Science Fiction/ Issue 78 Editors: Jean Martin, Chris Garcia December 17, 2008 Copy Editor: David Moyce email: [email protected] Calendar Editor: España Sheriff Compositor: Tom Becker 78 RPM record from Carl Haber’s lab at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, scanned using IRENE (Image, Reconstruct, Erase Noise, etc.) photos by Sheraz Sadiq, for KQED QUEST “How Edison Got His Groove Back,” some rights reserved

Contents

News and Notes...... Chris Garcia...... 2 Letters of Comment...... Jean Martin...... 4 Editorial...... Chris Garcia...... 6 : A Remembrance...... Philip Gust...... Photo by Alan Light...... 8 2008 in Retrospective...... Al “Rackstraw” Megas...... Photos by Erik Anderson and Jean Martin...... 10 LosCon: The Convention Reviewed as Science Fiction...... Chris Garcia...... Photos by Barney Evans...... 12 LosCon Considered as a Sci Fi Toga Party...... España Sheriff...... Photos by Barney Evans and Jason Schachat...... 18 BASFA Minutes...... 24 Bay Area Fannish Calendar...... España Sheriff...... 27

Art credit: Page 3 – Kate Kelton

Science Fiction/San Francisco is the twice-monthly news zine for the San Francisco Bay Area. All issues can be found at www.efanzines.com. Except as noted, all articles and photos are copyright 2008 by the original creators. Used with permission.

1 News and Notes

By Christopher J Garcia Earl Kemp is my hero. Of the Five Old Men to see more of him out this way. Wil Wheaton Editor I’ve always admired (Forry and the late Harry was also a ton of fun and the two of them were You can guess what the starting point for Warner, Jr., Art Widner, Ed Meskeys and Earl), a hilarious pair with their panel together. I’m this edition’s News & Notes will be. That’s Earl’s the only one I’ve regularly interacted hoping we get to see that double-double right, it’s the death of my personal hero: Forry with. His latest issue of eI is the best issue of together again! Ackerman. He touched my life in many ways, the year. I love it, I really do, and there’s SMoFCon’s just ended and a lot of BArea made me want to be a museum person, had a nothing better than the stuff that Earl’s put out folk made their way to Columbus, Ohio and strong hand in influencing the development of this year. It’s amazing to read through the entire back. The reports were it went fairly well and the fandom that I love so much, and he was run (something I’ve done a few times) and see Warren Buff, the head of the Raleigh in 2008 responsible for bringing many of the great how they bounce off one another, forming bid for NASFiC, reports that his role in the filmmakers into the world of filmmaking. I was different connections and harsh counteractions. Fannish Inquisition wasn’t as hard as he feared. crushed when Locus made the false report a It’s amazing. Earl does great stuff, and has I’ve never made it to a SMoFCon, but I really few weeks ago, and now I’m really blown over. since the Long Ago. I recently heard that he wanna go to one. It’s the time of year. Just too The Drink Tank’s tribute should either already isn’t going to be at Corflu. That’s a shame. hard to get away. be out or coming out soon. I once said that Speaking of not being there, I’m going to The Scarf is doing well. Leigh Ann’s work Forry was a lot of people’s starting point. I have to skip Potlatch. It’s a shame that it’s the and the constant pimping has paid off in a big know he was one of mine. same weekend as Cinequest and I’ve got too way, especially with names like Scalzi, Tim eFanzines has been busy. Jan Stinson rules. much to do with CQ that weekend. I think it’s Powers and Dave McCarty wearing it for She’s released Ribbons 4, her C.J. Cherryh zine, also the same weekend as WonderCon, so I photos. I’m hoping to get some more fun folks and it’s good stuff. She also has Steam Engine won’t be there either. to wear it at Cinequest. That’ll be a fun time. I Times, her zine that she does with Bruce Betty Page, the legendary pin-up and the might have to find someone to take it around Gillespie. That’s one of the best zines going Queen of Fetish modeling, had a heart attack on Potlatch too. So many things! right now, and sadly I haven’t LoCed it yet. It’s the 5th. It’s a shame, as she’s another of the Speaking of Cinequest, I was on the Shorts always the good ones that take me forever. icons of an era that’s quickly losing all its most Selection Committee again after taking last There are new Drink Tanks. That’s always famous participants. We wish her a speedy year off. There were lots of great shorts, and the case. There was a fine piece of writing from recovery and hope that we have more years of there were many wonderful genre pieces too. Taral Wayne in two parts about the Canadian Betty Page! It’s looking good for the Silicon Valley Science political crisis. Honestly, I had no idea it was John Scalzi was a great GoH at LosCon. Fiction Short Film Festival. going on until I read Taral’s articles. It was You can read more about that in my very There’ve been a couple of paper fanzines good stuff. strange LosCon report, and I’m hoping we get hitting the streets lately, which is always good

2 news. The first I got was Banana Wings 36. It’s a good issue, with a lengthy article from Max about LARPing. There’s also a lot of fine writing from Claire and Mark. It should also be noted that Claire took home her sixth Best Fan Writer award in the voting over in the UK. That’s an awesome distinction. It’s another fine issue of one of the finest fanzines in the world. Chunga, ’s notable fanzine, also released another issue that came across my desk. It features a very cool cover with Randy Byers, Carl Juarez and Andy Hooper all joining up with the Women of Torchwood to form Torchwood West. It’s a great Alison Scott cover, and she also won a Nova this year, Best Fan Artist! There’s a lot of great writing in there, including an article from Stu Shiffman about Superman that’s awesome, not to mention some of the best fan art you’ll ever find all wrapped up in a fantastic layout. Solid work from a solid team.

Kate Kelton

3 Letters of Comment

Lloyd Penney writes: clearly labeled... and no one took Unfortunately, Forry has passed Dear Chris and Jean and David and advantage of it. Con*cept was very away for real this time. We have an España: accommodating, and helped me get article in this issue from Phil Gust as a You’re probably on the brink of things set up quickly, and at one point I remembrance to him. issuing SF/SF 77, but I’ve got issue 76 had six or seven folks helping me, but to I wish we had something like here, and only now can I get to it and no avail. Yvonne’s panels were very BAERS and PEERS here... the regular respond. This might wind up being a popular, and they’d like her to do it social calendar these and other local multi-issue loc, but we’ll see how far I again next year, but we’re not sure we groups set up sound like a ton of fun, get. could afford a second trip to Montreal in and a good excuse to fill a closet full of Hawaiian shirt theme at a con? 2009. costumes. I hear about steampunk events Arrgghhh! Why does it have to be so far It may take a while for a new in Toronto, but usually they are raves in away? I could wear several different fanzine lounge to get noticed and for the club district downtown. The shirts every day! As you know, TAFF people to go to it. Some people might exception was a steampunk jewelry has two candidates, Yvonne and I have not know what to do there even if it’s show I missed, staged by local small- stood as two of Steve Green’s described in the program. It sure took scale jewelers, most with Etsy online nominators, and I believe the ballot has me a while to figure out that Chris’s shops. just arrived on Dave Langford’s TAFF fanzine lounges are so much fun and There are a lot of historical and sci website. You will have fun in Montreal, the place to be. fi groups in the Bay Area that and that’s an order, or I will get the Fun What Terry Pratchett is going through encourage costuming and just plain old Police on your tail, and you’ll have to reminds me of Forry Ackerman’s getting together and having fun. What answer to them, me bucko... plight... he suffered a heart attack, and astounds me is how many people like Jean Martin responds: We’re all he was reported as doing very poorly, doing this just like I do! I consider excited and I think several of us from and he wasn’t expected to survive, and myself very lucky to be in an area the Bay Area are going to Montreal. some had already reported him dead... where this is the case. I’ve been My loc, and the fanzine lounge at and then a rush of cards and letters thinking about why this is so and this is Con*cept... well, the convention came, and while he is still very ill, and probably a topic for a longer feature advertised it, and I spent some time his prognosis is not good, Forry has article that I may do at some point. there, and I had tables and comfortable perked up. A little love and egoboo can While I am interested in steampunk, I furniture and everything, and it was save your life. am a little more interested in the

4 costuming aspect than the reading Money is tight, yet there seems to be the I’m done, guys... it is Friday, so I aspect. I just keep in mind The Wild, idea of spending your way out of the wish you all a great weekend, and hope Wild West, and the TV show Legend with recession, to get money moving through your Thanksgiving is/was a great time. Richard Dean Anderson and John de the economy. The panel could also Friends who used to live in Toronto, but Lancie. Plus, I also look forward to a address the financial future of who low live in New Jersey, just across more formal event and a more formal conventions, especially large ones like the river from NYC, are back up in dress code. I think many of us secretly . If things are not getting any Toronto, as they have done every year wish for a return to a simpler and more better, we should talk about this, and see for eight years now, to enjoy U.S. genteel age. If the steampunk convention where our con-going future is going. Thanksgiving with friends, so we will was successful, they can credit groups I’d probably be interested in being nosh on the ever-popular turkey and like BAERS and PEERS for getting the on a panel that would discuss this issue cranberry tomorrow night. potential membership in the mood. as I work as a writer in the financial I had a great Thanksgiving with my Whichever way people start getting industry. And I envision people who family. I love Thanksgiving food… into Steampunk, it’s great to see them run cons on the panel as well as some nothing beats turkey, gravy, cranberry get more interested in other aspects of con regulars and non-regulars to see sauce, stuffing and pumpkin pie to feel the genre. I am more into the how their con-going activities have warm, cozy and happy! costuming and movies as well but I’ve been affected. We seem to be going Party on, hugs to Jean, and see you started reading short stories, novels and through a deep and protracted global next ish, which will probably be in a few the Girl Genius graphic novels. I’m recession and I don’t think this is going days. probably going to get into the DIY side to improve as quickly as previous Yours, Lloyd Penney of Steampunk as I can’t seem to find downturns, unfortunately. the right holsters for my Steampunk There’s the SF/SF junta on page 13, pistol and ray gun. So it looks like I’ll with that big hairy bandito in the middle. have to make these myself. Sounds like the con was a popular Jean, you mention in your review of success... I’m still concerned that it was SiliCon that attendance was expected to a financial success. I can just imagine be much lower because of the current that photo with you all as the disciples at financial crisis, and that everyone’s the Last Supper...and Chris is still discretionary income was expected to be pointing at and mugging for the camera. much lower. Hate to say it, but this Need to see that photo! (I expect to it on would make for a good discussion panel the front of another Drink Tank, Chris...) at a future con, possibly to be held just The infamous photo in question is before the darts and laurels panel. featured on page 11.

