Michael's Meanderings

Chicon 7 Day Five
Woke up 6:55 down to breakfast 7:10 usual fodder but no bagels or apples.

Walked up the shoreside of Michigan past Millenium Park while listening to the Dave Gorman podcast. Got to Hyatt 8:55 but decided that the pain from burst blisters was too much to go "strolling with the stars" instead I picked up a couple more freebie books on the concourse and a free Digger vol2 in the dealers room.

Also bought a Y2K t-shirt from Steve S.

Sat near registration when I realised I hadn't posted yesterday's details to LJ so did so. Then read until 11:45 when I went back to Plaza for the last Filk concert of the con. Bill & Brenda Sutton with Jordin Kare

Last panel of the con "Collaborating with the Guest of Honor", with Mike Resnik, Harry Kloor, lezli Robyn, Eric Flint and Brad R Torgersen. All panelists had previously worked with Mike Resnik.

Did a final walk through the Concourse and Dealers room, picked up final free book, the to Columbus fir the closing ceremony. After prizes and gifts had been handed over the gavel was passed to Lonestarcon 3 next year's worldcon.

Saw Elizabeth T as I was leaving and got to chat for a while.

Then down to consuite for a peanut butter sandwich.

Then went up to Blue Level so I could cross the road via the skyway (all previous road crossings had been made at ground level or via subway. While on the escalator going down to ground floor say [Unknown site tag], Marty, Elizabeth C, Ian C and Malcolm. Stayed chatting until around 5:00 when [Unknown site tag], spouse and I went to Houlihan's for an early dinner.
Had a burger and fries, nice thick juicy burger in a knotted bun.

[Unknown site tag] went up to pack and spouse to a White Sox ballgame. I went down to consuite to charge iPod and to read, from 6:00.

Frank M appeared and we talked fluidic computing and other old IT systems.
Went up to 376 the Filk Room but it was locked.
So returned to the consuite, read til I finished my book. Started a new one;)

Around 9:00 decided to check out the Filk room, but I heard Elizabeth C castigate me for not noticing her! I stopped and apologised and we chatted for a while. Malcolm came along and discussion continued until Jo Walton walked down the corridor, we congratulated her on her Hugo award win, and hope she would win the BSFA award next year, which she was still squeeing over, she then invited us for tea & music which we accepted with aclarity. Once at her room we were able to fondle her Hugo, a lovely design and well deserved. Patrick NH and Elise M were also there and sang and played guitar and ukulele until Theresa NH arrived at 11:00 when she joined in to provide 3 part harmony. Tea was provided by Jo, it was an awesome end to an excellent Worldcon.

The part ended just after midnight and I left the Hyatt for the last time at 12:15 and got back to the hostel at 12:45, I was in bed by 1:00.

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Chicon 7 Day Three
Got up at 6:00, showered then check email and LJ. At 7:10 went down for breakfast, no bagles though had cereal, OJ, coffee, waffle fingers with maplesque syrup, muffin and croissant.

Updated text of yesterday's doings, but due to missing info didn't upload.

From the Chicon.Org website I discover a webapp version of the program which is awesome. This actually works on my iPod and is fast and easy to use. Highly recommended.

Walked up State started to drizzle went into CVS got scissors, plasters and nail clippers. Self service pay station caused a small problem, but managed to exit $16.67 poorer.

Went to check the art show but not open until 10:00 so stayed in con suite and uploaded yesterday to LJ.

Met [Unknown site tag] and chatted for a bit.

Went to Crystal A for "the Personal Replicator" but left after half an hour as only one panelist had personal experience and there were no example. Went down to the Concourse bought supporting membership in Lone Star Con 3 next years worldcon and voted for the London 2014 site selection.

At 12:00 I rushed back to the Plaza Ballroom for "Operetta: Choice of Endings" based on a Tanya Huff story, starred a who's who of filking.

Then back to Brockwinkel's grocery store for chilli and a bagel for $3.76.

Once again back to the Plaza for Seannan McGuire's concert. Unfortunately by the time I got there (1:25) all the seats were taken and it was standing room only at the back!
But the music was excellent.

In the fairly small Grand Suite 2AB for "1632: Computing without electronics" in which the 1632 editorial board discussed why electronic won't appear in this series, why the Babbage Anslitical Engine would cost too much and be too slow. And why and how fluidic computing could come into it's own.

Staying in the same room "Eureka vs Warehouse 13 Smackdown" was a game show in which the host (Bob Kuhn) provided scenarios and each team had to say who (from their program) would be able to resolve it, and how. Seannan McGuire and Patrick Hester represented Eureka and Thomas Shanna and Shanna Swendon flew the flag for Warehouse 13. Seannan was the standout performer, frequently taking on the persona of the charter and explaining why he/she would deal with the problem best. However there was enough of a fight back that it was a lock for Eureka. They did win (not least because Eureka has a larger pool to choose from.)

