Our friend Louis Adkins is trying to escape WV for the relatively tame wilds of Washington state. Won't you help?
Home Again, Home Again
Oct. 28th, 2013 07:23 pmHome at last from the Great Adventure. Quite wonderful adventure, really -- FenCon was excellent, spending a week with my mom and NOT sightseeing was restful, ConChord was great, and the travel itself was awesome (although there were a few mountain roads that kinda freaked me out).
Da Big Finale, of course, was OVFF, and I think this year's unofficial theme was The Summer Of Love, because we were pretty much all over each other with hugs and affection and support all weekend. The music was pretty great, too, and Alexander James Adams, S.J. Tucker, and Betsy Tinney -- collectively Tricky Pixie -- finished on Sunday with one of the absolute best concerts I've ever attended.
Now I catch up with my sleep, a few TV episodes I have to watch, and getting ready for WindyCon next weekend. I think I'll try to finally get to Gravity either Tuesday or Thursday.
And how's by you?
Da Big Finale, of course, was OVFF, and I think this year's unofficial theme was The Summer Of Love, because we were pretty much all over each other with hugs and affection and support all weekend. The music was pretty great, too, and Alexander James Adams, S.J. Tucker, and Betsy Tinney -- collectively Tricky Pixie -- finished on Sunday with one of the absolute best concerts I've ever attended.
Now I catch up with my sleep, a few TV episodes I have to watch, and getting ready for WindyCon next weekend. I think I'll try to finally get to Gravity either Tuesday or Thursday.
And how's by you?
I am bummed that I did not make GenCon Indy this year, but it was my own fault. I really didn't plan for it, and I didn't save up any money for it. Even if I had made it, it would've been a skin-of-the-teeth thing, and that ain't no way to do something like GenCon. So, next year.
Meantime, I have a lot of upcoming stuff, and you can all be part of it:
Second: The FenCon/ConChord/Back To OVFF trip. Between FenCon and ConChord, I will have about ten days to play with. Three of them will be spent in travel just getting out there; I'll likely spend a few days visiting my mom, out in Phoenix. Once I get to San Diego, I hope to spend one day up in Anaheim, at Disneyland.
I'd like at least one, and up to three, to be house concerts. If anybody's interested.
The available dates would be Oct. 8-14, depending on where I am on my westward journey -- e.g., it's much easier for me to do Texas on the 8th through 10th than on the 13th and 14th. Anywhere in Dallas, or possibly Austin; along I-20, or I-10, heading towards Arizona; or between San Diego and Los Angeles. A few hours of absolute insanity, live in your living room/den/gazebo/whatever. You know the drill: I ask a small donation; the host/hostess gets free albums and a recording of the concert; the other guests get serious discounts on merch; and everyone gets a silly, fun evening.
Just for everyone's convenience, my intention is to stay at a local hotel where possible, although we can talk about that.
Anyone interested in hosting something?
I've been thinking of doing a live video concert or three for awhile now... but the tech has always been a bit shaky. Not anymore. Concert Window has opened up the possibility of actually being able to charge admission and everything (including a pay-what-you-want option), while having WAY more robust servers than anything I could access otherwise.
So. If I had a half-hour to forty-five-minute online concert at Concert Window -- say, sometime in December -- would anybody be interested?
Meantime, I have a lot of upcoming stuff, and you can all be part of it:
- First, of course, are the conventions I will be attending.
I'd like at least one, and up to three, to be house concerts. If anybody's interested.
The available dates would be Oct. 8-14, depending on where I am on my westward journey -- e.g., it's much easier for me to do Texas on the 8th through 10th than on the 13th and 14th. Anywhere in Dallas, or possibly Austin; along I-20, or I-10, heading towards Arizona; or between San Diego and Los Angeles. A few hours of absolute insanity, live in your living room/den/gazebo/whatever. You know the drill: I ask a small donation; the host/hostess gets free albums and a recording of the concert; the other guests get serious discounts on merch; and everyone gets a silly, fun evening.
Just for everyone's convenience, my intention is to stay at a local hotel where possible, although we can talk about that.
Anyone interested in hosting something?
