Category Archives: Pros and Cons

What a Messe

Posted on October 30, 2024 by admin

I spent three days at the biggest book fair in the world, the Frankfurt Buchmesse. A ‘messe’ is a fair, which is different from a ‘fest’. I guess; dunno, don’t speak German. A messe celebrates a thing, while fests just … Continue reading →

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Not better, different

Posted on June 1, 2019 by admin

I moseyed over to the Gaylord Convention Center last Saturday to do my traditional one day attendance of Escape Velocity, the best little sci-con out there. ‘Mosey’ best describes it ‘cause I didn’t get there until about noon. Slowing down … Continue reading →

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Turn it Up to 11

Posted on April 1, 2019 by admin

Lost Weekend 11, that is, which was held from the evening of 21 March through the evening of 24 March. Evening and beyond, more accurately. We left the Alamo each night about 0200, and returned by 0800 for the next … Continue reading →

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Conflict of Interest

Posted on October 23, 2018 by admin

I  went to Capclave 2018 instead of Lost Weekend 10 because the two conflicted. And because I can’t hang. At least at Capclave I can go to sleep at a reasonable time and wake at a reasonable time and take … Continue reading →

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Escape Velocity 2018 Part 2: Brin and Bear It

Posted on June 10, 2018 by admin

Alright, alright, no more puns. Upun my word. The next event after Greg Bear was David Brin talking about the future. Wow, a double header and I was all a twitter but, I messed up the time because I was … Continue reading →

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Escape Velocity 2018: Bear With US

Posted on May 31, 2018 by admin

Harked I to the Gaylord Convention Center this past Saturday for the Museum of Science Fiction’s Escape Velocity, their annual convention of all things science fiction, emphasis on the science. Nice place. They were happy to see me. Security was … Continue reading →

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Capclave 2017

Posted on October 14, 2017 by admin

Capclave 2017 was held last weekend in Gaithersburg and I went because I like Capclave. It is a rare opportunity for the Great Unwashed to mix with the better science fiction writers/editors/artists/booksellers/whatnot unencumbered by security lines and overpriced autograph fees … Continue reading →

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Everything is Permitted

Posted on September 7, 2017 by admin

At some past con, the lovely and hilarious Jennifer Jayne introduced me to the Museum of Science Fiction, so when MSF put on Escape Velocity 2017 in downtown DC, I decided to take myself down there and see what fusses … Continue reading →

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Capclave 2016

Posted on October 10, 2016 by admin

Now that the torture laughingly called cardiac “rehab” is about over, I’m easing back into my former life of conventions and conferences, starting with Capclave. I love Capclave. It’s small, informal, and all about books. No cosplay, no movies, just … Continue reading →

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Farpoint, the sequel

Posted on February 14, 2016 by admin

Today was the first full day of Farpoint. And it was…slow. Real slow. Okay, well, that’s a picture taken before it opened but, tell ya, it didn’t feel much busier throughout the day. It seemed like attendees were studiously avoiding … Continue reading →

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