Let's see, on Monday the 25th I worked the early schedule at work, then had two more regularly scheduled days after that before World Fantasy.  I had been trying to get a Participant list and the Program schedule for some time before I received an E-mail Wednesday directing me to the Web site.  So instead of enjoying the lunar eclipse, I had to work on generating signs for teh next day.  I received a 30th Annual World Fantasy Convention book bag packed full of free promotional novels, periodicals, excerpt compilations, a Tempe Visitor's Guide, Program Book, pocket program, et cetera.  Coolest of all was a Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events movie promotional given at registration.  Inside the sealed package were three randomly inserted cards from a set of thirteen.  There was one card thirteen in the whole box supplied to the convention, but no one got it so the remaining set is going to TusCon XXXI.  The holder of card thirteen gets to go to the world premiere of the film with transportation and accommodations.  While I didn't win, I was able to eventually get a complete set of twelve before I left on Sunday, which is close enough to winning for me.

 

I took notes for Fred throughout the weekend, most of which are too boring to report here.  However, if there is enough demand I'll do so.  However, I will post a few non-Programming things of note to me.  I missed Paul Cornell's reading (because of my duties) and was disappointed that he chose to not be at the Autograph Reception.  I did get my Books of Lost Swords signed by Fred Saberhagen at the Autograph Reception, which was cool.  I did attend a reading of a short Irene Adler story told in first person letters about her encounters with Count Dracula by Carole Nelson Douglas called Dracula on the Rocks.  She was a gracious reader, and the story had excellent suspense.  I also attended a reading of the first two chapters of a novel under development by Matthew T. Baker.  Wow!  I wanted to buy the book right there, but he and his agent said that the book was probably going to end up around 1500 pages and wouldn't be finished for about five years.  Remember this name and look for this book, it'll be worth it! 

 

Dennis L McKiernan was telling Cassidy and I about some of his future novel ideas as well as the most recent events in the campaign his gaming group is running.  Interestingly enough, their group has this idea called Strategy and Tactics.  Whenever someone calls out for Strategy and Tactics, the in-game clock stops and the group can discuss their characters' strategy.  This is how their group has decided to replicate the role familiarity the characters should have in such a situation.  I kind of like that idea and would love to see how it would work in practice. 

 

Sunday I lectored, but I kept having my practice at-con interrupted so as soon as the banquet started my mom picked me up and I finished practicing at home while she took a nap.  At mass, Father Milt had a homily about how Jesus's mission is to seek out sinners and offer them salvation even when others look on in disgust at that.  Afterwards, Mom and I handed out candy to the trick-or-treaters while she watched The Raven and I fried up some cinnamon sugar doughnuts and some chocolate chip doughnuts.  Mom has a nonstick baking sheet for doughnuts at her house, but that means she doesn't get to have any doughnut holes.  Because I have a doughnut cutter, I do make doughnut holes, of which she seemed grateful. 

 

Monday I did the lawn, fixed my late uncle's bookcase and set up some of my books in it, did some house cleaning, and prepared my Sample Ballot for the next day.  More to come later, I fell asleep at the computer already this evening...