ConClave, Day 1: They Came

[filkertom]

Got to the con about noon, got badge with no trouble, got hugs right off the bat, all good. :) Anne and huskiebear showed up around 1:30. We meandered down to see part of Juanita's concert. She really is in fine form as of late -- I think not having to work a dealer's table has left more energy for her to channel into her performances.

Les mentioned that violinsontv had officially got a decently meaty part in a local production of To Kill A Mockingbird, and was hoping to get together with us for a celebratory dinner or somethin'. We started setting up for that just before my concert.

As I was getting up on stage, Alyssia (who has come to many of my concerts before) brought me a present: An official Tom Smith Plugged My Little Pony, with "WWFD" on the other side. It's adorable, and I put it up on stage with me. Grinning, I sat down to perform. And then I looked up.

They came.

My sister, brother-in-law, and their three kids, whom I love to death. And whom I have invited time and again to come see me actually perform at a local con.

They came.

I have a room full of friends and fans, Anne is just off to my left, and now my family.

They came.

I was giddy.

I think the concert went well. There was a lot of schtick, a lot of played-up interruption from the audience, a lot of oh my yes I am happy, and an occasional editing-out-on-the-fly of a bad word that might freak out my sister and her husband.

And I sold a little after, and I heard ladyat and bedlamhouse do a few very good numbers before I went out into the hall and found my family, birth and chosen -- and Karen was there by this point, no kidlet in sight, looking forward to an "adult dinner". I hugged my nieces and nephew, hugged my sister and BIL, hugged Karen, hugged Anne, man oh man I was a happy camper.

To celebrate, Anne, Les, Karen, and I went across the street to the pricy but excellent Leonardo's Italian Grill. Les's niece works there, and she took great care of us, and the antipasto was superb, and the seafood fettuccine was to die for (no, really, the alfredo sauce could inflict arterial blockage by proximity alone), and the company was beyond wonderful, and then we went back to the con.

Anne ended up going home. Les, Karen and I hung out for awhile, talking with sethb and dhstein and excellent folks like that, but we realized we were all getting damn bone-weary. I ended up leaving a bit after 8:30, and I swear to FSM I got inside the house and went straight to bed. Didn't even bother booting up, going to the bathroom, nothin'.

And now it's a lovely Sunday, and I'll be heading back to the con in a couple of hours. catalana has a concert at noon, and Juanita has another at 1:00. I offered to join her and tag-team it, so we'll have a little fun.

And how's your weekend?

Comments

[hms42]

Out at Albacon, having fun seeing friends in this area. The filking was lighter than usual since the Boston people were not here. (This convention is very filk light, usually with space for open filk and a circle forms most years.)

Roberta Rogow did a concert and then she traded songs with one person for about an hour. (They had some good songs, but mostly commercial songs based.)

[jss]

Have spent most of it so far either asleep — 11 hours Friday night and another 12 last night — or on the couch. I think I finally lost the battle against the cold I'd been fighting for the last week or so.

[zellion.livejournal.com]

Eh, this afternoon should be interesting. Some dear friends of ours are having a get together- it's not a type of celebration I've ever been to before. It's for a beloved member of the family who has what is inevitably a terminal disease, and so my friends said, "Screw this we're going to celebrate while he's still with us."

[judifilksign.livejournal.com]

Got to go out to my anime club on Friday night, and an afternoon of chatting, kidlet playdate and dinner on Saturday with close friends. Happymaking.

I'm so pleased your genetic family got to see you in your element with your family of choice!

[markbernstein.livejournal.com]

Damn good. My concert Friday night got a bigger turnout than I expected. Since I had over an hour to fill, I pulled out stuff I haven't done in some time, and everything was well received. After that, some good socializing in the Dorsai suite. I got home later than I should have, but that's OK.

Saturday, got up early, because I have foolishly managed to get myself elected to the DI Board of Directors, and we had a breakfast meeting in the hotel restaurant before the general business meeting. Both meetings went very smoothly.

Lots more socializing Saturday afternoon, popping in and out of concerts, and more. Was one of only three audience members at Bob and Halina's medical panel, which meant I got a lot of time to review stuff I've been doing and taking. Turns out I'm doing pretty much everything right. (Well, except for that whole eating too much and not exercising enough thing.)

I'm glad I got to see Karen. Sorry I missed having dinner with y'all, but I got snagged by paltergo, Howard, and Juanita, and we went over to the Merriman Street Grill. Saturday night, helped a little with setting up the DI party, then more socializing.

Probably staying home today.

[the_rck]

Cordelia had a soccer game and a playdate yesterday. Apart from that, it's mostly been domestic chores so that we're ready for the week to come. Today will bring a trip to the library and maybe another outing if all goes well. We'll see.

