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Issue 99 Editors: Jean Martin, Chris Garcia December 9, 2009 Copy Editor: David Moyce email: [email protected] Calendar Editor: España Sheriff Compositor: Tom Becker

Contents News and Notes...... Chris Garcia...... 2 Letters of Comment...... Chris Garcia...... 4 Editorial...... Jean Martin...... 6 Alex Baker...... Jack Avery...... Photo by Richard Man...... 9 A Costume A-Faire...... Eva Barrows...... Photo by Jean Martin...... 12 Steamcon to World by Rail, Bus and Balloon...... España Sheriff...... 15 World Fantasy Con: A Becomes Reality...... Jean Martin...... Photos by Jean Martin and Kevin Standlee...... 22 Halloween Victorian-Style...... Jean Martin...... Photos by Jean Martin...... 31 The Loscon Lounge Report...... España Sheriff...... 34 BASFA Minutes: Meetings 1007-9...... 36 Bay Area Fannish Calendar...... España Sheriff...... Photo by Lucy Huntzinger...... 39

Art Credits Cover Round and Round by Lucy Huntzinger

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 2009 by the original creators. Used with permission.

1 News and Notes

By Christopher J. Garcia Hopkinson, Julie Czerneda and Mary Robinette It’s a really good issue showing why it’s won Editor Kowal. It’s going to be huge! I’ll have more so many Nova Awards. By the time you read this, LosCon will be details later. By the way, the Novas were given out and over. I’m sorry to say I cannot read the future, There’s the 40th issue of Banana Wings out the winners were Claire, Banana Wings for but I’m sure it was a good time. I’ll be writing and it’s great stuff with articles from James Best Fanzine, and Sue Mason winning just about it later, that’s for sure. Bacon, Dave Langford, Nova Award winner barely over Alison Scott for Best Fan Artist. In The TAFF race continues with Frank Wu Claire Brialey, and Mark Plummer, a front an odd twist, I came without six votes of and Anne KG Murphy & Brian Gray battling it cover by Pat Vrizi, a BaCover from Ditmar, a winning Best Fanzine with James and Claire out for votes. They both have words in The pair of Anticipation reviews from Randy Byers for Journey Planet. That’s awesome largely Drink Tank 232 about why they should be your and Niall Harrison, both of whom write about because no American has ever won a Nova delegate. It’s a fun topic and they’ll both do our dinner at Au Pied de Cochon, and my because technically we’re not eligible, but great! article, “TAFF Viewed as a Series of Haiku.” since JP is majority a UK zine, it’s eligible and I’m along for the ride!

There’s also the auction of Tuckerizations for TAFF coming, featuring some names you might have heard of. Cory Doctorow, Charlie Stross, David Brin, Elizabeth Bear, Nalo

2 Speaking of great zines that I seldom get a failure of Taral Wayne to win the Fan Artist last chance to read, largely because it only comes year, I’m beginning to think there isn’t, Bruce out once a year, there’s It Goes on the Shelf. will walk off with a Hugo at next Ned Brooks does an incredible job with each year. issue, which may explain why it only comes Steve Green’s new zine, the Fortnightly out once a year. There are looks at books, Fix, is also up on eFanzines.com and is well magazines, and folks. It’s got a great Brad worth the time and effort. A really nice little Foster cover that I think is one of his best B zine! +W pieces in recent memory. Also, New Moon, the latest edition in the Vegas fandom is at it again. There’s issue Twilight Saga, is pretty much the greatest thing #10 of Home Kookin’ with Arnie Katz at the ever, though I totally wanna see the movie reins. It’s good stuff, though sadly I’ve only within the movie, Gambling Gods and LSD. gotten to skim. Curse this money-payin’ gig which now leaves me little time for at-work FANAC!!!

Exhibition Hall is out and its fourth issue is really fun as it covers all sorts of fun. eFanzines.com is its home so go and check it out. Speaking of eFanzines, there are some great things that’ve been posted lately. First off, there’s The Panoramic Route by Guy and Rose Marie Lillian. It’s a trip report from the Lillians on their trip to Anticipation. I’m in it. That’s awesome. Guy also put out a fine issue of The Zine Dump, his zine review zine. I like that Guy guy. He’s a good guy. Bruce Gillespie is probably the World’s Top If you haven’t read Christina Lake and Fan Writer. That’s a big claim, but you go and Doug Bell’s Head, issue 8 is on eFanzines.com. read Scratch Pad, issues 71 and 72 now on It’s got a great cover and is well worth reading. eFanzines.com, and you tell me different. His Sadly, I’ve only managed to skim it, but I read zines Steam Engine Time and Scratch Pad are issue 7 and it was a delight! both great. If there’s justice, and after the

3 Letters of Comment

Let us begin with the editor of one of a great Phedre in the adaptation of I see John Purcell has a copy of the the finest fanzines going today, Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel books Klingon Hamlet. I also have the Klingon Alexiad, with a LOC from Joe Major! myself. Gilgamesh. Qapla’. Dear Chris & Jean: Let me say I will say nothing against “Wear my Medal Ceremony Princess A couple of years ago one of the a naked Angelina, but let there be no Leia costume.” Yeah, wearing the Slave local radio stations changed format. To filmaic version of the Kushiel books. Leia costume would probably be a good fill in the hiatus, they played “I Am the PLEASE!!! way to be kept out of the concert. Carrie Walrus.” Only “I Am the Walrus.” Any The University of Louisville library Fisher said she really had to get in shape hour of the day or night one could turn had for some unaccountable reason a for that scene. It seems a very popular to their channel and hear goo goo a subscription to Amra, so I sat down one costume, though I don’t know if the joob… afternoon and read the two bound pillow-fighting Slave Leias or the Slave So now I must say to Lisa, when we volumes they had. (For other interests Leia bellydancing is the more interesting both get home from work, “I am thee they also had The Baker Street Journal.) version. and you are me and we are all Now that was a remarkable zine, with There’s a Slave Girl Leia t-shirt that together…” That is to say, nice comment still useful stuff written by pros. There I’ve been tempted to purchase since I on the review of Soulless, but Lisa wrote was a hardback of the best articles which don’t think I can pull off the outfit it. is now I understand a collector’s item itself. Chris Garcia replies: Noted. You costing $$$. It was divided into two So you saw the Buckaroo Banzai fest know, there was a radio show out here paperbacks which I do have. in Reno… was Big Trouble In Little on one of the college stations that got a I got a long run of Amra from China really the rewrite of Buckaroo letter from a listener who accused them Recycle Bookstore which I totally Banzai vs. the World Crime League? of over-playing Metallica’s “Master of bought and now love. Even better is Supposedly it was a spin-off and Puppets.” They responded by playing that I got a run of The Baker Street Jack Burton was supposed to be in “Master of Puppets” every other song, Journal back in the day, though it’s not BBvWCL and there’s been word of a with Guns ‘n Roses’ “Sweet Child of that big. I’ve been looking for copies of couple of groups trying to get it made Mine” played in-between. It was Ripperana and Ripperologist, both of still. awesome. which they used to hold at Stanford. See you in Raleigh. As for the naked girls from Gia I Namarie, prefer Angelina, but I think she’d make Joseph T Major

4 Always good to hear from you, Joe! is due? And, no, I’m not running it. I’d It’s a fine zine and one that’ll do Rock on! like to see it, though. well over the long haul. I love the And now…Lloyd Penney! There are reports and pictures in layouts. I’m never going to be that good Dear Jean and Chris and David and Exhibition Hall. It was a great event at it! España and Tom: (as was WindyCon) and there’s a lot of SiliCon sounded great… why was it Thank you all for yet another SF/SF, talk about the explosion in the number small? Is money that tight for everyone? issue 97. It is Remembrance Day here, of cons coming up. It’s be Or are more people going to the larger Veteran’s Day where you are, and as of cool for a Toronto World Fantasy, conventions, especially the cons? today, I have finished my second day as though I’ll never turn down a reason to The Sweeney Todd event sounded very a production assistant at the Law Society go to Montreal! good indeed. How were the meat pies, of Upper Canada, one of the oldest law I’ve had eye problems, too, Jean, Mrs. Lovett? Did they taste like societies in the world. Finally got myself remember my operation? It was to chicken? Or perhaps long pig? another daytime job. So, writing locs reattach the retina in my right eye. SiliCon had one year where it like this are going to have to be done in Hurray for good quality optometrists topped 1,000, as I understand it, but the very spare time I will have left. who can detect eye problems as they since then it’s been much smaller. The I come from a line of vets (and a examine you. My optometrist saved the big year, there was a focus on horror couple of folks who were drummed out sight in my eye, in my opinion. In a and films and they drew a lot more of the army) and I always think about couple of months, I have my annual people. Still, ‘tis a great con. them on the various holidays. Sadly, check-up with my ophthalmologist, and Ah, I am done, and another zine is a I’ve not spent much time with any of he may determine if it’s time for an fond memory. Off it goes to you and to them in recent years. operation to have the cataract forming in my LJ archive. Take care, folks, and The end of the con season? That’s my right eye removed. many thanks. Could there possibly be what it was for us, having been in People need cons and zines and other early talk about a huge meeting of the Rochester, New York last weekend for fun activities more, but fewer have the lot of us in Reno ? Someone has to look Astronomicon 11. Good times for all, desire, knowledge and money to stage after that Garcia guy… See you all next old friends, a treasure or two in the those activities. I am trying my best to issue. dealers’ room. Can’t ask for more on keep zines and cons as going concerns, Yours, Lloyd Penney that one. Steamcon sounds great… I at least in my little corner of fandom. Always good to hear from Lloyd haven’t heard any more reports from it. I’m right there with ya, Lloyd! Penney! Keep on readin’ and writin’, Pictures? I will look for good stuff from Thanks for the reminder on Yipe! I’ve brother. Chris and España. World Fantasy has just left a message for Kevin and Andy been in Ottawa (1984), Montréal (2001) and Jason, that I’ll write letters for them and Calgary (2008), so perhaps Toronto as they produce issues.

5 Editorial

By Jean Martin to tell me something and I just need to the form of Isabella (Guy of Gisborne’s Editor figure things out. sister), Kate (new romantic interest) and I was going to write a litany of my All this also made me unmotivated to Archer (Guy and Robin’s half-brother). woes from the past few months, from write and do creative projects and I even Toby Stephens as Prince John is simply work to personal to health issues. Not to missed a party that I was looking amazing. Isabella is a strong female role. mention car troubles. But I will spare forward to for a year. And the world still I don’t like Kate too much as she seems everyone and just concentrate on the exists and I am still alive. Despite my too modern. I like how they’ve shown a latest… that I was in a car accident a fears, life goes on without my constantly more vulnerable and sympathetic side to couple of weekends ago and wound up doing things and going places. That Guy this time around. Robin has in the emergency room to get a CT scan Saturday, I literally just sat on my couch matured and come into his own and into (diagnosis: whiplash). It seems like and vegged. I don’t recall the last time the legend that he’s become. whenever I’m too tired and decide to I’ve ever done that. I watched the entire Recently, as well, I checked out the cancel my plans and just drive home to Series 3 of Sarah Jane Adventures. It first two episodes of the Prisoner rest, I wind up in the ER. A couple of was pretty enjoyable, especially “The remake on AMC. I almost gave up after months ago, I had to get an emergency Wedding of Sarah Jane” two-parter with the first 20 minutes but I wanted to give MRI to rule out a brain tumor. So I’m one of my favorite actors, Nigel Havers, it a chance as Sir Ian McKellen is in it. doing the rounds with insurance and as the groom. But judging by people’s posts on doctors all over again. All this stress and I also caught up on Series 3 of Robin Facebook, everyone agrees that this exhaustion has really made me realize: Hood, which I am enjoying more than production is terrible. There was no a) I have to prioritize my life, b) I’m the first two. This time, the themes are sense of mystery, suspense, grateful to have all the other good things more adult and not constrained by the sophistication, color or atmosphere. It in my life including friends and family, Robin Hood mythos. It’s gone into was very hard to care for Number 6 and c) I’m a strong and capable person and different directions exploring the the storyline was changed for no am successfully (barely!) dealing with a medieval world such as religion, disease, apparent or logical reason. I don’t mind rough patch that has been going on for law, royalty, war, etc. Several new when remakes are different if they are several months, d) things could be worse compelling characters are introduced, good and keep the of the original. I and things are not that bad (more on this including the Friar Tuck and had to watch all of the episodes of the later), and e) the Universe is truly trying Prince John and made-up characters in original Prisoner to get rid of the bad

6 aftertaste after watching the new series. for it at all. I liked the original there no good original programming out It was that bad. and I’m wondering why they keep doing there anymore? I checked out Big Bang A remake that just came out that I am spinoffs that just don’t do justice to the Theory and Dexter recently — which happy about, though, is V. I loved the franchise. friends have recommended highly — original miniseries and its sequels so I I just watched the new version of and was not impressed by either. I’ve was hoping this new one would be good Emma with the always-delightful watched a few Castle episodes with as well. Morena Baccarin, Inara from Romola Garai and the handsome Johnny Nathan Fillion (Mal from Firefly) and Firefly, is the leader of the Visitors and Lee Miller (who unfortunately doesn’t it’s been hit or miss. The Halloween she is quite good in this. All the seem to be aging very well). Four episode was great, though: It showed characters are interesting and seem episodes was too long (it dragged) and Nathan donning a Mal costume for realistic. Their stories are cleverly there were too many awkward script Halloween and the story explored L.A.’s interwoven and revealed gradually and interpretations of the (and underworld. The vampire teeth logically. Their respective plights draw extraneous details presented). There also artist who made my fangs last year is you in emotionally and you can relate to didn’t seem to be much chemistry part of that scene so it was quite their different reactions and what they’re between the two leads. Yet, it was still interesting to see it. There is a vampire going through. The plot has been lovely to see beautiful country manors scene here in San Francisco, which is modernized and made relevant to our and landscapes, and of course, Regency really appropriate due to Interview with post-9/11 world but still harkens back to costumes and dances. the Vampire, but I haven’t had a chance the original. I like how one of the main The latest Doctor Who, “Waters of to check it out. I did get new vampire heroes is a Catholic priest. And how the Mars,” was excellent! Thank goodness teeth made this year at BayCon and topics of religion, politics, media, family after the so-so “Planet of the Dead.” I, wore them to the PEERS Le Bal des and human freedom and survival are all and I’m sure a lot of fans, just have such last month, which I will be explored. I’m looking forward to seeing high expectations of this incredible reviewing in a future issue. more and to see what other twists and franchise that even a good episode is just I did discover, through a friend, a turns are in store. not good enough. So I’m happy to say relatively new hilarious and A spinoff, Stargate: Universe, that “Waters of Mars” puts the show extraordinary British comedy entitled debuted recently as well. It is pretty back on track and I’m looking forward The IT Crowd. I highly recommend it! bland and not even the talented Robert (but am very sad as well) to see David More than that... I urge you to see it! It’s Carlyle can save this clunker. His Tennant’s last two episodes coming up available on Netflix Watch Instantly and character is too reminiscent of Baltar this month. I saw all three series in three days. It from the new Battlestar Galactica, too. I But what’s up with all the sequels, was that good! I missed all the watched three episodes and didn’t care new seasons, spinoffs and remakes? Is characters already after I was done. I