5 Editorial

By Christopher J Garcia OK, why am I talking about this? It’s all Worldcon because it’s at least partly about Editor Netflix’s fault. You see, I rented a DVD getting the ideas that are presented into the I have a thing for conventions. You about TED, the conference that takes place eyes of those who can make it happen. know it, you’ve seen me at BayCon, in Monterey. Daphne Zuniga made a movie There were talks from folks like Al Gore, LosCon, Worldcon, etc., and you know about the 2006 edition which was pretty the woman who founded the Sustainable what fun I always seem to push myself to much her gushing over all the presentations. South Bronx group, and various have. I love SF cons, and I really love non- TED is the kind of place where movers and and researchers, including a 20-year-old SF cons. shakers come and make an 18-minute who is one of the major forces in current I don’t go to nearly as many conferences presentation about some project or device cancer research. There was also music, as I used to. I was a regular at them starting that the movers and shakers of the world programmed by Thomas Dolby and with my days in high school with groups would be interested in. The DVD isn’t reaching around the world, and there was like the World Affairs Council and S-Club, great, it’s interesting, and it feels performance art, including one amazing and then in college I was always going to completely like a promotional video for the poem performance about Mockingbirds that conferences for student government or any conference, which hurts it a bit. But it also lit the crowd right up. It was amazing, even other thing that came up with free trips has something about it that reminded me of on video. through Emerson. I was always going to a film that a buddy of mine made about So, I looked at the website and realized these things, but once I started my term at NERO called Monster Camp. It’s a sense of that it’s not something for the regular the Computer History Museum, I seldom wonder, you know, that sense that old-time people. In fact, it’s something for a very got to go to conferences, maybe one a year, sci fi fans always talk about that science select group of people. Not only movers and always day trips. I went to the D fiction lost at some point in the 1960s. It’s and shakers, but the folks who can front the conference in 2003. It’s a big deal that folks still there in this film that explores a funds to get there. And I guess that’s part of like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Carly conference of people who really, quite what makes it so special and something that Fiorina attend. It’s all about the possibility literally, want to change the world. people really want to go to — but I’ll never of communication, business and computer And it made me want to attend. get to go. That sucks. This is the kind of stuff. I had a good time, listening to the In many ways, it’s like a Worldcon. thing that those of us in fandom would presentations and hanging out with an There are people there from around the really take a lot out of as well as being able exhibit that we had set up. I even got to chat world, all giving presentations and to inject something powerful into. I could with Bill Gates about the panel from the exploring the ways in which the world see someone like Jay Lake giving a PDP-10 we had brought with us. works. It’s also completely the opposite of presentation that would fit right in with the

6 others they showed on the DVD. I could see reel out from the start to the completion of Romans or the Nazis. That’s the kind of many of the folks I’ve done panels with at the con would be amazing. Amazing to thing that friends talk about around those cons being wonderful on the stage for actually cover the race and the days of the dinner tables, not how to put together exactly 18 minutes. Oddly, there was one voting for the cons, the parties at the coalitions of people to save the planet. person I have done a panel with, Cliff Stohl, Worldcon leading up to the vote, and if the I’d still love to try and find a way to who was on the stage. He’s a wildfire of right con gets chosen, following it through capture a Worldcon and not interfere with activity and they only showed a bit of his the building of the actual convention. True, the truth of it by having the camera affect it presentation. I was on a panel with him at at times that process can be quite painful all. It would be the kind of task that Werner Worldcon in 2002 and he ran around the (see ConJose as an example), but to record Herzog would set himself to and end up room discussing the ancient Friden the ways in which these things come doing everything wrong but producing a calculators. It was awesome. together would be fascinating. fine piece of film matter. I’d love to see it Watching it, I thought about our cons. The interesting thing would be to find a done, and more importantly, I’d love to We do so much interesting stuff, but no one way to record the actual Worldcon. There’s watch over the editing. There’s nothing ever sees any of it beyond the walls of the so much going on that even with a five better than being able to drive the focus, hotels and convention centers. It’s camera team it could be nearly impossible, because there’s nothing more disappointing interesting that the closest I’ve seen to a but it would be fun to try. Of course, finding than taking a subject and making it into film that deals with cons of the kind I the right way to capture the bits of something to laugh at. Having someone understand is : The Movie, the conversation and strange fun would be the directing the piece who understands what film that featured San Diego Comic-Con in only way to really get the feeling across. Fandom is (at least in part), and not taking all its glory. Of course, it’s a fictional film There’s a lot to Worldcon that doesn’t it down the road that so many other as well, which makes it different, but it happen in a programming room or within mainstream media outlets have, would be a really does give something of the flavor of a the confines of official programming spaces mitzvah. convention. There are very few views of our at all. There are parties, which lead to So, I’m hoping that someday I’ll get to conventions that take them seriously, and I conversation, and there are dinners and make a film about Worldcon that will serve think that’s a sad, sad thing. lunches where fans all hang out and give the same role as the TED film (I believe it’s My dream project, which I don’t think each other the feeling of fandom. That’s called The Future We Will Create) and will I’ll ever get to do, is to cover a Worldcon perhaps the biggest difference between TED allow us to show what Worldcon’s really from conception to delivery. Start with the and Worldcon: the feeling of fandom is about. early meetings, interview the forces behind friendship while the feeling of TED is Or something like that. them and get them talking about the ideas purpose. No one goes to Worldcon to solve that their Worldcon will be based on. There a problem with the world. No one goes to are philosophical differences between every TED to hang out with friends and discuss Worldcon and to see how those differences who would run the Death Star better: the

7 Forrest J Ackerman: A Remembrance

By Philip Gust on his passion for those classic Contributing Writer monsters and the actors who To any kid growing up in the 1960s portrayed them, and who meant who was a fan of monsters, meeting so much to him growing up. Forry Ackerman would be even better More than that, though, he than meeting Boris Karloff, or Bela enthusiastically pulled us into Lugosi, or Lon Chaney, Jr. That’s the inner circle by relating his because meeting Forry Ackerman would own personal experiences and be like meeting all of them at the same recollections of the actors, time. makeup men and special effects For over a decade, I dug into each artists who were legends to us, new issue of Famous Monsters of and by sharing his mind- Filmland with the same eager delight as b l o w i n g c o l l e c t i o n o f a vampire preparing to bite his next memorabilia. To us, he was the victim. Since I was scared witless years older kid who had just won all earlier watching Karloff in his signature the marbles, and we looked on role, I was hooked. I couldn’t get enough him with the same mixture of of classic monsters like Frankenstein, open admiration and wistful Dracula, and the Wolfman, or even the jealousy. not-so-classic ones that were all too Now, as a star-struck common on Saturday afternoon TV. thirteen year old, I was finally From H.G. Wells’s Martians to Venusian about to meet him. Forry was in Space Girls, Forry Ackerman was the Phoenix promoting a line of High Priest who brought them all to us. monster models, and was Sure, FM included a wealth of appearing at the largest hobby graphic images that we all perused with store in town. I had saved ghoulish delight. But through the pages money from my allowance, and of FM, Forry gave us something even somehow wheedled my mother more wonderful and lasting. He passed into driving me there to get in Forrest J Ackerman working at his desk photo by Alan Light, some rights reserved 8 line hours early. As the line slowly Lord of the Rings costumes and asked us artist of his time and a long-time friend inched towards the table where he was to come down and be booth creatures. of Forry’s. Three giants, all personal sitting, I was struck by seeing an They told us to bring any other sci fi/ heroes of mine, together for perhaps the ordinary looking, bespectacled man fantasy costumes we’d care to wear. We last time. about my father’s age, quietly greeting had several costumes that matched I knew that Forry was ill, and I was each child as he shook their hand, talked figures they produced, and I was sad when I heard of his passing, but I with them for a few seconds, and handed wearing one of them when we went to don’t grieve because Forry isn’t really them the model of their choice. What hear Forry and some other panelists talk gone. For me, he lives on as long as I see had I expected? Galvanic flashes? about Universal Monsters. The room fans who are infected by his passion and Flapping bats’ wings? Howling was crowded and the panel had just inspired by his child-like curiosity and werewolves? After all the buildup for so begun as we came in and stood in the enthusiasm for the genre he helped many weeks, what would I say to him? back. create and that we all love. When it was my turn, he shook my I hadn’t thought much about our hand and asked me about my interest in earlier meeting, when Forry suddenly monsters and sci fi. I told him that I stopped, looked at me, and asked me to enjoyed his stories about the people who step into the center aisle so everyone designed props and makeup, and that I could see his favorite Universal monster. had learned to do stop-motion using my I was wearing my recreation of Lon grandfather’s 8mm movie camera by Chaney’s Red Death costume, complete reading articles in FM. He looked at me with a prosthetic mask of his makeup for a second and then said I reminded from the movie. At that moment, I had him of someone else he knew who the strangest feeling as I suddenly enjoyed stop-motion. When he asked me remembered the same smile years which monster model I’d like to have, I earlier, when I told him that the Phantom told him the Phantom of the Opera was was my favorite too. my favorite. He smiled, handed me the The last memory I have of Forry is model of Lon Chaney in his classic pose, seeing him later that day in the hall, shook my hand again, and motioned me being escorted from another panel. He Join our crew! on to the check-out line. was in a wheel chair, and on either side We are looking for writers to cover I saw Forry Ackerman only one other of him in matching wheel chairs were local events, conventions, fan time, when my wife and I went to , the legendary sci-fi writer groups and the fannish scene in general. Contact Jean Martin and Comic-Con in 2005. Some people from whom Forry had "discovered," and Ray Chris Garcia at [email protected] Sideshow Collectibles had admired our Harryhausen, the leading stop-motion

