quickie sundries

Because it's going to be a hard day.....

1. I look so fucking handsome today. Grey slacks, fabulous shirt with blue stripey pattern, waistcoat from new suit (the pinstripe color matches the pants perfectly). Oh, playing with patterns -- it's like textures for the eyes! I am learning things.

2. OH MY GOD, YOU GUYS: http://call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/node/33854 (although, whether the Gatsby thing is really happening or whether that's the latest kooky Baz rumour or another thing that will go the way of his Alexander the Great project, seriously remains to be seen.) I'm not sure I'm actually capable of having and writing an idea here, because it's so weirdly personal for me. But on the other hand, I'd have to come up with something -- what it's really a matter of is coming up with someone everyone else won't come up with too (the "matters of commerce" issue is well know, and as the bizarre "traditionally female" "pin-up" way in which he treats male bodies on screen. On the other hand, I haven't seen any work about a weird thought I had about what Australia was actually trying to do, and it's pretty cool (eventhough it was EPIC FAIL), but man, writing a paper about Baz Luhrmann that's not about sex and gender? That's no fun.

3. Patty and I are totally going to that 1920s thing tonight. Best part? It's near home.

proper sundries

First, see earlier sundries.

I am starting to formulate an idea about the Luhrmann CFP thing. It's big, it's bold, it's sorta batshit insane, because of course the idea isn't just "what should I try to convince someone I'm qualified to write about?" but "how can I make this useful to the narrative of my existence?" Maybe I'll fail, maybe I'll succeed and maybe succeeding at this would be the worst thing imaginable, but I have a plan, or half of one, at least. And I can't believe that thing I wrote about sex work and my adventures in Australia is coming out in an anthology this year. Oh, actually I can. It's bloody PERFECT. There is never anything I have done without hope of reason.

I'm actively not working on writing the abstract for the Bristol conference at this very moment because my priorities need to be this essay about Madonna and the Powerpoint for the Snape paper at Dragon*Con and polishing the fic I'm reading at D*C and making more D*C plans for footage and audio recording, both for my own project and for a podcast I'm now involved with.

I also just finished a major and pretty awesome report at work, and it's just nice, suddenly, this very brain life I'm living. But seriously, I think my whole writer, actor, personality, pop-culture, independent scholar, person who talks about themselves thing is starting to come together. Like, really, really come together. It's super weird, and it feels exactly right.

That said, I don't always use the full power of my brain, 'cause if I do, it's very hard for me to be in the world. And I'm struggling a little bit right now, because I'm all wrapped up in linkages and words and ambitions.

The last week or so has been a struggle -- long hours, strange moods and a lot of frustration. But I've managed it with more grace and quiet and calmness than I usually do, and that's good. Patty, of course, has been super lovely to me and taking care of me.

Squirrels are fearless fuckers and they need to keep away from my plants.

Man, it is so bad out there in the world, it's hard to even formulate a response some days: http://onemildrat.livejournal.com/35643.html

And wow, I am really not kidding about the awesomeness of this outfit.

I find myself surprisingly sad at the death of Ted Kennedy. Being me, my response is more based in this event as the end of an era, than it is about current political realities (although they are deeply relevant). Kennedy was an epic figure, and it wasn't just because of the last name.

I remember watching him in the presidential debates of 1980, back when it was a civic duty to tune into the conventions and listen to big men with well-coiffed hair talking about how they would lead the world. I remember one of the debates so vividly, the contestants sat in the deep chairs that were the very height of modernism; I was so young, and I watched how they slouched and sprawled and tried to take up space to look powerful -- it is my first recollection of the body-language of men.

I find I cannot think of Ted Kennedy's death so much of an end of an era, but more as the national recognition that, that era ended long ago.

We are diminished today, and also more truthful.

my Dragon*Con schedule

Please note: All of these are in the Pocket Program, but two of them don't list me as involved because they didn't include guest names because the number of participants is more like 12 than 3. Also, at the end of this I've tried to make a note of stuff I'm planning to attend as a fan.