7 wish they would make more. The third experience glimpses of it, I have obituary for Alex Baker in this issue. We series is the best, and one episode in resigned myself to the fact that it’ll are very sad about his passing and our particular, “Friendface,” I related to a never be the same again. thoughts and prayers are with Johanna lot. It explored the effects of social Which makes me all the more during this difficult time. I hope she gets networking sites such as Facebook, grateful for what I have now. Times lots of comfort and support from her real especially regarding getting in touch have been tough for me lately, and I family as well as her fandom family. with people from our pasts. haven’t been motivated to write, do To end this Editorial on a different I was so happy to get in touch with creative projects and go to events, but note, I finally started reading the my old heavy metal friends this year. It’s when I do (I haven’t really slowed down Watchmen graphic novel. I liked the been great to see some of them again. much, if at all), I feel great and am glad movie version and decided that it was But I’ve realized we are all living to have such supportive friends. And that time to find out why it is hailed as the different lives now. I’ve found it sad and I keep meeting kindred spirits, most greatest graphic novel of all time. My frustrating that reconnecting has been recently at the World Fantasy mini review is embedded in my article tenuous with most, and even Convention that I went to and am on the Gaskell Halloween Ball in this disappointing in one instance. As I reviewing in this issue. issue. mentioned in a previous Editorial, I And as I mentioned earlier, things I wish everyone a happy and safe don’t know where all this is heading but aren’t too bad with me, all things leadup to the holiday season, and to SF/ I’m no longer making it a priority. The considered, especially after I found out SF Issue Number 100. We’re almost exciting rocker lifestyle I used to have in that a friend lost her husband the night there! my 20s is gone forever. While I can before I write this Editorial. We have an

Join our crew! We are looking for writers to cover local events, conventions, fan groups and the fannish scene in general. Contact Jean Martin and Chris Garcia at [email protected]

8 Alex Baker

By Jack Avery He was a role player for more than Founding Editor two decades, having been introduced to Alex Baker’s life was full of stories. Dungeons and by his mother. The stories he created as a GM and Gaming was also responsible for player in many LARP and tabletop role Baker meeting his wife, Johanna Mead. playing games. “In May of ‘96, I had been back in The true stories he would tell of his California for about eight months, and adventures, hair flopping, arms waving, was living in Antioch with my first full of theatrical flair. roommate, Mike. Mike was, like myself, The stories his friends are telling now a gamer and a LARP’er, and he had about his kindness, his wit and the effect found this local LARP troupe he was he had on their lives. going to join. Stories full of the characters he “On the evening in question, I was brought to life and the character he was. home that evening when Mike called. Known as DancingShaman on He was stuck at work, and couldn’t Livejournal, and as General Zod in make a meeting of the group to turn in fandom, Baker died December 1st at his his character sheet, so could I do it for home in Concord following a lengthy him? I said sure (I had no pressing battle with cancer. interest in joining the group at that time, Baker was a well-known and by Richard Man as work and my old gaming group were respected figure in Bay Area gaming taking up a fair portion of my time), and circles, putting on games at a number of they get it,” he wrote in his Live Journal, I drove out to Pinky’s Pizza, which is local conventions as well as running and “The plot just unfolded for them, where Mike told me the meeting was playing in many local tabletop and they’ve figured out the bad guy from a occurring. LARP campaigns. series of clues...whatever. That instant “I arrive, and the place is packed out “My favorite moment as a GM is that when their expression lights up, and you with gamers. The troupe (”Diablo’s moment of satori - when you can see by see that self-satisfied smirk that says Children”) used Pinky’s to do downtime the expression on a player’s face that ‘got you, sucker!’” meetings and general get-togethers. I

9 handed in Mike’s character sheet, and well-received games, the most famous and played many characters, he is most got to talking to several of the players of which is probably “Black Sun, White associated with Superman foe General (BrookW, RobA, and many others), and Light” at Dundracon in 2006. He and his Zod. Baker, who bore more than a slight decided that, what the hell, I’d hand in a wife also ran Namahage Station, a resemblance to Terrance Stamp, often sheet myself. ‘OK,’ says Brook, ‘but LARP based on the Firefly universe. used Zod’s catch phrase “Kneel before you’ve got to clear your concept with He was known for his ability to ZOD!” as his own. the Storyteller. That’s her over there.’ invest his characters with life and depth, “I do know that he could make an “Her? often being given the most unplayable entire room full of people kneel before “Brook points to this Goth chick characters in a game as GMs knew that him, simply by the proclamation that he standing at the bar with her back to us, a he could not only survive but triumph. was Zod,” said friend and former beer in her hand and watching a re-run In one campaign even earning his roommate Jennifer Wylie. “He was just of The X-Files on the tube. I wander character the nickname “The Teflon that bloody awesome.” over, order a brew for myself, and Cockroach” for his ability to role play Friends even arranged for Baker, introduce myself. We start to talk, first his way out of adversity. dressed as Zod, to finally defeat about the game, then the show, then Deirdremoon remembers in particular Superman (as portrayed by Baron Law) about all sorts of stuff. Eventually we one moment from a 7th Sea game at and force him into submission at Baycon end up outside and talking still, when I ConQuest: 2007. notice the wedding ring she’s wearing. “I can see him in his dark blue and Although he could be fierce in his “’So where’s the hubby?’ I ask. She black doublet, white floofy shirt, dark Zod persona, his friends also remember tells me that there isn’t one, that she pants, and tall boots, drawing his his nobility, kindness, warm hugs and wears the ring to keep people from sword,” she said, “He was going to do willingness to help when needed. He hitting on her as she takes the bus to his duty to protect his people and his was protective of his friends and of his SFSU. family, a wife he didn’t even particularly fandom. “And that’s how I met britgeekgrrl.” like (in character-- NOT Britgeekgrrl), One of Baker’s more famous con They were married in 1999. and was facing down a threat he didn’t escapades was his run-in with KLLC “He treats me like a queen and can think he could handle (myself and radio personality Hooman Khalili at make me laugh until I hiccup,” Mead Fintach, actually). ConQuest 2006. Khalili was known for a said. “”What else does a woman need?” “But he drew a deep breath, knitted segment where he attends public events Baker was later a member of, and his brows, and took a graceful and and makes fun of the attendees, GM for, the Cthulhu LARP troop powerful stance with his sword that said, choosing his targets to make the Serious Moonlight before he and Mead ‘All right, I don’t want to do this, but members of the group look bad and broke away and created Chuckling come on. I’ll take you.’ using editing tricks to make fun of them. Cthulhu, a LARP group that ran several While he wore numerous costumes A key component is that he does not

10 reveal who he really is, pretending to be microphone. Baker’s family moved to the Bay a reporter. “He flipped it on. Area when he was seven. After As Baker explained it: “And in the loudest, deepest, most graduating from high school in Antioch, “ K h a l i l i d e l i b e r a t e l y a n d military bellow I could find within me, I he joined the Air Force. methodically ridiculed the attendees he shouted at the top of my lungs to the Baker was proud of his service in the spoke to, with the kind of glee you world at large: military, serving for 16 years and expect from a five-year old that just “HI HOOMAN!! HEY EVERYONE, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. discovered how to set ants on fire. THIS IS HOOMAN!! HE WANTS YOU Johanna Mead said he enjoyed being in Khalili especially loved targeting people TO GUESS HIS NAME, BUT HE’S the military. His time in the service gave in-costume, trying to get them to answer HOOMAN!! HE’S HERE TO MAKE him a number of notorious stories to tell. questions ‘in-character.’ Because, of FUN OF YOU!! DON’T TALK TO “Whilst stationed in England, there is course, the mocking could then be upped HIM, ‘CAUSE HE’S A DICK!!” an infamous incident that started with a by orders of magnitude.” Faced with the wrath of a merciless can of Foster’s at Bury St. Edmund’s Baker, who was playing an Imperial General Zod, Khalili quickly retreated to USAFB and ended with him waking up Officer in a Star Wars-based LARP at find weaker prey. in Australia,” Mead said. the con, was approached to talk to a Baker was well-read in science For most of his military career he reporter from CBS who wanted to fiction and fantasy and described was based in Alabama, but he had fond interview him. In character. Alarm bells himself as a long-time addict to the memories of the three years he served in started ringing. writing of H.P. Lovecraft. He enjoyed a England. During his last tour, he was “It was the wheedling, conniving wide range of media science fiction and stationed in Oakland and became tone that did it,” Baker wrote in his Live loved movies and movie soundtracks. involved in the East Bay gaming scene. Journal. “All at once, the whole thing His ability to quote from Star Trek was While in the military, he obtained his dropped into my head. The voice legendary among his friends. Associate’s Degree in Information clicked, the face resolved, and with a His own quotes are equally Resources Management from Troy State burning clarity I will never EVER have legendary, including “The Senate University. again, I knew what was going on and the demands more bacon.” He is survived by his wife, Johanna opportunity that the (with singing While no one will ever be able to tell Mead; his father, Dan; his stepmother, and clouds opening and everything) had his stories, like the story of the dollar Anna; his sister, Melissa; his niece just wheeled in front of me. bill in the road, quite the way Baker did, Emmy; and his father-in-law “I smiled. his friends are collecting memories of Christopher and Christopher’s wife “He smiled back. him at community.livejournal.com/ Jennifer. Baker was 43. “I stepped in to address the zods_henchmen

11 A Costume A-Faire

By Eva Barrows Once in the tent I was whirled around Contributing Writer by the clothing attendants that worked It started with an email from a friend there. I was offered a rose pink skirt and inviting us to join her in going to the a waist length chemise undergarment. I Renaissance faire in a few weeks. My was instructed to go to the back of the husband of course wanted to go. He is tent and put those items on in the an artist obsessed with the artwork of the dressing room. When I came out of the Renaissance. dressing room a female attendant put a My first instinct was not to say leather bodice on me, instructed me to anything about the email but I knew my lift my boobs so that they would hang husband received a copy and I didn’t over the top of the bodice but not out of want to be rude to our friend by not the chemise, then she laced me up so answering her invitation. tight that the weight around my mid “Honey,” I asked, “Did you want to section was squeezed out below the go to the Renaissance faire this year?” bodice. I am not sure how I feel about “Yes, sure,” he said. wearing a tight bodice. It adds a feeling It was as I had suspected, he wanted of authenticity but it also redistributes to go but I didn’t have anything to wear. my weight in places I am not used to My husband expects me to dress up having it. when we go to the Renaissance faire. I The Renaissance faire that we have learned that last year when I went to the been going to the last few years is faire with him, my mom and her friends. located at Casa de Fruita, near Hollister, I wore my street clothes as I had grown California. More often than not the out of a peasant outfit that I had made a weather there is warm to hot and there is few years before. The moment we got to no way around sweating. As I was the faire, my husband rushed me over to wearing the rented costume, I the costume rental tent. accumulated dirt around the bottom of Eva and John Barrows by Jean Martin the skirt, dirt in the middle of the skirt

12 when I sat down on hay bale seating, I put my order in for the princess I started to worry about the overdress and ounces and ounces of sweat all style overdress and started work on I had ordered a month before the faire through the outfit. When I returned the making the chemise. I bought cheap when it was down to one week before costume at the end of the day I noticed unbleached muslin from Joann Fabrics the event and I had not yet received a pronounced stains on the skirt. I turned and had the rest of the materials I package. I called the customer service the garment in not knowing how the needed on hand. The pattern for the phone number for Museum Replicas and rental clothing was handled. I noticed chemise consisted of simple front, back found out that the item was on back that the undergarment was put in a and sleeve pieces. order and would not arrive in time. I told laundry bag to be washed and the soiled The most complicated part of the the customer service representative to dirt and body fluid soaked skirt was put garment, which shouldn’t have been cancel my order as I wouldn’t need it back on a hanger ready to go for the next complicated at all, was a simple button when it did come. I was upset that I renter to be clothed in. I thought about hole that needed to be sewn into the wasn’t notified beforehand of the delay, pointing out that the skirt was unfit for neck line at the front middle of the as I didn’t have time to come up with an someone else to wear without a good chemise. The buttonhole was to be alternative. I told my husband that I washing, but I decided against it due to where the length of ribbon to go around wouldn’t have the overdress in time but embarrassment and fear of being the neckline would be inserted, then tied suggested that we buy something at the charged more for having made the skirt in a bow to cinch the garment at the faire itself for me to wear. There are too dirty for the next person to wear. neck. I had difficulties in sewing the always plenty of vendors there selling With the thought of having to rent buttonhole because the material was too clothing, and it would be a perfect another costume looming in my mind, I thin and the thread bunched up several solution to my costuming problem. calculated how long it would be until we times. I spent so much time trying to do I did realize that buying a went to the faire this year and how long the buttonhole the right way, and in the Renaissance outfit at the Renaissance it would take me to sew a new end had to give up on it. I decided to put faire itself would be expensive, but I Renaissance outfit. I decided that I could the instructions for the garment away didn’t realize how expensive. Once we comfortably sew my own undergarment and do the construction in my own way. got to the faire my mission was to find within the month until we went to the To get the buttonhole over with, I slit a an outfit, then start enjoying the other faire, squeezing the project in between a hole in the material with my seam activities that were going on there. My full day of work and other projects I had ripper, and glued the cut edges with husband started to poke around the going on at the time. I also had enough good old Elmer’s tacky glue so the hole vendor stalls looking for a cavalier hat to time to order an overdress from Museum wouldn’t get any larger as the ribbon complete his lordly ensemble but I Replicas’ online catalog. tugged on the opening. warned him that if we didn’t get my outfit soon, I would give up the idea

13 completely and I wouldn’t be dressing kinds of fabric. There were bodices with was a lot for something that I could up this time. With that warning he skulls and cross bones, kitty cats and make myself, but obviously didn’t. I started to look in earnest for an outfit floral motifs. A saleswoman approached know that my husband would have let with me. us and asked how she could help us. I wear my street clothes over paying that We passed by a stall that didn’t have informed her that I had a chemise with much for a costume but I was already many bodices left to choose from as this me that I would like to match up with a dressed in it. It was hot out, I didn’t was the last weekend of the faire, but top and skirt to complete the outfit. She want to look anymore and I was hungry. they had a few leather bodices with took a look at the chemise for the color “Let’s split the cost,” I said to my Celtic designs on them. We flipped the and found that it was a natural white. husband. price tag of one of them over and found She showed us the rack of bodices that “Um, OK?” He almost questioned. that the bodice was going for much more were in my size and I took a look at We really couldn’t afford it. I mean than we would want to spend. I also did them, and picked out a green brocade we could have bought two weeks of not like the bodice itself as it was for a one with thread variations in the green groceries or something, anything more tough warrior princess and not a peasant that made a floral design. important than a Renaissance costume. I who just wants to fit in with the rest of The saleslady picked out an olive knew it was too much and insensible to the faire goers. We went on to the next green round skirt that went well with the buy the outfit, but if we bought it, my stall and found a lone princess style bodice and asked me to put that on over long to find an outfit would be overdress that was the last one in my my chemise. I went into the dressing over and I wouldn’t have to cringe each size. It was gold brocade fabric with room and put them on. When I came out time the faire came to town and gold detail in the lace-up bodice front. the saleslady had me put my arms someone asked the question, “Do you The saleswoman at the stall verified that behind my back and then she slipped the want to go to the Renaissance faire?” If the price of the overdress was $260. My bodice on from behind. She laced up the my husband and I bought the outfit now, husband and I grimaced and walked front and asked me to pull my boobs up I could always answer yes to that away from the dress. (I had forgotten about that part), and she question and not have a feeling of dread At the next stall we looked at we tightened the top up the rest of the way. I in the pit of my stomach. found a modest selection of separates to looked, well, authentic. Then I asked the So we bought it, and are still paying choose from. There was a large rack of big question. How much does this cost? for it. skirts in different colors to match with a She said that the skirt was $60 and the plethora of bodices made from different bodice was $170. Wow, I thought. That

