I attended my first science fiction fan convention this weekend. It was really fun. It started with a RapidReading with some broads from Broad Universe. We looked harmless, but actually, we were a pretty creepy bunch of women. (In a totally cool way, naturally!) I can't say exactly what I expected (maybe more Star Trek or Star Wars costumes), but I didn't expect so much variety or so much fun.

On Saturday morning I attended a fandom 101 class, just so I'd know what people were talking about. Good thing or I'd never have known about LARPS and furries and that would have been a pity. 

I also met Martha Wells, who writes some of the Stargate Atlantis books and she signed a book and gave me hope for the upcoming season. She's seen the first episode and said it rocks. Oh and Teyla had her baby, both character and actress (it was a boy, congrats!).

I also bought some art and some new books by authors new to me. One was a new author, K.M. Tolan, who wrote Blade Dancer. I was able to download it when I got home. In addition to the Atlantis book, I bought one of the guest author's books. Alan Steele. Probably all sf readers know him, but he was new to me. Looking forward to both books. :-)

And I bought some art. Did you know they have art at SF cons? Because I didn't. It was really interesting to see and i was tickled to find something I could afford. The dealer's room was cool, too. Favorite thing? A bumper sticker that said:

"We brake for things you don't believe in." (Or something like that.) I thought that was great.

It goes great with my dragons (if you look closely, you can see my dragons are "making a wish--using a little "hero." I know, I'm dark!):


I planned to take some pictures, but didn't for two reasons:

1. There was a warning in the program about not taking pictures in certain places. Being new, this intimidated me, since I didn't want to be escorted off the premises of my first convention.

2. I forgot. That's right. I forgot. I would have had some amazing shots, too. Possibly award-winning. Really.

What I think I liked the most was that everyone seemed to have a sense of humor about themselves and the experience. There was a real sense of fun (with the exception of a couple of panels, but hey, there are always a few people who take themselves way too seriously, right?) What's really sad is that this convention has been around for FIVE years. I've lived in Houston for SIX and I never heard about it! 

If you've followed my adventures (mostly misadventures) with the TRS Diva contest, then you probably realize by now that I won't be a diva. My home state will be happy, since they don't approve of anyone being a diva, particularly a native. I have, however, posted the excerpts I wrote for the contest, so you can read them if you've been dying to find out which ones I wrote (which you have, right? I mean can't sleep at night dying, right? Oh well...mildly curious then...)

Other than a bit of reading, a bit of writing, a bit of convention going, I've been....twittering. That's right. Twittering. It's called micro-blogging and I got into it researching social networking for the promo book that Jamie Engle and I are writing. My mind has truly been boggled at what's out there. I didn't join everything, because I don't have enough life left for that, but if you're curious, look for me on your favorite site. I might be there. :-)

Happy Fourth of July! Thank you, thank you to our troops, their families and to those who helped secure our freedom!
Gratefully, perilously yours,
Pauline