waterspyder: (Default)
([personal profile] waterspyder Apr. 4th, 2006 01:36 pm)
I left last Friday to go to Ad Astra, a science fiction convention. Had problems with getting the rental car, I inherited my mother’s curse (which means it will rain whenever I travel between Ottawa and Toronto), and arrived about 2 hours behind schedule. [personal profile] zenten and I arrived at the hotel, turned [personal profile] kali_kali in to her dad and off I went.

I attended a few panels… specifics are blurry at this time due to sleep deprivation. There were a few good room parties, including the one with the chocolate fountain. It’s fondue in fountain form. It might be worth an investment. I ran into Science (a person I first met at Burning Man) at a social and we were surprised there weren’t more Burners exploring their inner geek.

And for anyone who has not read Kelley Armstrong, you should. She’s Canadian and writes supernatural fiction. So far she has 6 books out (Bitten, Stolen, Dime Store Magic, Industrial Magic, Haunted, and Broken). I’ve read the first three and liked them a lot. She has imperfect heroes and likeable villains. I am willing to loan said books out to trustworthy souls.

Ed Greenwood is awesome, he’s written close to 200 books (Forgotten Realms, gaming books, Harlequin Romance novels), but he refuses to tell me his other writing name only because he has a challenge going with his regular gaming friends and not knowing drives them nuts.

Overall, lots of fun to be had. I’m looking into possible positions as a freelance copy editor since that doesn’t require moving to New York.

Getting up at 6am after daylight savings time, after staying up until 2am was murder. I did however manage to return the car on time in Ottawa with 3 minutes to spare and proved I did not need the collision damage waiver despite driving at high speed in poor weather, driving in Toronto and Scarborough, and entering into the most feared of locales: the parking lots.

I still think conventions should do a little more to attract outsiders, since frankly, if you had never been to one before, how the hell would you have known to look for or do half of this stuff?

From: [identity profile] sivi-volk.livejournal.com


Wait, Armstrong has a new book out?

This is what I get for doing all my reading through the library. Ah well.

From: [identity profile] waterspyder.livejournal.com


Well, it's coming out this month, but some copies were available through her, so you're not far behind.

From: [identity profile] eirik.livejournal.com


Ed GMed a few adventures for us a few years back. He's a sick disgusting pervert and I for one can't wait to run into him again. lol

From: [identity profile] waterspyder.livejournal.com


I can see that being very true.

He seems to be a difficult child who grew up to be a difficult child. Damn he is funny though.

From: [identity profile] furious-g.livejournal.com


Ed is great, he was alwyas willing to be a guest at the small conventionettes I helped run back home.

From: [identity profile] queenie-writes.livejournal.com


Glad you guys had a great time. It was nice to see you both. :)

Can you email me? Your statement about editing triggered how I need to find someone to edit a story right now for a contest. I can't pay you in money, but I could feed you or make you something cool (like my dolls) Would that be a fair trade?

From: [identity profile] waterspyder.livejournal.com


Absolutely a fair trade.

I need to remember your e-mail address...

I'm waterspyder at gmail in the meantime, or kerry.chalmers at ic.gc.ca if you want to send it tome at work where they don't give me nearly enough to do (in fact I'm editing a work report).

Is the contest Canadian or American?

From: [identity profile] waterspyder.livejournal.com


I think he lists his profession as "a writer, gamer and speaker at conventions" sometimes he mentions working as a library clerk.

From: [identity profile] queenie-writes.livejournal.com


I'm not sure. I think it's american. But I have the prefect story for it.

From: [identity profile] andifferous.livejournal.com


Everytime, I see something posted by you or [livejournal.com profile] zenten about ad astra, I think of Trenton (name of CFB Trenton in the military world).

From: [identity profile] waterspyder.livejournal.com


It's just good to know for spelling. Sometime them Americans are picky about their English.
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