9 2008 in Retrospective

By Al “Rackstraw” Megas April Contributing Writer In San Jose, the DoubleTree looked a bit more like its usual self this month though the So this is Christmas con in question was just in town for a visit. And what have you done? Costume-Con more than lived up to its name by Another year over, being the CosPlay peak of the year. A new one just begun! May On its second move in as many years, BayCon settled into its new home at the Santa Well, it’s been a good, long year for geeks Clara Convention Center. Its theme celebrated of all sorts in the Bay Area. Con-goers had full the various concepts of space piracy in science plates and saw many traditions upheld fiction. Indiana Jones also returned to theaters beautifully. for one last adventure though it was judged by many fans to be sillier and tamer than its classic Costume-Con: "Space Girls" featured in predecessors. Masquerade photo by Jean Martin

January Fur Con, the “furst” DoubleTree con of the year (heh), enjoyed packed attendance as always. Fursuiters paraded through the lobby, put on shows, and showed much esprit de… ummm, fur. With non-furries of all fandoms also in attendance, it was a bit like a big reunion! February With the rare 2/29 on the horizon, WonderCon started con season with a bang. Fans flocked to the City by the Bay to get autographs from fan favorites like Summer WonderCon: Dr. Noe meets John Cho Glau and J. Michael Strascynski. BayCon: Jean Martin, Deborah Kopec and photo by Jean Martin España Sheriff photo courtesy Jean Martin 10 June Browncoats hailed the onset of summer and proved their fandom was still going strong with “Can’t Stop the Serenity,” a screening of Joss Whedon’s famous film in San Francisco. Faire season got kicked off by buccaneers convening at the Vallejo Pirate Faire. July As usual, the Bay Area experienced a weekend-long exodus of comic book fans heading South for San Diego Comic-Con. The SiliCon: Chris Garcia and apostles photo by Erik Anderson proved to be the costume choice with the most humongous popularity as movie-goers everywhere almost unanimously (and not at all October holiday cheer to be found at the Dickens Faire. unexpectedly) loved the new Begins There was no better way to kick off There’s fun for the whole family and, as it turns sequel, The Dark Knight. What no one Halloween season than SiliCon 2008. The out, multiple genres. Want a little more sci fi expected, however, was the film’s complete charity-drive event had all the perks of its fun for Yule? Just get on the guest list for a demolishing of multiple box office records, larger counterpart, BayCon, and also attracted Christmas party! leaving it second only to Titanic among the anime and comic book fans. Even the legendary Looking Ahead… highest grossing movies of all time! Steve Englehart was on the guest roster! What does 2009 hold for us all? August November Comic-Con will turn 40! The month with no holidays also seemed to In another month-beginning con, Harry Potter will return to theaters in The suffer from a deficit of exciting events to tickle Steampunk came to Sunnyvale, made possible Half Blood Prince, the cinematic adaptation of the fancies of fanboys and fangirls. There were in part by a cornerstone concert with Abney the penultimate novel. a few oases in this desert, though, including the Park. Some of us didn’t have time to catch our The Transformers will appear in a sequel! first fully animated Star Wars movie in theaters breaths before Carnival of Stars which was held And will be reborn under the and the second year of Con-X-Treme in San only a week later! The Carnival featured auspices of J.J. Abrams. Will it meet our every Mateo County. continuous entertainment including a expectation and hope? Wait and see. September memorable costume competition. It was also Oh, and if you were sad to see the Star Trek If you love period costumes and outdoor the month to break out the tuxedos and martini Experience in Las Vegas close, don’t shed your activities and you could swing the fluctuating glasses for what was arguably the most last tear just yet. It may be back (albeit in a gas prices to drive Pacheco Pass, chances are testosterone-charged Bond movie yet. different home) before you know it! you made it out to the Casa de Fruita Ren Fair. December Six consecutive theme weekends were enough Though you could live here for a decade to keep the faire-goers coming back for more. and never see snow, there’s plenty of wintry,

11 LosCon: The Science Fiction Convention Reviewed as Science Fiction

By Christopher J Garcia to me as she scanned the rest. greatest album ever made. It carried me to the Editor “The motion of one object through a convention. “Any two points in the Universe affect one smooth warp in space affects all others by Arriving, I parked myself and brought the another through the fundamental forces of the creating a non-smooth well of interaction in all materials in to set up the Fanzine Lounge. I’d Universe,” I thought as I flew down Highway 5 dimensions through a timewell. No two objects been given the chance to run it and I quickly from my Mom’s house in Patterson towards the may move without causing all other objects in discovered that no one milling about had any LAX Marriott. I had ideas. I always have ideas the universe to change as well. This is the cause idea where it was. I had forgotten to call and running through my head, but for some reason, of non-circular orbits and will lead to the see where it was going to be. These things when I woke up at 4:30 the day after eventual collapse of all matter back into a happen. I was told to try and check in at Thanksgiving, I was deep in consideration of singularity,” she said, finishing exactly as she Program Ops, which was my first stop, the state of the Universe and the methods used scanned the last of the junk food I’d purchased. thoughts of the interplay of quarks with yet- to construct it and keep it running. “Excuse me?” I said, fumbling my wallet smaller particles racing in orbit around the need There are worse things to have on the mind out of my pocket. for a badge. as you spend five hours on the highway. “That’ll be $12.75” she said, her voice I found the room and retrieved my badge as I was at Lost Hills, thinking about the much chattier than it had been a moment I chatted with George and Vanessa Van Wagner. interaction of large bodies in motion with before. George was talking about music, specifically smaller objects dwelling upon them, when I “You said something else before that,” I about his article for the Jazz issue of The Drink stopped to fill the gas tank. I walked into the noted. “Something about...” Tank, and at one moment, without anyone other store, beef jerky and Hostess Donettes on my “Oh,” she said. “I didn’t see the Sno-balls. than me noticing, Vanessa leaned in and said, mind. This was as typical a gas station on the That’ll be $14.45” “No matter how small a particle is, it has mass road as you’ll find. Truckers, families on road I stared at her, but managed to grab a and transit properties which allow for trips, business drivers in wrinkled suits making twenty out of my pocket and handed it to her, coalescence into a cohesive unit which strives their way towards non-certain sales all walked thinking of those words. They worked perfectly for transit between all possible dimensions.” about, looking for chips and sodas and bottles with the thoughts I’d been having. I walked out I wanted to ask Vanessa questions about of water. I grabbed my goodies, holding them to my car, peeling open the beef jerky (teriyaki what she had just said, but the woman behind to my chest like a schoolgirl with a teeny- style) and thinking about those large-scale the table asked my name and I had to make sure bopper mag with a Jonas Brothers cover, and interactions the young woman had described. I had my badge. laid them gently on the counter in front of the The rest of the trip to the Marriott was Once I had my badge, I was told that there young woman with the crooked Estella without incident. I listened to NPR half- was a sign that identified the Fanzine Lounge nametag. heartedly until I got to the Grapevine, where I and that it was sharing space with the Costume She scanned the first item, then looked up had to put on Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, the Repair Station, which was an interesting fit. My