14 Steamcon to World Fantasy by Rail, Bus and Balloon

By España Sheriff through the Jack Cady short story collection organizers had made a big deal about how Staff Writer of Yesterday, which I picked up mainly memberships were almost sold out and I Being all hardcore steampunk (well, scared for its opening short story which is set in figured given that some folks might be buying of flying), I took Amtrak’s Coast Starlight up the city and which I will review in some later more than one ticket, my odds were good but to Seattle for Steamcon last month. The issue of SF/SF. The last novella in the book not certain. Starlight runs from Seattle to Los Angeles so Time that Time Forgot was what occupied the As it turned out there were other fun folks I’m familiar with it from its Southern leg and bulk of the ride and fit it well, since the story in line and I chatted with them, with Tim looked forward to completing the route. takes place in a haunted mist-enshrouded Powers who dropped by for a bit and with our I overpacked in my usual compulsive woodscape just after the American Civil War, own Chris Garcia who flaunted his guest badge fashion, shoving enough outfits for two full mirroring the Northwestern landscape the train most viciously. Eventually noon rolled around conventions into one large suitcase and one was passing through. and I looked back at the back of the line, carry-on. I didn’t think to weigh the suitcase I arrived in Seattle at around 8 p.m. and several hundred people away, and wondered if before checking it in, so it was a relief to took the light rail and a very short bus ride to the convention was going to do a count so the discover upon handing it over to the ticket the Hilton Garden Inn with minimum fuss. By people at the end wouldn’t have to wait for no agent that it clocked in at 49.5 pounds — just a this point it was just after 10 p.m. and although reason (my understanding being that the half pound shy of the weight limit. And I could see quite a few obvious congoers in the membership cap was 1,200, with about 200 although I didn’t wear everything I packed, I bar area, I decided to unpack and get settled available). After about fifteen minutes we did manage to go through a sizeable portion of and rest up in order to start my con in earnest noticed that although things were happening at it, changing two or three times a day. The only the following morning. And boy was I glad I reg, the line was not moving. After about 45 real embarrassment was the 22 pairs of did this. minutes this became a little irritating. stockings that my fevered pre-con brain had I will preface the next bit by saying I had a Apparently, pre-registered was still being deemed absolutely essential. very enjoyable convention overall and would handled exclusively. The trip up was restful: I napped, enjoyed consider returning next year, so please don’t I didn’t mind making the choice to stand in the views of the passing Fall foliage from the take this as illustrative of the whole event. line early, since that was my own decision, but viewing parlor, and read. I finished Lost That said: ignoring several hundred people for the better Horizon — the Capra film is in my top ten but At-the-door registration was listed as part of an hour seemed more than a little rude. I’d never read the novel, which is a fine opening at noon so I grabbed some coffee and Eventually someone at reg realized that pre- example of an era when you could bring in a poked my head out to the poolside reg area at registered members were going to keep coming classic and satisfying tale in under 200 pages 10 a.m. About twenty or twenty-five people in and they seemed to start alternating between and no one felt shortchanged. I also got a ways were in line so I lined up as well. The the two lines. Only one membership at a time

15 was being handled by the three or so folks at happens and yes the staff was working very materials and felt better. The badge and reg as far as I could tell. Eventually the twenty- hard. But registration is something that every program book were lovingly designed and there five or so people ahead of me were done, and at convention has handled and no visible effort were plenty of interesting panels and events just past 2:00 p.m., after being in line for four seemed to be taking place to change the system coming up. Aside from Powers and Garcia, and a half hours, two and a half of those after even as it was obviously failing hard. The other Californians of my acquaintance present registration “opened,” I went up to get my responses from the concom after have blamed included TL&T Linda Wenzelburger as well as badge. My form was filled out, I marked the unexpectedly large turnout, however even if Merv Staton and Judith Richardson who I ran “check” as payment and had the check filled I had been the last person in line, opening 45 into in the restaurant and who smugly out and ID in hand. The person who helped me minutes late and taking an hour and a half to proclaimed their pre-registered Patron level had been drafted at the last minute from a register 25 people still seems to point to badges which allowed them to skip queues and different department, apparently, and looked at problems with the process, not the size. get first dibs at tickets for the tea party and my check (and at my form with the three Additionally there seemed to be a lot of Saturday concert. payment options printed on it: “Check,” confusion about just how many memberships My first official stop was the dealer’s room. “Cash,” and “Credit Card”) and asked another were available. I personally was told 1,200, Like Steam Powered before them, Steamcon staffer, "Do we take checks?" I remembered my then 1,300 which would fit the eventual official had exclusively Steampunk and related items breathing exercises and tried not scream. count of “about 1360.” I was also told “very on sale. This makes for a nice solid selection of The volunteer was not to blame for this, of few were remaining,” however my number was thematically appropriate wares, but as with course, and not wanting to hold up the line I 1040 which implies nearly a quarter were still Steam Powered, it seems to have discouraged offered to pay with a credit card to speed things left. Still I haven’t heard or read about anyone or confused book dealers. Aside from one-title up. I was told that they did not have a credit being turned away at the door due to a sellout, shows like Studio Foglio and the artist GOH card machine available at the moment. I bit my and I have to say that with one very loud and Paul Guinan’s table, the only other book vendor tongue and watched two other volunteers annoyed exception who stomped out at 12:30 I saw had picture books, comics and some stuffing reg bags while my form data was the attendees were by and large good spirited manuals for the Steampunk RPG. This meant entered, and then my check data. In the process about the debacle. that there was no vendor selling Powers, Priest, I discovered that they did not have a stapler, But enough of that. The convention clearly Lake, Rambo or any other the other authors either, so I offered to bring them one but was knows this was a problem and I would strongly present as guests. Neither could you find any of told one was “on the way.” I’m sure I looked recommend they contact the committees of any the books or stories mentioned during any of skeptical. I got my badge and reg pack with no number of other conventions of a similar or the discussions. further conversation and went to have my first larger size to discuss the pre-existing solutions This was covered back in August by io9 meal of the day and check what programming I for registration in order to avoid such issues in and both the convention and the book dealers had missed so far. the future. seem to think that the decision was made I checked at intervals throughout the day as Tired, hungry and irritated, I frankly entirely by the other side. But honestly, if the line slowly crept along and there were still expected the rest of the weekend to be an utter Steampunk conventions are going to continue, people being handled at 4:30 p.m. Yes, shit disaster, but I ate lunch and looked over the reg this is something that I would love to see

16 addressed. I can’t imagine that with a bit of enjoyed Rober Rial’s Bakelite 78 and their For the evening I disdained the pile of skirts flexibility both sides couldn’t be made happy, rendition of “Brother Can You Spare a Dime?” I had brought in favor of my newly purchased with the convention allowing Victoriana, a Another thing they got right was that unlike one, and almost immediately upon donning it certain amount of horror, , dark Steam Powered, which didn’t have an art show realized it was essentially a flamenco skirt and fantasy and historical titles and the booksellers at all, Steamcon had a nice variety of art all no amount of pinning or draping was going to leaving some of their less appropriate titles at fitting the theme: paintings, drawings, change that basic fact. I resigned myself and home. Luckily I had brought three books along photography, jewelry and sculptures. I was complemented it with a black top, Spanish fan with me so I was fine regardless. pleased to see some art on display from Sarah and red carnations in my hair to seal the deal. It The dealer’s room was also a bit smaller Dungan, whose sketchbook Oh My Stars and wasn’t particularly steamy but it sure was fun than at Steam Powered and therefore very full Garters I had picked up at Steam Powered. to dance in. There were DJ dances both nights all the time but with a smaller selection, but Other standouts included some gorgeous pistols in the music room which almost made up for partly that’s me being jaded — everyone for and an impressive modded-up bike that made a the lack of parties. whom this was their first steampunk event was nice centerpiece. It’s early days yet, but if I do Which brings me to the second big hole in just blown away at a room full of goggles, go next year I will certainly be comfortable my convention experience, besides books: no watches and other wonderful things. I myself joining in the fun. party floor. Although this was apparently due to picked up a lovely red flouncy skirt and the The first panel I saw was on modding and the con-hotel policies, it meant that there was usual last-minute accessories, in this case distressing. The first speaker covered no place to wander to between dancing. Once “attitude” feathers and a lovely modification of plastic guns. Most of the or twice I went to the lobby or to the pool area ribbon from Realms of Regalia. information was things I knew, but there were but I sorely missed the social aspect of being Outside the dealer’s room, several bands several tips and tricks towards the end that I able to wander party to party and get into had a table set up to sell their wares and I look forward to trying out soon. Afterwards, conversations. The lobby and bar of the Hilton bought a shoulder from Abney Park to replace the two other panelists covered distressing are nice for chatting but better suited to private my own decrepit one. Of the things Steamcon clothes for costumes. Their experience was in groups, not designed in a way that encourages did well, the best was almost certainly the the theater but it translated very easily to both mingling. music track. Like anime, steampunk seems to hall and masquerade costuming and it was a Saturday I almost by chance wandered into have a strong musical streak and the big event little thrilling to consider purposely trashing an the Boiler Plate panel and was glad for it. It’s a for Saturday evening was the Airship Invasion outfit. I decided to apply some of the hoaxstory by Paul Guinan about an automaton concert featuring San Francisco performers techniques to the wedding dress that I’ve used that participated in pivotal events during the Vernian Process and Unwoman as the opening as a base for one of my steampunk outfits to Victorian era. I had of course seen the website acts and Abney Park as the headliners. finally complete a concept that I’ve been but had been unaware that there was a book. Additionally there was the Sepiachord Saturday mulling over for quite awhile now, hopefully Guinan is a historian and political activist and Cabaret which ran from noon until 8 p.m. with in time for the Nova Albion Steampunk the panel turned out to be very interesting, the a different performer each hour. I particularly Exhibition in March. book more than just a gimmick expanded into saleable form.

17 Afterwards I did another round of the Departing on Monday, I overestimated my The next morning I grabbed one donut for dealer’s room to stretch my legs. I got back in transit skills and didn’t realize that the hotel the road (the maple bacon) and caught my time for Powers’s panel which was very shuttle while convenient (it was raining) would Coast Starlight home at last. Of course it amusing and during which he mentioned that lose me about half an hour since it would hit turned out someone had broken the Norton he is working on a follow-up to The Stress of the airport first and then double back to drop Bridge while I was away so the thirty minute Her Regard which is my favorite of his , me at the light rail station. Thus I missed my Amtrak bus from Emeryville became the two so I am looking forward to it. The panel was in train by just a couple of minutes, to the hour Amtrak bus from Martinez instead, but an interview format, followed by questions amusement of my twitterlist. I rebooked for the eventually I found myself back home to an from the audience. At both this and his Sunday next day’s Coast Starlight and looked out the eerily quiet Embarcadero area. “Victorian Era” panel, Powers’s method was an window at the pouring Seattle rain. Sightseeing My original two days to rest, recoup and do interactive lecture style — probably because he was not an option. laundry became one day of sleep-deprived also teaches — with a lot of walking into the Luckily Leigh Ann Hildebrand, Transit madness when my brother arrived in town for audience and up to the questioner, especially Professional (retired) Extraordinaire came to the evening and I remembered I had committed the quieter shy ones, poor dears. Even some of the rescue and hooked me up with a place to to head to the Marina for a meetup with Tim the more awkward questions (or questioners) crash in Portland. So an hour later I boarded the Powers and a bunch of folks from the Powers got handled with grace and humor. Cascades South. The Portland weather was Yahoo group. I cleverly combined the two and I changed into my black and white number fine, and since I had checked in my so my brother picked me up, tossed my for the evening concert. I had not seen or heard suitcase I was only burdened with my little suitcases in the back of the giant Penske truck Vernian Process before, although I’d seen their rolley overnighter which I proceeded to roll all he was driving and we headed up for beers and name around, but they did a fine job, and over the very walkable downtown area, a very fun evening. He is not a fan himself and Unwoman is always wonderful. Abney Park is grabbing a tasty pastrami sandwich and ale, so some of the explanation of what I had been a crowd favorite of course, and they put on a then visited Powell’s which was just as doing the previous weekend and what I was great show. I had not heard about their change amazing as advertised in theory, but in practice doing the coming one (World Fantasy) were in lineup but am glad to report that their new was in the process of remodeling the SF section lost in translation, but he is a reader and so fit female vocalist, Jody, was just great. and therefore missing everything from M-Z in fine with the great group of folks at the When the concert ended the DJ dance was that I was interested in. I popped into the dinner and he ended up discussing Catholicism still going, although just till 1 a.m. As the last Buffalo Exchange across the street to see what with Serena Powers. In addition, an old friend songs played they announced next year’s the Portland kids were wearing (answer: from my SFNet days was there. Afterwards I theme, Weird Weird West, which was met with nothing I wanted) and picked up some gloves, was wired and wanting to catch up a bit with great approval from the audience. Then it was then headed to the slightly seedier end of town Raul, so we stopped off for some more drinks time to wish for someplace to go as most folks for a dozen Voodoo Donuts before grabbing a at Home over on Church Street. We chatted and wandered off to bed. I stayed up a while bus out to Reed. Every single person I met was had some wonderful Maple scotch that tasted chatting poolside with a lovely group of helpful and friendly. It was a bit creepy. like breakfast and a very good vodka Canadian fans before calling it a night. recommended by the bartender.