So. If I had a half-hour to forty-five-minute online concert at Concert Window -- say, sometime in December -- would anybody be interested?
Emergency! Help for Louis Adkins
Jun. 10th, 2013 12:00 pmSerious help time. A longtime friend, ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
louisadkins, is stranded in Wyoming with his family and a dead car. Any little bit will help right now, if you can PayPal something to louis.adkins@hotmail.com .
louisadkins, is stranded in Wyoming with his family and a dead car. Any little bit will help right now, if you can PayPal something to louis.adkins@hotmail.com .Go West, Young Fan
Oct. 30th, 2012 08:32 amI am making arrangements for a triumphant return to FenCon in Dallas-Fort Worth, next October 4-6.
There is also a Con To Be Named Later which very likely will have me out next Oct. 18-20. (And then I make it back in time for OVFF on the 25-27.)
Which leads to the following questions:
Can anyone suggest a convention in Arizona, New Mexico, or SoCal on the weekend of Oct. 11-13, 2013, that might be a good match for me? And, might anyone out that way be interested in a house concert?
There is also a Con To Be Named Later which very likely will have me out next Oct. 18-20. (And then I make it back in time for OVFF on the 25-27.)
Which leads to the following questions:
Can anyone suggest a convention in Arizona, New Mexico, or SoCal on the weekend of Oct. 11-13, 2013, that might be a good match for me? And, might anyone out that way be interested in a house concert?
It's time once more for the Ohio Valley Filk Fest, held every year at the Doubletree Inn in Worthington, OH (just a couple hundred yards north of the Columbus I-270 Loop). Great friends, great music, basically our Thanksgiving gathering. The fun's already beginning tonight, as early arrivals break out the guitars.
I'll be there tomorrow afternoon; the Pegasus Nominees Concert starts at 8:00ish.
Who's gonna be there? Or, if you're not, what's your weekend look like?
I'll be there tomorrow afternoon; the Pegasus Nominees Concert starts at 8:00ish.
Who's gonna be there? Or, if you're not, what's your weekend look like?
Home, and Pain
Sep. 11th, 2012 02:55 pmI actually had incredible driving to and from Dragon*Con and Florida. Pity about that One Wrong Step™.
Hey, gang. Very sorry about being offline for so long, and it's not gonna get much better for a few days. Falling on Labor Day has left me with a couple of Olympic-class (and EXTREMELY PAINFUL) bruises on my left calf, a very unattractive left tit, and a slightly broken right wrist.
I ended up going to the ER yesterday because the leg pain was so bad, and they kept me overnight. Turns out I'm not only bruised up to fuck, but (in spite of Neosporin) I also have cellulitis, so I'm on some reeeeealy good meds right now.
I will not be online much for the next few days, because it hurts a hell of a lot to get off the bed (and doesn't feel that much better to move around). Shame, too, because I've got two weeks and more of stuff to tell you about.
(Many, many thanks tomarkbernstein, who did some busy work and lifting for me this morning.)
Hope you're okay...?
Hey, gang. Very sorry about being offline for so long, and it's not gonna get much better for a few days. Falling on Labor Day has left me with a couple of Olympic-class (and EXTREMELY PAINFUL) bruises on my left calf, a very unattractive left tit, and a slightly broken right wrist.
I ended up going to the ER yesterday because the leg pain was so bad, and they kept me overnight. Turns out I'm not only bruised up to fuck, but (in spite of Neosporin) I also have cellulitis, so I'm on some reeeeealy good meds right now.
I will not be online much for the next few days, because it hurts a hell of a lot to get off the bed (and doesn't feel that much better to move around). Shame, too, because I've got two weeks and more of stuff to tell you about.
(Many, many thanks to
markbernstein, who did some busy work and lifting for me this morning.)Hope you're okay...?
Dragon*Con and WorldCon
Aug. 29th, 2012 08:31 amEverybody who's anybody in fandom will be in one of three places this weekend:
If you're gonna be at Dragon, hey! Please come around to the musicians' tables (on the same floor of the Marriott as the dealers) and say Hi. There will be lots of silly, and I have concerts Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. I'll have the schedule and locations up later -- some are at the Hyatt, some are at the Westin. Friday's will be a massive singalong, and Sunday's will be a tag-team with Marc Gunn!
