Kansas City Day 5, MidAmericon 2
The day started with being recruited at Move in/Move Out (MIMO) at the last minute. It was kind of a complement since I knew what the rules were for access to the Exhibit Floor. Then I joined Chris Barkley and Julie Marr at the Press Office. My first job was to get a water station in the interview room. It was not on the order forms but the con staff approved the addition. By noon the Press Office had a water station. I got a program book for people to sign for Hugo Winner and Fan Editor Chris Garcia. I placed it in the Fan Lounge next to the Fandom Rocks drop off place. I worked 4 one hour shifts at the Fan Lounge. It was an easy job. One has to be helpful and straighten out the area once in a while.
I then went to the Dealers Room to see who was going to get my money. There were a lot of books, recordings, and one magazine I want to get. I wanted to buy someone a copy of American Gods but I could not find a copy. I sat at the Locus table while Francesca Myman got her badge. That was an easy job and Liza Groen Trombi came over to relieve me. I went to the Press Office for a while and worked on my Anime Festival Orlando 2016 Report and fielded anything that came by. I then decided to vote on site selection for the 2017 North American SF Convention and the 76th Worldcon. Then it was to Opening Ceremonies.
The Heinlein Stadium was the location for the Opening Ceremonies. This a astro turf area where games like the Pro vs. Fan softball game will be held. It was opened by a musical procession of a local group. Pat Cadigan (pictured above) then introduced all the Guests of Honor and the designers of the 2016 and 1941 Hugo bases. Then Ken Keller, MidAmericon (1976 Worldcon chair), made a special presentation. He wanted to start a tradition between MidAmericon chairs. He presented Ruth Lichtwardt with a light saber to celebrate the fact the Star Wars was promoted at MidAmericon. He asks her to pass on the ligh saber to the MidAmericon 3 con chair and hopes it will not take 40 years for the next MidAmericon. There will be some special events to mark this anniversary. The musical group returned and led the audience on a procession to the con's first night.
The con created a volcano that erupted and threw out Tootsie Rolls for the kids. I had to get to the Fan Lounge for my night shifts. I got to finally meet Renay Williams, co-editor of Lady Business (a Hugo finalist this year) and co-host of The Fangirl Happy Hour podcast. I have corresponded with her via Twitter and email for the last year and read Black Wolves by Kate Elliot so she would not judge me.
After my shifts at the Fan Lounge, I checked out the parties in the Fan space. I went to San Juan in 2017, New Orleans, and San Jose in 2018. I bumped into Michael Taylor from the Washington Area. I checked out the Steampunk dance. There were some nice tunes played and we wrapped up the night with "Time Warp". I went back breifly to the San Juan party and then went back to hotel.
Today panels and the Retro Hugos.