recent road trip.

[ChunkyC]

Okay, now I'm getting excited. In exactly one week from the time of this post, I'll be in the air between Calgary and Denver, on my way to St. Louis.

:hooray:

ETA: I've been putting it wrong, haven't I. It should be Saint Louis, not St. Louis, right? Sorry for my faux pas.

[tjwriter]

I'm all excited, too, CC. Except I realized that I will need to pack this weekend due to my work schedule next week.

So, where are the pre-dinner gatherers meeting?

And then dinner is at 8, right?

[ChunkyC]

Trish was making the dinner reservation at Ravanelli's for 8, yes.

As far as getting together beforehand, we just need a spot where peeps who aren't attending the con can get in if they want to join us before dinner. With all the hotels around the Gateway Center, it shouldn't be a problem finding a lounge or summat. Otherwise folks can just go straight to Ravanelli's at 8 if that's their preference.

[maestrowork]

I will be traveling quite a bit next week (a couple of events and engagements) so I have no idea what's going at this point. I plan to be there before 8, check into Motel 6, and then hang out. If I get there early enough I will join ya. Otherwise, I guess I will see y'all at Ravanelli's.

[tjwriter]

Yeah, I'm still debating what I want to do.

I was looking at the programming and trying to decide if I want to get a one day for Saturday or for Sunday, as there is a considerable price difference. There were a few things that looked worth attending on both days.

Decisions, decisions.

[ChunkyC]

As far as finding a spot to hook up before dinner on Saturday, I guess we'll have to check the lay of the land once we get there. I'm bringing my laptop and there'll be 'net access in the hotel, so I should have no problem posting here while at the con.

Mac is meeting Amy and I at the airport Wednesday afternoon, we should be all checked in that evening. If we find a good pre-dinner gathering spot and post it here on Thursday, does that work for those coming down on Saturday? Will everyone have a chance to check in here before Saturday?

[Birol]

Why not just plan to meet in the lobby of the hotel where you, Mac, and Amy are staying?

[ChunkyC]

Quite possible, our hotel is about halfway between the Gateway Center and Ravanelli's. But -- I have checked the pics on their website, and it doesn't look like there's much of a 'lounge', just a few chairs & tables here and there. I was thinking we might want a spot where folks could hang out for a bit, have a drink if they want. They may well have such a spot that isn't in the pics, we'll have to see.

By the way, gang -- anyone with a copy of Stories of Strength, please bring it along. I would be thrilled to get contributors to sign their stories in my copy, and honoured to sign my story for anyone else. :)

[Dawno]

I'm bringing SoS and Atlanta Nights. If anyone has a copy of Crack of Death they'd like signed, I contributed a chapter to that :)

[ChunkyC]

Don't forget Ray's book (you do have a copy, don't you :D )

[maestrowork]

If anyone has a copy of Crack of Death they'd like signed, I contributed a chapter to that :)

Me, too. So I will sign that as well. :) [You can sign my copy, Dawno]

[maestrowork]

Don't forget Ray's book (you do have a copy, don't you :D )

I'll be keeping score -- who does and who doesn't. Yeah, I'm so keeping score.

:ROFL:

[ChunkyC]

I think my suitcase just gained ten pounds. ;)

[Dawno]

Since I already have a signed copy of Ray's book I got as a prize for my award winning Purple Prose ;) I won't need to bring it along.

I just hope Uncle Jim will sign a few things :) I've got a couple of the CafePress teeshirts I made and I'll bring a Magewars book, too.

[ChunkyC]

Crossing my fingers he can make it. As of a week or two ago, he still wasn't sure. I'm bringing The Apocalypse Door just in case he does.

[Stew21]

http://www.archonstl.org/images/map.gif - take a look here, it should let us know what is close for drinks.
When I called for Reservations at Ravenelli's the girl said the woman who does the reservations wasn't in yet. I called back today. She is busy with Payroll - i'm supposed to call her back after 2.
Sheesh! Someone can't just write it down along with my phone number if there is a problem?
oh well.
As soon as it is confirmed I'll let you know.

[Stew21]

ChunkyC - your movie theater (http://www.wehrenberg.com/theaterDetail.asp?theatre=27&date=8%2F1%2F2007).

[Stew21]

and this place is right in the same area for those that don't want the night to end after dinner and want to hear some live music. http://www.wildcountrynightclub.com/ABOUTWC.HTM

(it's not all country music)

[ChunkyC]

Perfect! Looks like they'll have The Bourne Ultimatum opening on Friday Aug. 3rd, so as long as my local theatre is getting it in as well, I'm set. And according to Google Earth, it's less than ten miles away from the con, so a cab ride (if necessary) shouldn't be outrageous.

