cathschaffstump | Convergence Overview (Reply)

Wait...what...how...how did it get to be August? I mean, I know I'm back at work and everything, but damn! July was gone in the blink of a July!

I'd better talk about my trip to Convergence in general before it's, you know, the next Convergence or something...

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This was the most mellow and unprepared I've ever been for a convention. I knew people I knew were there, and usually I'd be making arrangements for lunches and get togethers and stuff, but I'd been back from Vietnam for a whole four days, and the jet lag and bronchitis together were just...well, let's just say first was about the best gear I could manage. I spent the 4 days sleeping, and when I was awake, I was prepping for panels. I was on three panels and had a reading, so I did have a little work to do.

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Bryon and I took off with our intrepid fellow adventurers Dan and Lisa. Dan approaches cons from a cynical stance. It's like a cycle. Goes in cynical, enjoys himself, really enjoys himself, acclimates back to the idea of leaving, comes out cynical. Occasionally he and Bryon will be cynical in corners together. Lisa, on the other hand, squeezed Every Single Penny out of the cost of her con admission. No one appreciates a con like Lisa. And Bryon, well, Bryon loves Convergence. It's got media and models and everything.

I see this con as one I geek at and play with my friends more at, but I do not forsake authoring or the authoring persona entirely here, because one can run into editors and fellow writers and so on. I no longer costume here (yes, I no longer costume anywhere!) But in general I'm in the company of friends and I relax. The other friends we usually hand with at Convergence are Minneapolis locals Aric and Kim, who offer up their house to stay in upon occasion.

This year we had a room at the Doubletree. After the warm cookies, it was all downhill. Not that the hotel was particularly problematic. There were the usual climate control issues, and couple that with mild bronchitis, and that's not good. There were tidiness issues. Put about 5K fans in a place, and unsurprisingly, they aren't very good at cleaning up after themselves. But the weirdest thing? The maid threw away our unmarked medications. Due to a variety of factors, including cleanliness, quiet, and that it's a short walk only, we are seriously eying the alternate hotel the Sofitel next year.

We visited with a lot of friends, and I apologize if my memory is a little murky.

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