RCFM 2006: Sunday

[vakkotaur]

I woke just in time to see that if I wanted to get to the Booster's brunch I'd have to get ready for the day fast, and did so. I thought I just squeaked by as regards time, but evidently things were on Furry Standard Time, which means "running late." An aside: RCFM had RCFM clocks in the convention spaces this year, and the one in the con/hospitality suite really was on FST as it was set five minutes slow.

I've already forgotten the name of the place we went to, but it was good. It was not a buffet. It was Not Ryan's. It was unfortunately, a bit in slow in getting things started so it was a while before drinks arrived and quite a while before food orders were taken. Some people left early to make it back to events at the convention. I'd have no problem going back to this place, though I do think a bit more preparation is in order.

We did get back in time for the panel kinkyturtle and I were on. KT was on a few panels, and I was on this one. The two of were the panelists and we had three people attend it so at least we didn't outnumber our audience. It was nice to have a small and more friendly group that way. I kept reminding people that they were missing 2_gryphon who was doing something (though not his main show) at the same time. The panel was about Animaniacs and other Silver Age WB shows. Between us and questions we managed to fill out about 50 minutes. After that we all decided that was about all there was or that anyone could think of, so we left then and if nothing else, we didn't run long and delay the next panel. If they were late (I doubt they were) it wasn't our fault.

I spent some time in the Dealer's Den and found that one artist will need to mail a sketchbook to me in a week or two as he'd gotten a bit behind. There was relief bordering on elation when I said I'd have rather have things right than fast (though I have a thing or three to say about when that gets taken to extreme). I think this artists likes dealing with me due a level of organization. He asked me for contact information, I pointed out it was already on the inside front cover. Also, I had scene descriptions that he could keep so he wouldn't have to try to remember or write down bits and hope he got it all right. This works well but isn't perfect. I can form a mental picture of what I am after, but can't get it onto paper. Words are imperfect and sometimes I get what I am thinking of, and sometimes I only get almost that. And "almost" can be even more frustrating than "just plain wrong." Of course, at other times I get the "wow" experience where I get an something not quite what I had pictured, but better. I need to remember this artist's name (which, sadly, escapes me at the moment of course) and see him right away when he's at a con.

I also placed a pretty nearly last-minute order with Jim (krag_carbine) Groat for some LJ icons. I did that before my panel, then went back and confirmed or suggested changes to his pencils as well as getting back the badge KT drew for me which was used as a reference. Later, after closing ceremonies and such, Groat got the finished works to me so now I just need to scan them.

I sort of attended closing ceremonies, though I was a bit dubious about it after how opening ceremonies went. I did get mentioned when Draconis thanked me for bring the root beer and ginger ale. He really was astonished by the amount. I was just outside the entryway into the room. I hung back as I didn't care to be trapped by the crowd in the hot room. When that spot started getting crowded I moved up to the other entrance and hung back from that. It was interesting as I got to hear someone snark about a thing or two quietly... and some folks think I'm cynical. I didn't see everything and I think I mainly missed the (in)famous Wheel of Blame when I went outside to deal with a phone call. I heard later that the wheel chose Vincent (who is rather young) and did so twice. I hope he (and everyone else) has a good sense of humor about it. I'm pretty sure I would not have taken such a thing all that well when I was that age.

Again I stayed up late, though not nearly as late as Saturday night (or Sunday morning) and it was just as well I wasn't going anywhere on Monday. I forget who it was, but Saturday or Sunday night I spent a good chunk of time talking with someone about various things, radio, aviation, computing and other such things. Another high point of the con was Nova, who was good company and considered me good company. I'm not sure just how we got to talking, but I'm glad we did. Somewhere I have her contact information and I intend to use it when I find it again - I may have unpacked last night, but I have a good amount of sorting to do yet.

I'm also pretty sure I'm leaving a whole bunch of things out. Overall it was good con. Generally I managed to forget about the event(s) of Thursday when things were going on. There was a bit of weirdness which I found wasn't just me. While the attendance was supposedly higher than ever and we had the hotel almost to ourselves, this RCFM felt like it was a bit smaller or perhaps more diffuse. Others had the same feeling and nobody seemed really sure just exactly why that was. It would be interesting to compare the schedules of the last few years and also the differences in layout. If it had just been me I could attribute it to being depressed or irked from Thursday night or from knowing more folks and seeing a bit more of how the sausage is made, so to speak, which can take some of the magic away. But it wasn't just me. I'm hoping that all that it means is that when next year is bigger still, it won't feel too big. I know that can be done, as MFF seems to do it: be fairly large without being oppressive about it.

Comments

[kinkyturtle.livejournal.com]

The brunch was at Green Hills Grill. And I'm glad they let us order from the whole menu rather than restricting us to brunch stuff! I'd rather have a burger than French toast almost anytime.