Thanks, Trish. :)

[Stew21]

and there's this place. I can't get to their website because at work MySpace is blocked, but they have karaoke every friday night and live music every saturday night.
I've never been here or to WildCountry, so its almost as much a shot in the dark for you as it is for me.
http://www.myspace.com/lilpeepsbar

[Adam Israel]

Okay, screw it, I'm coming. The only question is if I come down Friday or Saturday.

Is there anything special happening on Friday?

[Stew21]

Oh good! I made the reservation for 16 figuring we might have more.
8 PM on Saturday the 4th. all set.

[ChunkyC]

Nothing in particular AW related on Friday (nearly forgot - Mac, Trish and whoever are gonna get together for refreshments later in the afternoon), Saturday's our big get-together. Personally, I'm going to see a movie on Friday since I have to file a column by Sunday noonish while there.

Cross-posted with Trish ...yeeeha!

*cue Eddie Murphy*

We're gonna party all the time, party all the time, party all the ti-hime....

[maestrowork]

Too bad, Chuck. We could have gone to the movies together, like a couple..... of twins.

[Roger J Carlson]

Oh good! I made the reservation for 16 figuring we might have more.
8 PM on Saturday the 4th. all set.Oh, I hope there's room for one more. I just got approval for time off from work. I'll be driving down on Thursday, so I'll be around Friday night as well. Can you squeeze one more in? Pretty please? ::bats eyelashes::

[Stew21]

Of course we can! woohoo!
I'll call and bump the res. up a couple more.

I got a PM from Roach that Jaws is coming!

[Roger J Carlson]

I got a PM from Roach that Jaws is coming!:Jaw:

[Stew21]

Roach
Dawno
Chunky
Birol
Medievalist
Mac
Ray
Richard White
TJwriter
TJ's husband
Scott Hawkins (of his own will or otherwise)
AmyBA
Stew (of course)

With a "maybe" on Komnena and StoneTable and a "who knows? " on Bart.

So from the original list, we are adding:

Jaws
Stone Table
Roger Carlson
Roach

And I just happened to make the res for exactly 16. should I call and bump it a couple more just in case?

[Stew21]

And for those who would like to see more of St. Louis, or have the opportunity:

(I'll get links for anyone interested)
Forest Park
Science Center
The Arch
Laclede's Landing
Soulard (and soulard market)
Anheuser Busch Brewery Tours
Grants Farm
St. Louis Zoo

[Roger J Carlson]

You think the rest of us will be? ;)

Speaking of coherent -- most of you know I'm a recovering alcoholic who has been clean and sober for 20+ years, so I offer my services as designated whatever-requires-sobriety. :DAs a tea-totaler myself, I can help out, Charlie. In addition, since I'm driving down, I'll have a car.

[Roger J Carlson]

Okay, I have to ask this. Is anybody going to the masquerade? Or are we all too cool?

[Medievalist]

I won't go to the masquerade for the simple reason that at a con this size, I just can't see (there's a couple reasons I don't drive .. .) but the masquerade should be seen.

Usually you need to get there a bit early so you might schedule your time with that in mind.

I'd also suggest at least walking through the art show--there's a lot of talent in fandom. Just remember to keep anything less than admiring ooos and ahhs to yourself--artists tend to lurk.

Dealer's room ... look first, then buy. Often the same books are available at different prices, not to mention tchotchkas.

There's usually a sign up sheet somewhere near the information desk for beers or coffee klatches with authors, artists, and such. Usually you provide your own beverage.

Sign up. They're intimate and tremendously fun. If you see a sign up sheet for someone you don't recognize that has no one on it, and it's the second day of the con, please sign up. I've seen writers devastated because no one came to an autograph session or to a coffee klatch. Be a mensch.

If you've got more than two books for an author to sign, please do it in more than one session, or get back in line.

Bring a pen. No one ever has one.

[ChunkyC]

Rog, the masquerade is on Saturday night I believe, when we're having dinner as a group. :)

So, you gots a car, big guy? Wanna go see The Bourne Ultimatum Friday evening? I have to review a movie and send in my column by Sunday morning. All I need is a> to be sure the local theatre here at home is showing the same film, and b> figure out how to get to the theatre and back, which is about 8 miles away from the con.

If I have to take a cab, it's not a big deal since it's not too far, but it would be fun to have company. :)

[roach]

Okay, I have to ask this. Is anybody going to the masquerade? Or are we all too cool?

When is the masquerade? (*she says having not yet even taken a look at programming*)

Aha, cross-post!

