Sigh...Haven't been to one in many years. Money issues.
🚨 Longish. Please bear w me. Haven't talked to anyone about SF cons in a long time.
First, cool about Connie Willis!. I might have first read a very clever, surprise ending short story involving the Spanish Conquistidors. I can't remember the name of it. Then "Passengers" which I found too creepy, and never reread. Yeah, I'm a rereader. Finally, "All Clear". That was a great read. I'd probably reread it. Probably should read the first one of the duo.
How wonderful that she's so personable!
I'd been to a few cons north of NYC in Tarrytown, two out in Stonybrook, LI. My first may have been a little one at Columbia U, which I wasn't too impressed with, but didn't deter me from future goings.
I also went to Phlcon ?50 where I met one of my 2 favorite SF illustrators - Michael Whelan.
Two Creation Cons of which one I passed by Takai. Same one, or the other was introduced to fancy computer graphics(!), which sermed like you had to put in long comnands for some stuff, and saw Asimov sit down to try it with the presenter.
Two World ❤️ Cons!
First, Sat in Baltimore. JMS (Babylon 5) was the GOH, I think. But he was recovering from pneumonia, and his doctor told him not to fly. He still did a full Q&A over a very good speaker system. (I have so-so hearing; so if I say it's good... 👍 ).
One of my favorite authors David Brin (Uplift Universe books, Existence) was there; a "Killer B's "panel - Benford, Brin, and just forgot the 3rd guy, oops!).
And, oh, the Art Show!!! A feast! I'm an artist, [occasionally professional] B&W illustrator; so you can imagine the thrill. Yeah, a bit sad at times that I never achieved the good enough painterly illustration career I dreamed of since I was about 10 yrs old.
Yes, I still draw, and hope to get to painting again, maybe w gouache this time, not acrylics.
Then Phillidelphia ? yrs later. A convention hall that had a pretty cool interior ?entrance way (possibly with a upper walkway) to another section. I remember leaving a note for someone on the bulletin board, but can't remember if I got a reply. One of the coolest things was at Baltimore I voted for Phillidelphia to be the WC 2 yrs from then, ad it was! Japan was also competing, and I think I might still have the map of Tokyo they gave out. 🤔 And speaking of Babylon 5 a "Mr Morden" was a presenter for one competing cities. 😄
The only sad thing (post con) was, well, it was 2001. I'd put the Phillidelphia, and Baltimore schedule booklets in a draw. Then in ?Nov of that year (I'm a NYC'r who worked in '80/'81 on the 73rd flr NE corner of South Tower 2) I accidently refound those booklets. 9/11 being so close to after that WC - totally obliterated my happy memories of it until then; instead of basking off, and on about it for weeks - "poof". Ah, well.
I'm very disappointed that a WC was never held in NYC, or at least when I would have been able to attend. I should look it up!
All in all, so many great times! Maybe I'll get one more chance. 👍
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