Wednesday, January 16, 2002

Well, we got back from GaFilk, in Atlanta, safe and sound... all in one piece, and without having to unpack everything for airport security!

Actually we went through the airport security with no problem, both outbound and inbound, probably because I was paranoid and insisted that both of us (Heather and myself) carry nothing in our pockets... not even one penny... everything in the carry on, and nothing that even remotely looked like a hazard.

I even packed all the jewelry in the checked luggage! (I never packed the 14k gold in anything but carry on before.)

I, unfortunately, had a bad time (allergy wise) at the convention and missed both the main concert, and Lois' reading!! <aaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!> (Lois Bujold was the super secret surprise guest.) I got to spend most of the convention on assorted allergy meds, and downing caffeine to stay awake.

I saw a lot of old friends, met a lot of new friends, and didn't do bad business-wise either! (unfortunately, the cost of airline tickets does mean not as much of it was profit, but one can't have everything...)

I am already paid up for next year, so barring conflicts with other events I shall be at the 2003 GaFilk, it is the fifth GaFilk, and therefore its a GaFilkafifth! I fully intend to take a fifth of something suitable as a gift to the con committee...

There were some unexpected complications at the hotel, mostly having to do with fallout from the 9-11 mess. The hotel had cut staff by a good bit, and it caused some unexpected bumps in the convention...

The con committee got inducted into the order of the "silver newt", for surviving what was supposed to be a simple assignment that turned unexpectedly complex.

(For a better understanding of this, read "Ethan of Athos" by Lois McMaster Bujold, collected in the omnibus edition "Miles, Mystery, and Mayhem"... and assume that Elli Quinn would be the founder of the order...)

I no sooner get home than I get to drive up to Boston for Arisia, so no down time here!!!

Kirsten