[ChunkyC]

Hehe, me too with Med. I believe our Richard is having one of those kaffeklatches on Saturday afternoon. :)

[Roger J Carlson]

Rog, the masquerade is on Saturday night I believe, when we're having dinner as a group. :)

So, you gots a car, big guy? Wanna go see The Bourne Ultimatum Friday evening? I have to review a movie and send in my column by Sunday morning. All I need is a> to be sure the local theatre here at home is showing the same film, and b> figure out how to get to the theatre and back, which is about 8 miles away from the con.

If I have to take a cab, it's not a big deal since it's not too far, but it would be fun to have company. :)*Sigh* You only love me for my wheels. Sounds like fun, though.

[ChunkyC]

I'm such a 'user'. ;)

[Stew21]

Do you guys have reliable directions from the airport?
Crossing the bridges can be tricky headin' east.
Let me know the route you're going and I'll see if I can help make it any easier.

[MacAllister]

Trish, I'd probably bump the reservations up to 20...

[Roger J Carlson]

Trish is buying, right?

[Stew21]

up to 20? - I can do that.

buying? - :wonders how much I could make on a yard sale this weekend?:

[Stew21]

Ray and I are trying to convince StoryGirl to make the drive from Nashville.

[ChunkyC]

Re: directions from the airport ... I've 'driven' the route in Google Earth a few times now, see if I have this right....

-- I70 east from the airport to the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge across the river (we exit right, across from the arch, onto a ramp that takes us onto the bridge)
-- then I55/70 on out to Collinsville, getting off at the N.Bluff Road exit.

We have to watch we don't get caught in the wrong lane along that route, there's a couple of spots that look a tad tricky. Mac, you're arriving before the rest of us, so you'll be making the run alone first time, right?

[maestrowork]

I'm coming from the east so no problem. I would, however, like to venture into downtown St. Louis but I have GPS.

[Stew21]

Re: directions from the airport ... I've 'driven' the route in Google Earth a few times now, see if I have this right....

-- I70 east from the airport to the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge across the river (we exit right across from the arch onto a 'flyover' that takes us onto the bridge)
-- then I55/70 on out to Collinsville, getting off at the N.Bluff Road exit.

We have to watch we don't get caught in the wrong lane along that route, there's a couple of spots that look a tad tricky. Mac, you're arriving before the rest of us, so you'll be making the run alone first time, right?


Oh I'm glad I asked. MLK Bridge is under some construction now. I'll check it on my way home tonight, but I believe you won't be able to take it!
I'll check and give you an alternate if it is indeed still closed.

I work about 5 minutes from the airport if someone needs a ride east.

[ChunkyC]

Cool, Trish. Mac will be coming in first on Tuesday and driving from the airport, so if you can get her squared away with directions, she'll know the route when she comes back to the airport to get Amy, Lisa and I on Wednesday.

Hmm -- looking at the area, perhaps going to the next bridge, just past the arch (I64 & hwy 40?) would be better anyway, GE just doesn't show what it's called. It appears that bridge is I70 as well, so we could just follow I70 all the way.

ETA: yes, I'm anal. :D

[Stew21]

The exit ramp from eastbound I-70 to the Martin Luther King Bridge is closed for construction work. The ramp closure will be in place until August 31.
http://www.modot.org/stlouis/news_and_information/District6News.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=9464

From MoDOT - yep, need an alternate route. I'll get you one, Mac.
and if you get lost you have my cell number.

[Stew21]

Cool, Trish. Mac will be coming in first on Tuesday and driving from the airport, so if you can get her squared away with directions, she'll know the route when she comes back to the airport to get Amy, Lisa and I on Wednesday.

Hmm -- looking at the area, perhaps going to the next bridge, just past the arch (I64 & hwy 40?) would be better anyway, GE just doesn't show what it's called. It appears that bridge is I70 as well, so we could just follow I70 all the way.

ETA: yes, I'm anal. :D

That'd be the poplar street bridge which is the one I take home.
And is the route I was going to send you in the first place!
:D

[ChunkyC]

So then we have to make sure we're in the middle lane as we approach the arch since the right-hand lane exits at the arch? And the bridge exit is the one after that? (Google Earth is awesome) :D

[Stew21]

So then we have to make sure we're in the middle lane as we approach the arch since the right-hand lane exits at the arch? And the bridge exit is the one after that? (Google Earth is awesome) :D

exactly.
and once on the bridge make sure you are in the proper lane as well, because they split off and we wouldn't want you wandering East St. Louis like the Griswalds.

[ChunkyC]

LOL!

