Thanks for the update.

Lots of writers, lots of fans, lots of drinking. Priorities, right?

At least one other DU person is here. I saw him at dinner tonight but we didn't speak.

I don't costume, but I so enjoy them.

So cool!

When I first started going to Mile Hi and Bubonicon (in Albuquerque and points to everyone who gets the name) and she was always there, I was in such awe of her I could barely speak. I did get a photo taken of the two of us (long since gone because I didn't save it properly) and was utterly thrilled.

Connie is smart, the friendliest person in the world, and totally approachable. Her husband Courtney recently retired from teaching physics in college, and he's equally friendly and approachable. They're happy to let someone like me join them in the restaurant.

I LOVE "To Say Nothing of the Dog." I know Connie has another book in that world that should be coming out sometime soon. I did forget to ask her if she had a publication date, and I don't know if she has a title.

One fun thing is that when she's scheduled to do a reading, her fans mostly just want to chat with her. And she's also happy to do that.

Oh, I wish I could be there. Making marvelous memories.

Or maybe at some Con near you.

There are very many, all over the country, so perhaps you can find one nearby that works for you.

The first one is in Locus, the inside-baseball journal of science fiction. (That's my name for them, not theirs.)

https://locusmag.com/conventions/

https://scificons.com/events/schedule.php

Thank you for your links.

And by the way, I saw you, actually sat next to you and your son and the two other people you were with on Sunday morning, but didn't bother to speak, as you were clearly occupied. I did actually tell Daniel that I thought his quantum cats comment in his bio was simply the best, most appropriate use of the word quantum I'd seen in ages.

The new hotel is a very long drive for us.

I am no longer willing do drive four or more hours either. For me, the flight from Boulder to Denver is affordable, although the taxi rate to get anywhere is outrageous.

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. 👍

AI Gen:

1939: The very first Worldcon, retroactively nicknamed "NyCon I," was held from July 2–4 at the Caravan Hall during the New York World's Fair.
1956: The 14th Worldcon, also known as "NyCon II," was held in the Biltmore Hotel.
1967: The 25th Worldcon, or "NyCon 3," took place at the Statler Hilton Hotel.

for your delightful history of s-f cons.

I was vaguely aware of them from an early age, but didn't even think of attending any for far too long. In 1990 we moved to Overland Park, KS, a suburb of Kansas City, MO, which has a very active s-f community. Border's bookstore at the time had a number of active book discussion groups, one of which was science fiction. Pat Cadigan (look her up if you need to) was a member of the group, and she's also wonderful.

I also took a writing class at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, from Jim Gunn, another incredible writer. Another student in my class, Chris McKitterick, eventually took over from Jim, and is currently teaching writing and science fiction at KU.

I was also a Writer of the Future many years ago, which was amazing and wonderful.

Back to Connie. In January, 2017, at COSine in Colorado Springs, Connie mentioned that they'd be at the upcoming total eclipse in Nebraska. I went up to her at the end of the session, and asked if I could see the eclipse with them. Well, of course, they said, and acted as if they'd be delighted to be with me. We booked hotels about a mile or so apart, and they picked me up and drove me to the eclipse and to dinner while there. The best part for me was at the eclipse and walking around Connie who is, as already mentioned, the friendliest person in the world, and clearly no one had any clue who she was. She had a wonderful chat with a young couple who were there with their three or four children whom they homeschooled. I learn a lot just from being in her presence.

I have done a small amount of writing and editing myself, and I need to get back to that. A recent health issue is a reminder.

My s-f history/connection seems to be somewhat recent compared to yours. It's a shame that too many people automatically look down on s-f. Worse yet, they think crap like "The Handmaid's Tale" is s-f. because they've never read the real thing. Beyond frustrating.

We all understand that we have different reading preferences, but trashing someone else's preferred reading is at best rude, but mostly ignorant.

Thank you for your post.

Pat's name is familiar, as is Jim Gunn's.

Writer of the Future ....nice!
Time to stretch those literary muscles, again. 🖋 👍.

Border's Bookstore. I love Border's...it's got a special connection for me. The first time I saw one was in DC, when I was vacationing there for several days during Clinton's first term. Did the WH tour. It was near my hotel so I think I stopped in there since it was new to me.

I'd already been in DC previously for fun, and protests. I forgot how I tracked the weather back then away from the NYC Tri-State area - bc I'd be making sure I was visiting DC when it was low 80s, and relatively low humidity. Beautiful weather!
Maybe the weather details in The NY Times.

Then a Border's (mayaaaybe 2) opened up in Manhattan, one which was by a subway stop at the beginning of west Midtown Manhattan that I frequented. Visited that one for a good amount of years till they closed.

I'd have to disagree regarding THT, though. In the sense that the late '60s when American "New Wave" SF happened like Ellison's Dangerous Visions anthologies (my dad, and I belonged to the SF Book Club) with modernistic writing styles, exploration of "Inner Space", and social commentary.
I'd put THT under social commentary.

I think I remember you mentioning your Solar Eclipse adventure at some point you recounted it after 2017 bc I didn't join DU till June ?'23 or so. And when I remembered DU's name in '23, and googled it up from seeng it waaay back in ?W's first year when I stumbled upon it while at a Net Cafe - I only lurked for a bit, and joined up.

Well, if I do get go to a SF con in my NYC area next year; I'll let you know. 👍

It just didn't work for me.

I also read a far wider variety of books than most people do, mostly non-fiction. S-F is perhaps a tenth of what I read. But I love the field, and I especially love the people in it.

Oh, and Walter Jon Williams and Nancy Kress used to teach the Taos Toolbox, and I attended there in the late oughts. They were an excellent teaching pair.

Because I sort of go in and out of the field, I tend to forget details.

I tended to read more non-fiction in magazine arcticles than books. Only went to the Big Bronx library recently post-covid a couple of months ago, but I'd peruse and read articles in various interest magazines there pre-covid. Was also where I'd take my tablet for free WiFi in the '10s. Also pre covid reading articles in the magazine racks in B&N.

My Son The Astronomer.

He's finishing up his PhD in astronomy at George Mason University, and is currently job hunting. I, understandably, would like my only son to live a whole lot closer to New Mexico, where I am, but who knows? I have actually encouraged him to get a job overseas.

Well, if he does go overseas, hopefully he'll be able to visit at some point, but phone calls, and texting are options.

I enjoy astronomy a lot.