ConText So Far

[filkertom]

A fine time as usual. Between hanging around with nice people like Mark Peters and rms_butterfly after Opening Ceremonies and remembering where's what in this hotel, I just barely made it to my 9:00 Friday set. As it was supposed to segue into the Open Filk, I went about 1:15. A small but enthusiastic crowd, grown to about two dozen by the end. One of my favorite parts was a guy named Roy who wanted to know if I could do some Johnny Cash. I made up a five-verse riff on "Folsom Prison Blues", and suddenly this guy is my new best friend. Unfortunately, I wasn't recording this set, and I didn't see that anyone else had either, so it's lost to history, but it was a lot of fun.

Afterwards, I stayed at the open filk till about 11:30, and went up to the room.

And could not get to sleep. Till about 2:00. And then I woke up at 7:00.

Damn hamsters.

So I ended up getting some more sleep, at last, and basically stayed in the room till about 3:00. After that, I hung out down by the dealer's room, talking with all sorts of lovely folks, including Juanita, Trace, the Winks, Sally, etc., etc. Saw but didn't have a chance to talk to Kim, so I'll have to do that today. Bought a few raffle tickets -- we'll see if I get toys. ;) Also got a couple of old classic boxed D&D campaigns for $10 each. Probably shouldn't have, but I wanted them, my precious. Very happy.

Bill Roper came along, and asked about dinner. So he, Juanita and I went over to Champps, and I got a quite serviceable French Dip sammich, and we sat and talked about Every Little Thing for awhile. Very nice, and not something I get much of a chance for lately. I do think, however, that at OVFF I'm gonna try Sushi Ko -- it was getting some good buzz.

At 7:00 we had a vaguely described filk panel. I'd been trading e-mails with the moderator, and thought it might end up being us talking about and maybe singing the music we like to listen to on our own time. It kinda morphed into Juanita and Bill sharing Tales Of When Filk Was Young, with me throwing in a few con stories and jokes along the way. Pleasant.

I had to miss Bill's concert, which distressed me, but I got down there for the open filk, which basically consisted of the three of us and a few listeners. So the evening-long conversation continued there, punctuated with songs. Oh so very fun.

I finally wrapped up a bit before 12:30, and got to sleep by about 1:30, so the gap is narrowing, at least.

And now I'm going to get my stuff out to the van, come back in, and hang around for a few hours before getting some Skyline Chili for lunch and then heading home.

How's your weekend been?

Comments

[joshuwain.livejournal.com]

Y'know, although I envy you your wondrous weekend so far, I'm really lovin' mine. I've done NOTHING! This is the first weekend all summer where I've had no games, no movies, no Ren Fest, no State Fair, no birthdays, no weddings, no ANYTHING! :)

I've been able to relax, take a nap or two, make some nice food, do some writing, and just veg out... Ahhhh! Gotta love it, eh?

[sdelmonte]

Quiet but good. Aside from that little bit of squee involving Batya and the Pegasi. But as she hasn't posted about it, I am not saying anything just yet.

Am soon off to Mets game with discounted StubHub tickets. I don't care how bad they are this year - sometimes you just gotta go to a ballgame.

[braider.livejournal.com]

Wanna meet at Skyline? What time and which one?

[markbernstein.livejournal.com]

My weekend's been quite good, thanks. Friday, I stopped at Borders and bought An Artificial Night, the new October Daye book by Seanan McGuire. Yesterday was the annual DI Summer Gather out at the Simmons house, and a grand time was had by all. Today is mostly for relaxing and reading, with a rehearsal tonight at which I'll have very little to do. (We're running the first half or so of Act I - 49 pages of script, and I'm on stage for five pages and have one line. ;) )

Sticker seen as I walked along Liberty Street on Friday: "What would Yoda do? Your ass kick it he would."

[jannyblue.livejournal.com]

I do think, however, that at OVFF I'm gonna try Sushi Ko -- it was getting some good buzz.

I keep coming up with more and more reasons that I want to go to OVFF... I just might have to do it.

How's your weekend been?

