Sirens Newsletter - Volume 3, Issue 3 (January 2011)

[sirens_mods]

This is the official newsletter for Sirens, a conference dedicated to women in fantasy literature. The newsletter is published once a month to the Sirens forums, mailing list, LiveJournal, and Facebook. Certain other updates are posted on the conference’s Twitter. Between regular editions, the Sirens LiveJournal also hosts special updates, in-

Comments

[rachelmanija]

I've mentioned this before, but I do not think the symptoms I and many people experienced at Vail to be solely due to dehydration. I live in a very dry climate, and I made sure to drink lots of water while I was there. I found the altitude to be extremely uncomfortable, and was unable to sleep for more than a few restless hours per night the entire time I was there

[holyschist]

I'd like to attend Sirens at some point, and I already live in Colorado so I can adjust reasonably quickly to changes in altitude--but even for someone who already lives at 6,000 feet and stays super-hydrated at higher elevations, I still have a noticeable altitude reaction going up into the mountains. I agree that this is a very real issue, especially for people coming from sea level and people who have other health issues that can be exacerbated by the altitude. They may be in the minority, but that doesn't justify excluding them to my mind.

[sirens_hallie]

Thank you for your feedback. I agree that altitude is an issue--really, an issue for the entire region. I also answered Rachel here with some other thoughts.

[sirens_hallie]

Of course! If only it were always as simple as hydrating! I always wish that there were a way to predict altitude sensitivity, other than making some guesses with information like altitude differential and past experience

[sheryll]

I love the location! Granted, I'd definitely be in favour of someplace that's not so darn hard for me to get to, but I'm the exception to the rule in terms of getting there. Airfare from here is so outrageously expensive ($800+). My work-around of flying from Detroit just didn't work well for me, it was too exhausting. I'm considering new options for this year. If Amanda and Kasia are returning this year, then I'll probably fly to their place a day ahead and fly with them. Believe it or not, still about $200 cheaper to do that!

I agree with the logic of having Sirens somewhere without distractions. I'm an easily distracted person, though I can occasionally control myself. Only places to eat prove to be my downfall. If a city has a multitude of things to see it just gives me ideas for my next non-Sirens vacation - I revisited New Orleans with my daughter 2 years after Phoenix Rising and we had a blast. Trying to talk her into Chicago, but she's got other ideas. :)