So just keep our eyes peeled for I-70/I-55 all the way. Leftmost two lanes as we come off the bridge, and away we go. :)

[Stew21]

Pretty much. Yep! Almost as good as being there.

Too bad google can't show you the ramp to MLK Bridge is closed, eh?

[ChunkyC]

When google earth becomes real-time, then people can freak out about being watched all the time. :D

[Richard White]

Being a misplaced Missourian, I enjoy coming to Archon (this will be my fourth). The only trouble is, 80% of my relatives live in the Mid-Missouri to KC side of the state. Most of the ones from the eastern half have moved to Florida (sigh).

[MacAllister]

Lord, people...you realize, right, that I'm one of those people who will climb in a car with a vague idea of which way I want to go in general (or not) and just stop and ask at the local Mini-Mart, "Uhh, how do I get to Collinsville?"

yer makin' me dizzy...

[Stew21]

Funny, I'm sorta the same way, Mac. I learned my way around this area by "just driving" and when I'd get horribly lost I'd call someone or stop somewhere and ask.

[ChunkyC]

As you can tell, I like to know EXACTLY where I'm going. :D

I can send you a series of images of each pertinent lane change if you want, Mac. Ground level view, of course. ;)

Seriously, it should be pretty good as long as the highway signs are decent -- just follow I-70 east from the airport, all the way to the Gateway Center turnoff at Collinsville.

[maestrowork]

When google earth becomes real-time, then people can freak out about being watched all the time. :D

Ummm... actually they have real time Google Maps now, which you can use to track all your friends.

I have Google Map with GPS on my Blackberry. Really sweet.

[maestrowork]

Lord, people...you realize, right, that I'm one of those people who will climb in a car with a vague idea of which way I want to go in general (or not) and just stop and ask at the local Mini-Mart, "Uhh, how do I get to Collinsville?"

yer makin' me dizzy...

Keep staying on the left... eventually you will get near. Or at least within 34.5 miles.


:D

[ChunkyC]

Ummm... actually they have real time Google Maps now, which you can use to track all your friends.

I have Google Map with GPS on my Blackberry. Really sweet.
Okay ... can you tell me how many fingers I'm holding up right now? ;)

[maestrowork]

One!

On your tongue.

[ChunkyC]

Damn, I can't wait for this trip! :)

[tjwriter]

Okay, I was following along all yesterday, and it sounds swell.

Now, my husband isn't so keen on going to the con, so I'm trying to find alternate activities for him. Any suggestions, Trish? He's an outdoors type of guy.

And Lisa had some great information packed in there. I was going to ask about some of the stuff in the program because I have no clue what some things are. I had guessed the kaffeklatch was, sort of. What advice is out there for an utter noob?

And what are some of things you guys plan on attending Saturday and/or Sunday?

I'm getting the feeling that I'm really going to enjoy myself.

[Medievalist]

And Lisa had some great information packed in there. I was going to ask about some of the stuff in the program because I have no clue what some things are. I had guessed the kaffeklatch was, sort of. What advice is out there for an utter noob?

Look at MacAllister's post here (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1493443&postcount=102).

[Roger J Carlson]

Okay, so what do I pack? I'm guessing it's not business casual (my usual "convention" attire *sigh*), but what sort of casual? Shorts and Hawaiian shirts, jeans and tee-shirts, Arrakis stillsuits, what? Warm weather casual, cold weather (air conditioning) casual, layered Arctic gear?

[ChunkyC]

Weather report for SL says it's going to be mainly sunny, 90+ degrees from Wednesday through Friday.

I ain't wearin' shorts, NOBODY wants to see my lily-white Canadian legs. :D

[Medievalist]

Okay, so what do I pack? I'm guessing it's not business casual (my usual "convention" attire *sigh*), but what sort of casual? Shorts and Hawaiian shirts, jeans and tee-shirts, Arrakis stillsuits, what? Warm weather casual, cold weather (air conditioning) casual, layered Arctic gear?

Roger at a con you'll see a range of wear--including folk in suit and tie, as well as pretty elaborate "hall costumes". You'll also see men in utility kilts, people wearing ears and tails, as part of an "alternate identity," and cosplay folk, in very very professionally done look alike costumes inspired by anime.

But jeans/pants/shorts with polos, or t-shirts, or, always acceptable, Hawaiian shirts.

Me, I go with jeans, t-shirts, and a couple of Hawaiian shirts, and, because I'm akin to reptiles and cold all the time in air conditioned places, I'll have a jacket.

[MacAllister]

And I pretty much wear cargo shorts and Hawaiian shirts everywhere I go. All the time.

