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View the Loscon LJ Over Here!

  • Oct. 19th, 2009 at 10:21 AM
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Loscon is the LASFS annual convention and family reunion (about 1/3 of our members are members of the club).  Learn more about this year's convention; Loscon 36 over here:

http://community.livejournal.com/loscon/

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Sneaky book thief 'caught' by sneaky Librarian

  • Oct. 5th, 2009 at 10:39 AM
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A sly way to help someone learn:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113357239&ft=1&f=4516989

Books, the gateway drug to thinking.


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A Forgotten Apology

  • Sep. 18th, 2009 at 2:27 PM
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TrinSF is correct. I did not apologize for that thoughtless moment.

I apologize for cancelling my WFC plans and not thinking about the parallel commitment to volunteer at the Spiral Dance. I am sorry.

Memory and Apologies

  • Sep. 18th, 2009 at 11:24 AM
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A funny thing happened last night (in hindsight, and only because I was forgiven). I had been asked by someone I care about, who I consider myself close to, to pick them up after I finished presiding over the LASFS meeting on my way to dinner at Coral Cafe. I was even thoughtfull, and texted this person when I knew there'd be some delay. Round 11:00 p.m. I receive 2 texts, one asking me how long I'll be (sent 30 minutes previous but only just received) and one from a minute ago informing me that they were being picked up and would be at Coral in a few minutes.

I had completely forgotten this person and that this person was waiting for me. When said person arrived, by the kind efforts of another, I apologised in front of the entire room for my thoughtlessness.

Since the subject of my forgetting another person's invitation to visit them on thier dollar has been posted to the previous LJ post, I will also offer a public apology in this forum.

Lynx, Your offer to pay for my visiting you disappeared from my mind. I offer no excuse for my behavior. I am sorry that this happend.

Christian

Online ADHD Test Results

  • Sep. 16th, 2009 at 3:22 PM
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Swell, my score was 91. And now...? Oh, do something about it.

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I am a proud member of the LASFS (sarcasm)

  • Jun. 20th, 2009 at 9:35 PM
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I missed this incident due to helping out a friend. 

So what is the point of inviting interesting people (in this case, author David J. Williams) to the club to speak?  This is an amazing contribution to the memories of this 75th year of LASFS.

Here's the original URL:  http://autumnrain2110.com/blog/2009/06/19/incident-at-lasfs-or-i-get-in-a-steel-cage-with-jerry-pournelle/

And here it is in case the site won't open:


Incident at LASFS (or, I get in a steel cage with Jerry Pournelle)

No, I’m not making any of this up.

My talk yesterday at the LA Science Fiction Fantasy Society regarding BURNING SKIES triggered the ire of Jerry Pournelle, who became nearly apopoletic with rage that I was unable to articulate exactly how many degrees warmer the Earth of AUTUMN RAIN is than now. Things sped downhill from there.  I’ve got a couple notes in the timeline of how much said temperature has gone up by specific years, but Jerry wanted the exact figures . . . and I didn’t have the heart to tell him I didn’t have spreadsheets on the ocean salinity factor, and had neglected to draw up the precise ratio of atmospheric composition to describe the peasoup of the early 22nd century. This led to the question of whether I was a Real Science Fiction Writer, or just one of those imposters you keep hearing about. We had a particularly vigorous dispute on my doubts about whether solar power satellites would be the panacea that he thinks they’d be.

All of which was good fun.  But Jerry was a big teddy bear compared to his partner in all of this, Karen Anderson, who happens to be Poul Anderson’s widow (and Greg Bear’s mother-in-law—ye gods Greg, talk about karmic burden).  She was about as angry as anyone I’ve ever seen, interrupting me repeatedly, and ultimately stalking out of the room halfway through snarling that the world of Autumn Rain was obviously “magic not science.” It just wasn’t the same without her, but Jerry and I managed to cope nonetheless, getting into a no-holds barred debate on whether Reagan’s SDI could have been used as a first strike weapon.  Jerry seemed less incensed by that point, but maybe it’s because I was getting used to how loud he yells.