So. Where will you be this weekend -- ChiCon, Dragon*Con, or someplace much more quiet?
- ChiCon, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention in Chicago, IL;
- Dragon*Con, the largest general SF/F convention in the world, in Atlanta, GA;
- someplace much more quiet.
If you're gonna be at Dragon, hey! Please come around to the musicians' tables (on the same floor of the Marriott as the dealers) and say Hi. There will be lots of silly, and I have concerts Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. I'll have the schedule and locations up later -- some are at the Hyatt, some are at the Westin. Friday's will be a massive singalong, and Sunday's will be a tag-team with Marc Gunn!
So. Where will you be this weekend -- ChiCon, Dragon*Con, or someplace much more quiet?
Author Liz Schechter, our own ladysmith, is up for a major award from the Romance Writers of America. Problem is, she lives on the Right Coast, and their convention is on the Left Coast. She's been crowdfunding to cover the expenses, but sadly she's not really close, and today is the last day of her IndieGogo listing. Won't you help?
ladysmith, is up for a major award from the Romance Writers of America. Problem is, she lives on the Right Coast, and their convention is on the Left Coast. She's been crowdfunding to cover the expenses, but sadly she's not really close, and today is the last day of her IndieGogo listing. Won't you help?Geek Pride Day! And Towel Day! And the Glorious 25th!
To celebrate, some of us (including me) are going to World Steam Expo. Some are going to Media West. Some are going to BaltiCon (hi,jannyblue and gorgeousgary and the_sheryl and Jody Lynn Nye and Heather Dale and Ben Deschamps and everybody else out there). Some will even head to Toronto for Anime North. And I know there are other cons out there, and many other gatherings. Wherever you go, even if you have a staycation, be safe, beat the heat, and have fun.
To celebrate, some of us (including me) are going to World Steam Expo. Some are going to Media West. Some are going to BaltiCon (hi,
jannyblue and gorgeousgary and the_sheryl and Jody Lynn Nye and Heather Dale and Ben Deschamps and everybody else out there). Some will even head to Toronto for Anime North. And I know there are other cons out there, and many other gatherings. Wherever you go, even if you have a staycation, be safe, beat the heat, and have fun.The wind's going nuts out here -- sustained around 30 mph, gusting past 40 mph. And it's getting colder tonight. We have the real possibility of some snow... not much, but enough to say, "Yep, it snowed."
The hip is still bugging me, but tonight I take the flexeril and see what that does for it. I've got help getting the van loaded for Friday, and, assuming all goes well between now and then, I should be at WindyCon sometime Friday afternoon. Love the Westin Lombard. Big beautiful hotel, right next to a damn Target. Makes things much easier.
But I am not ready for snow. Not emotionally. Probably not physically.
How 'bout you?
The hip is still bugging me, but tonight I take the flexeril and see what that does for it. I've got help getting the van loaded for Friday, and, assuming all goes well between now and then, I should be at WindyCon sometime Friday afternoon. Love the Westin Lombard. Big beautiful hotel, right next to a damn Target. Makes things much easier.
But I am not ready for snow. Not emotionally. Probably not physically.
How 'bout you?
The Rest Of ConTata
Jul. 6th, 2011 11:54 amThings got a bit weird on Sunday morning. Having not got to sleep till almost 4:00, and having woken up around 7:30, I was more than a lot punchy when I went downstairs. This was somewhat alleviated by Cync coming up and hanging out for almost an hour. We just never get time anymore, and it was a joy.
So. Con. We had the Joe Bethancourt benefit concert, the one-shots, the songwriting contest, and Mark really wanted me on the BNF panel, but there was a wedding coming in that evening and we had to vacate part of the space. Sigh. We finally got the concert going, segued pretty quickly into the contest, and had the one-shots while Judi, Deb, PDuck, and I were judging. (Winners, by the way, were: 3rd Place -- Kara Yost; 2nd Place -- Gary McGath; 1st Place -- Kat Faber and Peter Alway. Congrats to all, and thanks to all the contestants!)