18 Eventually I got home, pulled the essentials Clarion graduates including Nayad and her was amused to note that fannish OCD kept the out of my big suitcase, threw them and husband whom I had met at Steamcon. table organized with one pile for each book or whatever quasi-respectable clean clothes Eventually I wandered back to the consuite and magazine. remained in my closet into my small suitcase, got into a conversation with Kevin and with a Unusually for a convention, I had to leave and grabbed a few hours of sleep. writer from Texas, who was very fun and the hotel for a quick errand, and was surprised I felt surprisingly good on Thursday terribly patient (my tweets for the evening at how nice downtown San Jose is. I’d been to morning, probably because it was my Friday. suggest I was pretty drunk by this point) and the city a number of times of course, but rarely Work zoomed by and soon enough I was on who later research indicates was Chris wandered about and my impression was that it Caltrain headed South to San Jose for World Roberson from Money Brain books and was a bit of a dump, but in fact the whole area Fantasy. someone whose work is on my to-be-read shelf. has been revitalized and is extremely walkable Trusty Google Maps had served me At around two a.m. I called it a night and hit with a bunch of shops, restaurants, museums heroically in Portland and didn’t fail me in San the sack. and green areas and SJSU’s lovely campus. The Jose. A fifteen minute walk got me to the I remembered to hydrate but forgot to put Tech Museum right across the street from the Fairmont, where after a brief irritation with up the Do Not Disturb sign, so I woke Fairmont is currently showing the Star Trek hotel checkin I got to my room and changed for relatively early on Friday. Up to the consuite Exhibit and I am hoping to make it down to the evening, then hit the consuite where the for coffee I went, and got a chance to take a that before it closes. VanderMeers were co-hosting a party for Last better look at the wonderful job Kevin & Andy When I got back I headed back up to the Drink Bird Head. I ran into a bunch of friendly had done decorating the place. The large main consuite for a bite and a chat and accidentally faces right away, like the consuite staff which room was done up in homage to the Great found myself drafted into service by the included Kevin Roche and Andy Trembley as Balloon Hoax, as the Corvidian Aeroscaphe daytime shift leader Lamont Jones whom I hosts, plus a full support staff that made me Adventures airship embarcation waiting room, unwisely allowed to see me being useful. I feel less guilty for not helping out on my first with posters of exotic destinations and all restocked food and drinks until 4 p.m. when it night. manner of clever touches. In the adjacent room was time for my first panel of the convention, In short order I ran into Jeremy Lassen the destination of Fiji was created with Tiki about overlooked writers of the . It from Night Shade, Jacob and Rina Weisman decor and a wonderful large portrait of Poe was an overview of writers, mostly ones born and Jill Roberts from Tachyon, and some of our done by Mo Starkey who continues to amaze in the late 19th century and deceased in the own crew including Chris Garcia and Jean me with the great decor pieces she contributes middle of the 20th, whose star had faded Martin. At ten the Australians opened their to these shindigs. mainly due to unfortunate timing, being not party down the hall in the Presidential suite, but I picked up my badge and my giant bag of quite modern but not quite classic enough the it was so packed initially that it was not worth swag, which lived up to its reputation. Off to be rediscovered, and additionally mostly being going in. When I did make it over I ran into the side a table had been set up for people to authors of short fiction. I took copious notes Tim Powers again who introduced me to Kim leave books they didn’t want or already had. I and look forward to digging some of their work Stanley Robinson… I managed to mostly keep dropped off two novels and picked up a copy of up. my shit together. They were chatting with some Escapement and the Eclipse Two anthology. I

19 After the panel I checked out the dealer’s Curious, I went down to the lobby and spotted subgenres, SF vs. Fantasy, the rise of Young room which was quite impressive and about ten or so people still conversing in the Adult, etc. I had hoped for the sort of panel I’ve contained almost nothing but books, although bar area. We hadn’t quite closed the place seen at Worldcon for this subject where the Spring Schoenhuth was there with her amazing down, but we’d made a brave attempt. panelists recommend their favorites from the jewelry. Next door was the art show, which was Saturday was Halloween and despite the previous year. I left about halfway and did smaller than I expected, and good but not great. Blue Meanies who insisted that costumes were another wander of the dealers and art show With a juried show I had for some reason verboten for such a lofty professional event, before going back upstairs in time to see the expected something extraordinary. That said, plenty of people dressed up anyway, fans and amazing Sugar Bowl cake that had been there was John Picacio and some really neat pros alike. I woke up around eleven feeling a especially prepared for the evening’s Edgar pieces by artist GOH Lisa Snellings, some little tired and mostly spent the morning in the Allan Poe birthday celebration. It was a hot air great Lee Moyer pieces and a nice print of one consuite chatting with Chris Garcia, Mo, balloon in white, silver and blue with little of my favorite recent F&SF covers, Finisterre. Lamont, Chris and John O in the sort of ravens on it. A cask (or so) of Amontillado was I decided on a quick nap before I was due rambling tag-team conversations that I also provided. to help Kevin with the bar at the consuite. The associate with a good con, with people After some more loitering I changed into nap was not as quick as I had hoped but I wandering in and out of the discussion and my LBD for the evening and came back up for eventually made it up there, apologized for my sentences like “I tell you, don’t ever eat a full shift of helping at the bar, this time with tardiness and put in some hours at the bar. I osprey.” Lamont so Kevin could host the cake cutting took a couple of breaks to wander the 19th After my near-apocalyptic levels of over- and later on the tiki bar in the Fiji room. There floor where Locus and Night Shade and others stockingness at Steamcon I had managed to were a lot of Halloween costumes, and some where throwing parties. The MythosCon party arrive at World Fantasy minus a single pair of fannish ones. In addition to the parties on the room was notable for its Great Wall of Pizza sheer black stockings. The hotel gift shop only floor below and the consuite there was also where they had covered their food needs by had them in petite (hah!) so Lamont who used Gail Carriger’s book launch party across the ordering 104 pizzas from Dominos. While to live in the city was kind enough to walk me hall from us which was steampunk themed and staring at this aghast I met up with Jean Martin down to the Safeway. Unfortunately not to the had the best spread I have seen in a while, with and her friend Stephanie and we wandered next new nearby Safeway built after he moved, but tea sandwiches, petit fours and some tasty door to see what was going on over across the the old one a mile and a half down the road. On Scotch Eggs. They had a little bar going on as hall. It was packed and some sort of awards the other hand, between my excursions and all well, but there wasn’t really much mingling where being given. I poked my head in a little the running around during my shifts I managed space so I admired and retired back to the later when the mass diminished and it was wall to lose a couple of pounds despite my indulgent consuite. to wall authors I recognized. Somewhat eating habits during the weekend. I took a couple of wanders of the other intimidated, I retreated to the consuite. Back at the consuite I loitered for a while parties but mainly stayed at my post, since I We served drinks until around 2:30 and on before hitting the Notable Books panel which was having a ball serving drinks and letting the my way back to the room I checked the 19th was entertaining but wandered from the subject world come to me instead. The cake cutting floor again, which was completely dead. into discussions of the popularity of certain was a great success and the cake itself mighty

20 enough that we only got through about two After very late nights I often wake up early, them then visited with Radar, who was thirds of it. The Amontillado was also lovely, which is perfect for the last day of a con. I watching Spring’s table for the morning. and I mostly stuck to that along with the woke and headed down to a 10 a.m. panel Then it was checkout time so we headed o c c a s i o n a l “ D e a t h i n t h e called Rural Fantasy which was very over to the consuite for those final lingering Afternoon” (Champagne and Absinthe.) Leigh interesting and added to my ever-growing list hours until Dead Dog. Leo came by to pick Ann came down after finishing up her of books and authors I must check out. When I Leigh Ann up but I decided to stick around for volunteering for the Spiral Dance in San got back up to the room Leigh Ann was up and a while and get some final conversations in Francisco and it was like quasi-Fanzine she kindly treated me to the fancy Fairmont with old friends and new before dragging my Lounging except I wandered off a lot less. buffet for a nice leisurely breakfast before suitcase and giant bag of loot over to Caltrain, As other things shut down more people taking one final round of the dealer’s room. Of tired but satisfied. filtered in, and around two or three we closed particular interest this time was the Eraserhead the doors but kept going for a few hours longer Press table, with such titles on display as the just hanging out, finally doing some cleanup now classic Shatnerquake and The Faggiest and packing it in at around four or five in the Vampire. We spent some time chatting with morning.

21 World Fantasy Con: A Fantasy World Becomes Reality

By Jean Martin and I was hoping to expand my experience seriously think about where my life is at and Editor doing public relations work. I worked in high what else I want to accomplish. It broadened The (WFC), a tech PR a long time ago and did not enjoy the my horizons about what’s possible and I met professional convention for publishers, editors, fast-paced and aggressive field of technology lots of people who inspired me with their agents, authors, booksellers and the press, was (although I love science and technology), but I enthusiasm, passion and dedication. It was slated to come to the Bay Area this year. still hope to do entertainment and/or media PR great to be around people who still have dreams Several of my con friends and acquaintances someday. I was also thrilled to get the chance to and are working toward them — or are already were involved in organizing and staffing it. But work with and learn from -winning living their dreams. For those four days, I almost didn’t go because I didn’t think I’d writer Cheryl Morgan, who was the head of dreams I thought I’d long dismissed as youthful have anything to do there and I wouldn’t know Media Relations. In the months before the con, idealism were brought back to the fore. Dreams very many people attending. Besides, I heard it was interesting to see the inner workings of of becoming a sci fi/fantasy novelist. that costuming was discouraged, and unlike con planning and I even helped out compiling a But I haven’t written fiction in ages! I don’t fan-run and media conventions, there would be list of press contacts. Lastly, Kevin and Andy even know if I still know how or have it in me. no masquerades or dances — two of my told me they would be running the Hospitality The last time I wrote was for an online novel favorite activities at conventions. Also, I Suite and they throw the best parties. The writing workshop that led, through researching seemed to be burned out on conventions. “Fires of Pompeii” party they helped organize details for my novel, to my discovering BayCon this year was not as good as it had with Merv and Judith at Gallifrey One in L.A. Regency dancing and the Bay Area English been in the past and I only went to SiliCon for earlier this year was phenomenal. Kevin also Regency Society. Dancing has been my life a day and a half and there weren’t a lot of mentioned that parties at WFC are legendary. ever since. But I still remember that I used to people there (plus I got in a minor car accident With parties being my third favorite thing at just write and fill pages of notebooks since I driving to the PEERS Sweeney Todd Ball conventions, I was curious. was a little girl. afterwards). In addition, I was still reeling from I’m glad I went because WFC was easily However, I always seem to gravitate back moving at home and at work and being among the best conventions I’ve ever been to, to journalistic writing, as evidenced by my diagnosed with glaucoma (still inconclusive at on a par with the heavy metal industry publishing and editing a heavy metal magazine this point) and low blood pressure. conventions I used to go to in L.A. Talk about in the early 1990s and now with SF/SF. I do But Rina Weisman from SFinSF (the other partying like a rock star. I partied with real rock love reporting on events that I love attending. organization in the Bay Area with a name stars in those days. Writing fiction is fulfilling when I’m in my similar to ours) asked if I would like to But WFC, held last October 29th through more introspective phases, but these last volunteer to work as a Press Officer for the November 1st at the Fairmont Hotel in San several years I’ve been more extroverted, and con. I was honored to be considered for this Jose, literally rocked my world and made me as I’ve been called often lately, a social

22 Kevin and Cheryl in the Press Office Guests of Honor at Opening Ceremony by Jean Martin by Jean Martin butterfly. I realized, when I was trying to being at the con that made sense, other than my who was visiting the Lovely and Talented explain SF/SF to people at the con, that this working at the Press Office. Linda who was working at Registration. I zine is like the society pages of Bay Area Thursday always seem to run into Chris the minute I get fandom. I am excited about sharing news and I got to the Fairmont several hours late, as to a con. The guy is everywhere! It was good to reviews of events that I’m passionate about so seems to be my wont these days. I’d only been see friendly faces though. The Registration area people can enjoy them vicariously, or better to the Fairmont once before to see Sir Ian was huge and decorated in Edgar Allan Poe- yet, want to experience them for themselves, McKellen (Gandalf from Lord of the Rings) at style. The con was celebrating Poe’s 200th and also for people who were part of these Cinequest. So it was quite fitting to be going birthday as its theme this year. experiences to relive them and have a souvenir back there for a fantasy con. After the Press Office closed at 5:00 p.m., via our articles. I checked into my hotel room and then went Cheryl, Kevin and I went to the Opening It was great to be able to say to people at to the Press Office to report for duty. Cheryl Ceremonies in one of the big ballrooms. the con that I am a writer, editor and publisher, and Kevin were already there busily working Toastmaster Jay Lake introduced the Guests of and that I’m actually doing something that has on their laptops. I dashed to the Registration Honor. I looked at the audience in the ballroom been going strong (and that I’m proud of) for area for a few minutes to get my badge and and didn’t know anyone at all except for Cheryl over four years. It seemed to be my reason for book bag full of free books. Of course, I ran and Kevin, and con chair Dave Gallaher, who’s into my esteemed co-editor Chris Garcia there,

23 one of the nicest, calmest and most efficient whenever either of us attempted to connect rooms from some rich person’s mansion. There persons I’ve ever met. with other people. So between the two of us, were couches, bookshelves, décor and a I was worried after that because I felt we made lots of new friends and acquaintances. fireplace. There were two rooms. The main suddenly lonely. Not a good feeling to start a Ancilla also hung out with us for a little bit room was decorated to look like a Victorian con with. But I thought at the very least I’d do each night at the parties. We three ladies made embarkation point and the second room was the my job, gain experience, and network, and that quite an impact as we all dressed to the nines destination, Fiji. would be good enough. each night. The suite led to other rooms that kept going I went back to my room to freshen up. The Stephanie, Ancilla, Shayne and I went out across the entire side of the floor facing the Fairmont is a posh and luxurious hotel, and the for dinner Thursday night at the nearby main street. All the windows had a gorgeous rooms are big and beautifully appointed. My Britannia Arms, then went back for the evening view of San Jose at night. San Jose has friend Stephanie and I roomed together and she parties. certainly shaped up in recent years. I was was an awesome roommate. I’m glad I was There were only two parties that evening actually excited to explore the downtown area, able to hang out with her more than I ever had and they were mad crushes. The first was in the even though I did want to keep to the feeling of before. She’s so smart, friendly, intelligent and Hospitality Suite run by Kevin and Andy. The being at a con and far away from home in easygoing. She was also, I found, a great suite, on the 20th (top) floor of the Fairmont, another world. It did seem like I was in L.A. or wingman at parties. We covered for each other had vaulted ceilings and looked like living somewhere outside the Bay Area.

