Novacon!

[tamaranth]

Novacon was hectic but fun. Highlights included:
- being calligraphed by the delightful maryread (thank you!) on Friday night. I also suggested that lproven might receive the tag "Carpe diem" (fish of the day).

Apparently, the mundanes locals in the bar were asking "Why's he got 'Carpet Man' written on his head?"

Carpet Man, Carpet Man
Does whatever a carpet can ...
Prizes for best completion of verse. And photos to follow. Camera is in Kent.

Saturday dawned, presumably. Rather later, so did I. Went to programme items: Space Tourism (good, though slightly imbalanced by hearty contributions from the business (as opposed to SF) end of the panel, and by Julian Headlong's repeated references to vomit in freefall); Farah Mendlesohn interviewing GOH Jon Courtenay Grimwood, who is a fascinating speaker (I enjoyed the interview even though I've not yet read Effendi or Felaheen -- keep meaning to, though); and the Play, scripted by swisstone, in which my line surely shone out as a comi-tragic highpoint. Or maybe that was the fish.

At least swisstone and his charming accomplice landlady made me watch the first three episodes of Black Books recently, so I had some vague idea of what was going on. Some.

Later that night, a vast dragon (or possibly Feorag's pet) swallowed the moon. Shame on those who sat inside and couldn't be bothered to go and look (being exhausted, or being in a room party, are valid excuses). Nothing like an eclipse to give one a sense of proportion (and you know how often I lose mine). It was good to see the hotel staff lured outside by fannish enthusiasm, too.

flyingsauce has a link to his excellent photos from the convention, including several of fans watching the moon ...

Sunday was rather quiet. Star-studded panel on alternate histories, chaired by Paul Kincaid, featuring Charles Stross, Ken McLeod, Jon Courtenay Grimwood and Harry Harrison; ably heckled by Farah Mendlesohn. After this, ladymoonray was kind enough to take me, plus gummitch and lproven, into Birmingham to see Once Upon a Time in Mexico (again) -- a film, unlike Walsall, that is full of sunlight and colour and senseless violence. (Actually, maybe the latter is common to both). lproven didn't like it, but never mind: I did.

Sunday night brought the Arabesk Experience, North African cuisine chosen by Jon Courtenay Grimwood and well-cooked by the hotel. It also brought pink!drink in the bar, and the return of the Muzak. I remember a long discussion of why Prince Charles' current difficulties require the exhumation of Diana to be resolved. (And whether Diana really did have an affair with Bryan Adams). Where is selective memory when you need it, hmmm?

Monday consisted mainly of travelling, waiting to travel or bemoaning the need to travel. I hitched a lift back to London with fishlifter and nolley (or possibly collyer, I lose track). Once I was home I frantically spammed LJ for an hour, then went back out to the Borders SF evening, featuring Gwyneth Jones and ... Farah Mendlesohn. Truly there is no escape! (Wouldn't have gone, but I am supposed to be writing an article on Gwyneth and reviewing Burning the Midnight Lamp, out very soon, so I felt it was worth postponing Collapse to Sofa).

I'd been asked to pass on a question from swisstone about whether Gwyneth Jones had been influenced by Pete Townshend's The Lighthouse, and especially by its eventual production as an unimpressive radio play. (I paraphrase). "No," said Gwyneth; "more by the Levellers and Hendrix."

"When you say the Levellers," Farah began cautiously, "do you mean the historical Levellers? Or are they a band?"

"Popular beat combo, m'lud," we chorussed.

Then Gwyneth (who had a cold) went home, and I went home, and everyone else went to the pub.

To conclude:

Novacon was brilliant and I received an excellent selection of fanzines, which I shall read just as soon as I retrieve them from ladymoonray's car.

And now -- Wednesday -- I am starting to show signs of life again, and am remarkably energetic and productive. Even contemplating unsolicited fan-writing. Will it last? Place your bets ...

Comments

[the-gardener.livejournal.com]

Carpet Man, Carpet Man
Does whatever a carpet can ...
Prizes for best completion of verse.

You may be disappointed(?) to learn that there is already a song entitled "Carpet Man": it's by The Fifth Dimension, from 1968. More details here (http://members.aol.com/laruemccoo/).

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

I need to hear that song! That blast from the past!

And you know I am always fascinated by the murky depths of your musical knowledge ...

[green-amber.livejournal.com]

I'll place an order for unsolicited fanwriting if you prefer :)

Damn, I was one of the ones room-partying Sat night - I'd like to have seen the eclipse.

Do you mean your bags are still locked in the car !!??

Remind me your snail address again for Floss..

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

eclipse went on for ages: surprised you missed it!

Will email you with snail address ...