[Birol]

I'm going for jeans, but I don't really have a great number of t-shirts suitable for wearing outside the house right now.

[Adam Israel]

I'll have room to transport 4 people to dinner and whatnot.

I still need to poke around at the schedule and decide when I'm coming down and leaving. The more I hear about the con, the more I want to spend the entire weekend there.

[ChunkyC]

Roger at a con you'll see a range of wear--including folk in suit and tie, as well as pretty elaborate "hall costumes". You'll also see men in utility kilts, people wearing ears and tails, as part of an "alternate identity," and cosplay folk, in very very professionally done look alike costumes inspired by anime.

But jeans/pants/shorts with polos, or t-shirts, or, always acceptable, Hawaiian shirts.

Me, I go with jeans, t-shirts, and a couple of Hawaiian shirts, and, because I'm akin to reptiles and cold all the time in air conditioned places, I'll have a jacket.
So ... Ray in a muumuu won't be too out there? ;)

[Medievalist]

So ... Ray in a muumuu won't be too out there? ;)

No one will even give Ray a second look.

Just . . . don't stare. Admiring is fine. Don't ever ever ever take pictures of fen (plural of fan) without permission.

[tjwriter]

Look at MacAllister's post here (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1493443&postcount=102).


I read that, but it's really general about not losing your head in a con sort of way. Examples of things TJ doesn't know:

What is filking and why is it open with related programming ongoing throughout the weekend?

Is there anything that describes the "A Walk Around the Block" that starts at 9:00AM on Saturday? What it is and such?

Is a Kaffeklatch just beverages and discussion with whoever is listed?

What goes on in the "A Little Workshop that Could" on Saturday at 4:00PM?

And then I was also wondering if there's anything else besides what you described, Lisa, that I shouldn't miss, and what types of activities you seasoned con pros (sounds funny doesn't it?) attend. I don't know where you find this type of information at.

[Medievalist]

What is filking and why is it open with related programming ongoing throughout the weekend?

Filking is the fannish version of folk song singing; the songs, often to very well known melodies, and often parodies, are about films and books and fandom.

Filking is either very good, (less common) or well, fun for the muscians/singers and torture for everyone else.

Is there anything that describes the "A Walk Around the Block" that starts at 9:00AM on Saturday? What it is and such?

I'd have to go look--There will be more detail in the printed guide. It looks like a panel, to me. Panels can be very good; I've been known to take notes and blog 'em. They can be awful too though. You sorta have to look at the people on the panel to tell.

Is a Kaffeklatch just beverages and discussion with whoever is listed?

Pretty much; they are kept small, and rarely are the beverages provided.

What goes on in the "A Little Workshop that Could" on Saturday at 4:00PM?[/quote"

I suspect it's one of the panels, and that it's about workshops, and how to run or benefit from them, or about a particular one.

The actual workshops are arranged well in advance, and stories distributed etc. They're not walk-in things.

[quote]And then I was also wondering if there's anything else besides what you described, Lisa, that I shouldn't miss, and what types of activities you seasoned con pros (sounds funny doesn't it?) attend. I don't know where you find this type of information at.

There's a lot in the program book, now online, and there's almost always a newbies thing in the first day or so of the con about what and why and how.

I confess that I attend a couple of panels that have people I know on them, or on topics I'm really interested in, make a visit to the art show, a couple to the dealers room to buy books, maybe get a few signed, but spend most of my time hanging out and networking.

There are two sort of large cultural divides in fandom.

FIAWOL Fandom Is A Way of Life -- the fannish equivalents of Dead heads, who follow the Grateful Dead, or did, to all their concerts.

FIJAGDH Fandom Is Just A Gosh Darn <cough> Hobby. People who see fandom as just part of their life.

There are also people who love books and hate films or TV, and vice versa.

Do Not Enter This Fray.

Really. Just nod politely no matter what you think. You'll live longer.

[tjwriter]

Thanks for info. That helps.

I get the feeling that I'm going to have a really good time. It's awesome to just listen to various opinions on topics.

It seems like it's a good thing that I'm well versed in the smile and nod technique. Fours years of third shift in an all night diner amounted to something. You get all kinds of cats in that venue.

[Adam Israel]

I'll probably have one more coming along with me.

I finally found the link to the schedule and there are dozens of panels I want to see. If we can get the dogs in to the kennel on short notice, the wife will be coming and we'll be there for the whole weekend. Otherwise I'll just do the day thing.

From the looks of it, this is a much bigger con than I first realized. I've been to a couple cons, but I suspect this will be much larger. Thanks for all of the info on what to expect!

[Stew21]

is a reservation for 20 going to be enough?