Diana Paxson and Jon De Cles in the Hospitality Suite Garth Nix and Sean Williams serving Australian wines by Jean Martin by Jean Martin

24 The other party was the Australian party Thursday night was over and done with and hosted by guest of honor (GOH) author Garth I went to bed relatively early, for me, as I was Nix. He and his compatriots were serving working each day and needed to keep my Australian and New Zealand wines all evening. strength up after all my ordeals two months Aussies are so friendly! But there were so prior to the con. many people in their suite that it was well nigh Friday impossible to walk across the room or even I had a buffet breakfast with my gal pals at talk. So I went back to the Hospitality Suite the elegant hotel café, which was lit by where The Last Drink Bird Head Charity Event chandeliers and the sun streaming through the was taking place. It was spearheaded by glass windows. It brought up fond memories of another author GOH, Jeff VanderMeer, whom I my childhood when my family and I would go met last year at Steam Powered. I bought Jeff’s for Sunday brunches at nice hotels in the latest book and had him autograph it. It was a Philippines, and also of my travels in Europe. It book on the business of writing in the 21st was expensive but worth it. The croissants were century, which will be useful if I ever start heavenly. writing fiction again. Then I worked at the Press Office, which There were other friends of mine at the con was pretty quiet all day. I had lunch at an and they all seemed to be volunteering at the Indian fast food place across the street that was Hospitality Suite. There was España, Leigh just so-so. I had some time to check out the Ann, Yvette, Mark, Lisa, Ed, etc. Mo was there dealer room of mostly books. There were too and she did a fantastic portrait of Edgar several local booksellers and publishers there. Allan Poe that was displayed prominently in Springtime Creations was one of the few Tim Powers by Jean Martin the suite. vendors that sold non-book items. I bought a I had fun that first night of partying. Rassilon pin from Spring. The art show was in However, most people kept to themselves. It and frightening at the same time. With the the same ballroom, separated by dividers. John was hard to break into conversations with young people I thought: “How do I match their Picacio’s and Lee Moyer’s work were my groups of people who all seemed to know each enthusiasm, idealism and energy? They still favorites. The art was mostly by professionals other already. I did talk to a guy in a kilt, Chris believe in their dreams.” With the more and they were amazing. Colvin, an aspiring writer from the Bay Area established ones: “How do I match their The one “panel” I attended at the con was who was really nice. Most of the people I met expertise, experience and confidence?” I Guy Gavriel Kay’s reading that morning. at the con were writers starting out, writers who suppose I should accept that I have to start Stephanie, Shayne and Ancilla are big fans of were already making a living in the field, or somewhere and I’m only too old if I keep his so I thought I’d check him out. He read even famous authors. It was thoroughly delaying and letting the years pass me by. from his latest book, which sounded interesting thrilling, inspiring yet daunting, intimidating as it is set in Tang Dynasty China. But I kept

25 falling asleep and I was right in front of him. I yet. There was S.M. Stirling and Michael showed. The Nightshade/Eraserhead Press felt bad but I’m generally not good at readings Swanwick (who was really nice). I got party was fun. They had home brewed beer in general (they do make me doze off) and I reacquainted with Tim Powers who (brewed by Eraserhead publisher, Rose was also unusually tired and sleepy even after remembered me from BayCon last year, and O’Keefe, herself) in bottles with covers of their eight hours of sleep. I was worried because it Diana Paxson who also remembered me and novels in a bathtub full of ice. As I’m a was only the first full day of the con and I was was very friendly. teetotaler I didn’t get the full experience but I already exhausted! But I got more energy as the After that, the parties got started and that had a great time talking with people about day went on and toward evening. I’m not a night there were a lot of them. I finally started intellectual or literary subjects that ran the morning person after all. meeting more people and they were all very gamut from environmentalism to bizarro We missed all the afternoon and early interesting. These were parties thrown by fiction. It seemed like most novels nowadays evening parties because we went to dinner at publishers who have marketing budgets, and it and most of the works in progress by the the Old Spaghetti Factory at the quaint and writers I talked to are either dark or urban or magical San Pedro Square. And we also all postapocalyptic or various combinations of changed into nicer evening attire. these three sub-. These really aren’t my We weren’t interested in going to the mass cup of tea. Apparently, wizards, dragons, autographing event in the main ballroom that and castles are passé at the moment, but that’s evening but there was no one at the parties and what I still prefer. we were told that everyone was still in the Locus Magazine had a party on the same ballroom. So we went to the autographing floor, the 19th, as the Nightshade/Eraserhead session and actually had a wonderful time. party. There was a short moment of silence and Everyone had name cards including myself! So remembrance for the late Charles Brown, anyone could take a seat, put their name card Locus Magazine’s publisher, editor and co- up, and wait for people to ask for their founder, who recently passed away. Also on the autograph. Outside the ballroom were several same floor was a party by MythosCon, which I tables of free food. Real food… not just will always remember for their 100+ Domino’s appetizers. If my friends and I had known that, pizza boxes and numerous boxes of Corona. we would have just eaten there. We’re not used Back on the 20th floor was Tor Books/David to professional cons where there’s a lot of free Hartwell’s party. I hung out there for a while stuff! with Travis Heermann, a published author from Some authors I wanted to meet had already Nebraska who’s spent some time in Japan. His left, but there were still a few who were there. I novel, Heart of the Ronin, is the product of his finally got up the nerve to meet authors whose fascination with Japanese history and culture. work I’ve enjoyed in the past and famous ones I finally was getting to know people at the whose novels I haven’t had the chance to read Jean, Connie Willis and Cordelia con and it was a blast! I didn’t want to go to by Kevin Standlee

26 Steampunk Desserts by Jean Martin Edgar Allan Poe Portrait and Birthday Cake by Jean Martin bed but I did because I didn’t want to wake up from the San Jose Metro. Rick Kleffel of I decided to wear my Steampunk aviatrix Stephanie (who went to our room earlier than I BookBanter (and an NPR contributor) was costume because it isn’t too much of a did) much later than was considerate. there the entire extended weekend recording “costume.” It would also be appropriate for the Saturday interviews with lots of authors. On Saturday, Steampunk tea party that evening. Gail I had a less expensive and quicker breakfast when my friend Cordelia came to visit me at Carriger was the hostess of the party to on Saturday morning at the French café outside the Press Office with her mom, award-winning celebrate the launch of her Steampunk novel the hotel. I had another of the Fairmont’s author Connie Willis, Rick grabbed her for an Soulless. It was great to finally meet Gail, delicious croissants and a hot chocolate there. interview. It was great to see Cordelia and it whom I’ve corresponded with via email and For lunch, I went to the delicious Good Karma was also nice to finally meet her mom. They seen at conventions in the past. Her party was vegetarian restaurant a couple of blocks away. were both wearing Halloween-themed attire… probably the best party I’ve ever been to. There The Press Office was busy that day with they reminded me that it was Halloween that were three rooms in total and each one was several journalists who came in. People from day! There wasn’t much else to signify that it decorated with flowers, lace parasols, Victorian the San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco was Halloween at the hotel since costumes tablecloths, and artwork. The food (like scones, Chronicle showed up as well as Gary Singh weren’t encouraged. truffles, shortbread, Scotch eggs and escargot)

27 was served on glass platters and the tea in was on again that night with yet more pizza call” and tagged along with their group from silver pitchers. It was classy, elegant, boxes. party to party. We even got one of their sumptuous, creative, imaginative and The parties that evening blurred together professors, award-winning author Graham extraordinary. It must have taken a lot of time, after a while, but it was the last party night and Joyce, to join us. Graham is also from England. coordination and money to create such a lavish I was determined to party till I dropped. The I don’t think I got back to my room until and well-organized party. To top it all off, her one thing that stood out for me that evening is 4:00 a.m. and I was grateful that Stephanie was friends helping out were all in Victorian that I met a lot of people who went to Clarion so understanding and kind enough to put up costumes. There was a separate section for tea in San Diego or Seattle. The Clarion workshops with my coming in that late when she was service and another for alcoholic and other are an intensive six-week educational program already asleep. I tried to be quiet but hotel beverages. geared toward preparing writers for a career in doors are loud even when you try really hard Stephanie, Ancilla and I roamed the 20th the field of science fiction/fantasy writing. The not to make any noise. floor from party to party after eating dinner at a programs and students must be good, as Sunday Mexican restaurant that had slow service and Clarion alumnus Grá Linnaea recently won the Con expenses add up after four days, so to sub-par food. We attracted attention because of prestigious award. But save money I just grabbed a croissant from the our costumes. Stephanie was wearing a colorful what really struck me was that they were all so concession stand in the lobby. Lunch was at a pirate costume and Ancilla had a -era friendly and had such close camaraderie with flatbread place that Chris and Linda dress on. each other. It was like they had gone to college recommended. Chris compiled an impressive, The other highlight that evening was the together. Zagat-style dining guide for the con, but I had cutting of Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday cake, a I felt out of place at first but I wanted to get the benefit of getting recommendations from huge, elaborate cake shaped like a hot air to know them, to be inspired by their him in person, which I preferred. The flatbread balloon with ravens. Kevin and Dave cut the enthusiasm and to feel the sense of community place was very good indeed. cake, which was red velvet and apparently that they have. There was no air of competition I worked in the Press Office in the morning delicious. I didn’t have any appetite as I was at all. They were all very supportive of each for the last time. On Sunday, a correspondent full from dinner and the food from the other’s work and they all genuinely liked being for Time Magazine showed up and wanted to Steampunk party. with each other. I gravitate toward this type of film interviews in the dealer room. I helped Also on the 20th floor were the people and I almost want to go to Clarion just him out for a while and I got to meet John and Fantasy and to feel this bond with kindred spirits. So I asked Picacio whose work I had admired the day parties. Gigi, who was responsible for the mass them if they could adopt me for the evening before in the art show. John was one of the autograph session, also had a birthday party. and Grá said yes. My original entrée to the interviewees. I ordered one of John’s pieces, She was dressed as a bride and she group, though, was Damien Walter whom I’d which I’m looking forward to receiving in the served little cute Halloween cupcakes. met earlier at the Press Office as he knows mail. On the 19th floor was the Hippocampus fellow Brit Cheryl. He also writes for the U.K. I also broke down and bought several Press party which had a three-piece band that Guardian so I had previously corresponded autographed books from Borderlands’ booth. I played ambient music. The MythosCon party with him via email. I followed the “clarion bought one unsigned one that I asked Connie to

28 sign later on. I’ve never been to Borderlands even though I used to hang out in the area for a few years. Maybe someday soon I’ll go to one of their events so that I can keep in touch with new acquaintances in the Bay Area. The last official con event I attended was the World Fantasy Awards, which was held after the banquet. I didn’t go to the banquet as it was expensive and I didn’t really want to go by myself, but the awards ceremony was a lot of fun and I felt like I was part of the industry. I saw tables reserved for Tor Books and other publishers. I was glad to recognize people at several tables. From not knowing anyone at the beginning of the con, I knew so many people at the end of the con! I met publishers, editors, agents, authors and journalists and they were all great. I also Winners by Jean Martin learned that there are a lot of publishers and magazines in the Bay Area. I had no idea! lobby of the hotel until it was time to go over to the con. What made things even more Someone told me that next to New York, San Cordelia’s house to meet her, her mom and confusing is that SFSFC, another organization Francisco is the second-biggest publishing mutual friends who weren’t at the con for with Bay Area connections, ran the convention. Mecca. Right in my back yard, and I never dinner. I was exhausted and sleep deprived. I I drove off high on life and was very sad to knew. was literally running on adrenaline. But I didn’t leave. At least I had a reprieve… a gradual I was able to grab an empty seat up front so want to say goodbye to my new friends. return to reality by meeting up with friends for I could take photos of the emcees including It was such a heady, life-changing dinner at Chevy’s. So it wasn’t such a harsh David Hartwell. I was able to snap pictures of experience to be surrounded by talented, transition going back home after an amazing all the winners or the people who accepted the intelligent and creative people for four days four days in another world. awards in place of the winners. A list of award straight! I got the idea of starting a salon of The entire week afterwards, I had major winners is at the following web link: intellectuals like in the Victorian and Regency con crash and was alternately giddy and www.worldfantasy2009.org/?p=1159. eras, but I realized that SFinSF already does depressed. I couldn’t focus at work. I had met The Clarionites were toward the back of the something similar. Yes, the other SFinSF. and established connections with people from room and I went over to them after the awards People get us confused all the time and I had to other parts of the U.S. and all over the world… ceremony was over. I hung out with them at the explain the difference to people a few times at whom I more than likely will never see again.

29 But it was nice that I got to meet them and who’s a lot like me in our interests and the became friends with them on Facebook, and amount of work and hobbies we do. It was who knows who I’ll be in touch with in the great to meet them and I’m glad that they live future. I may have to go to cons outside of the in the Peninsula/South Bay! Bay Area to see them, but chances are, unless I What the future holds for me in the realms switch careers into the field or make a lot of of fantasy or science fiction, I don’t know right money so I can go to cons whenever I want, now. But I’m happy to have had such a peak this is not going to be a regular occurrence. I experience. All I can say is that the seeds have wanted to be back at the con or quit my job and been planted and we’ll see how the garden switch careers immediately. But both options grows in time. I’m also grateful for the Internet are unrealistic and I do like my job, which — especially email and Facebook. It is so enables me to afford all these things that I do. much easier these days to keep in touch with So going back to reality was hard but I seem at people with similar interests all over the world. least now to have some long-term goals that I There are no limits to the communities and didn’t use to have. I had been feeling goal-less connections we can create and nurture. And the this year and seemed to be coasting on all that reality is that we make the world a better place I’ve accomplished. It seems like it’s once again when we share what we love with other people. time to grow, explore and create an even more Even when it’s fantasy. expansive and fulfilling life. I did meet some local gals: Clarionites Emily (who’s a singer like myself) and Megan Author Paolo Bacigalupi with his own beer label (who dances like I do). And their friend Carrie by Jean Martin

30 Halloween Victorian-Style

By Jean Martin because it is a character costume, and Enssaro, an Ethiopian restaurant close by. Editor Regency is dressy but very comfortable to My gown was white and I didn’t want to Ye Gaskell Occasional Dance Society dance in. Nobody recognized it but several spill any food on it. I didn’t care what other held its annual Fancy Dress Ball last people complimented me on it. people thought so I put napkins all over October 24. It’s the one dance a year when I had a hard time at dinner beforehand, myself and asked for a fork even though it’s the organization relaxes its rules and allows though, because my friend Mike and I ate at traditional to eat with one’s hands. The food Halloween costumes. Still, the dress code was amazingly delicious, the best Ethiopian calls for elegance because it is “a costume food I’ve ever had. But it took a long time ball as the Victorians would do it.” and so Mike and I missed the first set. I had only previously gone to one of We arrived during the break before the their Fancy Dress Balls. That was in 2005. second set, so I was determined to dance as There were lots of great costumes then. No much as I could for the next three sets. cheap store-bought costumes were in sight. Brassworks were in fine form that evening So when I prepared for the ball that was and provided excellent music. There were to be held at its usual venue, the gorgeous lots of people and it was good to see friends Scottish Rite Temple’s ballroom in in attendance. Oakland, I couldn’t decide what to wear. I There were of course the usual lavish wanted to wear something elegant but Victorian ballgowns in opulent colors. This comfortable for dancing. I toyed with the time, though, being Halloween, there was idea of wearing sci fi or fantasy, but I wear some fantasy and Renaissance Faire garb these often enough at conventions. So I and even German Oktoberfest lederhosen. opted to reuse my custom-made Natasha Some ladies wore masks, including talented Rostova Regency ball gown that I wore to seamstresses and costumers Maggie and last year’s Bay Area English Regency Lauren. I personally award them for the Society’s War and Peace Ball. I hadn’t best and most theme-appropriate costumes worn it since, and I was glad to be able to for the evening. Their ensembles were a do so again as it was quite expensive. It was spectacular combination of traditional Victorian and Regency Fantasy Gowns also perfect for Gaskells that evening by Jean Martin Victorian and Regency with fantasy