[cathain.livejournal.com]

WE HAVE A NEW BABY!!!!! Melody Jean came into this world a little after 5 yesterday. She is my new granddaughter. She was named that because our entire family have been musicians for at least three generations. I honestly think it's genetic. I call her the "little songbird".

[kshandra]

We had one of these for dancingshaman last year. It was a great goodness. I hope it goes as well for you and yours.

[virtualvirtue.livejournal.com]

Very good. Daughter and nephew went with husband to play games yesterday. First time "gaming" for my nephew. He enjoyed it alot and will be coming back to the minis meets when they have them.

And if I could get rid of this cold...it would be perfect. I actually got a "whoa" from someone at work last Monday because my voice was that low (I sounded like I had a 6 pack a day habit).

[jannyblue.livejournal.com]

Went to a fall fair, so now I'm full of kettle corn and apple cider.

I went down a big bumpy slide at the fair, too.

It started getting really crowded around the time I left, so I suppose my timing was pretty good.

This weekend I'm working on housework and packing for my move... and I'm off work tomorrow thanks to the holiday.

(edited for clarity)

[ericcoleman]

Toyboat spent 4 or so hours yesterday torturing a certain filker's music.

It was Pythonacon, and we spent a lot of time watching things Python, playing music. I got to spend a lot of time with my Lady, who also met another of the WSPA. It was terrifying ... the world is in such trouble.

I am now back home in my living room and relaxing. It's been a marvelous weekend.

[jss]

> I went down a big bumpy slide at the fair, too.

I had a discussion earlier today about Sanders' bumpy cake, so my brain immediately conflated that with your statement as "went down a big bumpy cake at the fair" and I got the mental image of someone sliding down a giant [slice of] bumpy cake.

My mind is a strange place some times.

[terriwells.livejournal.com]

Oh my...Friday saw "Alpha and Omega." It was okay, but not one I'd see twice.

Saturday I got together with jcbemis and fla_sunshine. Judy saw "Secretariat," while Tony and I caught "Easy A," and we were both happy with our choices. Then we grabbed dinner at Wolfgang Puck, and saw Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba." I hadn't ever seen a Cirque du Soleil performance before, and really enjoyed it.

Today Tony and I ate out at Cheezer's Palace (I had banana bread French toast -- very dangerous), and checked out the local farmer's market. I got some good advice on the tomato plant I'm growing; I'll probably transplant it to a bigger pot next weekend (if it's safe...turns out the thing might actually be trying to flower now!). After that we did some shopping...and I got a new TV, bringing me into the 21st century (or it will when I get it set up).

Tomorrow looks set to be awesome, as I'll be doing a special seven-hour Disney tour...if I can get up early enough. Whew!

[alverant.livejournal.com]

Interesting weekend so far. Had some good game time with friends, online and offline. Beat Civ5 for the first time. Ironically it was with a random game setting. Once you get used to the changes, it's fun. I went to this restaurant yesterday and had this soda called Red Cream which was pretty good. The really weird thing is that I went to their other location a few years ago for lunch and ran from the parking lot of the office to the bathroom for sudden stomach problems. I thought that since it was a different year, different location, different food that it wouldn't happen again. It did. Twice. At least it was at the supermarket men's room so other people have to clean (yes, I got the worst of it).

My work is having a chili cook-off for Halloween. I made a testing batch today and will give a co-worker a sample tomorrow. I put bacon, marinated top round steak, turkey sausage, beer, and smoked paprika salt as secret ingredients. That should impress a few people (the winner of last year's city chili cook-off had steak, the runner up had bacon as a garnish).

Also managed to catch Law & Order UK on BBC. For any L&O fans, it's a good show close to the original. The two episodes I saw had a landlord forcing her tenants out, killing a baby in the process and a tweener who is genetically predisposed to violence charged with murder.

Gotta go back to work tomorrow and I feel anxiety. This job is more stressful than others. I don't recall being this nervous on a Sunday night before. I don't know why. The worst they can do is fire me and they can't do that until this big project is finished.

[alverant.livejournal.com]

Forgot to mention, I got the audio CD version of the first four Tad Williams' Otherland books. I hope it's the unabridged versions. But since I got it through "alternate means", I can't complain if it isn't.

My gaming friends want me to GM a campaign. I'm thinking of a SF one but I can't think too far ahead in terms of major story arcs.

[jenk]

Helped skydancer put in a new floor at his house. IKEA laminate flooring, lots of crawling of the floor, he has blisters on his knees...but it's done! Yay!

[catalana.livejournal.com]

*hugs* It was great to see you, even if not for nearly long enough! And I'm so glad your family were able to see you perform. My dad has only ever once made it to a convention to hear me, but it meant a lot to me that he could go.