Westward Ho
I'm on my way back, after a splendid week eastward.
Final thoughts on Readercon, after a lot of happy discussion afterward: so very well run, with thoughtful touches, such as the big clocks in the reading rooms, and the room dedicated to alternate activities, like study hall etc.
I think the only complaints I heard were people wishing there were meal breaks in the program, and a couple of other morning people feeling that things began really late and programming went on beyond their ability to stay awake much less brain, But that was not universal.
Mostly it was terrific content with books at the base, but reaching into all aspects of culture, and of course the conversations, Those are exhilarating and a bit frenetic as individuals come together and break away as their own schedule moves them.
After the con I went home with @Negothick, who is always a terrific hostess. We didn't do much Monday (a restday) but Monday night we went into charming New London to walk about a bit on the quay and then to the library, where a dedicated mystery book club meets each month. They had chosen one of my books. Having me there could have been awkward, especially if they'd loathed the book, but it turned out they liked it, and we had a lively discussion, Best of all I came away with a list of mysteries that I ought to like. (My tastes are pretty narrow--I don't like forensic ick, for example, and I loathe serial killer stories of any kind)
Tuesday, @Nineweaving joined us, and the three of us spent a wonderful day chatting, wandering around the site of their old high school (Began in the mid-1800s by industrialists who wanted a school the workers' children could attend--and they put their kids there) still going strong. It has a lovely art museum which we explored, and then back, as the heat and humidity were fierce.
After an excellent dinner, @Negothck, who had driven all day, then cooked, gave us a private concert with piano and singing, as I'd begged for a reprise of the Lord of the Rings song cycle she had written and produced while attending the above-mentioned school. That segued into other music, which filled my head with melody before we all crashed.
Yesterday, she continued to be the hostess who goes above and beyond by driving me to New Haven so I could catch the Metro into NYC. In the city, I ended up walking from Grand Central to Penn, as I couldn't find the cabs. And I do love walking about the city. But gradually gravity (my poundage of luggage), the heat, and the humidity defeated me, and though it was only a mile, I was faint when I reached the station.
So now I'm on the train, heading for Chicago. If the heat is bad there, I won't walk down to the Art Institute--I'll save that for my October trip. I have plenty of reading and writing to catch up on!
This entry was originally posted at https://sartorias.dreamwidth.org/1008595.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
Final thoughts on Readercon, after a lot of happy discussion afterward: so very well run, with thoughtful touches, such as the big clocks in the reading rooms, and the room dedicated to alternate activities, like study hall etc.
I think the only complaints I heard were people wishing there were meal breaks in the program, and a couple of other morning people feeling that things began really late and programming went on beyond their ability to stay awake much less brain, But that was not universal.
Mostly it was terrific content with books at the base, but reaching into all aspects of culture, and of course the conversations, Those are exhilarating and a bit frenetic as individuals come together and break away as their own schedule moves them.
After the con I went home with @Negothick, who is always a terrific hostess. We didn't do much Monday (a restday) but Monday night we went into charming New London to walk about a bit on the quay and then to the library, where a dedicated mystery book club meets each month. They had chosen one of my books. Having me there could have been awkward, especially if they'd loathed the book, but it turned out they liked it, and we had a lively discussion, Best of all I came away with a list of mysteries that I ought to like. (My tastes are pretty narrow--I don't like forensic ick, for example, and I loathe serial killer stories of any kind)
Tuesday, @Nineweaving joined us, and the three of us spent a wonderful day chatting, wandering around the site of their old high school (Began in the mid-1800s by industrialists who wanted a school the workers' children could attend--and they put their kids there) still going strong. It has a lovely art museum which we explored, and then back, as the heat and humidity were fierce.
After an excellent dinner, @Negothck, who had driven all day, then cooked, gave us a private concert with piano and singing, as I'd begged for a reprise of the Lord of the Rings song cycle she had written and produced while attending the above-mentioned school. That segued into other music, which filled my head with melody before we all crashed.
Yesterday, she continued to be the hostess who goes above and beyond by driving me to New Haven so I could catch the Metro into NYC. In the city, I ended up walking from Grand Central to Penn, as I couldn't find the cabs. And I do love walking about the city. But gradually gravity (my poundage of luggage), the heat, and the humidity defeated me, and though it was only a mile, I was faint when I reached the station.
So now I'm on the train, heading for Chicago. If the heat is bad there, I won't walk down to the Art Institute--I'll save that for my October trip. I have plenty of reading and writing to catch up on!
This entry was originally posted at https://sartorias.dreamwidth.org/1008595.html. Please comment there using OpenID.