31 else did, apparently. She inspired me to conformity, control and totalitarianism on want to make a Katara water bender its populace. costume again. I loved that show and am Another fannish costume was Eric hoping the live-action movie will do the wearing a Rorschach costume from TV series justice. Watchmen. I finally read the Watchmen My award for huge impact and graphic novel after enjoying the movie coordinating effort goes to the blue Degas version. I couldn’t put the book down once ballet dancers. I recognized two of them I started. I took it everywhere to read bits from the recent PEERS Space Cowboys and pieces whenever I could. I initially had Ball, where one of them had worn a a great reluctance to read it as it is quite layercake Kaylee dress. I just love going to violent and I thought it would be too grim, the events I go to. Where else will you find Degas-inspired dancers? By the way, Mike was wearing an authentic East German army uniform, which he got at an army surplus store after the Berlin Wall fell. Which reminds me that happened 20 years ago. We take this for granted now, but I do recall that before that, Suki from Avatar by Jean Martin the Iron Curtain and the threat of the mighty Communist regime was a cold, whimsies. Maggie with her Venetian mask scary and oppressive reality. I still looked like Christine from Phantom of the remember that the fall of the Berlin Wall Opera whilst Lauren was in a Regency owl was a huge occasion and cause for great joy costume complete with a feather overskirt. and hope… a triumph of the human desire I didn’t see any standout sci fi costumes for liberty and peace. It was symbolic to me this time around, but Vivianne was wearing that Mike was wearing such a uniform as he an extremely accurate and well-made danced eastern European dances in the costume as Suki (a female Kyoshi Warrior U.S., the land of the free (well, for the most from the Earth kingdom) from Avatar: The part). There he was doing something Last Airbender animated series. She was creative, individualistic and unconventional happy that I recognized her outfit as no one in a uniform of an organization that forced East German Officer by Jean Martin

32 plot for me. They gave more details than I and eastern Europe. And, of course, the needed and wanted. I just wanted the story Congress of Vienna, my favorite dance, to keep going. I may read them someday, which was actually created in the 1970s but though, if I have the time. using historical dance music and steps. Other great costumes were Jessica as a I’m always sad when a ball ends belly dancer, Sam as a Pierrot clown, Kim because once I start dancing, I don’t ever as saloon girl, Jane as Mrs. Lovett and Greg want to stop. And this one was a as the King of Siam. There was a lot of particularly fun one because it had the variety showing the creativity and added element of fantasy, sci fi, comics and imagination of the dancers. anime. But it’s comforting for me to know And, of course, the dancing was fun. I that there’ll be another Gaskell Fancy Dress did as much dancing I could, which Ball around Halloween next year. included, but was not limited to, the waltz, For more information, visit: polka, gallop, schottische, mazurka and www.gaskellball.com. other historical social dances from

Rorschach from Watchmen by Jean Martin but I liked it a lot. It is very profound, if a little dated. The fear of World War III still looms over us, of course, but not as much as before the decline of Communism. The plot was very interesting and the characters complex and believable. There were a lot of intertwining plots and great exposition, pacing and mystery. I didn’t like all the supplemental prose pieces, which I didn’t read, as I thought they were jarringly obtrusive and broke the momentum of the Degas Blue Dancers by Jean Martin

33 The Loscon Lounge Report

By España Sheriff channel which adds to the insanity. Still, we surprised not to see John Hertz around at all Staff Writer needed food and eventually we got it. until someone mentioned Regency Dancing. I I arrived at Loscon on Friday at around 5 Afterwards we headed up to the Fanzine popped down to check and indeed there he was. p.m. and after first stopping by the hotel Lounge PM. At Loscon the daytime lounge is Back upstairs I checked in on the Eric restaurant, Latitude 33 very briefly to say hi to located in the convention programming area on screening which was just winding down, so Leigh Ann, I checked in, got my badge, the ballroom level and our evening lounge is on while they dismantled I headed over with Hertz unpacked and hung my art before the 6 p.m. art the party floor. Normally we would have as my escort to met Paul Turner and check out show closing time. started setting up right away, but we had his Rotsler collection. The party was on the 3rd The art show seemed much bigger and arranged with Eric in the Elevator, of BayCon floor and small, but it was nice to see the better than last year, with a very good selection fame, for him to use the lounge for a couple of drawings in his collection, many of them of 3D art tables and a bunch of artists that I hours for a screening. This meant we were originals. Most of us are familiar with Rotsler’s didn’t remember seeing before. I was very essentially free until about 10 p.m., so we cartoons, but there was a nice selection of line pleased given my impression that the last few relaxed and caught up for a bit, then I changed art illustrations as well and his range is a lot years have been slow and low in sales. As into my evening outfit and wandered the early broader than most people assume. always it was extremely well-run, and Elaine parties. In particular I meant to visit the Rotsler Eventually it was time for me to get back to Pelz was very helpful with getting everything birthday party put on by Arizona fan Paul the PM Lounge, which was mellower than hung and keeping her artists happy. Turner who had arranged for a display of usual due to the late start and lack of signage. I When I was done I went back to the Rotsler’s art in the daytime lounge, but had picked up some Bakon Vodka in Portland restaurant to find Leigh Ann and found Jason unfortunately I lost the room number so I kept for Leigh Ann and she was kind enough to Schachat had just arrived, so all three of us an eye out for John Hertz who had put us in share it with the lounge. Unfortunately it tasted headed over to Champions, the hotel bar, to get contact with Paul originally. like burnt rubber instead of bacon so it wasn’t some food since the restaurant service was There were about half a dozen parties on quite the treat we had all hoped for. On the kinda lacking. The downside of Champions is Friday, including the ever-popular other hand I also found some Lard Caramels that every available wall surface is covered Herbangelists over in the large suite with their and those were a greater, if more disturbing, with screens playing sports. The first thing I wine and cheese spread and giant chocolate success. Slow night and all, it’s always nice to noticed is that they had scrunched together the fountain. BayCon, Loscon and a few others hang out with the gang, and we chatted until groups of four screens in order to add were also going, mostly fairly low-key. I ran around 3 a.m. and then called it a night. surrounding groups of six smaller screens into Dave and Colleen whom I hadn’t seen in Saturday I woke around 11ish and headed framing them. Not all of them play the same nearly a year, and of course all the late-arriving down with Schachat to grab some food. Bay Area folks like Jade and Erik. I was Latitude 33 had stopped serving breakfast

34 already so we got omelets instead, which was decorations. Then we put on the Star Wars Powers briefly so I think I might have gotten not really the same thing at all. As it turns out Holiday Special and let ’er rip. It turned out to new converts for next year. When they left, I Tim and Serena Powers were at the next table be almost too successful even with the sound headed by the dance for a bit and caught the over so we chatted briefly, then I headed over off. In no time there was a room full of people end of our GOH Steven Barnes DJing a set, to the art show to walk through and study up giving it the full Mistie treatment. It was a lot which was quite popular. When he was done for my docent tour. Standouts were some papier of fun but not entirely appropriate for a Fanzine the crowd thinned and some technical problems maché dragons and some rocket ship art by an Lounge. Next year we will be celebrating Life cleared the floor almost completely before artist whose name I unfortunately forgot to Day on Friday with a limited screening Patrick Beckstead took over and a new group write down. announced ahead of time. of people wandered in. I had lost my mojo by With some time to waste, I checked out the However, the silver lining was the then, so I retired to the party floor for the rest dealer’s room as well, but restrained myself opportunity to wander the party floor again. of the night. In the end we went until 5 a.m., from spending money until Leigh Ann showed The Confirmation Westercon party was in full but Hertz’s party was the winner, still standing up and forced me to buy some books. swing, so I wore a white dress with gloves and long after we closed down. The docent tour was only my second, and it Leigh Ann did the same and we put in an Sunday morning I got up in time to have turned out to be quite fun. Todd McCaffrey was appearance. As it turns out the actual theme of brunch with my brother and sister before it was scheduled to lead a tour on Sunday so he Confirmation was Jersey, with a wiseguy angle, time to get my art. I had managed to sell two showed up intending to watch what I did since but we enjoyed our little joke and got some pieces, which was a nice surprise and hopefully he hadn’t done one before, but instead ended very odd looks while wandering through the a sign of the improved art show. Once done I up jacking half my people as they were lobby, so it all worked out. We also visited the met up with Leigh Ann and Jason and we did naturally much more interested in talking to Harrigan anniversary celebration but were a the last slow wander through the dealer’s room him than me. Luckily Hertz and a couple of little wary of the Soulgeek party. We completed and then went up to regroup for the last stragglers and I continued along and had some the circuit in time for the end of the Star Wars evening in the Fanzine Lounge. interesting conversations. I’m not certain I’m Holiday Special and so we changed into red I dropped by Dead Dog briefly and there particularly good at docenting but I do rather dresses in celebration of Life Day. were about 20 people in the consuite but they enjoy it. If nothing else it’s an excuse to see the My sister Ashley and her boyfriend Andres only had the room until 10 p.m., so we let art show in a new way and forces me to pay stopped by for an hour or so; I’ve been trying people know that we would be open again for attention. to convince them to attend Loscon for years the evening. We dropped off the Bakon Vodka I headed back to the PM Lounge right after now and sneakily suggested that this year we with a staffer, nabbed some sodas, and retired I was done. We had not decorated Friday have drinks at the hotel bar instead of offsite as to the lounge to pack up and wait. Several because the Eric in the Elevator screening usual. I couldn’t show them very much, people dropped by almost immediately and the required a certain layout, so we set to work on between the limited time window and being lounge remained open for them until we closed our 2009 theme: Life Day! We made signs told they were not allowed to be on the down at 2 a.m., so we could get some rest appropriate for Mos Eisley, draped red fabric ballroom floor at all, but they did get to see before our traditional trip back to the Bay Area and created some other appropriate Life Day some pirates wandering about and met Tim on the Coast Starlight.

35 BASFA Minutes: Meetings 1007-9

Meeting 1007 invertebrate panel - and needs help with both SorcererCon memberships] and still is looking the SorcererCon and FurCon parties and that he for panelists. has 2 free con memberships for those who help Adrienne announced that Bay Area Ghost November 16, 2009 him. Hunters will have a meet and greet on December 13 in San Jose at Trial’s Pub. Trey Haddad, President Announcements Lisa announced that she & Big Harold are Chris Garcia, Vice-President Glenn announced that he has a new job approaching their 32nd wedding anniversary & Dave Gallaher, Treasurer with Linden Labs/Second Life & that San Jose will celebrate it at LosCon this year. Galen Tripp, Sergeant at Arms is now uncontested for the 2010 SMOFcon. Dave G announced that Twitter has moved Barbara Johnson-Haddad, Secretary Andy announced that St George Spirits will into his work building in SF & are hiring. Held at Coco’s, 1206 Oakmead Parkway have an open house this Saturday, Nov 21 at Blackfeather announced that he is back in (Lawrence Expressway/101 fwy), Sunnyvale. Hanger 2801, tickets are on sale now; call the area and is looking for someone to carpool 510/864-0635. with down to LosCon - and a hotel room share Began 8pm - with me wondering why I Harold announced that the Leonid meteor too. wasn’t home playing Age. shower is tonight. We established a party jar. Ken announced that next Friday - after Reviews 28 people attended. Thanksgiving - is the Legion of Rassilon Chris reviewed WindyCon as really fun, Secretary’s report: the minutes of meeting meeting = 7pm, 1st and Trimble. awesome and definitely worth the time spent 1006 were accepted as “accepted.” Dave C announced that he has a copy of on it; worth full price. The Treasurer reported that “we got Ash with him & couldn’t recall who had Glenn reviewed Where the Wild Things Are money.” ordered it. as he really liked it; worth full price. The Vice President reported that there’s a Cheryl announced that she brought her Fred reviewed Makers by Cory Doctorow new Drink Tank out and there’ll be a whole lot Hugo award to the meeting [Oooo! Shiny!]. as well-written, he enjoyed it and recommends of steampunk cons in 2010 [10 of them?] - and Warren announced that he was a guest at it; worth full price. “hi Cheryl.” Kaiser - got our “get well” card ... and got well. Dave C reviewed 2012 as mindless fun, an The President reported that he’s happy to Mo announced that she is selling things [art entertaining roller-coaster, worth matinee; then see many club members in good health again and books] so if interested, contact her & she’s reviewed the new Prisoner as it’s not must-see, and “It’s not yet Ed time.” doing programming for SorcererCon [book a it’s not compelling, it’s got a very vague, The Party Committee reported that he needs room at the Doubletree & get 2 free uninteresting ; there were follow-on’s help with FurCon - needs panelists for an

36 which summed up as everyone hated it and it [evil] Kevin reviewed Hamthrax as not Meeting 1009 managed to be boring. worth having. Ed reviewed and Aliens on DVD Cheryl [brought along a copy of each book November 30, 2009 as only worth DVD & reviewed The Men who she reviewed for us so we could check them Stared at Goats as he should’ve waited for out] & she reviewed and recommended for Trey Haddad, President DVD to see it. buying & Hugo nominations: [a graphic Chris Garcia, Vice-President Lynn reviewed a cake cook-off on the Food novel], Captain Britain and MI13 3: Vampire Dave Gallaher, Treasurer Network as OMG, then OMG again - there was State by Paul Cornell [graphic novel]; Galen Tripp, Sergeant at Arms a cake detonation and a fire extinguisher was Grandville by Bryan Talbot [as steampunk Barbara Johnson-Haddad, Secretary required. furries do Tarantino & a graphic novel] - and Held at Coco’s, 1206 Oakmead Parkway Mo reviewed Dark Star the Special Edition then for best-related books showed us Powers, (Lawrence Expressway/101 fwy), Sunnyvale on DVD as the movie is still funny and clever the Secret Histories -as everything you’ve ever and the extras are great [and way too many of wanted to know about Tim Powers & Began 8pm - with wonderful blueberry us began doing quotes from the movie]. Boilerplate as Forrest Gump meets steampunk pancakes! Harold reviewed the new Scrooge Disney historical fiction. We established a party jar. production as over-blown, over-done and not 25 people attended. very good; Lise follow-on’d and disagreed - We did auctions: birthday auctioned off Secretary’s report: the minutes of meeting she enjoyed it very, very much; Adrienne was Warren for $4.00 to Lynn; then books for 1007 were accepted as “derivative” & the very impressed with the art; then Harold $0.50, $1.50,$0.75, $5.00, & $2.00, then videos minutes of meeting 1008 were accepted as reviewed Pirate Radio as it has a kick-ass for $5.00 & $2.00. “lacking finger puppets.” soundtrack & worth matinee; then reviewed The Treasurer reported that last week we 2012 as it had the worst movie science since We adjourned at = 9:51 took in $7.50 in the regular jar and $1.00 in the Bugs Bunny met Marvin the Martian. And the rumor of the week was: “Yes, there party jar. Adrienne reviewed lunch at the Oak room is slash fiction of Chris Garcia touching Frank No Vice President. at the St Francis Hotel as very expensive but Wu’s Hugo.” The President had nothing fannish to report very attentive service and the food was very as he has been a yam. good & the locale is awesome. The Party Committee reported that he needs Andy reviewed Dr Who - Waters of Mars as Meeting 1008 help with FurCon - and that there were 2 worth stealing & the SFinSF reading was a lot BASFA parties at SorcererCon - the ONLY of fun. November 23, 2009 parties there [and very well received]. Lisa reviewed Coco before Channel as a wonderful movie, excellently costumed, really Announcements well done. Adrienne announced that there’s a new social meeting group for Mystery Science 3000.