12 Lovely and Talented Linda is a costumer and computers and had everything ready to go by infinite number of possible futures, defining the could easily serve as my Speaker to the 11 a.m. path through time by the actions of his decision. Costumers. I made my way across and found The LAX Marriott’s setup is very good for It was more detail than I needed about his trip, the Lounge, set up my zines, set up the a con. We were in the front section of the far but at least I didn’t have to pick him up. finger of the hand that was the The early panels were interesting, but I was Ballroom level. Having come so early, too busy to make my way to any of them. I had time to run into friends who Tadao grabbed me and pulled me to one of the were doing their Lay-of-the-Land lap programming rooms. I walked in and stood in of the facility. I ran into my good pal the back, just like Tadao said I should. Writer John Hertz, the astounding Tadao Guest of Honor John Scalzi was on the panel. Tomomatsu, Robbie Bourget, Dave After a few seconds, in walked Mr. Tomomatsu Gordon and Scott Anderson from Las with a briefcase hand-cuffed to his wrist. He Vegas, Lisa Deutsch Harrigan and undid the lock and revealed a bag of In-And- Glen Glazer from the BArea and Out Burger French fries (Animal Style) and a various impressive others. All of them Double-Double Burger. John had said that he’d seemed to have deep thoughts they be GoH if they gave him unlimited Double- wanted to share, but no one said Doubles. I gave them extra points for the anything to me. Perhaps the closest presentation. I made my way back to the was when I ran into Ed Green, Lounge. manning his station, and we were Maria, whose last name I so know but talking about his music video shoot. haven’t been able to beat it out into the He was talking about the shoot, but he presentation portion of my brain, was the one seemed to be drawing diagrams running the Costume Repair portion of the unconsciously. Atoms, electrons, room and she’s a lot of fun. We chatted and the orbiting particles and then larger time seemed to fly by. masses, planets and asteroids, all with I had my first panel, I Was Promised Flying lines of influence between them. They Cars, and we headed over. The panel was held did seem to illustrate the thoughts I exactly across the hall from the Fanzine Lounge was having. so, in theory, I could have done the panel from I returned to the Lounge and the Lounge using my projecting voice. This found Leigh Ann Hildebrand there. would have been bad form, though. The panel The legendary Fanzine Lounger and I was me, a JPL guy and Ken Estes, a video guy sat and spoke for the better part of an who has worked on everything from The X- hour before Jason Schachat, my noble Files to...well, all sorts of stuff. We had a few Coming soon: Centurion vs. Predator sidekick, called saying he’d arrive audience members early, but others came in as photo by Barney Evans around seven by passing through an we went along. This was how many of the 13 panels that weekend worked. I was still having strange thoughts about the nature of matter, but I managed to have an interesting panel about the ways in which the visions of the future had failed us. It was interesting to see the ways in which the panel flew, mostly dealing with what cool beans stuff we’ve got today instead of looking deeply at the world we had in mind. At one point, we were discussing the area of Computer Graphics when a woman in the audience raised her hand. “Excuse me, but don’t the various forms of matter all collide, exchanging their smallest particles to maintain a balance?” I was about to answer, but then Ken was answering a question about the Uncanny Valley of Virtual Representation. I was sweating. There was something more going on here. Something much more more. The panel ended and I walked across the hall to find España Sheriff and Leigh Ann Booksellers in the LosCon Dealer’s Room photo by Barney Evans enjoying a good chat, and a number of costumers around, chatting and working on After that panel, I found myself back in the chatted for a few moments. He’s a really nice things. I love when varying folks join up to Lounge, watching Leigh Ann and España guy, as I’ll be saying a lot in this report, and we have a good time. I only managed to stay for a discussing the state of modern electronics and talked about the fact that he destroyed me in the couple of minutes before I went over to my the ways in which the movements of electrons Hugo voting. He noted that I had done a good second panel: Fanzines: an Introduction. The through wire are exactly analogous to the job on the biography I’d written of him for the panel was me, Milt Stevens, Mike Glyer and passage of universal forces through space-time program book and España stated that he should John Hertz. This was a good cross-section of along great distances. Those people talk funny avoid complimenting me because it’ll only go modern Fanzine Fandom as the four of us are sometimes. One of the costumers was doodling to my head. I have to agree. all active in the various areas. The crowd was in the Fanzine Lounge’s art book, which made Scalzi left and we finished the meal, though small, the same size as the panel in fact, but we me very happy. I love getting art. Scalzi returned to talk just before we got up to sat and chatted and told stories, not all of which We closed up a little after 6 to go and get go and meet Jason Schachat. We talked about were about fanzines. It’s always a good idea to some food at Latitude 33. We took a booth his article “Being Poor,” and Leigh Ann said it make sure that you stay on task, but we were all along the edge and not a minute into our meal was her favorite article. She also mentioned over the place. we had John Scalzi walk by. He stopped and we that she didn’t read male authors anymore and 14 John and she went back and forth on that one where one could go to sit and rest. We had a What was the true form of the atom, and why for a while. It was quite funny. number of fun conversations, some of the ones had we gotten it so wrong for so very long? We We met up with Jason, who handed me a I wasn’t directly involved with seeming to turn could never drive ourselves back to the true report on the advances in the area of to the fallacy for Universal Heat Death. Every beginning of the Universe with this concept of psychological control of matter, and we went time I tried to get into that conversation, it atomic construction. I had barely noticed that up to the party floor where we had the Fanzine seemed to quickly return to the matter of who I’d been joined by Milt Stevens. We talked Lounge After Dark. It was a fun place. I went to would run the Death Star better: the Nazis or about the old days, as we always do when we read the piece that Jason had given me, but it the Romans. It was strange. get together. I was staring at his stylish tie had disappeared. I was concerned, but a few Around midnight, I was too tired to stay up (Milt’s a flashy dresser), and I noticed a strange drinks made me forget all about that. any longer and I headed back to the room constellation on his tie, the strange cosmic The night was great fun, and I walked where I went to sleep. Sleep was a blackboard, motions showing obvious expansion towards around the party floor enjoying the various my dreams were undecipherable equations infinity, then slowing, and contraction. I was parties. I had great fun at the Chili party, written in chalk upon it. beginning to think I might have some sort of enjoying a wonderful mild chili, and came back Saturday morning came early. Too early. I tumor. to find a bunch of folks milling about the walked to the restaurant and had a quick The Lounge came together nicely, Lounge. Tim Powers joined us for a while, as breakfast. I was joined there shortly by Maria, costumers walking in and hanging out. There’s did Christian McGuire, Tadao, John Hertz, and who went about getting the room ready. I had a little crossover between our worlds, but various others. It was a good stopping point three program items, and a lot on my mind. there’s a ton of crossover in the friends we have. Folks would pop by, sit down on one of our lovely couches, chat for an hour or so, then head off into the sunset. I was working through my thoughts of the Universe when I discovered that I was almost late for my panel: The Future is Now! This led to my first problem with the entire con — repetition. The Future is Now was much like I Was Promised Flying Cars, but from another angle. This happened a couple of other times during the con, which is weird. I’d actually say that LosCon might have been over- programmed. There’s nothing wrong with having a couple of program items that interact, but it seemed that there was more than that. At least the panel had different people...except for me and Ken Estes. Robert Gounley, a JPL guy The Loscon Filk Circle photo by Barney Evans who’s good to have around, Sharan Volin, who 15 has been in video games, the Web and is now a panel again: me, Hertz, Glyer and Milt. It’s always a lot of fun, and you know, I’ve never student again, and Doctor Bill, William something that got to me again. I’ve been to had a panel with him. That’s an interesting fact. Ernoehazy, who is a medical doctor and Martial well-attended Fanzine panels, but none of the We had a lot of folks come through, and since Artist who studies a German form. That’s ones at LocCon got much attention. It happens. we hadn’t had any zines the night before, we awesome. We chatted and had a very good The next thing was the TAFF Auction. I’m added a few. It worked as folks started reading panel, much better than the Flying Car panel, not sure if it was my fault, but we ended up them and continuing to enjoy our and it was partly because we had a lot to say with both the TAFF Auction and the Charity conversations. That’s always a good thing. about each other’s field. It was so much like the Auction that David Gerrold has been doing at I took some time to walk down the hall and other panel that only one was really needed, but LosCon for years scheduled for the same room see what other folks were doing. There were they both went well. at the same time. This did not make David some nice parties, especially the Anticipation I headed back to my Lounge and España happy. I was happy because it drew more and Montreal Worldcon’s party. I’m a big fan of that had dragged herself back. She was tired, but we different people to the TAFF auction. I’m pretty con and they put on a good party. The party at all were. She had been up until 4ish. That’s not sure that’s why we did so well. I noticed that one end, I’m not sure what it was for, but it was unusual. We talked for a while and I noticed there was an itch at the back of my head all pretty nice, too. BayCon always puts on as that folks had been scribbling in the Fanzine afternoon. I couldn’t place it, and I didn’t spend good a party as anybody, and I found myself Lounge notebook. The diagrams were certainly much time scratching it, because it wouldn’t do chatting with a couple of folks I had met at the non-Newtonian, but they might make good to have the TAFF Administrator scratching like auction. One, a girl named Kate, was really illustrations for an issue of The Drink Tank. an urchin on the street. Every time I would take funny. She would fit in well with the Fanzine The great thing about the Lounge is that a moment to discreetly scratch, I’d get another Loungers. Then again, just about anyone who folks know where they can find you. Diana rush of ideas. Some of them were really weird, can handle sarcasm and dish it out and accept a Sherman walked in and it was great to see her. I like multiple realities which only interact with receipt for as much as they can take would fit in see her far more often in the Southern one another as the course of time makes one or well. area than I do in the Bay Area, where the other irrelevant. At least I think that’s what I I was getting some delicious trail mix from we both hang our hats! We chatted and Jason was thinking. It’s all a haze now. one of the parties when I discovered that if I put and Leigh Ann joined us and we had a nice I headed back to the Lounge where we were three green M&Ms in my hand with a cashew, a half-hour talk. It’s rare that that happens in in the process of closing up. We all figured it peanut and one of those oat-thingees, it would these days. I went to the sports bar in the hotel, was a good time to head up to the Late Night form a perfect representation of what an atom Champions, and got myself a burger which I lounge. España noted that time flows in both truly was: small particles held together by brought back into the Lounge. It was delightful, directions but each new frame of reference has forces that equally affect large bodies and though overly pricey. I mean, it’s hotel food. to exist in only one direction. She also small. That would make sense, if I’d been some I walked over to my second panel of the mentioned that we needed more booze. I sort of hard-core , I guess. day, What Makes a Good Fanzine, and there couldn’t argue that. We headed over to the little The cold I had was starting to bother me, so were two total audience members: Robert liquor store and got us some booze, headed I took a Nyquil gelcap. I figured I’d have an Kennedy and another fellow whose name I back and as soon as we were there, folks started hour or so before it kicked in. I was wrong. forget. It was very much like the Fanzine panel to come by, starting with my hero, Mr. Tim After about 20 minutes, I was floating. I hadn’t we’d had earlier, and we had the exact same Powers. We talked with him for a while. He’s had a drop of booze, which was good because 16 after about 40 minutes, I was seeing trails! It I went back to the Lounge and started I don’t think was answered to anyone’s was odd, so I made my way back to the room, breaking down some items. It was late in the satisfaction. figuring out that pi was really exactly 3. It was game, the entire con was slowly coming to an I finished up the panel and headed back to a strange realization, but I only had about 20 end. I took down the computers, which had the Lounge, got a bell cart and headed down to seconds after my head hit the pillow before I gotten little use, double-checked the various drop off the Lounge materials at my car. I got was sound asleep. It’s always the time when things, computed the maximum velocity that a there, and standing by the car was a guy in a you want to bask that you end up crashing particle could achieve in a single time frame, trench coat. He was leaning against my car. I early. and found a wonderful cartoon from Sean stopped short. The next morning, it was obvious that Crosby in the notebook. I was pretty much done “Can I help you?” I said. everyone was dragging. I got up around 9 and when Maria wandered in, looking absolutely “Actually, you have been,” the guy said, made my way to the breakfast buffet. It was beat. She’d had a good time at the dance the taking something out of his pocket. very tasty, but pricey. My bank account night before. I figured the rest of my peeps had The next thing I knew, the guy blasted me suffered for it. I headed back to the Lounge and been there was well. Maria mentioned, in a with some sort of ray. I was knocked down, discovered that no one else was over there. I most exhausted manner, that the collision of completely aware, but unable to move or talk. was pleased. I had managed to come up full and particles destroys said particles, only forcing The guy came over to me, lying prone on the ready after about 8 hours of good rest and no the creation of new particles in different space- ground, and I felt a weird tentacly-thing one else had come up to greet the sun. I always times using the energies that are formed from pushing something right where the itch had like having the option to play around before the the collision. I really wanted to hear more about been at the back of my head. I heard a very rubes come in. I grabbed an issue of Costumers that, but she didn’t seem to be much up to the familiar chunk-zhuzz sound and felt something Quarterly from 1988 and was reading it. I lay task of discussing quantum physics after her sliding out of the back of my head. across the couch and after a while I heard that previous night. “Thanks for sparing the cycles, Chris,” the they had started a panel in the room across the I again found myself almost late for a panel. Guy said, showing me the 3.5 inch floppy disk hall. It was my buddy Brad Lyau, Craig Miller It was Why is Fandom So White? The day prior before he took a couple of steps away and was the moderator and there was Eric Hoffman there had been a panel called Why is Science vanished in a positively Star Trek manner. too. They were talking about Underrated/Over Fiction So White? Now, these are two very It was a strange way to end a good con. Rated films. I was pleased to hear it, and since different panels, but it doesn’t show much they’d left the door open, I could hear creative programming. It was an OK panel, everything. I got to listen to the panel while I with June Moffatt, Mike Wilmouth (I guess was working in the Lounge. When Hoffman representing the White portion of the panel), brought up The 27th Day, I moved myself in myself, being the half-Non-White portion, and and stuck around for about 20 minutes or so. L.A. Moore, a writer who is actually African- This was the only panel I managed to make it to American, and thus the only member of the the entire weekend that I wasn’t actually on. It panel who really figured to answer the was a good panel. I have a lot of thoughts about question. It was a decent panel, though one or the various films of science fiction, and this two of the questions might have been a little was the right group of people to have along. esoteric, including one about gravity wells that 17 LosCon Considered as a Sci Fi Toga Party

