Michael's Meanderings

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.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Anyway plugged eeePC in, connected to Wifi and checked email and added LJ user links to yesterday's upload (Tuesday). Spent an hour writing updates then left for the Hyatt for breakfast with Lois and daughter,

nlbarber

filkferengi

Most of the table choose the buffet, but Meg and I had pancakes which were pretty good, but not as good as those from IHOP! After an hour of chat and eating we dispersed, but before that Lois handed out signed copies of the original Analog magazine that contained the first part of Falling Free.

I returned to the Crowne Plaza to see if my money bag had been handed in, to no avail, then to the CCC where I continued to update my conrep.

later.... went to panel "How do ebooks change writing" James B was there and I gave him the signed Analog from Lois. Then followed this with the unaired "Heroes" pilot. The biggest change being the loss of the Molly thread and instead having a nuclear terrorist threat instead.

I then went up to 16th St Mall and has an Arby's beef sandwich for lunch, before rushing back to the Hyatt for a

rolanni

kinzel

 At 4pm Lois was reading from The Sharing Knife: Horizon, the 4th book in the series, due out in Feb 09. The Golden Compass (the movie) was playing next door, and at the start it was a bit difficult to hear, especially as Lois' voice was not at it's best. But the sound system was tweaked and the film reached a quieter level after a while. Lois started with a few Q&As to allow stragglers to arrive. She read sections from the first three chapters, (she missed out Whit & Berry getting married), but we did see the end of the party afterwards. and we ended with Dag's troop meeting a new Maker. There were a few points where the whole room laughed at a scene, or comment, the worst thing was knowing we can't find out what happens next until next year! Lois finished off with some more Q&As. Most were about the Wide Green World series (that Horizon is part of) but the most Frequently Asked Question was posed "Will Ivan get his own book?" to which the answer "maybe" was not satisfying but...

By the time Lois had finished, it was nearly 5:30 and I had an appointment with Irene, outside the convention center by the blue bear we waited until nearly six and only one other person (Julian) had arrived so a pick-up call was made and Irene's Dad arrived to take us to his home.

The traditional James B sponsored Worldcon curry was held mostly outside and the first half dozen or so arrivals fell to chopping onions (and other ingredients. More people turned up, discussion occurred and drinks were drunk. Then James arrived to start the process of turning misc ingredients into excellent curry Most of us had seconds (some even had thirds) then we were called back for desert. Things started winding down around 11 and Sufford and I got a lift from a local listie, to our respective hotel/hostel. I was in bed by 11:30.