ConTata

[filkertom]

I'm here.

Except for the last hour and a half (oh, the joy of New Jersey divided roads -- you can't make a left or U-turn for, literally, miles, and you have to make a right turn to do it), the drive out to Parsippany was a delight. Lovely weather, open roads, only a bit of construction delay, I-80 is much better than the Pennsylvania Turnpike in every respect... if I have to do to Philly in the near future, I'm takin' the 80 and cutting south at Scranton. (Yes, I was at the top of a hill, and, yes, I have bananas.)

After getting directions from a helpful person, I finally found the dang Hilton at about 11:00 p.m.. Merav and John were just unloading, and Harold Stein and Josh Kronengold were there, along with Paul Grossman in charge of kids' programming and his wife Miri who's a big fan of mine, and Mark Bernstein came out a few minutes later, and Peter Alway was at the front desk, and I made it all the way from Ann Arbor in one day and I'm situated at the con hotel and friends are here and there's a pool and yeah.

The full schedule is here. Get ready --(dun dun DUNNNN) a desperate attempt (at least on my part) of The Rocky Horror Muppet Show will be made Saturday at 9:30 p.m.

The fantastic Judi Miller is the GOH, and she'll be singing and signing all weekend. Lots of concerts, including InterFilk GOHs Pavlov's Duck. Themed concerts, lots of open sings of course, a Joe Bethancourt Benefit Concert, more more more. Heck, astronomy -- Peter's organizing stargazing out in the parking lot both nights.

Who's here, or on the way? Or, if you're not here, what are your plans for the Fourth of July Weekend?

Comments

[hms42]

I have seen LadyMontegreen and other members of the concom running around. We are starting to gather for a great weekend.

Thank you for coming out, Tom!

[ericcoleman]

Currently we are having breakfast and watching How It's Done. At 1 we will go to the pool for a bit, then off to Des Moines for an Iowa Cubs game. The rest of the weekend will be spent relaxing, and occasionally watching things blow up. I'm sorry we can't be there, but after the 11 days on the road that I just had, it's a good thing.

[sdelmonte]

Paul's wife is Miri, and she's one of Batya's clones (as are Merav and Seanan, even though each is very different).

I am so utterly jealous now, since we cannot attend due to Batya's mourning period. But with any luck, I will be there Sunday for the Bethancourt fundraiser and Ben's musical. Have an awesome time till I get there!

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

I do hope you can make it! And please pass along virtual hugs to Batya.

[batyatoon]

Virtual hugs received and offered back.

Y'all have an awesome time and rock the house down. :D

[roman-mclaze.livejournal.com]

I was planning to rock the mic down at Expressions Cafe (lovely place!) today, but I picked up a case of the Creeping Con-Crud at Origins, and currently sound like a poorly auto-tuned 14-year-old.

Instead, I'll be spending today in a hot tub, and claiming it is for medicinal purposes.

[rms-butterfly.livejournal.com]

Mark, Em and I aren't there, but please collect hugs from me via Douglas and Juliana, who are there w Judi as We're Not Koi. *hugs* and have a great con!

[janedit.livejournal.com]

Celebrating with barbecue from Woody's--and our usual rousing toast, "Fooey to King George!"

[ladystarblade.livejournal.com]

Incon this evening, U2 show in Nashville tomorrow, then back to Indy for Sunday Incon.

Good thing it's all straight shots and I like driving...

[alverant.livejournal.com]

No real plans yet. May do a cook out on the 4th. May see Transformers on Sunday. May try to get some more sleep.

You have a good time though!

[dr-zrfq.livejournal.com]

Sorry, won't be there -- I had expected to be doing family stuff, which imploded at the eleventh hour, but the budget doesn't allow for last minute 250+ mile trips. So we're staying near DC for this weekend.

[virtualvirtue.livejournal.com]

Dealing with a depressed 9 year old because we can't go see gramma because our dog has fleas and it isn't nice to share those with gramma's dog.

Staying home for the first 4th in 9 or so years. Enjoying my house and back yard. Maybe some sewing, crocheting, and grilling out.

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

Working on the canoe. She's getting close to being done--for "about two weeks" values of close.

Maybe working with the sound files Peter and I recorded Tuesday, if the canoe goes well.

Probably have a cookout in the back yard for the 4th.

[hvideo.livejournal.com]

WesterCon started about 6 hours ago. I won't be able to actually get DOWN there until tomorrow (at the earliest), but that's the plan for the weekend. Maybe a BBQ on the 4th, but not heading out to see fireworks. So many places around here have decided NOT to do them this year (budget cuts) that the ones that still ARE doing them will be even more mobbed than usual.