Anyway, everyone else at the club seemed pretty chill, and watched the conversation unfold with interest. And I gave Jerry a signed copy of BURNING SKIES afterward (”to a living legend”), so it was all good.  They really do have a clubhouse there, btw, right in the middle of North Hollywood—one reason they’re the oldest running science fiction society on the planet.  This was meeting #3749, and I can only imagine what’s gone down at the other 3748. The stories those walls could tell….

Anyway, I need to go find some coffee.

And you need to go buy BURNING SKIES.
 

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New Icon +/-

  • Jun. 18th, 2009 at 2:08 PM
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New Icon by the fabulously talented Jessica Gaona [info]le_moose .  OK not so new as it was premiered in the ALA 5 Program Book. 

Sad excuse for an LJ post.  I want to post about somene's Dream, another's Sadness, and a third person's Dj, but my mind is an empty set [ ] right now.  So I rediscovered the illo and put it up.

Worth Remembering - Networking

  • May. 15th, 2009 at 10:50 AM
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Why did I take the stuff when I know where to find it already.  Experience.  There's stuff from the interweb that I could find 10 years ago that is gone now.  So I've taken the gist of the articles and posted them here.  It also lets anyone know where I got the data, since its the work of others, not mine.  I read the Dal Carnegie book a billion years ago. I should probably re-read it.  Ii I remember correctly, what turned me away was the fact that his meme was specifically directed towards improving relations in order to get stuff, sales, and it read as if sincerity and honesty were not a centerpiece.  I may be misremembering.

This stuff is from here: http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2009/05/14/friends-principles-applied-80-years-later-to-social-networking/

Often, I’ll get asked which books I suggestfor social media. Sometimes I’ll quip, “[Besides Now Is Gone,] How to Win Friends and Influence People.” But in reality, while it’s something of a joke, but also a pretty serious recommendation (Image: Happy by kkoshy).

Dale Carnegie’s principles have stood the test of time because they are about fostering better relations amongst people. And the classic mistake with social media is to treat it like a mass communications vehicle, when it’s a conversational form that builds relationships. Social media is about a larger community and its concerns, as opposed to a litany of messages. There is no better set of guidelines for this then “Friends.”

For the United Way’s Staff Leaders Conference, Meg Keaney and I presented best practices for tactical social networking. We decided to embed and apply Dale Carnegie’s principles in the larger presentation (available here) to the three main social networks in the workplace: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. We walked our participants through these suggestions online.

The exercise was actually pretty challenging, and it forced me to consider a lot of my actions on and offline and how I’ve strayed since I last read “Friends.” Here’s what we discussed:

Become a Friendlier Person
1. Don’t criticize, condemn or complain.
2. Give honest, sincere appreciation.
3. Arouse in the other person an eager want.
4. Become genuinely interested in other people.
5. Smile.
6. Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most
important sound in any language.
7. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
8. Talk in terms of the other person’s interests.
9. Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely.

Actions to Be Friendlier on Facebook

  • Comment on friends’ status updates, ask questions
  • Remember your friends birthdays
  • Repost their links, initiatives if you find it worthwhile
  • Say or post something that makes you happy, and explain why
  • Recommend a friend

    Actions to Be Friendlier on LinkedIn

  • Congratulate job changes
  • Ask someone a question related to their experiences
  • Answer posted questions
  • Refer people who you admire
  • Write a recommendation for someone who you enjoyed working with

    Actions to Be Friendlier on Twitter

  • Reply to someone’s tweet
  • Retweet someone’s tweet
  • Suggest people follow someone, and don’t do it as part of “Follow Friday.” Follow Friday is a meme and lacks sincerity and impact.
  • Write a positive tweet about something good
  • Don’t engage in negative personality-attack tweeting

    Win People to Your Way of Thinking
    10.The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
    11.Show respect for the other person’s opinion. Never say, “You’re wrong.”
    12.If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
    13.Begin in a friendly way.
    14.Get the other person saying “yes, yes” immediately.
    15.Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
    16.Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
    17.Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.
    18.Be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desires.
    19.Appeal to the nobler motives.
    20.Dramatize your ideas.
    21.Throw down a challenge.

