Wiscon Friday

[ksmith]

Laid-back day, for a con. Breakfast, then went walkabout up and down State Street. Bought a decent set of headphones to use with the iBook. Found that the Chocolate Coyote, an ice cream parlor I'd usually visit at least once over the course of the con, had closed. There is another ice cream place on the Street, so all is not lost. But as with The Radical Rye, it's a little sad to see a familiar storefront gone dark.

Wiscon has redone Friday afternoon programming, replacing panels with something called The Gathering. It's a bit like a Boardwalk--lots of booths with things to buy. You receive 2 tickets in your con packet, and can buy more tickets for $1 each. I spent 5 tickets on an upper back massage that was *wonderful*. Was going to make a beaded lanyard for my badge, but didn't have the time due to the fact that I sat in the massage line for so long. But I caught up on things with Laurel Winter and Ellen Klages and met Jane Yolen in person for the first time. Watched Pat Murphy make balloon hats. There was a coffee-cookie booth, one where you could get your hair braided in a Renaissance style, another where you could make a postcard. Fun stuff.

Then came dinner time, when I learned that Ton Ton, the Japanese restaurant across the street from the hotel, had closed the previous month. Settled for fried shrimp and clam chowdah at the bar next door.

Wrote a little last night. Will try to write a little more tonight.

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Ah, I am trying to enjoy it all vicariously. (Envy you getting to meet Ellen Klages; Laurel I've met once, and she's spiff. Jane I've seen more often, and she too is majorly spiff.)

And a massage! Argh!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

The massage was great. This is the first time I've had one from a guy, and the hand strength makes a difference when it comes to loosening up the knots between my shoulder blades. He asked how hard he should press, and I said as hard as he could. I almost flinched a couple of times, but I could feel the muscles release after he eased up. I really should get massages more often so that my upper back doesn't get into that condition in the first place.

I've known Ellen for a few years--she's great. She's the official auctioneer for the Tiptree auction, which is tomorrow night. I will miss some of it due to a reading (mine--ack), but I plan to attend as much as I can.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have cable neck. My neck hurts people's hands, so I don't often get a good massage...and cannot afford the pros. I hope to again one day!

Good luck on that reading. Hoping you get to attend some panels, and can report on same...

[windrose.livejournal.com]

It's always strange when you visit someplace you've not seen for a while and note all the changes that have happened in your absence. Every time I visit my home town, I'm always struck by all the new buildings and shops that seem to have sprung up since the last trip.

Enjoy the rest of the con!