By España Sheriff deserved nap we headed over for a small Staff Writer Thanksgiving gathering with all the trimmings The original plan for LosCon this year was including some delicious pies. for Anthony and Deb Kopec to attend for the On Friday Andres plied us with pancakes first time. We would all drive down Wednesday and mimosas, which was a pleasant start, and night and share a room at the hotel. then Anthony kindly drove me over to the hotel Unfortunately cruel fate intervened when Deb on his way back up North. I was bummed to be contracted the Plague and couldn't make it after checking in alone but within a couple of all. As this was very last minute Anthony minutes I had run into Tim Powers and happily insisted on driving me down anyway, and switched to con mode. I also saw Karisu Man having no idea where to start finding who let me know there was a celebration for alternatives so late in the game I guiltily agreed. her daughter's birthday in a few hours. We made pretty good time, although I unpacked first and then headed over to stopping for food at 5:45 in the middle of hang my art, finding myself once again nowhere was an adventure I could have just as amongst the last two or three artists arriving. easily skipped... Everything was closed except Frank and Brianna Wu had not hung their art McDonald’s and there was no coffee to be had yet either, so I didn't feel too bad. As I got set for love or money. At 6:00 everything around up I chatted a bit with Spring Schoenhuth of us opened up and we wept into our Egg Springtime Creations, who was about to lead a McMuffins until we realized that meant we docent tour. I was tempted to stay for it but still could get coffee from Starbucks. hadn't coordinated with the Fanzine Lounge I was staying at my sister's place through folks so off I went to the Fanzine Lounge to Friday, and Ant decided to do the same so he check in. could sleep before the drive, so we arrived in This year we were brought out from the Santa Monica bright and early and in enough Marriott Mystery Floor into the convention time for my sister's boyfriend Andres to make floor, and were sharing our room with the us Margaritas with the Tommy's Margarita Mix Costume Repair Station. This worked out that Ant had brought for him from BevMo. We reasonably well, with costumers wandering in Ed and Karen Garcia in the LosCon Dealer’s had hoped to experience this delight on Friday and chatting along with fanzine folks. Author Room photo by Barney Evans evening, but Andres was working Thursday and GoH John Scalzi was kind enough to pop in Ant gone Friday so needs must. After a well after we heckled him wandering by, and he