Women Warriors in YA
The field of battle is forbidden ground in most historical novels. Come explore the art of war where women fight as well as rule, and strong female role models are truly strong.
Time: Fri 08:30 pm Location: A707 - Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
Post-panel availability: NONE. I have to run after this, and run fast. Why? See below.

Steampunk Fashion Show at the Time Traveler's Ball
Wear your finest anachronistic fashion and dance the night away. A parade of steampunk fashion presented by Berit New York will kick off the evening.
Time: Fri 10:00 pm Location: Hyatt: Hannover C-E
Post-event availability: I'll need change, and then it's time for drinkies. If you're part of TWU, TWH, Team Torchwood or I've otherwise met you before, this is a good time to say hi and/or come with.

Alternative Sexualities in YA: Not Your Mother's YA Book!
Explore the full spectrum of human emotion and love in this panel covering GLBT characters in literature. Bring your recs and a pad of paper as we discuss this growing field.
Time: Sat 10:00 pm Location: A707 - Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
After last year (which was fun, moving and intense), it's my personal mission to be the representative on the panel for the stuff that tends to get margnizalized -- bi, queer, trans, asexual, poly, kinky and other identities -- there isn't always a lot of this stuff in YA, but it's worth talking about when it is, and it's absence when it isn't
Post-panel availability: YES! I'll be off to socialize eventually, but this is a really good time to chat, especially if we've not met before and/or you're interested in the topic.

Identity in SF & Fantasy -- this is the Snape and gender paper!
How do portrayals of villains, monsters, and aliens reflect conceptions of human identity? Our panel examines this in different ways.
Time: Sun 11:30 am Location: Greenbriar - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Post-panel availability: Yes! I will be on premises for the rest of the day, largely hanging out, doing interviews with folks and hopefully setting up a few meetings. I totally have time to chat after this! Also, if you have any interest in the topic, this is the one I could really use your moral support on.

This is only relevant if you're in the contest; you can't like, come see me at this really.
Yule Ball Costume Contest Judging
Contestants wishing to participate in the Young Adult Lit costume contest will please come to the track room (Marriott A707) for pre-judging. Winners will be announced at the Yule Ball.
Time: Sun 05:30 pm Location: A707 - Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
Post-panel availability: NONE, see below.

RFR: Rapid Fire Readings
Want a variety pack of SF/F voices? The broads at Broad Universe bring you a buffet of snack readings!
Time: Sun 07:00 pm Location: Fairlie - Hyatt (Length: 2.5 Hours)
(I won't be there for all of it in all probability... because of the wonkiness of my schedule around this, socializing will have to play it by ear. Bar time with friends after.)

Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading-Time Travel
Various authors read from their works at a dizzying pace; time travel theme.
Time: Mon 11:30 am Location: Piedmont - Hyatt
(this is where I'll be reading a little bit of the crazy gay airship pirate story).
Post-panel availability: Low. We've got to say goodbye to folks and start thinking about heading to the airport, but quick chat is welcome!


Where will be I when I'm actually running around being a fan?
- all the morning Torchwood panels with GDL (if you are an early morning person, contact me about the Torchwood Hangover Breakfast Society).
- possibly at other panels about the Whoniverse as my schedule allows (although I could live a long time without sitting around Valdosta again feeling cranky).
- possibly at one of the Tom Felton panels.
- possibly at panels about Buck Rogers, classic BSG and the new V.
- possibly at the Abney Park show, if we're still awake.
- possibly at the Cruxshadows show, if we're not causing havoc in the bar.
- running around interviewing folks and taking a meeting or two.
- in the bar (I think it's the Marriott bar we wound up at last year, I can't remember; that bar.)
- no where near the con enjoying Atlanta with Patty (Saturday, in particular, after the Torchwood panel until my evening stuff, we are off-site).

*whew*, I think that covers it all. If not, ask in comments.