    Actions to Win: LinkedIn & Facebook

  • Create a group to engage thought leaders, interesting parties. Ask their opinions.
  • If logic/position is not factual, ask them how they came to that position.
  • Don’t say they’re wrong, yet state your facts. Ask them what they think.
  • Socratic method is a great way to engage. Sometimes writing out logic in an online group helps expose and address weaknesses.
  • Admit & amend wrongs
  • Challenge people to come up with answers.
  • Acknowledge and seriously weigh responses on any of these issues.
  • In areas of conflicting opinion, ask people to find a compromise.
  • Give credit to anyone who contributes to ideas used.

    Actions to Win on Twitter

  • Engage in a dialogue on meaningful issues.
  • Remember, Twitter is public. Let folks save face.
  • Admit and amend wrongs.
  • Don’t flame, rather ask and state your dialogue.
  • Give people an out. It’s 140 characters, not a debate club.
  • Look for the positive result, and celebrate it. Laud your conversation partners

    Be a Leader
    22.Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
    23.Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly.
    24.Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
    25.Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
    26.Let the other person save face.
    27.Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be “hearty in your
    approbation and lavish in your praise.”
    28.Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
    29.Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
    30.Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

    Actions to Lead (Across All Social Networks)

  • Rather than dictate answers, ask questions of the community.
  • Give the minority a respectful voice and place within the discussion.
  • Self deprecate rather than attack others.
  • Thank and encourage other people’s contributions.
  • Reward top participants!
  • Make as many heroes as you can.
  • Suggestions and multiple options work. Directions don’t.

    Certainly, we just scratched the surface on Carnegie’s principles and how they apply. What would you add?


    the stuff below is from here: http://www.jenleereeves.com/2009/04/21/social-media-for-broadcast-journos/
    So he tweaked the advice into today’s terms.

    1. Realize the social networking world does not revolve around you or your station. It’s everyone’s home! You don’t have a tower. You’re not
    2. Listen before you speak. See how people talk to each other. Figure out the terminologies. Ask questions. People love to help. But listen first.
    3. Make your friends feel special. (@reply by a person’s name) A big personality who replies or comments and call someone out by name, it’s special to them.
    4. Ask lots of questions.
    5. Proactively manage the conversation
    6. Bring something to the table that the online community values.

    You as a leader in a newsroom can implement these tools:
    1. Be online. You don’t have to be the biggest consumer, but you need to be out there with a genuine interest. You need to show that it’s important and you care.
    2. Learn to keep score. This is for any kind of online work. Check the metrics on your online properties. Hold yourself accountable for raising traffic month to month.
    3. Start small. Move fast. Start with one thing - one tool to connect with your audience. Maintain it and keep it moving. Do something new again next month. One month, get onto Twitter. Next month, get onto Facebook. Do seminars to teach the culture. Take advantage of the social networking experts in your town. (Chip’s town has meet ups where
    4. Exploit your expertise. If it’s weather, communicate really well about weather. If it’s investigative reporting, do it.
    5. Learn a new skill every month. If you can do it, your staff can do it.
    6. Experiment. It’s OKAY to fail, as long as you “fail fast” and learn. Don’t let it linger out there. See what works and move on. Set a time limit and decide if you will move on or keep it going.
    7. You can’t stand still. Learn. Go to Mashable and learn.
    8. You can’t try everything at once
    9. Hire people who know more than you.

    Your staff needs to know you stand on social networks. Be open and honest.

    [their presentation]

    http://www.slideshare.net/geoliv/social-network-participation
     

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Posting

  • May. 12th, 2009 at 10:33 AM
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Post!  This is a test.  If there were a real post here it would be a whining "why me?" annoyance.  At least I'm getting words out in 140 characters or less.  What is writing anyway?

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Stress Relief & Behind the Cut Test

  • Mar. 2nd, 2009 at 2:23 PM
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( List of stress relief options behind door number one. )


 


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Capricon 29 - Interlude - Potlatch 18

  • Mar. 2nd, 2009 at 10:00 AM
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Ok, attending two conventions in a row is excessive, but the opportunity presented itself, so I jumped at the chance.