18 distributed “Whatever” ribbons to those weekend. The liquor store was an interesting had this year was that the hotel is upgrading the present. Chris and Leigh Ann explained the experience which went from normal to elevators and therefore they are running slow TAFF Doctor Who scarf concept and he agreed disturbingly friendly when the clerks found out and unable to take their usual weight loads. to wear it at the following day’s Wil and Scalzi my name. Regardless, we escaped with our Luckily for me, my room was on the third floor Super Happy Fun Hour. purchases and headed back to the Fanzine so I avoided most of it by going to the lobby Eventually we closed the lounge and the Lounge. I left them to set up while I went to get and taking the escalator down to the convention three of us visited Latitude 33 to get some changed. dinner, where we once more experienced a I had brought a bunch of Scalzi walk-by. This time Leigh Ann (and costume material for the weekend, myself) took some time to gush over his and I'm using the term “toga” as a excellent essay “Being Poor,” which is general Graeco-Roman costume available on the author's website catch-all for men and women, so www.scalzi.com and highly recommended apologies to the purists. The one whether or not you are already a fan of his for Friday was a red and gold fiction. ensemble modeled on Caesar’s On the way out we were starting to wonder clothing on his arrival in Rome in when the fourth member of the Fanzine Lounge the eponymous HBO series. I had cabal, Jason Schachat, would be arriving been watching the show for already. We ran into John Hertz, to whom I had research while making costumes promised some art for Vanamonde, and I ran to for the weekend and had been my room to get that for him. The art may prove looking for a male costume to suit unsuitable due to over-detailing but if so I'll my hair. This one was ideal since I give it another shot later. By this time it was already had two yards of old lovely past 6:30, the start time for Ari’s 18th birthday gold material and some passable party so we headed up to visit the packed red cloth and a red silk robe that I gathering and enjoyed some cake while reversed to make a decent tunic. jealously watching her open her presents... or As it turns out, once I put it all on maybe I was the only jealous one since she got and added the sparkly gold laurels a lovely Bamboo tablet. After a bit we left the as well as gold sandals and a purse, crowded room to make space for other the effect was more reminiscent of celebrants and headed back down to the lobby. a very fey Nero, but all in all it We ran into more people and chatted away seemed to be a success and I was until Schachat walked in the door, and there flattered by the compliments was much rejoicing. Almost immediately we considering how little actual put him to work as he, Chris and I popped workmanship went into the thing. David Okamura hunts at the LAX Marriott down the block to get drink supplies for the The biggest gripe most people photo by Barney Evans 19 areas and taking the stairs most of the rest of something to repay Ed's generosity, which was good enough job without our input. Eventually the time. However, walking up to the 17th floor really above and beyond. I called it a night and got to sleep as the sun on Friday evening encouraged me to spend the The evening continued nicely from that came up. remainder of the evening on the 17th floor. In until eventually someone, Jade maybe, A few hours later it was officially Saturday addition to our Fanzine Lounge After Dark mentioned that the dance was still going and I morning and I was famished so I scrambled to party there were parties for Anticipation, Anime decided to check it out. Jason Schachat, his make it to breakfast in time but failed. I called LA, BayCon and the Herbangelists at the end of friend Stephen Sprinkles and I headed down to Leigh Ann who had been up about as late the hall in the Consuite room. I spend a herself manning the Lounge and we had a little time doing the circuit to check out nice quiet lunch while dreaming of the neighbors and chatted with various scrambled eggs instead. The coffee went folks here and there before settling in a long way towards making me feel back at our place. It was very lively, human again until I walked into the especially as other parties started winding Lounge and Chris laid on me one of his down and we got the castoffs and die- patented “you look like hell” greetings hards. that he is so charmingly fond of. Bastard. The highlight of the evening for me There was chatting and Leigh was an incredibly sweet surprise. Two Ann's charming friend Heather of the LASFS folks whom I had met at the Costumer’s Guild dropped by the lounge. previous LosCon, Karen and Ed Garcia, Eventually someone suggested lunch, dropped by with a present for me. Last which I was more than ready for since year I had chatted with them about my breakfast had been inadequate. We costuming and I had noticed a beautiful went to Champions this time, which is custom raygun that Karen was carrying. always hit or miss for me, but I enjoyed It turns out that Ed had made it himself the sliders and was glad to get some and after I gushed on for a bit he offered nourishment in me since my original plan to make me one. Although we exchanged to take a nap was torpedoed when I emails and so on I naturally assumed he realized that Scalzi's big panel had was just being nice and nothing would Karen Anderson photo by Barney Evans already started. come of it, but lo and behold he delivered Jason and I went down to the ballroom the promised weapon this year complete with see what was what. It turned out to be going and got seats in the back of the nearly packed holster and accessories. I was truly taken aback pretty strong with Patrick Beckstead doing a room. Scalzi was taking questions, most of at his generosity and equally so with the gun very good job keeping things interesting, them pretty reasonable I'm happy to say. The itself which I am determined to build a costume mostly with 80's New Wave tunes. I danced subject was mostly writing and it was very up around — I've been toying with ideas for a myself silly and must commend Patrick on his entertaining and boisterous. It's always Steampunk Air Pirate and now it will be patience with our frantic and semi-coherent interesting to see writers speak since some of perfect. Of course I also have to come up with song requests when honestly, he was doing a the most eloquent people on paper aren't so in 20 front of a live audience while others, like allowed Leigh Ann to ask my favorite question Once that was over I had no choice but to Harlan Ellison, are in their natural element and of the panel, addressed to gamer extraordinaire get a few hours of sleep. I was determined not have a whole schtick. I had seen Scalzi at Wheaton: “Is it ever acceptable to split the to overdo it since I have a bad habit of arriving Borderlands before and knew he would be party?” The answer is of course just “no” but at parties for the second shift when a bunch of comfortable, but in this setting he was really some basic pebble was knocked loose by this folks I wouldn't mind chatting with are already flowing and having fun with it. Eventually his question and we were treated to an awesome done for the night. So I was up and dressed in panel ended and there was a short intermission mini-rant on other unacceptable D&D crimes my Greek outfit, long curly wig and all, by ten before the time for the Wil and Scalzi Super including half-orcs just on general principle. o'clock. I took the stairs up again and headed Happy Fun Hour, which basically originated right for the Lounge. This was my first time when Scalzi IM’d Wil Wheaton to ask whether wearing a wig and I was a little nervous about it he was going to LosCon and Wheaton said so I figured that my Lounge compatriots, bless “Dunno” and Scalzi responded that of course he them, would let me know right away if it was a was and they'd do a panel together. (edited horrible mistake. They all complimented me version). and I was able to relax and enjoy the magic During the intermission Leigh Ann and ability of wigs to make people not recognize Chris brought the TAFF scarf in and we moved me right away. to the front rows. When Wheaton came in there The room was quieter than the previous was much photo taking anyway, of course, but night, since there were more entertainment with Scalzi's kind intervention we managed to options, the Masquerade earlier and John get some nice photos of the two of them both Hertz's traditional late night party later on, but wearing the scarf at the same time. Eventually we had a steady flow of folks and this time things settled down a bit and the panel started, we'd managed to get our fanzines out of the whereupon some con staff brought in the Velvet daytime lounge in time to have some in the Wesley and all hell broke lose again. room, so I was able to get a peek at a lovely For those uninitiated, the Velvet Wesley is a copy of The Enchanted Duplicator, which I'm Mexican black velvet painting of Wil Wheaton sorry to say I have never read. I also made the as Ensign Wesley Crusher at his moment of rounds of the other parties. The “Of the Future” triumphant promotion to the grade of First gang was over in the big party room at the end Ensign. It is a sight to behold and comes with of the hall and I ran into Tim and Serena an excellent backstory that I won't repeat here Powers there. Tim had stopped by the party Wil and John pose with the TAFF Doctor Who since you can read it on John Scalzi's “The scarf photo by Jason Schachat earlier and the crew had managed to get a phot Whatever” and on Wil Wheaton's own blog of him in The Scarf as well. We spoke about “WWdN: In Exile” over on typepad. The rest of the panel was equally entertaining, Forry a bit, and then it was their bedtime so I The rest of the panel was a combination of and included a surprise appearance by someone wandered over to the BayCon room where I back and forth between the two panelists and in a Bacon Cat costume, which was a big hit found out from Tycho that next year's theme taking questions from the audience, which with everyone. will be Steampunk. I also popped into the 21 range of Wayne’s art and a history of the award and somehow led to a heated fannish discussion about categorizing when Rick Sternbach wandered by. As we eventually wandered out of the show we passed my panel and I was delighted to see Krissy and Athena Scalzi standing in front of my art and Athena saying something nice about a couple of the pieces. They eventually bought one despite my best efforts to give it away free, bless their hearts. When I got back to the lounge the crew was there and we spent the next few hours chatting. Chris had panels so he was in and out but Jason, Leigh Ann and I held down the fort. Speaking of In-and-Out we got to see both Tadao's delivery-guy ensemble and even the infamous Catwoman on her way to closing ceremonies. We ourselves skipped them out of sheer laziness and plotted a Steampunk costuming panel that may never materialize but Steve Savitsky and Chaos performing photo by Barney Evans was fun to contemplate. Diana Sherman and Simran Khalsa dropped by and helped with Anime LA peanut butter sandwich room and managed to actually make it to breakfast this that, borrowing props from Miko Simmons who was tempted by the Nutella spread, but it was time, eggs and bacon and most importantly dropped by in her own Steampunk ensemble. crowded and I wasn't actually that hungry so I coffee. Afterwards I checked the lounge but no Eventually Chris came back and we closed wandered off again. My last stop before calling one was there yet so I went over to pick up my up the lounge for good. We wandered over to it a night was of course John Hertz's party near art from the Art Show. It turned out I was a the restaurant but it wasn't open yet, which the end of the hall which was full of wine and little early so instead I finally took the accounted for the large group of fans which had cheese and civilized conversation. I had opportunity to walk the show and appreciate the taken over the couches. We stopped and chatted something sweet and tasty but I forget the name art. for a bit but the restaurant opened up soon of it and shortly thereafter I decided to call it a First I ran into Brianna and Frank who had enough and we got dinner along with John and night. sold tons of stuff, naturally. We chatted for a bit Chris O. We chatted about all things fannish, Convention Sundays are always sad, but at and Brianna offered some nice pointers. After but mostly about which hotels are best for LA conventions I usually leave the following they took off I ran into John Hertz and I took a hosting cons of various sizes. The agreed-upon day so it's a little nicer not having to rush look at the display for this year's Rotsler Award winner was one I've never stayed at so I don't around packing and getting ready to leave. I winner, Taral Wayne. The panel included a nice recall the name unfortunately. 22 After dinner I got the rest of my packing As is now tradition, Leigh Ann and done since I had to be up early Monday, and I took the Coast Starlight back to the then retreated to the Fanzine Lounge After Dark Bay Area, which meant napping and room with Jason and Leigh Ann for the rest of eating interrupted solely by an hour- the night. We had far too much alcohol left over long wine tasting during which Leigh and did our best to reduce that down. Lassitude Ann tried, and enjoyed, a weird almost set it as we became mesmerized by an cheese. Although I was not able to Adult Swim show called Drinky Crow which completely avoid con crud, the buffer was either brilliant or horrifying or both. day and the general relaxation of the Unnerved, we did a quick wander of the Dead train ride went a long way toward Dog and the lobby areas before settling in for making up for the convention being the duration. We kept the door ajar for the over. I always enjoy the train occasional visitor including John Hertz and immensely and will definitely be Christian Maguire, but the rest of the evening taking it up to Montreal. I've been was spent mainly on plotting. Garcia, it should advised that VIA is the only way to go be noted, went to bed unwisely early. for Anticipation.

Moira Stern on the harp photo by Barney Evans

Barry Gold on guitar photo by Barney Evans 23 BASFA Minutes: Meetings 957-958

Meeting 957 fair begins this weekend and she is wearing mostly dead all weekend and he had a good her 1st pair of bifocals time; Carole follow-on’d that the December 1, 2008 Cheryl announced that plumbing is fixed Masquerade ran smoothly and she’s still and that she and Jay Lake are now both on blown away and there were many Trey Haddad, President [cherylmorgan] comments about ‘elevator hell’ Chris Garcia, Vice President Carole announced that she won best [evil] Kevin reviewed a pleasant Dave Gallaher, Treasurer novice at Loscon Thanksgiving, the martini bar in Redding is Galen Tripp, Sergeant at Arms Andy announced that there’s a not worth full price because he lost another Barbara Johnson-Haddad, Secretary convention coming up - Arisia 2010 in Bluetooth headset there while dancing and Boston - where he and [evil] Kevin will be they visited the ‘cool’ gay bar and had fun Began 8:00. the fan GoHs Julie reviewed the 1997 Geo Metro as 24 people attended. [tall] Kevin announced that he needs a the best car she ever owned and worth full A party jar was established. new fork and that SMOFcon is coming up price - and it died 1000 miles after hitting Secretary’s report: the minutes of and that he and Glenn will be there [and 150,000 and her folks got her a Honda meeting 956 were accepted as ‘spewed out maybe Dave G] Civic [nice folks!] of Barbara’s nose’ [ewww!] Mo reviewed going to a bead and gem There was no Treasurer or report Reviews show as sparkly and shiny until she over- The Vice President’s Miko fact was that loaded [’ferret shock!’] & reviewed the she likes grilled cheese and there are no I reviewed ‘Bolt’ as lots of silly fun and Dickens Fair as [’cute as the Dickens?’] new zines the hamster was great - worth full price friendly and pleasant and smelled like a The President had nothing fannish to Chris reviewed Loscon as his fanzine cookie - worth full price and she enjoyed it report lounge had 3 wonderful couches, that Scalzi Adrienne reviewed ‘Australia’ as Hugh was fun, that lots of people were there - and Jackman is very sexy, the film was a bit Announcements the picture with Scalzi, Wil Wheaton and one-dimensional and they used too many the scarf of doom was the most computer generated backgrounds - she Julie announced there are Dickens Fair photographed and it was worth $312.50 - enjoyed it but found it not memorable and fliers on the table near the door - and the incorrectly charged to his room; then Glenn worth matinee follow-on’d that he was at his fan table most of the time and the elevators were

