Catching up on October, sort of
Oct. 8th, 2020 07:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
catherineldfFirst, this last week. Day job situation continues to suck rocks, but I have at least started my project management class. Not far enough along to know if it's a total fit yet, but I'm feeling engaged in IT-related stuff for the first time in a while. I definitely think I can use at least some of the things that I'll be learning, regardless of what happens next.
I spent much of the weekend at C'monfluence, this year's pandemic version of Confluence, Pittsburgh's long running sf and con. It had the usual online con ups and downs; I had 4 panels and a Kaffeeklatsch with Sarah Pinkster. Sarah was delightful, as were most of the attendees (I could have done without the one doing variations on "Of course, I've heard of Sarah, but who are you?" because fans gotta fan. I have not missed this behavior in my hiatus from in person cons). On the other end of the scale, the panel I surprise-moderated on "Who Was that Punk I Saw You With?" was fab - good panelists, interesting discussion, good vibe. Easily one of the best panels I've been on, ever. I also enjoyed my other panels and the other programming items that I made it to, including an interview with Martha Wells. So, good con all around, nice to see some friends online; I'd like to go in person someday.
On Sunday, I made lasagna, which I haven't made in forever, and had a friend over for dinner and "Vampires Versus the Bronx" on Netflix. Quite enjoyed it and would recommend. Monday night, I helped rescue a lost, injured dog by connecting various people online and finding the dog's owner, so that was nice. Otherwise, it's been work and classes and a talk by Alison Bechdel at the U. of MN last night. I also cranked out more on Blood Moon (soooo close) and some other projects and read submissions.
Oh, and George Floyd's murderer got bailed out so things around here are pretty tense. Prior to that, the mural got vandalized again and some fuckers burned down the medical tent at at the square the night before last (Cash App: $612MASH, Venmo: @MedicalBus, if you can chip to help). Last night, we got all the helicopters for a peaceful gathering at George Floyd Square. At this point, most of us in this area have some form of mild PTSD and man, do the helicopters kick that off! Everyone starts freaking out that we'll be dealing with more arson and other fun and it makes it hard to concentrate on the more important things, like supporting each other and making better communities. Not looking forward to that aspect of this weekend.
Tomorrow is Twin Cities Quorum's National Coming Out Day Event (online) and Queen of Swords Press will have a virtual table in the vending hall, which should be interesting. Quorum is the Twin Cities LGBTQ Business Association and this is their biggest event so I'm hoping for some sales. On Saturday, I'm off to Hopkins for Cream & Amber's Fall Mini-Market; Mike Merriam and I will be amongst the vendors with tables in the parking lot where we'll be peddling our wares. Lots of cool stuff to choose from and the cafe is open for takeout and patio service (and selling books). Sunday, we're going to the American Swedish Institute, which just reopened and taking in "Mr. Vampire" at the Trylon Cinema (little art cinema near us, limited to 20 people, masks on, no sitting near people you don't live with, etc.). "Mr Vampire" is the first of a gloriously weird series of Chinese vampire films that I remember fondly. Onward and upward!
I spent much of the weekend at C'monfluence, this year's pandemic version of Confluence, Pittsburgh's long running sf and con. It had the usual online con ups and downs; I had 4 panels and a Kaffeeklatsch with Sarah Pinkster. Sarah was delightful, as were most of the attendees (I could have done without the one doing variations on "Of course, I've heard of Sarah, but who are you?" because fans gotta fan. I have not missed this behavior in my hiatus from in person cons). On the other end of the scale, the panel I surprise-moderated on "Who Was that Punk I Saw You With?" was fab - good panelists, interesting discussion, good vibe. Easily one of the best panels I've been on, ever. I also enjoyed my other panels and the other programming items that I made it to, including an interview with Martha Wells. So, good con all around, nice to see some friends online; I'd like to go in person someday.
On Sunday, I made lasagna, which I haven't made in forever, and had a friend over for dinner and "Vampires Versus the Bronx" on Netflix. Quite enjoyed it and would recommend. Monday night, I helped rescue a lost, injured dog by connecting various people online and finding the dog's owner, so that was nice. Otherwise, it's been work and classes and a talk by Alison Bechdel at the U. of MN last night. I also cranked out more on Blood Moon (soooo close) and some other projects and read submissions.
Oh, and George Floyd's murderer got bailed out so things around here are pretty tense. Prior to that, the mural got vandalized again and some fuckers burned down the medical tent at at the square the night before last (Cash App: $612MASH, Venmo: @MedicalBus, if you can chip to help). Last night, we got all the helicopters for a peaceful gathering at George Floyd Square. At this point, most of us in this area have some form of mild PTSD and man, do the helicopters kick that off! Everyone starts freaking out that we'll be dealing with more arson and other fun and it makes it hard to concentrate on the more important things, like supporting each other and making better communities. Not looking forward to that aspect of this weekend.
Tomorrow is Twin Cities Quorum's National Coming Out Day Event (online) and Queen of Swords Press will have a virtual table in the vending hall, which should be interesting. Quorum is the Twin Cities LGBTQ Business Association and this is their biggest event so I'm hoping for some sales. On Saturday, I'm off to Hopkins for Cream & Amber's Fall Mini-Market; Mike Merriam and I will be amongst the vendors with tables in the parking lot where we'll be peddling our wares. Lots of cool stuff to choose from and the cafe is open for takeout and patio service (and selling books). Sunday, we're going to the American Swedish Institute, which just reopened and taking in "Mr. Vampire" at the Trylon Cinema (little art cinema near us, limited to 20 people, masks on, no sitting near people you don't live with, etc.). "Mr Vampire" is the first of a gloriously weird series of Chinese vampire films that I remember fondly. Onward and upward!