My weekend = busy but occasionally interesting.

Yesterday, I gathered laundry and was going to drop it off when I said (and I quote) OMG, WTF? BBQ! and meant it literally. The management company was doing a "free to all residents" barbecue that I was not previously aware would be happening. The food was good, and it was a bit low-key, which is how I like it. (But I could NOT has cheezburger - there was no cheese!)

Today, I've been packing up things I think I can live without until I move and unpack in my new place, and will go drop off that laundry I never got around to dropping off yesterday because I was distracted by grilling.

[pocketnaomi.livejournal.com]

I have so far slept through almost all of it -- Friday night, woke up for a few hours Saturday morning, went back to sleep before noon, and stayed that way till 4AM Sunday. I'm up now, for the moment, hoping to sty awake most of the day and get to bed early tonight, since I have a Very Busy Week.

The sleep was got in my son's room (he's away for the weekend), in a bed only a preschooler could sleep in without discomfort, so I woke up in considerable pain. Doing better after a few hours to stretch, and some painkillers.

Since the whole sleep-around-the-clock escapade was deliberately designed to try to break a pain flare I was in, it's hard to tell yet whether it worked... it may have been accidentally sabotaged by using the wrong bed (I didn't want to sleep around the clock in my own room because it meant Callie couldn't do anything in there during the daytime, which would not have been fair). Even so, I'm feeling a bit better than when I began the whole thing, which was really awful, so I'll continue to hope it's getting better.

I hate fibro flares. I really do.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Not sure when I'm gonna get out of here, but likely around two-ish at the one just off High Street (US-23) at the south end of the shopping district with the Giant Eagle, Getgo, WalMart, etc.

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

It's always fun when Internet phrases appear IRL. We had that happen at a con a few years back, when somebody found one of our shirts so funny that they were literally ROTFL in front of the table!

[gorgeousgary]

Same with me and the Nationals. I've been to two games this year.

And yes, much to squee about on this year's ballot. 8-)

[capt-video.livejournal.com]

Grocery shopping today, followed by a trip to my kid brother's house to be introduced to a kitten. If we hit it off, he'll be coming to live with me!


(The kitten, not the brother...)

[jannyblue.livejournal.com]

LOL

[gorgeousgary]

Quiet weekend here. Relaxing in my new computer desk chair, which is much more comfortable and better with back support than my old chair. We watched Chinatown last night courtesy of Netflix. Few more errands today and other stuff around the house.

Musically, I'm working towards the next major event on our schedule, which is a weekend retreat with the traditional folkies in early October. Primarily this consists of dusting off and practicing the folk stuff I pretty much only sing at that particular event. Trying to learn a few new songs as well.

[sveethot.livejournal.com]

I spent most of yesterday and earlier today completing the military jacket for FenCon. It's finally done and now I'm pissing off & watching Steamboy. At some point I'll get up and find some chow - Italian sounds good.

[braider.livejournal.com]

Are we talking the one north of 270, in Powell?

[mdlbear]

Pretty quiet. Spent most of yesterday hanging out with some friends who are moving next weekend. Nominally helping to pack, but mostly just hanging out, assisting in ways that wouldn't aggravate a dicey back. Turned into a Rise Up Singing song circle on the back end.

[solarbird]

Actually I spent most of yesterday (other than practice time) climbing about on a roof, cleaning it, and installing gutter screens. Strangely, I had a very nice time. (I really do like up just in general, and the weather was cool and pleasant, so that's obviously why, but still.)

My hands are all scratched up now tho'. :p And I need to buy a zillion more gutter screens. But the every-year problem spots (which are the test locations) are screened now. I hope this works!

[braider.livejournal.com]

Reviewing locations of Walmarts and Getgos as opposed to Skylines, yes, yes we are. I'm heading to the con hotel - need to look at the rooms again for OVFF anyway, and I'll drive up after you.

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

I took my canoe off the forms and turned it right side up, to start work on the inside. In fact I'm taking a break now so I don't ruin my wrists with too much sanding.