24 Stellan reviewed his Thanksgiving as Meeting 958 not as planned but relaxing and peaceful in Announcements Ashland December 8, 2008 Cheryl reviewed the southern Chris announced that Forrest J hemisphere’s rugby teams as they are big Trey Haddad, President Ackerman died this last week and that Betty and strong and they cheat by taking rugby Chris Garcia, Vice President Page had a heart attack and is in a coma, so seriously - that Wales beat Australia and Dave Gallaher, Treasurer it’s been a bad week that England was beaten by new Zealand, Galen Tripp, Sergeant at Arms Adrienne announced that the Bay Area Australia and South Africa - so it was a Barbara Johnson-Haddad, Secretary Ghost Hunters will have another get good week together on Sunday, 5:30pm at Trial’s Pub Carol reviewed Albacon as a small but Began 8:00. in SJ pleasant con and reviewed Philcon as being 28 people attended. Mo announced a presentation for Chris: held in a new hotel ‘with an elevator that A party jar was established. a Mexican wrestler unicorn added to the worked!’ - the people were nice and she Secretary’s report: the minutes of seascape painting liked the Masquerade - worth getting meeting 957 were accepted as ‘there is no Dave G announced that there will be a invited to and fun rule 6’ holiday celebration at the House of Spike [tall] Kevin reviewed the Nevada State The Treasurer reported that we took in on Dec 27, 7 pm and he brought flyers Railroad Museum as worth full price and $19.37 in the regular jar and $7.51 in the [tall] Kevin announced that he has a new the Reno Sparks Holiday Inn as not worth party jar at meeting 956 - and that we took NESFA Instant Message to pass around and full price - even at a deep discount - and he in $0 in the regular jar and $15.40 in the that the Anticipation Worldcon website has rode the train back from Sparks and it was party jar at meeting 957 a map up of their area that shows where the almost on time - and 15 minutes early and a The Vice President reported there’s a hotels are located [and the Delta is the night great way to travel new ‘Drink Tank’ out and that his next issue life hotel] Glenn reviewed tule fog as thick will be a Forrest J Ackerman tribute and he Howeird announced that he’s back from We then did auctions: a bag of stuff for would like articles from folks [guys - his his trip and brought back a Thai newspaper $7.00; books for $1.00 & $0.25, then videos NAME is in my computer’s dictionary!] with Prop 8 protest coverage and for us to for $ 0.25, $ 0.25, $ 0.25, $ 0.25, $0.50, The President reported that Raphael has check his Flickr site $5.00 and a fake credit card for $0.25 moved on to better employment Dave C announced that there’s a con We adjourned at = 9:41 opportunities coming up in February - Potlatch - which And the rumor of the week was: ‘I can’t will be in Sunnyvale at The Domain Feb believe it’s not bugger’ 27-March 1 and he has flyers Ken announced that Johnny Depp and are going to do ‘Dark Shadows’

25 [evil] Kevin announced that KTEH has having been at MarCon [while he, who had and books for $6.00, $6.00, $1.00, $ 0.25 a contest ‘How Who are You’ - and to check been one of the GoH’s - was not] and $1.00 their website for details Chris reviewed a documentary ‘TED’ as We adjourned at = 10:02 in honor of Joni announced that the antidote for the it’s an entrepreneurial ‘Burning Man’ and Forrest J Ackerman jelly babies is to send in a submission to her reviewed a magazine about cheese, And the rumor of the week was: ‘Take zine ‘Culture’ as highly recommended [then him to the blog! Dave C announced that there’s a there were a lot of cheesy follow-ons] Psychotronic Film Festival this Saturday, 7 John O reviewed a Photoflex sale as he pm at DeAnza college and his chum made out like bandits and reviewed the Gordon Biersch at LAX as Reviews having superb table service and was reasonably priced Fred reviewed the SJ Rep’s ‘Around the Harold reviewed ‘Warriors’ on cable as World in 80 Days’ as he was astonished by not worth having cable for, that the De La how good it was Hoya fight was not worth seeing for free, Dave C reviewed ‘Dissolution’ by reviewed ‘Milk’ as Sean Penn disappeared Sansom as a pretty good mystery in trade into the role and the film was very good - pb and reviewed Loscon as again he saw worth more than matinee - and to go see mostly the Dealer’s room and did well for ‘Prop 8 the musical’ the con [there were follow-ons] Adrienne reviewed ‘4 Christmases’ as it Cheryl reviewed being at New Orleans was funny and she enjoyed it and it’s worth for an energy convention as the speaker for matinee - and reviewed Sean McMullen’s the Bush administration was [condensed for ‘Time Engine’ as the ending is a bit surreal = scary] and most of the rest sounded and worth reading depressing Lisa reviewed Leonardo as wonderful [tall] Kevin reviewed SMOFcon in and worth seeing [there were many follow- Columbus, Ohio as having about 100 ons] attendees and a lack of new programming Stellan reviewed a USB slide scanner and that next year’s SMOFcon will be in that he got from Amazon as worth what he Austin, TX - and that SJ has a bid in for paid for it 2010; he said that Columbus was cold and We then did auctions: birthday snowy and he saw a very clever billboard auctioned off Howeird for $6.00 to himself, there - and that Lisa was recognized from then auctioned off karma checks for $5.00;

26 Bay Area Fannish Calendar

Life is complicated; putting on an event is even Saturday, December 20 Friday January 9-Saturday February 7 more so. Please check before attending, as Gaskells Ball Evil Dead, the Musical events are sometimes canceled or times and Scottish Rite Center The Campbell Theater locations changed. 1547 Lakeside Dr., Oakland 636 Ward Street $20 www.willowstheatre.com/evildead.htm New listings are in red. 7:30 p.m. $25 Ongoing events are toward the back. Victorian Waltzes, Polkas, Schottisches, EDTM’s triumphant return! Mazurkas, and set dances such as the Sir Roger Check website for tickets and showtimes. de Coverley and the Congress of Vienna. Live Wednesday, December 17 music provided by Brassworks. Saturday, January 10 My Name is Bruce Author: Scott Sigler The Bridge Theater Thursday, December 25 Borderlands Books 3010 Geary Blvd, San Francisco SF in SF Double Feature: Yellow Submarine 866 Valencia, San Francisco www.peacheschrist.com and The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou www.borderlands-books.com 7 p.m and 9:30 p.m. Variety’s Preview Room in the Hobart Building 3 p.m. $10.50 582 Market St., San Francisco Free Bruce Campbell appears live and in person for www.varietync.org Sigler reads from his biological thriller, a screening of his directorial debut, with your 12 noon Contagion hostess Peaches Christ. Free Sunday, January 11 Thursday, December 18 Saturday, January 3 Author: John Levitt Borderlands Holiday Potluck Party Author: Nisi Shawl Borderlands Books Borderlands Books Borderlands Books 866 Valencia, San Francisco 866 Valencia, San Francisco 866 Valencia, San Francisco www.borderlands-books.com www.borderlands-books.com www.borderlands-books.com 3 p.m. 6 p.m. 1 p.m. Free Bring an edible tidbit or drink if you feel like it Free The author reads from New Tricks, the sequel (but no alcohol, please,) and enjoy a Shawl reads from her new short story to Dog Days. companionable few hours chatting, snacking, collection, Filter House. browsing, and petting the cats. Friday-Sunday, January 9-11 Sac-Anime

27 Scottish Rite Center The Regency Center Sugar Hill and Her Zombie Hit Men, plus very 6151 H Street, Sacramento 1290 Sutter Street, San Francisco special musical guest Kitten on the Keys! www.sacanime.com www.edwardianball.com $30 $80 Saturday-Sunday, February 14-15 Guests include Chris Sarandon, Vic Mignogna A Gorey-inspired weekend of Edwardian dance AOD 2009 and Travis Willingham and performance. Cathedral Hill Hotel 1101 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco Saturday, January 17 Saturday, January 24 www.aodsf.org SF in SF: Aimee Bender and Sean Stewart Endgame: January Minicon $30 until February 1 Variety’s Preview Room in the Hobart Building SEndgame Animation on Display (AOD) is a San 582 Market St., San Francisco 921 Washington, Oakland Francisco-based convention that celebrates the www.varietync.org endgameoakland.com animated arts from around the world in all 6 p.m. Gaming minicon, check website for schedule mediums Free and details. Details TBA

Sunday, January 18 Saturday, January 24 Friday-Sunday, February 13-16 Author: P.S. Gifford The Phenomenauts DunDraCon Borderlands Books Slim’s San Ramon Marriott 866 Valencia, San Francisco 333 11th Street, San Francisco 2600 Bishop Dr., San Ramon www.borderlands-books.com 9 p.m. www.dundracon.com 1 p.m. $13 $40 Free Gaming convention. Gifford reads from his short story collection, Tuesday, January 27 Curious Accounts of the Imaginary Friend Wicked Friday, February 27-Sunday, March 1 Orpheum Theater Potlatch 18 Thursday-Monday, January 22-26 1192 Makret Street, San Francisco The Domain Hotel, Sunnyvale Further Confusion 2009: Surf Safari www.shnsf.com www.potlatch-sf.org Doubletree Hotel Check website for tickets and showtimes. $55 until February 14 2050 Gateway Place, San Jose Literary convention, with panel discussions, www.furtherconfusion.org Thursday, February 12 writer’s workshops, consuite. Books of Honor $40 until December 30th Thrillville’s Voodoo Valentine’s Show for 2009 are Always Coming Home, by Ursula GOHs this year are animator Jeff Pidgeon, El Cerrito Speakeasy K. Le Guin and Growing Up Weightless by puppeteer Anita Coulter and author Clare Bell. 10070 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito John M. Ford. www.thrillville.net Friday-Sunday, January 23-25 9:15 p.m. Friday, February 27-Sunday, March 1 The Ninth Annual Edwardian Ball Weekend $9 Wondercon

