by Eric
Shore Leave 30
July 24, 2008 in Convention, Fandom, GLBT, Personal, Podcasts by Eric
Shore Leave was amazing this year. It is the one event that I look forward to more than any other.
We arrived early on Friday and checked into the room. Luckily, we were on the first floor not far from the action this year.
Again they did not make my participant badge until I asked for it, but Melissa was as wonderful as she usually is, and we got it taken care of quickly.
There was no room for me on Writers’ Row, so I went around and greeted the many friends and fans. At 5:30, we went out for the meet up diner. More people turned out than I expected and we had some great conversations.
After the diner, we met up with the others we had missed. Books sold well, and the conversation was free flowing. The filk concert was looming, and I really wanted to see it, but Tom and I had scheduled a time to meet to discuss our panel.
Before the concert, I got a copy of Greg Baker’s new CD. Roberta Rogow began to sing, and Brian went out to see if there were any cancellations so I could get on writers’ row to promote the book. He came back livid. There were many empty seats, but I was not allowed to have one. grrr.
At any rate, it was time to meet Tom, so we headed up stairs to prepare for the panel. After a long discussion, we headed down for our 11:30 PM panel on GLBT in Fandom (get the audio here). It was a great conversation and I really love getting the community together.
After more conversation, we headed off to bed.
Saturday
We awoke early to Pop Tarts and coffee, then ran around meeting new people. Our friend Jimmy showed up early, and the time came for me to head off to the Photo Op line to get my picture taken with George Takei.
The line was hot and sweaty, but moved quickly. I look a copy of the my newest book, Shine Like Thunder that I signed for him.
As I entered the room, I saw how they were doing the pics. People walked in, stood next to him and had there picture take with him, then they where escorted out of the room. I offered the book to the lady at the door, and told her that I had brought it for George, and she said I could give it to him.
When it was my turn, I walked up to him hand him the book and explained why I wrote the book. He immediately started asking me questions about the book, and the handlers started making motions for him to hurry up. One of the handlers came up to take the book away. George smacked his hands and said, “No. he brought this for me, it will be in the picture.” Then he grabbed me buy the waist, pulled me close and said, “Now Smile.”
Off the high from the Photo Op, I looked at the time and realized we needed to go eat so we would not be hungry during our Podcasting panel. So Brian, Chris, Jimmy and I ran off to Noodles and Company.
At 5:00 pm, we went to our panel. We discussed all things podcasting (get the audio here).
Once we got out, we ran into Tom who had organized a second meet up dinner. We had already eaten, so we just went along for the conversation and I am glad I did. I made a lot of new friends.
We made it back in time to get dressed for Masquerade. I didn’t really dress up this year. I simply grabbed my cape and off we went.
I wish the videos would have turned out. I might post them anyway for the ones that the audio is interesting. The eight year old girl who made the most amazing Wonder Woman costume that I have ever seen.
- eHarmony Gate: Eye of Harmony.com (thanks Zuul) Dr Who seeking companions
- Bear in the Big Blue Tardis
- Good Morning Kitomer
- Girl Fight
If you are a fan of the genre, you can probably recreate the skits in your head.
After the Masquerade, Brian was not feeling well. He caught the bug I had earlier in the week, so he went to bed, and Jimmy and I ran down to the dance.
I just want to say thank you to everyone who bought me a drink that night. It was a lot of fun, and the conversation was more than amazing.
Sunday
Sunday was my day. Friday and Saturday were full of meetings, meet ups, and panels, so on Sunday I got to actually sit in the audience and soak in the convention.
I only had two guests I really cared to see, Jewel and George.
I hated to leave. I always find it amazing how for three days so many amazing people who I know that I can talk to and feel a sense of instant kinship. I cannot wait to see everyone again. The world is a cold place when you are not surrounded by fellow fans.