[alverant.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the kitten! I hope he/she has a feline playmate!

[alverant.livejournal.com]

Well much of it was spent trying to recover from the work week. Last week my job satisfaction went from high to very low. I learned the boss was a shouter a while ago but recently it was focused in my direction. The BIG project was being delayed due to constant changes and is again delayed due to bad assumptions. But, naturally, I was the focus for her wrath even though I wasn't the one who wanted the changes. She sounds perpetually angry. The other employees say it's just how she is. I say that no excuse to shout at your employees.

So after the stress nearly giving me an anxiety attack (or worse) I had to look inside myself for answers. First was that this job won't be forever. One day it will be a memory. Second is that when that day comes, I don't really care if it is or it is not of my own choosing. Third is that I should be happy that I have a job. Even though working in a hostile environment isn't a big improvement except for financial and employment reasons.

So I'm making peace with myself and check some job boards to see what's out there. I spent some time playing games and later this evening I want to put together a list of what needs to be done for the new DucKon site and MAYBE post it.

Oh yes, send an email to the MuseCon people and ask for advice on how to learn guitar.

[tcgtrf.livejournal.com]

When I took a short-term day job last spring (when Sean was first out of work), I ended up with a boss who screamed at me whenever I was right. I feel your pain.

That's what convinced me, more than anything else, that I will never work for anyone else again.

Tom

[judifilksign.livejournal.com]

Relaxing after the first week back to school.

Had a nice cookout with some coworkers, and caught up with them.

Today, it's climb Mt. Washmore, and fold and put away the newly clean clothes so we all have something to wear next week.

[alverant.livejournal.com]

I've worked for small businesses before and I have friends who run their own small company. It takes a special kind of person to be your own boss. It's an enormous amount of work and responsibility and the reward is mostly self-satisfaction. Running my own business is not for me. I couldn't handle the pressure.

My hats off to those who can handle it and succeed though.

[wildcard9.livejournal.com]

Birthday dinner for two friends last night. It was supposed to be followed up by gaming, but most people had an early morning event to attend today, so gaming was cancelled. The few of us left tried to see a movie at the theater in the same parking lot as the restaraunt we did the dinner at, and found that the next movie worth seeing was over an hour away from starting. At that point, we all just said good-bye and went our separate ways. Today was catching up on errands and relaxing in 95 degree temp at the condo pool. So a nice down day for me.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

And the chili, and the company, were most excellent. :)

[starmalachite.livejournal.com]

I keep coming up with more and more reasons that I want to go to OVFF... I just might have to do it.

Want to room with Steve & me?

[starmalachite.livejournal.com]

stevemb & I did opening day of the Maryland Renaissance Festival (http://www.rennfest.com/) yesterday. Today brought birthday lunch for a friend at Famous Dave's followed by selecting a new ceiling fan to replace the dead one (maybe we can actually get it installed in time for the >95 temps later this week) & scoring some major bargains on clothing at Kohl's.

[jannyblue.livejournal.com]

Possibly. I have to see what my finances look like.

Plane tickets aren't exactly pocket-change these days.

[jannyblue.livejournal.com]

Will there be pictures of this kitten?

[capt-video.livejournal.com]

The kitten came home with me... he's stripey right now, but I believe he'll be a solid cream when he grows up. Unfortunately, he'll be an only cat (at least for now) but given the neglectful/borderline abusive situation he's coming from, I think it's for the best.

I don't know how to add photos to a LJ post, but anyone who's interested is welcome to take a look at the 2 photos of Chai (so far!) on my Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001093182490

[poltr1]

Context was out of my budget this year. As long as I'm unemployed, cons will continue to be a luxury I can't afford. So I spent Saturday puttering around, and Sunday with my daughter watching Dinosaurs and going out for pizza.

[starmalachite.livejournal.com]

As of last week, Southwest was offering $58 each way fares to Columbus from BWI.

[jannyblue.livejournal.com]

I'd have to compare that with the cost of a ride to BWI from here...

It might end up being cheaper to fly out of Reagan, even if I have to take a taxi home...