28 Moscone Center South, San Francisco Friday-Monday, May 22-25 Ongoing www.comic-con.org/wc Fanime Details TBA San Jose Convention Center, San Jose Daily www.fanime.com San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour Friday-Sunday, April 3-5 $50 Begins: Queen Anne Hotel Contact 25 Bay Area anime convention 1590 Sutter at Octavia, San Francisco NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View www.sfghosthunt.com $175 Friday-Tuesday, July 17-21 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. www.contact-conference.com/2009 Azcatraz, A Harry Potter convention $20 Interdisciplinary gathering of scientists, artists Park 55 Hotel and writers. Details TBA. 55 Cyril Magnin Street, San Francisco Sundays www.hp2009.org MGI SF&F/Horror/Speculative fiction Writing Thursday, April 9 $145 through February 28th. Group Thrillville’s 12th Anniversary Show Personal Residence (email for details) El Cerrito Speakeasy Friday-Saturday, September 25-26 Emeryville 10070 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito From the Land Beyond groups.yahoo.com/group/MGISFFWriters www.thrillville.net Scottish Rite Center 7:30pm 9:15 p.m. 6151 H Street, Sacramento Free $12 www.sacramentocomics.com Plan 9 From Outer Space, Re-Animator, plus a Details TBA Sakuramento Anime Society live act TBA. Rancho Cordova Library Thursday, October 29-Sunday, November 1 9845 Folsom Boulevard, Rancho Cordova Friday-Sunday, May 1-2 World Fantasy Convention 3-7 p.m. Robogames The Fairmont Hotel Meets every Sunday to watch old and new Fort Mason Center, San Francisco 170 South Market Street, San Jose anime and anime music videos, play collectible $20 $125 card games, practice artwork and make AMVs. Details TBA, dates tentative. The World Fantasy Convention is a professional networking event that regularly Mondays Tuesday, May 22-Sunday, July 5 attracts several hundred of the top authors in Bay Area Science Fiction Association Spamalot the field every year. It is the home of the World Coco’s Golden Gate Theater Fantasy Awards and this year will be 1206 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale 1182 Makret Street, San Francisco celebrating Edgar Allen Poe’s 200th birthday. www.basfa.org www.shnsf.com Garth Nix will be the GOH for 2009. 8 p.m. Check website for tickets and showtimes. Free

29 Mondays Wednesdays Fridays Dukefish Bay Area Role-Playing Society SF Games Jake’s of Sunnyvale Go-Getter’s Pizza Muddy’s Coffeehouse 174 E. Fremont Avenue, Sunnyvale 1489 Beach Park Boulevard, Foster City 1304 Valencia Street, San Francisco 8 p.m. www.BayRPS.com vax.hanford.org/dk/games Group meets weekly to play German-style 6 p.m-10 p.m. 7 p.m. to midnight strategy board games such as Settlers of Catan, Hosts a weekly game night. For club and game Free Carcasson and other games, plus an occasional night details email [email protected]. SF Games is a collective name for a bunch of game of bridge breaks out. Meet up at 8:00 people who get together and play board games p.m., figure our who wants to play what, and Wednesdays and card games every week. Also has a regular typically start playing games no later than 8:30 East Bay Strategy Games Club cards night at Atlas Café, 20th and Alabama p.m. EndGame Streets, Tuesday nights from 6:30-10. 921 Washington, Oakland Mondays and Wednesdays www.michaeldashow.com/eastbaystrategy/ Fridays-Mondays Silicon Valley Boardgamers home.html Haunted Haight Walking Tour Mountain View Community Center 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Meets at Coffee To The People 201 S. Rengstorff Avenue, Mountain View Free 1206 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco www.davekohr.users.sonic.net/svb/ www.hauntedhaight.com 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays 7 p.m.-9 p.m. $2 Fanboy Planet Podcast $20 Group meets regularly to play mostly German- Illusive Comics and Games Reservations required. style strategy boardgames such as Settlers of 2725 El Camino Real, Suite 105, Santa Clara Catan; also multiplayer Avalon Hill-style, 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays historical wargames, and others. Free Vampire Walking Tour Live from Illusive Comics and Games, it’s the Meets corner of California and Taylor, Tuesdays Fanboy Planet Podcast with your host, Derek San Francisco MGI Boffers & Outdoor Games McCaw. www.sfvampiretour.com Codornices Park 8 p.m. 1201 Euclid Ave, Berkeley Wednesdays and Saturdays $20 mgisciaf.angelfire.com Hayward Collectibles Show Led by Mina Harker. Tour is cancelled if there groups.yahoo.com/group/MGIFamilyclub/ 22300 Hathaway Ave (rear bldg), Hayward is heavy rain. Free www.toysandbaseballcards.com 3:00 p.m-5:30 p.m Wednesdays 3 p.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays 10 Saturdays Bad weather we meet the same time at 33 a.m.-5 p.m. Rocky Horror Picture Show Revolutions Record Shop & Cafe, El Cerrito Free Parkway Speakeasy Theater for boardgames. 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland

30 www.parkway-speakeasy.com East Bay Star Wars Club 5:00 p.m. Midnight Central Perk The book for January 11 will be Queen of $7 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito Angels by Greg Bear. Please contact Chris, the Barely Legal Productions presents the classic 510-558-7375 group leader, at [email protected] for midnight movie every Saturday night. No one www.ebstarwars.com more information. under 17 admitted. Meets the second Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. Legion of Rassilon Biweekly Giovanni’s Pizza PenSFA Party East Bay Steampunk 1127 N Lawrence Expy, Sunnyvale The Peninsula Science Fantasy Association Various locations (see website for details) www.legionofrassilon.org meets every two weeks for a party at the home www.steamfaire.com 7:30 p.m of one of their members. They also host parties 6 p.m.–8 p.m. Free at local conventions. Email Free Doctor Who fan group usually meets the fourth [email protected] for information on Steampunk fans meet up on the third Friday of Friday of the month: Episodes of Doctor Who, attending. the month news, discussion of recent movies, and a raffle. PenSFA standard party rules: bring something edible or drinkable to share, or pay the host $2. Fantastic Frontiers Micro Gods, Inc. Don’t smoke in the house without checking www.freewebs.com/fantasticfrontiers/ Berkeley Public Library, West Branch with the host first. Normal start time is 8 p.m. Social club for Sacramento County sci fi/ 1125 University Ave, Berkeley but may vary depending on the host. fantasy fans usually meets the second Saturday mgisciaf.angelfire.com of the month. Check website for meeting times groups.yahoo.com/group/MGIFamilyClub/ Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers’ Group and locations. Free Borderlands Books 2:30 p.m-5:30 p.m 866 Valencia Street, San Francisco Foothill Anime Family Club for fans of Science Fiction, Meets the second and fourth Thursdays of each Building 5015, Foothill College, Fantasy, Movie, Anime & Manga. Meets every month at 6 pm. Contact Jade Livingston at Los Altos Hills 3rd Saturday, please check Yahoo group for [email protected] for more information. Free updates. Monthly event where people can get together to Monthly watch anime and meet like minded others. No-Name Anime Dorkbot-SF Usually meets the first Sunday of every month Saratoga Library Free, donations welcome at noon. 13650 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga www.dorkbot.org/dorkbotsf/ www.nnanime.com Dorkbot hosts regular forums for artists, The Gay Men’s Book Club Free designers, engineers, students, and other people Borderlands Books Anime screenings usually take place on the doing strange things with electricity. 866 Valencia, San Francisco second Saturday of the month. Free

31 Other Realms Book Club Silicon Gulch Browncoats group. Usually meets the fourth Saturday of Books, Inc. Various locations (see website for details) every month. 1375 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame www.silicongulchbrowncoats.org Free Noon - 2 p.m. USS Defiance www.booksinc.net Free Round Table Pizza 6:30 p.m. Silicon Valley fans of Firefly/Serenity meet up 1566 Howe Ave., Sacramento Meets the 4th Wednesday of the Month. on the first Saturday of the month. The January www.ussdefiance.org The book for January 28th will be Orcs by Stan 3rd meetup is at the Sonoma Chicken Coop in 7 p.m Nicholls downtown San Jose. Free Star Trek fan group meets the third Friday of Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club South Bay Steampunk the month. Borderlands Books Various locations (see website for details) 866 Valencia, San Francisco www.steamfaire.com USS Northern Lights 6:00 p.m. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Contact [email protected] for location. Free Free www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/4096/ The book for December will be Old Man’s War Steampunk fans meet up on the second 7 p.m by John Scalzi. The Please contact Jude at Thursday of the month Free [email protected] for more The ’Lights is a chapter of Starfleet information. Tangential Conjectures: The Science Fiction International and a swell group of science Book Club fiction fans. We do more than Trek. Usually SF Browncoats Books Inc. meets the second Friday of the month, with Cafe Murano 301 Castro Street, Mountain View social event TBD. 1777 Steiner Street, San Francisco 650-428-1234 www.sfbrowncoats.com 7:30 p.m. Veritech Fighter Command ONE-THREE Noon Free Round Table Pizza Free Generally meets the third Thursday of the 4403 Elkhorn Blvd, Sacramento SF Firefly/Serenity fans usually meet up on the month. 916-338-2300 second Saturday of the month. Anime/cosplay group usually meets the last USS Augusta Ada Saturday of the month at 1800 hours. SF/SF Meetup Round Table Pizza Mysterious Future Bookstore 3567 Geary Blvd., San Francisco 531 Fifth Street, Santa Rosa trek.starshine.org groups.yahoo.com/group/scifisantarosa/ 1 p.m. Regular meetup for North Bay fans on the Free second Sunday of the month. Augusta Ada is both a chapter of Starfleet International and a Linux and *BSD user

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