Up to filkferengi's room at 5:50,then got taxi to Jane H's appartment near the John Hancock Observatory, on the 33 floor. Arrived 6:20 and we knew we were on the right floor due to lovely curry smell pervading the corridor.

James B, Jane, Jerrie & Marty, Liz & Ian, Malcolm, Elaine, Liz T, Frank M, Stellan, Cally, Irene and me. 14 people in total, who's commonality was being on the Lois Bujold mailing list at sometime.

James oversaw the partaking of ther curries he and his minions had prepared. Lots of conversations occured, photos were taken.

A grand fireworks display at Navy Pier at 10:15 to 10:30 drew us to the east windows.

We posed for a group photo and then all left Jane's apartment at 10:45, I walked to Chicago and State where I caught a Red line south to Jackson. Got to hostel by 11:15 and was in bed by 11:35.

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Chicon 7 Day One
Woke 5:30 couldn't really get back to sleep caught up on email and LJ got up 7:30 found I've got blisters. Washed up, sorted clothes and then down to breakfast by 8:00. Better selection than yesterday, possibly as I was earlier. Added toasted bagel with cream cheese, croissant, and an apple to what I had yesterday!

Updated diary and posted sections to LJ.
Left at 9:30 walked north on Michigan and turned right on Wacker arrived at 10:00 read until 10:25 intending to go to the first program item "Sing along chicon 2000 songbook" unfortunately and unexpectedly it was full by the time I got there and they had run out of songbooks!

So I wandered up to registration, where I bumped into James B. He told me all systems were go for Saturdays listie curry.

Read for a bit, got my first ribbon from filkerdave, chatted, found the dealers room (not open until 12:00) and Ruth B chatted for a
while. Another chat with filkerdave, I've already spoken to more people than at Eastercon!

Read for a bit then took a wander around the dealers room and concourse. Picked up a book from the SF Outreach project. Spent an hour there, offered my seacon 79 t-shirt to the worlcon exhibit (if I can find it).

Then to Subway for lunch.

Read while waiting for the opening ceremony.

Opening Ceremony was styled as the John Scalzi talk show, with a band (Toyboat) and guests; Eric Korshak (co-chair of Chicon I), Deb Kosiba (Hugo designer), Kathy (younger sister of Rowena Morrill), Mike Resnik, Jane Frank, Peggy Rae Sapienza, Sy Liebergot (mission control for Apollo), Dave McCarty (co- chair of Chicon 7).

Then went down to the con suite had a drink and a bite. Met and chatted about Hugos with John.

Toured the Art show lots of differing media.

Went to McDs in pedway had southern chicken meal with dipped ice-cream, $7.46. Kicked out at 7:00 when it closed. Did have free working wifi unlike the Hyatt/Chicon.

At 7:30 I found Columbus EF where Sy Liebergot (exNASA Flight Controller) gave a talk "Apollo 13: The Longest Hour" the story of how the Apollo 13 story really started.

This was followed by "GoH Presentation Rowena Morrill" by sister Kathy Morrill. Rowena to I'll to come, but she coached her sister with stories about the pictures in this slide show. Met Michelle again as I was leaving, had a gopher t-shirt already!

So far there have been two newsletters "the Write Stuff" and two "Pink Sheet" with program changes.

Walked down Micigan to hostel. Read a bit. Bed by 11:20

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Got up at 9:00 after waking at least twice during the night. My room is 406 bed F. At six I checked email, LJ and finally downloaded the Chicon7 app. Very slow and tends to crash.

Had a wander around the hostel. Best one I've ever stayed in. Comfy beds (if a bit soft) excellent toilets and shower. Even has a TV room, library and lounging area. I also got an IHUS membership when I checked in. This gave me one free days stay and remitted the $3/day charge if you weren't a member (saving around $70+/-

Discovered that free breakfast is available from 7:00 to 10:00 at 10:10! So went searching for food eventually had a Subway breakfast roll with flat lemonade.

Went looking for a Walmart for various stuff including new iPod and t-shirtsbut didn't have either. Only got a lock and some gum!

Caught the 10 bus to the Muesum of Science and Industry at 12:30 (just saw it on State St). Arrived twenty minutes later. My main reason for going was the "Mythbusters" exhibit of props and other stuff from the show. This was $10 in addition to the general admittance cost of $13. however for 4.5 hours of wandering that's not too bad. I didn't see everything but manage most bits. Apart from Mythbusters I think the Science Museum in London is better, it's mostly free after all.

Bus back to town left at 5:40 and I got off a block from the hostel. Locked up my locker then went looking for dinner. Instead I found a Radio Shack where I got a super charger for the iPod for $25.17 (I should have ordered one from Amazon before I left.

Then found a Barnes & Noble and bought a book!

Finally got a hot dog with fries and ice tea at DQ Grill & Chill for $4.43 then followed this with an ice cream cone for $2.20.

Spent an hour uploading yesterday's events to LJ, writing today's and charging my iPod.

Then to bed.

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