I spent most of the Labor Day weekend at Dragon*con. For the most part, I was kept pretty busy with panels in Space (4), Alt History (1) plus a +2 hour sky observing session on the Hilton's pool deck. As these events go, this one was pretty sedate and there no good tales of the MAD Monk to tell. But I do have some interesting pictures of costumes ( Read more... )

Its been crazy busy at the lab with a massive influx of samples. Even if nothing more shows up, it's going to take at least a week for me to catch up. And we all know - more samples are on the way.

Dragon*Con was also 'weird'. I was in full show man mode, being on 8 panels (2 - alt history, 2 - Space and 4 - Science tracks). On Saturday, I had ( Read more... )

Upcoming Dragon*Con Insanity

I think I've gone crazy with the Dragon*Con panels. Originally, I was slated with 3 science and 1 space track panels - but of course things have changed. With two more in Alternate History added the past two weeks, I was asked to do *another* for Science for a Grand Total of 7 panels. This does NOT include the AAC's ( Read more... )

This bit of news was sent to me via FB:

http://mediarelations.dragoncon.org/2010/08/04/featured-guests-sean-astin/

The Doctor and Sean Astin? Damn - this is too cool.

Today I received official notice that I will be a guest (once again) at Dragon*Con. I will likely be giving several presentations for the Space and Science Track, plus a joint AAC - Space Track observing session for at least two nights ( Read more... )

Astronomy at the ConThis year I was on 4 different panels (one as a very late 'add-on') plus a couple sessions of public astronomy. Night-time star gazing was a new attraction at this year's con - and though the attendance wasn't that high (less than 100 ppl over 4 hours) - it was extremely WELL RECEIVED. We were located on the 3rd floor deck/pool ( Read more... )

The MAD Monk and Bacchus at Dragon*Con

I'm still processing my Dragon*con pictures - well over 200 at last count. Once again, the MAD Monk returned to the big Con, but the doctor revealed his latest 'alter ego' - the Roman God of Drink and Wild Partying - Bacchus!

Ready to Hit the Parties - "The Gang"


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Wow, do I have a world-class SHINER in the making. My upper left eye lid is a blackish-purple with a fainter bruise halo developing in the eye brow area.
Nothing like getting in a fight with a Large Glass Door (at the Marriot) - and losing, badly...Should I post a picture (or set of images) as it develops? Or is this TMI ( Read more... )

Call me Ishmael, errr ---"Knot-Head"For the most part I had survived Dragon*Con. I done/completed: 4 panels, 1 major observing session (the other got canceled by clouds), killed at least two liters of meade (plus assorted beer and numerous shots of hard liquor), average 4 hours sleep/day, slept on the floor one night and nearly froze, dealing with ( Read more... )

One..
We are One..
One is the Beginning.
You one, Herbert?
I am NOT Herbet - I am THE MAD MONK.
He's not Herbert - we reach!

Headin' Out to Dragon*Con, yea brother!..