nasfic
the highly anticipated (not really) nasfic review actually done within a few days of the con. Woo!
Thursday we left at the unholy hour of 7am and arrived in Raleigh around 11:30am, getting the droids was the smartest thing wmslawhorn and I have done. Got great directions until Google maps mistook a college for the convention center. We were very close and just followed the signs to the RCC and circled a few times until we found the garage entrance. Went inside and got our badges, pocket program wasn't available so we set up the Capclave table. Though we were near the Dealer's room and art show it was really dead, then again it was early and not everyone can afford to take so much time off. Got into costume and wandered around a bit, found friends and went to the Pitt barbecue place. Ordered a sampler and everything was soo good and in large quantities. Ate only half of what was there and it was probably more than I usually eat in a couple of days. Went back to RCC to find another friend and went to the gaming room and played Monty Python Fluxx which turned really silly really quick. There were not gatherings on Thursday but a party at a local bar, once the rain slowed down we hit the bar. The entire time we were there it was me, wmslawhorn , daveybeauchamp , and Davey's friend. Other people trickled in and out, but the largest number of nasfic people at one time was 7. Crashed early since I was up since the asscrack of dawn.
Friday got up early and into a costume (Suzaku battle version). spent time at the Capclave table and a bit at the art show, crowds were bigger, but the con rented so much convention center space that it looked really sparse. Went to a 1632 weird tech panel where the panelists described you could use water to make a logic circuit and make a very basic computer. There was a design for a monorail that was actually used in 19th century India, that could be very effective light rail in 1632 Grantville. Got into normal clothes for the treks to Costco and Krogers for meet & greet supplies. the marriott claimed that their party ban was corporate policy, so we had to have meet & greets or gatherings. For the corporate policy to actually exist we have to ignore the fact that we have thrown parties at the Marriott Hunt Valley for Balticon for years.
The suite was very nice, the bathroom was amazing and we learned that one of the soft coolers isn't housebroken. Pretty sure it's been like that for a while we only noticed it since it was on tile this time. Gathering went pretty well seemed like the entire con was there at some moments. got freaked out by the crowds and went to the room to read. No idea how the other parties went, but they had some good stuff according to many people.
Saturday more table time and wore my downtimer costume. Attended Eric Flint's GoH speech.He mentioned that the next book in the 1632 seties will be out in October with more on the way. He opened it to questions, many people asked about the level or research involves, and how far in advance does he know what will happen in the series. Lots of research is involved, he has 2 bookshelves full of thirty years war books and recommended a couple for background reading. Many questions on working with other writers and how does he choose his writing partners. I asked him if his organizing experience played a role in 1632 when the United Mine Workers local becomes the local government while they figure out what to do. he said it did play a role and he intentionally set the series in a blue collar/working class area since most SF/Fantasy focused on military officers and other upper class types. Also a series where the Union is positively portrayed and becomes the glue that keeps the community together was an important part of the series. Went to panels of demographics of Germany, while they didn't' have a Census like we did many of the churches had records of their members and the denominations would rub it in the faces of the others if they had more. There were some government records and they did travel to other cities or towns when the war or other circumstances dictated. Usually there would be a not saying records from x village transferred on [year]. According to the panelists never underestimate the power of German bureaucrats to keep and preserve records. It may be hard to find but they are there. Also stayed for Clothing of 1632 and went up front as a model, turned out my skirt and sleeves were too long and in that era with the exception of kitchen workers and elderly women women didn't cover their hair. I'll be shortening the skirt and sleeves soon. Also that a perpetual bridesmaid would make a fortune selling the butt bowed monstrosities to noblewomen since the really bright colors were virtually unavailable at the time.
Saturday was the Capclave party, it was a smaller crowd since there were more gatherings that night. Started nodding off at 1:44 am so I went back to the room and packed costumes and crashed. Sunday was packing up everything and saying goodbye to friends. Went to Eric Flint's autograph session and got Ring of Fire II and 1635: The Dreeson Incident signed and personalized. Asked him which Unions he organized for and he said UAW, Steelworker's, and others I didn't catch. Never directly worked for any of them. When he worked with UAW it was in the 70s in Detriot, I mentioned my grandpa belonged to UAW 599 in Flint, MI this was the Union that did the big sit down strike in 1937 which lead to GM recognizing the UAW and made it easier for other unions to get recognition and organize.
Spent lots of time doing Capclave table/party stuff so I didn't see a huge part of the con, but the schedule did change constantly and errata sheets were difficult to find. Most of the stuff I was interested in was the 1632 mini con which was more of they got space and did their own thing. so it was consistant from the start. Got the feeling there was a lot of field promotions and staff did the best they could under the circumstances. I was there programming wise for Eric Flint and the 1632 mini con and that went great. Capclave wise we sold 2 memberships, 2 Turtledove books, and 1 couple who just moved to the Dc area said they would attend a WSFA meeting soon. Also got 3 new twitter followers, didn't think anything I tweeted was interesting. Except about getting groped by a dodo.
Don't think this will be the nasfic that kills the nasfic, but don't think anyone will try a stand alone nasfic anytime soon. Heard that the con was in the black but barely. The entire con could have been done in the Marriott and nearby Sheraton for much less and could have dropped prices a bit, it probably also got hurt by Pennsic and Gen con happening the same weekend, and being close to Dragon con. I personally had a great time but some friends had a horrible time. I didn't have high expectations and figured that Eric Flint will also be at World Fantasy and I can get books signed there as well. At every convention one person goes home thinking "best con ever" and another person thinks "worst con ever".
