So, I finally got everything thrown into the bags for the trip. At the last minute, I decided to skip using the duffle bag, at least for the trip to Mythcon. The idea of wrangling the wheelie, the duffle, the computer and my messenger bag was a bit much. Besides, I didn't really need all the stuff I was thinking of packing. It did make the computer ( Read more... )

It can be interesting when you hear about someone before you meet them, especially if the "someone" is a name in their field.  That was the case for me in getting to know Colleen Doran.  A couple of years before I started interacting with her online, a friend had recommended that I check out the website for A Distant Soil.  At the time, only ( Read more... )

One of the things I have striven for in writing these pieces about my friends has been to focus on who they are as people, why I like them as people.  I haven't wanted to focus on their worldly achievement or success, becaue, frankly, that isn't a factor in why I would keep someone as a friend.  But the fact remains that sometimes a connection ( Read more... )

I managed to get myself onto the road by 7 am on Tuesday morning.  Even with a stop at the bank to beg from the ATM for hand-cash.  The advantage about traveling eastward at that hour was that very little traffic (in relative terms for LA) was heading in that direction.  So I made very good time and had gotten as far as Newberry Springs (on the I- ( Read more... )

I like dragons.  (See profile picture for this post.)  I collect dragons, but only if they are interesting looking - I'm not particularly fond of overly cutesy ones (although a do have a couple that might fit this category) or that are seen too much (although I do have a Maleficent from Disney's Sleeping Beauty).

I hadn't given much thought to ( Read more... )

I think I've mentioned it before: I have this website.  Even though my ambition for it has always been to regularly add new material to it, the reality is that I don't do it very often.  A big reason for that is that it does take a chunk of time to build a webpage.  I'm not the best at it, and half the time I'm not entirely sure I know what I'm ( Read more... )

Of course, one of the things that happen when you are the person running the conference is that you hardly remember any of the details.  And you get to very few of the program items, because you are always somewhere else, either dealing with a problem, or checking to make sure all is well with various people.

But even so... my Mythcon report, such ( Read more... )

There is much that I could say, but for right now, I am facing the last few hours of Mythcon 40.  It has been a glorious weekend and one that I shall treasure for a long, long time in memory.  There has been much laughter, much conversation, much joy.  And that pleases me after all my work ( Read more... )

Mind you, I never watched The A-Team.  It never quite hit the right note for me back in the day.  But, the line is a useful one.

Anyway, I am pausing in my Mythcon preparations to take a little break.  There are still chores to be done -- preparing the registration packets, mostly.  And a handful of personal chores, like laundry.  But I'm beginning ( Read more... )

I really enjoy getting people I know connected to each other, especially when I think they will get along well.

Last night, my friend James A. Owen (coppervale ) was doing a book signing at Vroman's in Pasadena.  Usually, I like to make it to his signings because (1) it's fun to watch him charming people, and (2) just to catch up on latest doings.  But ( Read more... )