Somewhere in there, Alex Wittenburg showed up. A very good thing.
By the time all that was done, Ben Newman's song cycle was up... and I simply was not up to staying for it. So I went back to the room and crashed for a few hours.
With a little prompting from cell phones, I got myself together to meet Will, Janny, and Mark down at the Ruth's Chris in the lobby. Oh my. That was a very nice meal. The Caeser Salad was perfect. As was the filet with the three grilled shrimp on top of it. As were the sauteed mushrooms. As was the chocolate pecan truffle and the few lovely bites of strawberry shortcake.
Then, it was back to the function space for the Rotten Apple sing. Unfortunately, Mike Stein had acquired Ye Crudde and sounded just awful -- get well soon, m'friend.
Anyway. The Rotten Apple. Lots and lots of fun, one of the best I've been to in awhile. A whole lot of singing along and rich harmonies and silly and dark and yes. Our new friend Aya sang something and sounded real good. Mark was doing "Kentucky Monster Mash" when I came in the room, so I ended up doing "307 Ale" for the newbies. I also did a slightly slower but very well accompanied version of "Rocket Ride". Man, what a set of lungs in that room. I'll see if Harold has the audio, after he's gone through all the other stuff.
When I finally was just about ready to fall over, I said good night and headed back to the room. Ben caught me, and asked if he could sing me one of the songs from the cycle. I said sure, and he spent a few minutes explaining the set-up and then singing the song (a parody of "Operation: Desert Storm"). It all sounds very good, and I'll get a copy of that soon as well.
Next morning, I meandered out. No need to rush -- if I didn't make it all the way home, there were numerous Super 8s along the Ohio Turnpike. But I didn't need 'em. It took a little longer than I thought, mostly my own fault for a couple of longer breaks, but a pleasant day of driving brought me back to my door at about 10:00 p.m., and that was my ConTata.
Many thanks, again, to Joshua Kronengold, Merav Hoffman, Jon, Judi, Will, Janny, Harold, Mark, and just ever-damn-body. This was a splendid con, and we'll see about getting back for 2014. Or, for that matter, 2012. ;)
So. Con. We had the Joe Bethancourt benefit concert, the one-shots, the songwriting contest, and Mark really wanted me on the BNF panel, but there was a wedding coming in that evening and we had to vacate part of the space. Sigh. We finally got the concert going, segued pretty quickly into the contest, and had the one-shots while Judi, Deb, PDuck, and I were judging. (Winners, by the way, were: 3rd Place -- Kara Yost; 2nd Place -- Gary McGath; 1st Place -- Kat Faber and Peter Alway. Congrats to all, and thanks to all the contestants!)
Somewhere in there, Alex Wittenburg showed up. A very good thing.
By the time all that was done, Ben Newman's song cycle was up... and I simply was not up to staying for it. So I went back to the room and crashed for a few hours.
With a little prompting from cell phones, I got myself together to meet Will, Janny, and Mark down at the Ruth's Chris in the lobby. Oh my. That was a very nice meal. The Caeser Salad was perfect. As was the filet with the three grilled shrimp on top of it. As were the sauteed mushrooms. As was the chocolate pecan truffle and the few lovely bites of strawberry shortcake.
Then, it was back to the function space for the Rotten Apple sing. Unfortunately, Mike Stein had acquired Ye Crudde and sounded just awful -- get well soon, m'friend.
Anyway. The Rotten Apple. Lots and lots of fun, one of the best I've been to in awhile. A whole lot of singing along and rich harmonies and silly and dark and yes. Our new friend Aya sang something and sounded real good. Mark was doing "Kentucky Monster Mash" when I came in the room, so I ended up doing "307 Ale" for the newbies. I also did a slightly slower but very well accompanied version of "Rocket Ride". Man, what a set of lungs in that room. I'll see if Harold has the audio, after he's gone through all the other stuff.
When I finally was just about ready to fall over, I said good night and headed back to the room. Ben caught me, and asked if he could sing me one of the songs from the cycle. I said sure, and he spent a few minutes explaining the set-up and then singing the song (a parody of "Operation: Desert Storm"). It all sounds very good, and I'll get a copy of that soon as well.