[Richard White]

I'm a little worried about one of my panels (Anime - Creating New Genres). Apparently there were only two of us on the panel and they've withdrawn from the convention . . . and I was hoping they knew what the heck the panel was about . . .

Eeeek!

Oh, well. I'm opinonated enough, I'll come up with something between now and then (unless the con does the smart thing and cancels the panel).

[Dawno]

I saw on the TuckerCon website that there was a "pocket" program. I hit "print" 45 pages later it was done. I guess we're supposed to wear clothes with really big pockets...

Is there an alternate fanish meaning to the word pocket that I just don't get?

[Medievalist]

I saw on the TuckerCon website that there was a "pocket" program. I hit "print" 45 pages later it was done. I guess we're supposed to wear clothes with really big pockets...

Is there an alternate fanish meaning to the word pocket that I just don't get?

It's formatted for the Web on the site. At the con you'll get a small printed booklet, a large format book, and probably a bag . . .

[Dawno]

So I can stop sewing huge pockets on my shirts now?

[Birol]

Ah. Good. Because I did the same thing Dawno did. (Minus the sewing thing. I own a needle -- I think.)

[ChunkyC]

I was fortunate enough to do a copy/paste into a wordprocessor document to save on my system and saw how long it was before doing any printing. Actually, what I did was export it from OpenOffice into a format for my PDA. Unfortunately, it's nearly unreadable because all the extra lines and formatting are gone. So I went back and saved the web page itself to my system instead. I was hoping we'd get a printed copy at the con, otherwise I'd be walking around reading it off my laptop all the time. ;)

[Dawno]

But I wanna organize it NOW. *stomps little footsie* I want to use my colored highlighter pens to prioritize events and colored postit flags to mark important stuff and have it all marked up in advance, so I know exactly what I'm missing while I'm sitting around schmoozing with people instead of attending the panels.

[Adam Israel]

I feel like a weight has been lifted :)

Dogs have a kennel. Hotel has been booked (In St. Louis, but should only be a 20 minute drive) and work has been postponed. We'll be there Thursday-Sunday. See ya'll there!

[tjwriter]

But I wanna organize it NOW. *stomps little footsie* I want to use my colored highlighter pens to prioritize events and colored postit flags to mark important stuff and have it all marked up in advance, so I know exactly what I'm missing while I'm sitting around schmoozing with people instead of attending the panels.That sounds just like me. I downloaded Saturday and Sunday into Word where I removed the formatting and then added my own. Voila! Instantly easy thing for me to color code.

[rwam]

Dang. I just stumbled across this thread because I saw "St. Louis" in the title. This convention is right near me, but I'm gonna be out of town. Otherwise I could have loaded a bunch of you in my car!

[tjwriter]

Too bad you couldn't join us.

It feels like we've got a million people coming.

Do you think Cabela's and the Bass Pro Shop will be enough to keep my husband occupied? I just can't imagine him attending the con as it's totally not his type of thing.

[rwam]

Yeah, if he likes fishing, your husband will LOVE BPS. I think it's a good drive away (probably half hour?) over into Missouri, but if he's never been to one before, then watch out.

I'm not so sure about the Cabela's place. I've heard of them, and know there's some around (on the Missouri side, I think), but BPS is the mecca everyone talks about.

[tjwriter]

He'll probably have fun.

I did a map on it, and it's about 30 miles away from the hotel for both (one is 28 and the other 30 in the same direction), but we're used to commutes, so I don't think it will be a big deal.

I just wonder how much he's going to buy...

[Medievalist]

I was fortunate enough to do a copy/paste into a wordprocessor document to save on my system and saw how long it was before doing any printing. Actually, what I did was export it from OpenOffice into a format for my PDA. Unfortunately, it's nearly unreadable because all the extra lines and formatting are gone. So I went back and saved the web page itself to my system instead. I was hoping we'd get a printed copy at the con, otherwise I'd be walking around reading it off my laptop all the time. ;)
There is usually a version of the con schedule for Palms. You might have to google for it--it's done by a fan.

[ChunkyC]

There is usually a version of the con schedule for Palms. You might have to google for it--it's done by a fan.
No need ... I redid the export and this time it worked. I musta done summat wrong the first time, I think I might have changed the text to 'unformatted' first time before exporting it, thinking it would be cleaner. :)

Anyway, if anyone has a Palm that can read AportisDoc files, I'm happy to zap the PDB file over to you. Just let me know your email addy via PM. I'll be checking in here off and on today, then I leave pretty early tomorrow to catch my flight. (pretty early, he says -- he's getting up at 3 AM)

[Roger J Carlson]

I'm just planning on following someone who knows what they're doing.

