balticonnery
May. 31st, 2010 10:08 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anotheranonAfter many years of always having something else to do, I finally made it out for a day trip to this large regional sci-fi con.
It was fun :)
How it different from Costume Con, Gaylaxicon: more vending, fewer costumes, varied programming. I was pleasantly surprised at how strong the science track was. Easily the best panel I attended was a simulation of a medical emergency on Mars that introduced the complications of needing to sustain life support, get everyone home, and convey detailed instructions from Mission Control knowing there's a 20 minute delay and communications blackout period. Normally I shy away from participatory things like this because I don't like to put myself out there but I'm glad![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kiya talked me into it - I would completely do the like again, it was so involving!
I hung out withkiya and lady_masque most of the day - they've been going 5 years running and had recommendations to make, things to see, etc. As writers the writer/writing panels were their area of expertise, and I attended several with them, including one on niche marketing and a very good one on women of honor and valor. The latter was a discussion between several authors who write kick-ass women, including the guest of honor Tanya Huff (I have not read her work - yes, I am poorly versed :P), and it was very thought provoking: much as I love the warrior woman trope it is becoming just that - a stereotype. Also, sometimes valor isn't just leaving no (wo)man behind, it's also knowing when to sacrifice the few to save even more, and living with that decision.
I ran intomadbodger and fizzygeek very briefly - regrettably I didn't run into them again, but at a convention this size it's easy to lose track of people. It's also unfortunately easy to get tired - standing and walking are very wearing on me for some reason and a lot of the panels were standing room only. Between that and an attack of allergies that left my eyes streaming, I was exhausted by the end of the day.
Vending was large and mostly book related, but I managed to behave myself(!) I paid the "Whedon tithe" by picking up Finding Serenity/Serenity Found over at Firefly Cargo Bay and atjlsjlsjls' recommendation, BadAss Faeries 3.
I wound out the day with drinks and strawberries inkiya and lady_masque's hotel room and chatted with them and some of their writing friends about all and sundry. I had to leave by around 10 (see: exhausted/streaming eyes) and was reminded again that when the conversation is good there is never, ever enough time.
Summary: It was tres cool and I had fun! I would do it again, but try fervently not to carry a purse or bag, as it's hard on my back. And I'd be sure and make more time for conversation.
It was fun :)
How it different from Costume Con, Gaylaxicon: more vending, fewer costumes, varied programming. I was pleasantly surprised at how strong the science track was. Easily the best panel I attended was a simulation of a medical emergency on Mars that introduced the complications of needing to sustain life support, get everyone home, and convey detailed instructions from Mission Control knowing there's a 20 minute delay and communications blackout period. Normally I shy away from participatory things like this because I don't like to put myself out there but I'm glad
kiya talked me into it - I would completely do the like again, it was so involving!I hung out with
kiya and lady_masque most of the day - they've been going 5 years running and had recommendations to make, things to see, etc. As writers the writer/writing panels were their area of expertise, and I attended several with them, including one on niche marketing and a very good one on women of honor and valor. The latter was a discussion between several authors who write kick-ass women, including the guest of honor Tanya Huff (I have not read her work - yes, I am poorly versed :P), and it was very thought provoking: much as I love the warrior woman trope it is becoming just that - a stereotype. Also, sometimes valor isn't just leaving no (wo)man behind, it's also knowing when to sacrifice the few to save even more, and living with that decision.I ran into
madbodger and fizzygeek very briefly - regrettably I didn't run into them again, but at a convention this size it's easy to lose track of people. It's also unfortunately easy to get tired - standing and walking are very wearing on me for some reason and a lot of the panels were standing room only. Between that and an attack of allergies that left my eyes streaming, I was exhausted by the end of the day.Vending was large and mostly book related, but I managed to behave myself(!) I paid the "Whedon tithe" by picking up Finding Serenity/Serenity Found over at Firefly Cargo Bay and at
jlsjlsjls' recommendation, BadAss Faeries 3.I wound out the day with drinks and strawberries in
kiya and lady_masque's hotel room and chatted with them and some of their writing friends about all and sundry. I had to leave by around 10 (see: exhausted/streaming eyes) and was reminded again that when the conversation is good there is never, ever enough time.Summary: It was tres cool and I had fun! I would do it again, but try fervently not to carry a purse or bag, as it's hard on my back. And I'd be sure and make more time for conversation.