Potlatch ( http://www.potlatch-sf.org/ )is a very small sercon which has Books of Honor' instead of Guests of Honor .  It floats between Portland, Seattle and the Bay Area.  This year it was in Sunnyvale.  I shared a room (the kindness of others, squee!), so the only expense was membership, gasoline and food.

Potlatch's two Books of Honor  (http://www.potlatch-sf.org/boh.php ) were "Always Coming Home" by Ursula K. LeGuin and "Growing Up Weightless" by  the late John M. Ford.

After the hectic excitment of Cap 29, this was 2 1/2 days of ease and relaxation.  Basically we lounged and talked, sometimes moving the talk to a nearby restaurant.  There was a track of programming, and a second do-it-yourself program room.  The higlights for me were the "Scalzi Rule" panel and the Clarion West auction. 

At the auction, I ended up 2 chairs down from UKL on the center isle, so I drew much attention from the auctioneers, Jay Lake and Tom Whitmore.  Only one item I wanted was not bid out of my range.  I am now the proud owner of a Poppy Z. Brite book whose title flitters beyond my reach right now. 

For the "Scalzi Rule" panel, the 80 people in the room, of whom 25+ participated, proved that a conversation can occur between a large crowd with ease.  To be fair to Scalzi, this was a nearly ideal group to have this sort of thing happen.  The Scalzi rule is that members of a panel audience should only be allowed to ask questions of the speakers.  This is to prevent the clueless, those who end up droning on about side topics and those who think they should have been on the panel and put themselves on the panel from the audience, from shanghaing a panel.  MKK texted Scalzi during the panel and he was bemused that folks thought this was something he wanted imposed on all panels, he isn't even sure it would work for all of his panels, but he was flattered that his idea was being discussed. 

Two thirds of the program book pages were devoted to restaurants.  Until Sunday we stuck with those within walking distance.  The Indian buffet was wonderfull.  It had the most diverse selection of items I'd ever seen for Indian food, and just as important a near monolithic Indian customer base.  The few non-Indians there when we were dining came from Potlatch.  The "Thai Garden" was good, but nothing stood out except for something called "Sizzling Garlic Pork".  I took a break at one point and enjoyed a bowl of t Manhattan Chowder at the "Fish Market".  Nearly the tastiest I've ever had.  Best Manhattan Clam Chowder ever (YMMV) came from "The Sea Lion" on PCH above Malibu.  Sadly they've been out of business since the mid 90's.  Sunday on our way out from the convention , Leigh Ann & Leo talked me and Espania (who they were driving home) into trying out "Hobees".  They are so well known by the owners that they were made "Favorite Customers" for 2008.  Hobees is a chain of a 1/2 dozen restaurants, which are healthy choice, but  not pushy about it.  They are breakfast/lunch only eateries, except for one that's open evenings, where we dined.  I have two comments on Hobees.  First, that fresh, warm coffee cake the size of Tiffany's boxes are to die for.  Second, that you can find a place which still serves "Good Earth" style iced tea, but better.  And third... Yeah whatever - That I've noted where the Hobees closest to the Baycon hotel is located for excurions in May.  Damn good healthier americana food.

Coolest moment at the convention occured when Ursula K LeGuin meowed like a cat to promote an auction item from her (also by her) about cats with wings.  She was spot on.  It was erie/cool. I think it was Jay Lake who quiped; "She also writes!" 

Usual suspects in attendance or making appearances, Kevin & Andy, Christopher J. Garcia, Leigh Ann, Leo, Espana, David Bratman, Tom Whitmore, Dave Clark ( my dealer who left me $88 poorer and 6 books heavier), Dave G & Spring, Cindy Scott (who I think was instramental in making the bountifull consuite go), a few writers I know and read, and Peggy Rae, who trumped my bid on several items at the Clarion West auction.

So a fantastical exhausting weekend at Capricon 29 followed by a great easy-going weekend at Potlatch 18.  FWIW there are no pictures from me of Potlatch 18.

Now we return, hopefully, to our previous Capricon 29 report.

No.  I have no idea why there's so much posting to LJ right now.

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Capricon 29 + 3

  • Feb. 25th, 2009 at 3:47 PM
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The journey began with an airplane nick'd out from under us.  Two hours after our originally scheduled departure the pilot shared with us that the plane had also been taken from him.  I felt acceptance because we were scooting out to the runway.