That was long, probably forgetting stuff, but I'll do another post later if I remember anything.
Thursday we left at the unholy hour of 7am and arrived in Raleigh around 11:30am, getting the droids was the smartest thing wmslawhorn and I have done. Got great directions until Google maps mistook a college for the convention center. We were very close and just followed the signs to the RCC and circled a few times until we found the garage entrance. Went inside and got our badges, pocket program wasn't available so we set up the Capclave table. Though we were near the Dealer's room and art show it was really dead, then again it was early and not everyone can afford to take so much time off. Got into costume and wandered around a bit, found friends and went to the Pitt barbecue place. Ordered a sampler and everything was soo good and in large quantities. Ate only half of what was there and it was probably more than I usually eat in a couple of days. Went back to RCC to find another friend and went to the gaming room and played Monty Python Fluxx which turned really silly really quick. There were not gatherings on Thursday but a party at a local bar, once the rain slowed down we hit the bar. The entire time we were there it was me, wmslawhorn , daveybeauchamp , and Davey's friend. Other people trickled in and out, but the largest number of nasfic people at one time was 7. Crashed early since I was up since the asscrack of dawn.
Friday got up early and into a costume (Suzaku battle version). spent time at the Capclave table and a bit at the art show, crowds were bigger, but the con rented so much convention center space that it looked really sparse. Went to a 1632 weird tech panel where the panelists described you could use water to make a logic circuit and make a very basic computer. There was a design for a monorail that was actually used in 19th century India, that could be very effective light rail in 1632 Grantville. Got into normal clothes for the treks to Costco and Krogers for meet & greet supplies. the marriott claimed that their party ban was corporate policy, so we had to have meet & greets or gatherings. For the corporate policy to actually exist we have to ignore the fact that we have thrown parties at the Marriott Hunt Valley for Balticon for years.
The suite was very nice, the bathroom was amazing and we learned that one of the soft coolers isn't housebroken. Pretty sure it's been like that for a while we only noticed it since it was on tile this time. Gathering went pretty well seemed like the entire con was there at some moments. got freaked out by the crowds and went to the room to read. No idea how the other parties went, but they had some good stuff according to many people.
Saturday more table time and wore my downtimer costume. Attended Eric Flint's GoH speech.He mentioned that the next book in the 1632 seties will be out in October with more on the way. He opened it to questions, many people asked about the level or research involves, and how far in advance does he know what will happen in the series. Lots of research is involved, he has 2 bookshelves full of thirty years war books and recommended a couple for background reading. Many questions on working with other writers and how does he choose his writing partners. I asked him if his organizing experience played a role in 1632 when the United Mine Workers local becomes the local government while they figure out what to do. he said it did play a role and he intentionally set the series in a blue collar/working class area since most SF/Fantasy focused on military officers and other upper class types. Also a series where the Union is positively portrayed and becomes the glue that keeps the community together was an important part of the series. Went to panels of demographics of Germany, while they didn't' have a Census like we did many of the churches had records of their members and the denominations would rub it in the faces of the others if they had more. There were some government records and they did travel to other cities or towns when the war or other circumstances dictated. Usually there would be a not saying records from x village transferred on [year]. According to the panelists never underestimate the power of German bureaucrats to keep and preserve records. It may be hard to find but they are there. Also stayed for Clothing of 1632 and went up front as a model, turned out my skirt and sleeves were too long and in that era with the exception of kitchen workers and elderly women women didn't cover their hair. I'll be shortening the skirt and sleeves soon. Also that a perpetual bridesmaid would make a fortune selling the butt bowed monstrosities to noblewomen since the really bright colors were virtually unavailable at the time.
Saturday was the Capclave party, it was a smaller crowd since there were more gatherings that night. Started nodding off at 1:44 am so I went back to the room and packed costumes and crashed. Sunday was packing up everything and saying goodbye to friends. Went to Eric Flint's autograph session and got Ring of Fire II and 1635: The Dreeson Incident signed and personalized. Asked him which Unions he organized for and he said UAW, Steelworker's, and others I didn't catch. Never directly worked for any of them. When he worked with UAW it was in the 70s in Detriot, I mentioned my grandpa belonged to UAW 599 in Flint, MI this was the Union that did the big sit down strike in 1937 which lead to GM recognizing the UAW and made it easier for other unions to get recognition and organize.
Spent lots of time doing Capclave table/party stuff so I didn't see a huge part of the con, but the schedule did change constantly and errata sheets were difficult to find. Most of the stuff I was interested in was the 1632 mini con which was more of they got space and did their own thing. so it was consistant from the start. Got the feeling there was a lot of field promotions and staff did the best they could under the circumstances. I was there programming wise for Eric Flint and the 1632 mini con and that went great. Capclave wise we sold 2 memberships, 2 Turtledove books, and 1 couple who just moved to the Dc area said they would attend a WSFA meeting soon. Also got 3 new twitter followers, didn't think anything I tweeted was interesting. Except about getting groped by a dodo.
Don't think this will be the nasfic that kills the nasfic, but don't think anyone will try a stand alone nasfic anytime soon. Heard that the con was in the black but barely. The entire con could have been done in the Marriott and nearby Sheraton for much less and could have dropped prices a bit, it probably also got hurt by Pennsic and Gen con happening the same weekend, and being close to Dragon con. I personally had a great time but some friends had a horrible time. I didn't have high expectations and figured that Eric Flint will also be at World Fantasy and I can get books signed there as well. At every convention one person goes home thinking "best con ever" and another person thinks "worst con ever".
That was long, probably forgetting stuff, but I'll do another post later if I remember anything.