[Dawno]

I suggest, Roger, that you don't follow me, then. I often look like I know what I'm doing, but I'm mostly moving aimlessly around with a purposeful look on my face.

[Roger J Carlson]

I suggest, Roger, that you don't follow me, then. I often look like I know what I'm doing, but I'm mostly moving aimlessly around with a purposeful look on my face.With Powerpoint Notes, no doubt. :poke:

[Dawno]

Wash your mouth out with soap!

[maestrowork]

20 nutjobs at Ravanelli's on Saturday.

Trish has NO IDEA she can't live there anymore after this.

[ChunkyC]

That's why she made the reservation under her AW nick, I bet. ;)

[Dawno]

Does this mean you don't want me to wear my ears to dinner, Ray?

[Stew21]

That's why she made the reservation under her AW nick, I bet. ;)

Damn! I wish I would have thought of putting the reservation under Ray Wong.


I'll be the nutjob with the Ray's house of love t-shirt on.
;)

[Dawno]

I'm debating over the Atlanta Nights or Learn Writing tees I ordered from my CafePress store.

[Roger J Carlson]

Does this mean you don't want me to wear my ears to dinner, Ray?How will we know you without the ears?

BTW, does the dinner have a t-shirt theme? I've still got my VP IX shirt.

[Dawno]

How will we know you without the ears?

I'll be the one who looks just like that picture over there, but without the sparkly ears.

[Roger J Carlson]

I'll be the one who looks just like that picture over there, but without the sparkly ears.There's a picture under the sparkly ears?

[Dawno]

You are sooooooo gonna get it. ;)

[maestrowork]

Does this mean you don't want me to wear my ears to dinner, Ray?

Please DO.

I don't live in St. Louis.

[maestrowork]

I'll be the nutjob with the Ray's house of love t-shirt on.
;)

Don't be selfish, sister. I'll be wearing mine.

(unless it somehow makes my ass look fat)

[ChunkyC]

I don't have any sparkly ears. Oh well.

Anyway, I'm all packed and ready to roll. Next time I post I'll be at Nasfic, whoohoo! See you all soon!

[maestrowork]

Have a safe and pleasant trip, Montgomery C. See you on Saturday, if not earlier.

[tjwriter]

Oh, have a safe trip CC!

I need to start packing.

[Stew21]

It's getting so close! On my way to work this morning I thought "3 more days til the weekend!"
WEEEEEEE!!!!

[ChunkyC]

Guess who is in Saint Louis?

thaaat's riiiiight....

ME!

Whoohoo! I'm feeling kinda burned out, but happy to be here. Mac and Lisa S. picked me up and we got to the hotel safe and sound with nary a wrong turn, Trish. :)

[tjwriter]

That's groovy!

I'm so looking forward to meeting everyone on Saturday. At work today I was looking at my calendar and realized on two work days left.

[Roger J Carlson]

I'm leaving tomorrow around 7. Should get in late afternoon. See ya all there.

[Adam Israel]

We're leaving around 8am tomorrow (earliest we can drop off the dogs) and should be there early afternoon.

My most recent picture (http://pics.livejournal.com/stonetable/pic/00003ddr/) (w/shweta. I'm the boy ;)). The only person I already know is roach. If I don't meet you sooner, see you all Saturday night!

[Stew21]

I called Mac yesterday to Welcome her to St. Louis. She said directions were a breeze. I told her Charlie did it all.
I'm coming over today to meet up for a drink. Hope to see some of you there!

[Richard White]

I'm here and will be haunting the convention center around noon today.

See you there!

[Stew21]

welcome to St. Louis, Richard!

[Dawno]

I got in last night, rather late, and slept in this morning. I think I've recovered from yesterday's adventures in flying. Unless you really want to hear about the 5 hr layover in Dallas with a zillion Mary Kay ladies, don't ask.

[Stew21]

Poor Dawno!



Was the 5 hours in Dallas accompanied by alcohol? I think that would be the only way I could tolerate the dozen MaryKay ladies.

The number of MaryKay ladies present is directly proportionate to the number of alcoholic beverages I would require to tolerate them. :D

[maestrowork]

How were the Mary Kay ladies?

[Dawno]

Poor Dawno!



Was the 5 hours in Dallas accompanied by alcohol? I think that would be the only way I could tolerate the dozen MaryKay ladies.