Next morning, I meandered out. No need to rush -- if I didn't make it all the way home, there were numerous Super 8s along the Ohio Turnpike. But I didn't need 'em. It took a little longer than I thought, mostly my own fault for a couple of longer breaks, but a pleasant day of driving brought me back to my door at about 10:00 p.m., and that was my ConTata.
Many thanks, again, to Joshua Kronengold, Merav Hoffman, Jon, Judi, Will, Janny, Harold, Mark, and just ever-damn-body. This was a splendid con, and we'll see about getting back for 2014. Or, for that matter, 2012. ;)
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?
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?
"Today You, Tomorrow Me"
Mar. 9th, 2011 08:33 amI think I might've linked to a version of this post a couple of months ago, but it bears repeating, and remembering: If you ever get down on humanity for being a shitty, uncaring species, this will help. Read the comments, too -- not only will you have many stories of people helping other people, but you'll have what looks like a superb tamale recipe. ;)
Ye Olde Con Crudde
Jan. 19th, 2011 06:14 amSunday evening, I seemed to have a little soreness in my throat.
Monday, I was frickin' exhausted all day.
Tuesday, I felt much better, except for a nagging tightness at the back of the throat if I coughed.
Today, I feel like the weird-ass dream I had last night, which featured a no-holds-barred falls-count-anywhere match between The Big Show and Lawrence Taylor. Except, of course, that in the dream I escaped being pummeled in between the two of them.
And I have to go out into the cold, at least long enough to finish retrieving stuff from the van.
I sincerely hope I feel better by Friday, the first day of ConFusion. But if I don't, it would be irresponsible of me to show up. I don't know how contagious I am, and it's hard to perform with a head full of glop.
I'll keep you posted.
I hope your week's looking better...?
Monday, I was frickin' exhausted all day.
Tuesday, I felt much better, except for a nagging tightness at the back of the throat if I coughed.
Today, I feel like the weird-ass dream I had last night, which featured a no-holds-barred falls-count-anywhere match between The Big Show and Lawrence Taylor. Except, of course, that in the dream I escaped being pummeled in between the two of them.
And I have to go out into the cold, at least long enough to finish retrieving stuff from the van.
I sincerely hope I feel better by Friday, the first day of ConFusion. But if I don't, it would be irresponsible of me to show up. I don't know how contagious I am, and it's hard to perform with a head full of glop.
I'll keep you posted.
I hope your week's looking better...?
I've had a lovely time this weekend. Many thanks to the con staff, especially Butch and Amy (and her con suite staff); Janny, for being an indispensable help and just generally great company; Elektra and Naomi di Plume and Sandy; Boogie Knights and Poisoned Dwarf and Danny Birt, for making with the good music; Artist GOH Ursula Vernon and her husband Kevin, two great people I didn't spend enough time with; Rob, of course; and a lot of great fans for whom I sang. Oh, and, thanks to Sal's for an exquisite pizza, and Red Hot & Blue for two spots of fine barbecue.
Now, two problems: [1] I have to drive home and [2] I seem to have acquired a cold. We'll see how tomorrow goes.
What's your week look like?
Now, two problems: [1] I have to drive home and [2] I seem to have acquired a cold. We'll see how tomorrow goes.
What's your week look like?
Man, even one day on the road can bankrupt your pants. I'll check LJ stuff later. I'm here at MarsCon in Williamsburg, VA, and already got hugs from Janny and nice vibes and help from the con. And I've got a set at 7:45 and another at 11:00 (the Filk and Cookies is later than I thought). I'm pretty sure I have a table at Artists' Alley, and I'll be hanging out there a lot this weekend. How's your weekend lookin'?
A whole bunch of really great people are rockin' the house at GAFilk tonight. I hope everyone made it there safely, I hope you all get home safely, and I hope that in between you have a superb weekend, filled with fun and music. Who all's down there? Or, if you're not down there, what are your weekend plans? I'm working on a not-very-top-secret project, hee hee.