37 Dave G announced that their next party will Lynn reviewed SorcererCon as small and [tall] Kevin relayed a review by Lisa of be next year on Jan 2 & announced that a new intimate and GOOD; Andy reviewed that since OryCon as “avast ye Kumo!” and rated it as “3 episode of Dr Who will be filmed in Serbia. the con was centered around the “city rooms” grrrrs and no fish”; meanwhile, he had fun Cheryl announced that there’s a convention that it seemed less small than it was and the sleeping. coming up - SMOFcon this weekend. programming there was good & the BASFA Fred reviewed the King Tut exhibit as well- [evil] Kevin announced that the Imperial parties were excellent; Dave G commented that organized, well put together & really worth Snow Ball is Dec 12, 7:30 & that he might be at least one dealer came away happy; Adrienne seeing. performing. reviewed it as small, well done and cute Stellan reviewed LosCon as very nice, [tall] Kevin announced that after this (”chibi-con” suggested [tall] Kevin) - she really worth full price. meeting he won’t be back to BASFA until next liked it; [evil] Kevin said that it was fun and Ken reviewed Houston Intercontinental year. full of incidents & Mo reviewed it as she airport as not worth full price for a 90 minute enjoyed the themes and had a good time. delay and several gate changes. Reviews Adrienne reviewed a website as a really Glenn reviewed that getting his new job good place for sound tracks = We did auctions: we auctioned off a with Linden Labs/Second Life as worth full www.intrada.com calendar for $0.50; then videos for $1.00, price & that he really likes his new Mac Harold reviewed scam emails as “do not $0.25, $0.50; audio books for $4.00, $1.50 & desktop for it -- and then he reviewed LosCon respond to them” & reviewed Monty Python, $4.00, hangers for $0.25; a puzzle for $0.25; as time was spent with family, then he spent almost the truth as funny & informative & computer stuff for $0.10; then a box of stuff for most of the con sitting behind a table at reviewed ancestry.com as “mark him dubious” $2.00. LosCon & that the wireless at the Marriott about its accuracy [and worth free during its 2 “sucketh mightily” & that Westercon 64 had a week promo right now]. We adjourned at = 9:30. party there and drew great crowds, plus he [and Ed reviewed an sf book about an And the rumor of the week was: “The others] had “issues” with Programming & he accountant as his [delightful] wife liked it and rumors will continue until morale improves.” got to take Dave McCarthy out to dinner; he thought it was entertaining: The Audit Dierdre follow-on’d to comment about other Report by Richard Neumann. programming mess-ups.

38 Bay Area Fannish Calendar

Life is complicated; putting on an event is even Through January 19 Friday, December 11 more so. Please check before attending, as There’s a Mystery There: Sendak on Sendak Club Clockwork events are sometimes canceled or times and The Contemporary Jewish Museum The Cat Club locations changed. 736 Mission St., San Francisco 333 11th Street, San Francisco www.thecjm.org www.clubclockwork.com Follow the calendar on Twitter: The exhibit will feature more than 100 Steampunk danceclub makes its tentative return @sfsfcalendar watercolors, drawings and sketches by Sendak to the city. — including many that have never before been $10 New listings are highlighted in red. displayed, along with video footage of Ongoing events are toward the back. interviews with the author and will include a Saturday, December 12 space for young visitors to enjoy Sendak’s Monsters of Webcomics: Webcomic-con Through Sunday, December 20 work. In addition to several Sendak-themed The Cartoon Art Museum The Great Dickens Fair classes and lectures for adults, there will be a 655 Mission Street, San Francisco Cow Palace Exhibition Halls number of events for children, including a Wild www.cartoonart.org 2600 Geneva Ave, San Francisco Things–inspired costume-making day. Single-day mini-convention dedicated to online www.dickensfair.com $5-10 comics and their creators. Guests include Brian A holiday adventure into Victorian London. Andersen (So Super Duper) Leigh $22 Wednesday, December 9 Dragoon (The Faerie Path Manga), Shaenon Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous K. Garrity (Skin Horse), Victor Hao (King of Through Sunday, January 3 (LASER) RPGs), Karen Luk (Raconteur,) Betsy Star Trek: The Exhibition SETI Institute Streeter (Brainwaves) and Chuck The Tech Museum Palo Alto Whelon (Pewfell). Exhibit runs through 201 South Market Street, San Jose www.leonardo.info/isast/events.html January 24th. www.thetech.org/StarTrek LASER is a monthly series of lectures and 11 a.m. $6 Step inside the Star Trek universe and presentations organized by Piero Scaruffi on experience the unmatched imagination, vibrant behalf of Leonardo/ISAS. This event is FREE artistry and groundbreaking technology that but space is limited. Please RSVP to have made Star Trek the most enduring science [email protected]. fiction franchise in history. 6:30 p.m. Free $25

39 Saturday, December 12 Wednesday-Thursday, December 16-17 Friday-Sunday, January 8-10, 2010 The Aquabats Rifftrax Christmas Shorts - Stravaganza! West Kingdom 12th Night Slim’s Various Century Theaters Hilton Concord Hotel 333 11th Street, San Francisco www.ncm.com/Fathom/Comedy/ 1970 Diamond Blvd, Concord www.theaquabats.com RiffTrax_Xmas.aspx www.westcooks.org/12thnight2010 The all-crime fighting all-surfing rock The stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000 are SCA event, we ask that everyone who is supergroup! Also appearing; The Action back on the big screen this holiday season with attending make an attempt at pre-17th Century Design. special guest “Weird Al” Yankovic! Show will clothing. 12th Night serves as the Coronation 8 p.m. $18 broadcast live on Wednesday, December 16th for the incoming King and Queen, and there are with an encore on Thursday, December 17th. a host of other things to do too. Saturday, December 12 8 p.m. $12.50 $25 Writers With Drinks The Make-Out Room Saturday, January 2, 2010 Friday-Sunday, January 8-10, 2010 225 22nd. St., San Francisco Victorian 12th Night Ball SacAnime www.writerswithdrinks.com PEERS Event, www.peers.org Radisson Hotel Dan Fante, Joshua Mohr, Mark Coggins, Masonic Lodge of San Mateo 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento Seanan Maguire and Cat Grant. All proceeds 100 N Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo www.sacanime.com benefit the Center for Sex and Culture. 12th Night Ball hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Anime convention 7 p.m. $3-$5 Sliding scale. Fezziwig, live performance by Bangers and $35 Mash. Suggested costume is evening or day Sunday, December 13 dress from 1837 through 1870, any class. Friday-Sunday, January 8-10, 2010 SACCON Modern evening dress is, as always, a Anime Los Angeles Scottish Rite Center completely acceptable substitute for period LAX Marriott 6151 H Street, Sacramento costume and there is no dress code for the 5855 West Century Blvd, Los Angeles www.sacramentocomics.com/html/index2.html evening www.animelosangeles.org Sacramento’s Toys, Comics and Anime show. 7 p.m. $15 (till December 26) Anime convention. GOHs: Kyle Hebert, 10 a.m. $6 Jessica Gaona, The Spoony Bards and Bekka the Alice. Tostmaster:Tadao Tomomastu $25

40 Friday-Sunday, January 8-10, 2010 Thursday-Monday, January 21-25, 2010 Saturday-Sunday, January 30-31, 2010 QuatreCon Further Confusion on Display Solano County Fairgrounds, Fairmont San Jose Hotel Kabuki 900 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo 170 S Market St, San Jose 1625 Post St., San Francisco www.quatrecon.com www.furtherconfusion.org/fc2010 www.aodsf.org Science fiction, horror, supernatural, and One of the largest international conventions Animation on Display (AOD) is a convention paranormal film festival and convention. celebrating anthropomorphism in all its guises. that features Japanese animation, (relatively $60 GOHs Michael Fry, T. Lewis, Sofawolf Press recent) cartoons, and their related interests. and Ursula Vernon. $25 (till December 31) Saturday-Sunday, January 9-10, 2010 $45 IndyEuphoria Saturday, February 6, 2010 Scottish Rite Center Friday-Saturday, January 22-23, 2010 Le Mardi Gras des Vampires 6151 H Street, Sacramento Jonathan Coulton, Paul & Storm PEERS Event, www.peers.org www.sacramentocomics.com/indy/index2.html Great American Music Hall Masonic Lodge of San Mateo Sacramento’s Vinyl, Toy and Indy Comics 859 OFarrell St, San Francisco 100 N Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo show. www.gamhtickets.com/events/58344/Jonathan- New Orleans’ most amusing hosts, Lestat de $10 Coulton--fri- Lioncourt and Louis de Pointe du Lac, and 9 p.m. $25 their ward, Mlle. Claudia, invite you to a Sunday, January 10, 2010 joyous Mardi Gras Ball in true Nineteenth Author: Deborah Ross Saturday, January 23, 2010 century ante-bellum New Orleans style. Dark Carnival Books The Phenomenauts Suggested attire is period costume, fantasy 3086 Claremont Ave, Berkeley The Rickshaw Stop Mardi Gras costume, or a fanciful version of www.darkcarnival.com 155 Fell Street, San Francisco period costume. Modern evening dress is Ross signs her Darkover novel, Hastur Lord www.rickshawstop.com perfectly acceptable and there is no dress code 2 p.m. Free With Maldroid, The Cons, Shauna Regan. for the ball. To protect your reputation, masks 8 p.m. $15 are strongly recommended. Friday, January 15, 2010 7 p.m. $15 (till January 30) The Phenomenauts Saturday-Sunday, January 23-24, 2010 Shire Road Club Creation Salute to Star Trek Friday-Sunday, February 12-14, 2010 5525 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento Westin St. Francis Hotel Creation Official Twilight Convention www.myspace.com/shireroadclubsac 335 Powell Street, San Francisco Hyatt Regency Airport With The Secretions, Boats!, Sharp Objects. www.creationent.com/cal/stsan.htm 1333 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame 7 p.m. $12 William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Armin www.creationent.com/cal/twilight.htm Shimerman, Jeffrey Coombs, and more. $169 $159

41 Saturday, February 13, 2010 Saturday, March 6, 2010 Friday-Sunday, March 12-14, 2010 Writers With Drinks An Evening at Cabaret The Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition The Make-Out Room PEERS Event, www.peers.org Hilton Garden Inn 225 22nd. St., San Francisco Masonic Lodge of San Mateo 1800 Powell Street, Emeryville www.writerswithdrinks.com 100 N Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo www.steampunkexhibition.com Reading by Vikram Chandra (Sacred Games), Spend a swinging evening in the most decadent $60 Cherie Priest (Boneshaker) James Rollins (The cabaret in 1930’s Berlin. Guest band for the Doomsday Key) and Andrew Porter (The evening is the brilliant and notorious Lee Thursday, March 18, 2010 Theory Of Light And Matter) Presson and the Nails. Suggested costume is Thrillville 7 p.m. $3-$5 Sliding scale. 1930’s costume or vintage or modern evening 4 Star Theater dress. Theatrical costume, including showgirl 2200 Clement, San Francisco Friday-Sunday, February 26-28, 2010 attire, is also welcome. Just about anything www.thrillville.net Gallifrey One goes at Cabaret, as long as it’s acceptable to the Monsturd and Retardead double bill, live music LAX Marriott local police, who are among Cabaret’s clients, by Meshugga Beach Party. Filmmakers and 5855 West Century Blvd, Los Angeles after all! stars in person. gallifreyone.com 7 p.m. $15 (till February 27) 7:30 p.m. $9 Doctor Who convention. GOH Sarah Sutton, Georgia Moffet and many more. Original GOH Sunday, March 7, 2010 Friday-Sunday, March 26-28, 2010 Peter Davison canceled due to scheduling SACCON Contact conflict. Scottish Rite Center NASA Ames Research Center $65 (till December 31) 6151 H Street, Sacramento www.contact-conference.com www.sacramentocomics.com/html/index2.html Keynote speaker is Dr. Penelope Boston. Friday-Sunday, March 5-7, 2010 Sacramento’s Toys, Comics and Anime show. Please check website for registration details Consonance 10 a.m. $6 and pricing. Hilton Newark/Fremont 39900 Balentine Drive, Fremont Friday-Sunday, March 12-14, 2010 Tuesday, April 15, 2010 www.consonance.org Sonora Celtic Faire Thrillville Filk Convention. GOH are Tricky Pixie, Chris Mother Lode Fairgrounds Camera 3 Cinema O’Shea, Ju Honisch & Katy Droege. 220 Southgate Dr., Sonora 288 S. 2nd St., San Jose Toastmistress is Judi Miller. sonoracelticfaire.com www.thrillville.net $50 Celebrating the cultures of Ireland, Scotland, 13th anniversary party! The Brain that Cornwall and Wales. Wouldn’t Die and Attack of the Giant Leeches. $50 Special guest Mr. Lobo and Actual Rafiq live! 7:30 p.m. $10

42 April, 2010 evening dress is a perfectly acceptable Saturday-Monday, May 28-31, 2010 The Great Pan-Kinetic Exposition substitute for period costume). Live music Baycon www.pankineticexpo.com provided by Bangers & Mash. Punch and a The Hyatt Regency Santa Clara Details TBA light snack buffet will be served. As usual, the 5101 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara Legion appreciates your potluck contributions www.baycon.org Friday-Sunday, April 2-4, 2010 to the buffet. GOH Peter Beagle, Colleen and Steve WonderCon 7 p.m. $15 (till March 27th) Savitzky, Toastmaser Tadao Tomomatsu. Moscone Center South Special Guests: Mercedes Lackey & Larry 747 Howard Street, San Francisco Saturday, May 1, 2010 Dixon www.comic-con.org/wc The Courts of Faerie Ball $55 (till December 1st) Comics convention PEERS Event, www.peers.org Details TBA Masonic Lodge of San Mateo Saturday-Monday, May 28-31, 2010 100 N Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo Fanime Friday-Sunday, April 23-25, 2010 The Unseelie King and Queen of the Fae San Jose McEnery Convention Center Robogames honour May Day and resign their crowns for 150 W. San Carlos St., San Jose San Mateo County Fairgrounds six months to the blessed Seelie King and www.fanime.com 2495 S Delaware St, San Mateo Queen. Details TBA robogames.net Fantasy, , or costume from any $45 RoboGames invites the best minds from around tradition is admired, not required. Period the world to compete in over 70 events. costume (authentic or creatively "mixed"), Saturday, June 5, 2010 Combat robots, walking humanoids, soccer vintage evening dress, or modern evening dress The Golden Anniversary Victorian Ball bots, sumo bots, and even androids that do is also welcome. Masks, either worn or hand- PEERS Event, www.peers.org kung-fu. held, are strongly recommended. While wings Masonic Lodge of San Mateo $20 are very welcome on our Faerie creatures, be 100 N Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo sure to wear wings you can dance in. Live Please join us in celebrating the 50th birthday of Saturday, April 3, 2010 music by Avalon Rising. Intermission Mr. Fezziwig, the most gracious party host in La Legion : A Victorian entertainment includes dance performances and all of Dickens’ London. Live music by Bangers Steampunk Ball romantic DJ dance music for the insatiable & Mash. Late Georgian Regency, Victorian, or PEERS Event, www.peers.org dancers. Complimentary light refreshments will modern evening dress is admired but not Masonic Lodge of San Mateo be served throughout the evening and, as usual, required. Punch, cake and a light Old English 100 N Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo your potluck contributions are very welcome. buffet will be served (Potluck contributions to Guests are invited to dress in conventional mid- 7 p.m. $15 (till April 24) Mrs. Fezziwig’s kitchen would be most to-late Victorian evening dress (1850s – 1900) welcome). or Victorian Steampunk attire. Costumes, as 7 p.m. $15 (till May 29) always, are admired, not required and modern