The number of MaryKay ladies present is directly proportionate to the number of alcoholic beverages I would require to tolerate them. :D

There isn't enough booze in all the world, then. There had to have been hundreds. Apparently there was a big convention of 'em in Dallas. Everywhere you looked there were these roving packs of women in official Mary Kay mufti of either black, red or purple. Huge rhinestone pins on their suit jackets declaring how much $$ they'd earned and huge purses in black and pink filled with lord knows what cosmetic nightmares hanging over their shoulders. Lots of big hair, too.

[Stew21]

Lots of big hair, too.

You were in texas. Big hair goes without saying.

An airport full of southern fried marykay ladies.

I think there's a humor piece in there somewhere.

[tjwriter]

I got in last night, rather late, and slept in this morning. I think I've recovered from yesterday's adventures in flying. Unless you really want to hear about the 5 hr layover in Dallas with a zillion Mary Kay ladies, don't ask.


I wonder if my aunt was among them? She was packing for a trip last night, so I would assume that's what she was doing. They always have conventions in Texas.


To the general thread: Any dangers to wandering the convention by myself? I don't have anyone I'm meeting up with and dear husband is doing other stuff as he has no real interest in SFF.

[Roger J Carlson]

Well, I made it. I'm going to head over to register and look around. I'll look for Dawno's sparkly ears. I'm sure she'll be wearing them.

[roach]

Jaws and I are here. If you see a short woman with purple hair, that'd be me. Now to scroll back through the messages to remind myself when and where we're meeting on Saturday.

[Dawno]

I saw you Roach! In the dealers' room this afternoon - but I didn't know it was you! I'll keep an eye open and say hi if I see you tomorrow (Friday). Another place you might find some of us is in the Cigar Bar at the Holiday Inn. A couple of us are smokers.

And, as Roger knows now, I forgot to pack my ears, so don't look for 'em :(

[Stew21]

No ears on Dawno, it's true!
Looking forward to meeting the rest of you!

[Stew21]

oh and for those who met me. Yes. I always talk that much. My apologies!
I warned you!

[Dawno]

Well, to be literal, I do have a nice set of relatively normal (for a human) ears. They're not quite lined up symmetrically, but they're there. What I forgot to pack were my sparkly ears. I was quite disappointed in myself when I realized I'd left them behind.

[Dawno]

oh and for those who met me. Yes. I always talk that much. My apologies!
I warned you!

Apologize? What are you, Canadian? ;) I don't think anyone can talk too much with this group.

[Stew21]

I was in the car on the way home thinking "jeez. did I ever shut up?" I was also grinning like a loon because it was like I've known you guys for ever. Not like I met you for the first time.
cool.

[maestrowork]

I was in the car on the way home thinking "jeez. did I ever shut up?" I was also grinning like a loon because it was like I've known you guys for ever. Not like I met you for the first time.
cool.

You'll have a hard time plying a word out of my mouth. I'm extremely shy in person.

Seriously.

[Stew21]

dont' worry ray. if you get nervous and start to talk and feel too shy to go on, i'll finish your sentences for you. :D

[roach]

And I learned yesterday that there are not one, but two other purple coifed women at the convention! So much for using that as reliable identification. Can someone please remind me where we are meeting before dinner tomorrow night? I couldn't find it in the previous pages.

[Stew21]

I think we're meeting at the Holiday Inn Cigar Bar at 6 and then over to dinner - the reservation is at 8 - at Ravenelli's.

[Dawno]

Yep, that's the plan!

[Dawno]

And I'm going to walk up to every purple haired lady at the con and ask "Are you Roach?" I hope I don't get kicked out. ;)

[Stew21]

And I'm going to walk up to every purple haired lady at the con and ask "Are you Roach?" I hope I don't get kicked out. ;)

or knocked out.

[Roger J Carlson]

And I learned yesterday that there are not one, but two other purple coifed women at the convention! So much for using that as reliable identification. Can someone please remind me where we are meeting before dinner tomorrow night? I couldn't find it in the previous pages.Charlie and I saw a short, purple-haired woman today, but neither of us could work up the nerve to ask her if she was "Roach".

[ChunkyC]

Yeah, I tried to stand conspicuously within eye-shot of her, but she walked right past me. Either it wasn't you, roach, or I really don't look like my avatar. ;)

And you'll find most of us at the Holiday Inn cigar bar again today at around 4-ish.

[Stew21]

including me...see you guys in about an hour!

[tjwriter]

I'll be there tomorrow.

Weee!!!!

[jdkiggins]

Have fun everyone. Wish I could be there. It sounds like a great group of people meeting at a great function.

Take pictures...lots and lots of pictures, please. And notes. Don't forget the notes.

I'm so happy for all of you and soooo, soooo jealous at the same time. :)

Let us know how it goes.

Please be safe in your travels.