43 Sunday, June 6 2010 admission. Donations for our brilliant and hard- Saturday, October 2, 2010 SACCON working musicians will be gratefully accepted, The Evil League of Evil Villains’ Ball Scottish Rite Center however, both before and during the event. PEERS Event, www.peers.org 6151 H Street, Sacramento 11 a.m. Free Masonic Lodge of San Mateo www.sacramentocomics.com/html/index2.html 100 N Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo Sacramento’s Toys, Comics and Anime show. Saturday, September 4, 2010 Guests are invited to attend as their favorite 10 a.m. $6 The Gilbert and Sullivan Ball Evil character – historical, fictional, or original. PEERS Event, www.peers.org Live music by Avalon Rising. Costumes may Friday-Monday, August 6-9, 2010 Masonic Lodge of San Mateo be historical, science fiction/fantasy, modern Costume College 100 N Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo evening dress. The event includes musical Warner Center Marriot Mr. and Mrs. William S. Gilbert request the performances, a no-host (cash) bar, and a light 21850 Oxnard St, Woodland Hills honour of your presence at a fancy dress ball snack buffet. Potluck contributions to the buffet www.costumecollege.org honouring the musical achievements of their will be greatly appreciated. A three-day educational conference on all colleague, the recently knighted Sir Arthur 7 p.m. $15 (till September 26) subjects relating to costuming and clothing. Sullivan. Guests are welcome to attend either in Check website for details and registration. “normal” evening dress of the late 19th century Sunday, December 12th 2010 (1860-1900) or in costumes inspired by the SACCON Saturday, August 7, 2010 operas of Gilbert and Sullivan (Costumes are, Scottish Rite Center Jane Austen Picnic Dance as usual, admired but not required, at the ball). 6151 H Street, Sacramento PEERS Event, www.peers.org Live music by Bangers and Mash and www.sacramentocomics.com/html/index2.html Lincoln Park intermission entertainment includes a Sacramento’s Toys, Comics and Anime show. 1450 High Street, Alameda (Near the Rose performance of song and dance excerpts from 10 a.m. $6 Garden) Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas. As usual, Our guests are invited to bring their own punch and a light snack buffet will be served Sunday, March 6 2011 period-style picnic lunch and to make their throughout the evening (Mrs. Gilbert will SACCON picnic site look as period as possible (Please gratefully welcomes your potluck contributions Scottish Rite Center note that the event is not a potluck. Our hard- to the buffet). 6151 H Street, Sacramento working catering staff will be taking a well- 7 p.m. $15 (till August 28) www.sacramentocomics.com/html/index2.html deserved holiday!). Suggested costume for the Sacramento’s Toys, Comics and Anime show. event is late 18th century or Regency summer Saturday-Sunday, September 24-25, 2010 10 a.m. $6 afternoon dress (1780-1818), but, as usual, From the Land Beyond 3 costumes are admired, not required. Live music Scottish Rite Center will be provided by Bangers & Mash. This 6151 H Street, Sacramento event is a thank you to all of our devoted fans, www.fromthelandbeyond.com and we will not be charging a fee for Horror & Sci-Fi con. Details TBA.

44 Sunday, June 5 2011 Ongoing Sakuramento Anime Society SACCON Rancho Cordova Library Scottish Rite Center Daily 9845 Folsom Boulevard, Rancho Cordova 6151 H Street, Sacramento Meets every Sunday to watch old and new www.sacramentocomics.com/html/index2.html Cartoon Art Museum anime and anime music videos, play collectible Sacramento’s Toys, Comics and Anime show. 655 Mission Street, San Francisco card games, practice artwork and make AMVs. 10 a.m. $6 www.cartoonart.com 3-7 p.m. Once Upon a Dream, The Art of Sleeping Wednesday-Sunday, August 17-21 2011 Beauty (through January 10, 2010). Masters of Mondays Worldcon: Renovation Webcomics (through December 6, 2009) Reno Sparks Convention Center $6 Bay Area Science Fiction Association 4590 South Virginia Avenue, Reno, NV Coco’s Reno, Nevada San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour 1206 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale www.renovationsf.org Begins: Queen Anne Hotel www.basfa.org The 69th World Science Fiction Convention. 1590 Sutter at Octavia, San Francisco 8 p.m. Free GOH: Tim Powers, Ellen Asher, Boris Vallejo, www.sfghosthunt.com Charles N. Brown. 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. $20 Dukefish $140 (till April 30 2010) Jake’s of Sunnyvale VIZ Cinema 174 E. Fremont Avenue, Sunnyvale Sunday, December 11 2011 1746 Post Street, San Francisco Group meets weekly to play German-style SACCON www.newpeopleworld.com/films strategy board games such as Settlers of Catan, Scottish Rite Center VIZ Cinema is a 143-seat underground cinema Carcasson and other games, plus an occasional 6151 H Street, Sacramento inside NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco. Its game of bridge breaks out. Meet up at 8:00 www.sacramentocomics.com/html/index2.html programming focuses on the latest and hottest p.m., figure out who wants to play what, and Sacramento’s Toys, Comics and Anime show. films from Japan, as well as classics, favorites, typically start playing games no later than 8:30 10 a.m. $6 documentaries and anime. p.m. Please check theater for showtimes and tickets. 8 p.m. Free Sundays

MGI SF&F/Horror/ Writing Group Personal Residence (email for details) Emeryville groups.yahoo.com/group/MGISFFWriters 7:30 p.m. Free

45 Mondays and Wednesdays East Bay Strategy Games Club SF Games EndGame Muddy’s Coffeehouse Silicon Valley Boardgamers 921 Washington, Oakland 1304 Valencia Street, San Francisco Mountain View Community Center www.michaeldashow.com/eastbaystrategy/ vax.hanford.org/dk/games 201 S. Rengstorff Avenue, Mountain View home.html SF Games is a collective name for a bunch of www.davekohr.users.sonic.net/svb 7:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. Free people who get together and play board games Group meets regularly to play mostly German- and card games every week. Also has a regular style strategy boardgames such as Settlers of Fanboy Planet Podcast cards night at Atlas Café, 20th and Alabama Catan; also multi-player Avalon Hill-style, Illusive Comics and Games Streets, Tuesday nights from 6:30-10. historical war games, and others. 2725 El Camino Real, Suite 105, Santa Clara 7 p.m. to midnight Free 6:30 p.m. $2 Live from Illusive Comics and Games, it’s the Fanboy Planet Podcast with your host, Derek Fridays-Mondays Tuesdays McCaw. 6 p.m. Free Haunted Haight Walking Tour MGI Boffers & Outdoor Games Meets at Coffee To The People Codornices Park Wednesdays and Saturdays 1206 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco 1201 Euclid Ave, Berkeley www.hauntedhaight.com mgisciaf.angelfire.com Hayward Collectibles Show Reservations required. groups.yahoo.com/group/MGIFamilyclub 22300 Hathaway Ave (rear bldg), Hayward 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. $20 Bad weather: we meet the same time at 33 www.toysandbaseballcards.com Revolutions Record Shop & Cafe, El Cerrito Wednesdays 3 p.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays 10 Fridays and Saturdays for boardgames. a.m.-5 p.m. 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Free Free Vampire Walking Tour Meets corner of California and Taylor, San Wednesdays Fridays Francisco www.sfvampiretour.com Bay Area Role-Playing Society FyDy SyFy Led by Mina Harker. Tour is canceled if there Go-Getter’s Pizza Eclipse Lounge, Hyatt Regency is heavy rain. 1489 Beach Park Boulevard, Foster City 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco 8 p.m. $20 www.BayRPS.com Casual meetup in the atrium lobby bar. Hosts a weekly game night. For club and game 5:30-7:30 night details email [email protected] 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Free

46 Biweekly East Bay Star Wars Club Legion of Rassilon Central Perk Carl’s Jr. PenSFA Party 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito 2551 N 1st St , San Jose The Peninsula Association 510-558-7375 www.legionofrassilon.org meets every two weeks for a party at the home www.ebstarwars.com Doctor Who fan group usually meets the fourth of one of their members. They also host parties Meets the second Friday of every month. Friday of the month: Episodes of Doctor Who, at local conventions. Email 7:30 p.m. Free news, discussion of recent movies, and a raffle. [email protected] for information on 7:30 p.m. Free attending. PenSFA standard party rules: bring Fantastic Frontiers something edible or drinkable to share, or pay www.freewebs.com/fantasticfrontiers/ Micro Gods, Inc. the host $2. Don’t smoke in the house without Social club for Sacramento County sci fi/ Berkeley Public Library, West Branch checking with the host first. Normal start time fantasy fans usually meets the second Saturday 1125 University Ave, Berkeley is 8 p.m. but may vary depending on the host. of the month. Check website for meeting times mgisciaf.angelfire.com and locations. groups.yahoo.com/group/MGIFamilyClub/ Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers’ Group Family Club for fans of Science Fiction, Borderlands Books Foothill Anime Fantasy, Movie, Anime & Manga. Meets every 866 Valencia Street, San Francisco Building 5015, Foothill College 3rd Saturday, please check Yahoo group for Meets the second and fourth Thursdays of each Los Altos Hills updates. month at 6 pm. Contact Jade Livingston at Monthly event where people can get together to 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Free [email protected] for more information. watch anime and meet like minded others. Usually meets the first Sunday of every month No-Name Anime Monthly at noon. Saratoga Library 12 p.m. Free 13650 Saratoga Avenue Dorkbot-SF Saratoga www.dorkbot.org/dorkbotsf/ The Gay Men’s Book Club www.nnanime.com Dorkbot hosts regular forums for artists, Borderlands Books Anime screenings usually take place on the designers, engineers, students, and other people 866 Valencia, San Francisco second Saturday of the month. doing strange things with electricity. www.borderlands-books.com Free Free, donations welcome Please contact Chris, the group leader, at [email protected] for more information. Other Realms Book Club 5 p.m. Free Books, Inc. 1375 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame www.booksinc.net Meets the 4th Wednesday of the Month. 6:30 p.m. Free

47 Religion & SF Book Club Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club USS Defiance First United Methodist Church Borderlands Books 5026 Don Julio Blvd, Sacramento 1183 “B” Street, Hayward 866 Valencia, San Francisco 1566 Howe Ave, Sacramento Meets the 4th Sunday of the month. Please www.borderlands-books.com www.myspace.com/d2121978 contact Rev. Randy Smith at The book for December is End of the World Star Trek fan group meets the third Friday of [email protected] for more information. Blues by Jon Courtenay Grimwood. Please the month. 7 p.m. Free contact Jude at jfeldman@borderlands- 7 p.m. Free books.com for more information. Rocky Horror Picture Show 6 p.m. Free USS Lights The Clay, 2261 Fillmore Street San Francisco/ Contact [email protected] for The Guild, 949 El Camino Real Menlo Park SF Browncoats specifics. www.bawdycaste.org Cafe Murano sites.google.com/site/ussnorthernlights The Bawdy Caste presents the classic midnight 1777 Steiner Street, San Francisco ’Lights is a chapter of Starfleet International movie the first Saturday of the month, www.sfbrowncoats.com and a swell group of science fiction fans. We alternating between the Clay in San Francisco SF Firefly/Serenity fans usually meet up on the do more than Trek. Usually meets the third and the Guild in Menlo Park. second Saturday of the month. Saturday of the month, with social event Midnight Noon Free TBD. December 19th is a festive potluck at the Hooverarium Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Club Silicon Gulch Browncoats 7 p.m. Free Clayton Books Various locations (see website for details) 5433 D Clayton Road, Clayton www.silicongulchbrowncoats.org Veritech Fighter Command ONE-THREE www.claytonbookshop.com Silicon Valley fans of Firefly/Serenity meet up Round Table Pizza Meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month. The on the first Saturday of the month. 4403 Elkhorn Blvd, Sacramento December 16th meeting is a favorite book Noon - 2 p.m. Free 916-338-2300 exchange. The book for January 20th Anime/cosplay group usually meets the last is Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire. USS Augusta Ada Saturday of the month at 1800 hours. 7:30 p.m. Free Round Table Pizza 6 p.m. Free 3567 Geary Blvd, San Francisco trek.starshine.org Augusta Ada is both a chapter of Starfleet International and a Linux and *BSD user group. Usually meets the fourth Saturday of every month. 1 p.m. Free

48 Round and Round by Lucy Huntzinger 49 Bay Area Fannish Calendar Ð December 2009

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

MGI SFF/H Writing BASFA MGI Boffers BA Role-Playing Soc FyDy SyFy Sakuramento Anime Dukefish E.Bay Strategy Games SF Games SV Boardgamers Fanboy Planet Podcast SV Boardgamers 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 Dickens Fair (thru Holiday Anime Fair Dec 20) The Phenomenauts Time Tunnel Silicon Browncoats Rocky Horror

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Foothill Anime Leonardo Art Science SF&F Writers’ Group Club Clockwork Writers With Drinks Evening Rendezvous East Bay Star Wars Webcomic-con (LASER) USS Northern Lights The Aquabats Fantastic Frontiers No-Name Anime SF Browncoats 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 SACCON Rifftrax Christmas Tangential USS Defiance Micro Gods, Inc Gay Men’s Book Club Shorts - Stravaganza Conjectures Clockwork SF SF Santa Rosa Meetup (thru Thurs) USS Northern Lights Clayton SFF Book Club

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 SF/F Book Club Other Realms Legion of Rassilon USS Augusta Ada Veritech Fighter Cmd 13

27 28 29 30 31 1 2 Religion & SF Victorian 12th Night Ball

Science Fiction/San Francisco #99 – December 9, 2009 – SF/SF is the twice-monthly news zine for the San Francisco Bay Area – www.efanzines.com. 50