According to Dave, my flight was the last one arriving in from anywhere to O'hare.  Being late you'd think we'd head to Helen & Dave's immediately.  No.  I had to have my White Castle burgers.  White Castle is a midwest fast food joint that never made any headway in the West.  I know there was an outlet in L.A., once, in the 70's, but it was long gone.  Dave knew where the 24 hour White Castle could be found.

I had 6 steamed sliders with onions and cheese.    No pickle for me.  A side of onion rings and a Coke balanced out the meal.  Dave had the same, but with the pickle.  This place was an after hours hang-out for the bar crowd.  Dave said they swallowed the sliders to drown out the alcohol with grease.  I was in heaven eating this very marginally nutricious food. 

Did I mention the cold?  Chicagoland was so cold that I felt it.  In the wind the effect was tripled.  Chills raced through me in all directions every time I stepped outside.  For the record, I did have a jacket and arrived wearing Long Pants.  I'll only mention the wheather a dozen more times.  I   won't go into detail about Dave's place other than saying I'm jealous of the space.  Sleep hit around 4:00 a.m.  And that was my Tuesday, the night of February 17th.

Not much excitement.  Good talking to Dave.  Good night drive through the flats of Northwest Chicago.  Good day to die, though I lived.

 
  • Location:Studio City
  • Music:1/2 of a phone conversation behind me

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Capricon 29 + 2

  • Feb. 24th, 2009 at 12:21 PM
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Here's a picture of me (from behind) at the Capricon 29 Winterfaire:

http://flickr.com/photos/23249038@N08/3303220945/in/set-72157614339592156/

I'm dead center, wearing the hat, of course.  I actually left it in the room from time to time, but as an identifier for me, that hat and the L.A.con IV medallion are clear from a good distance.

Here's the entire flicker selection:

http://flickr.com/photos/23249038@N08/sets/72157614339592156/

Eventually my pictures will be posted.

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Capricon 29 + 1

  • Feb. 23rd, 2009 at 10:28 PM
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I kept most of my promises to myself.

I circulated, though more with the committee (Hang out with the people you share an affinity with, duh) , the entire weekend except for Saturday morning due to alcohol abuse.  A whole 'nother story...

I made all 13 of my panel items, and was late for only one of them.  And for that panel I was the first panelist to arrive, while two of the five speakers didn't show up at all.

I distributed all but one of the "Shiny" ribbons, a bunch of "It's not a fetish but an interest" ribbons, and a few "I'm going to the special hell" ribbons.  I believe ribbon madness has infected Capricon 29.  There were people who had ribbons that weren't ordered through Chaz.  I received 5 Dr. Who related ribbons from a couple of twins and their family.  I met a dozen folks who were regulars at Chicago Tardis (the other Dr. Who convention, YMMV).  Small world.

Photologing the convention.  That went so-so.  I think many of the photos didn't come out well, but there are more than 400 of them.  There may be more from Wednesday, convention load-in, than any other day.  I put the camera down all Saturday night and much of Sunday.  Still, there are a few brilliant pix (in the opinion of others) and maybe they'll look good on Chaz's website.  Once I cull the herd.  There are pictures of thumbs, floors, walls and other mistakes.

For the record:  I had a brilliant convention!  Capricon 29 may ultimately be a better overalll experience for me than CostumeCon in San Jose last year.  Really, you should go.  Your best bet is next year, 2010, Capricon 30.  They are going all out for the anniversary.








  • Location:Granada Hills
  • Mood: ecstatic
  • Music:Jerry Seinfeld re-runs

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Capricon 29

  • Feb. 19th, 2009 at 10:07 PM
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The internet and the computers in the business center at the Westin are conspiring to prevent me from saying anything about Capricon 29.  The battle isn't worth the effort.  The typing I did from 2:15 to 3:00 a.m. this morning is lost in the vitrious ocean of the ether.

Suffice to say, I am at Capricon 29.  I've taken a few pictures that may appear online courtesy of Chaz.  I won't mention how the convention's going for fear of this entry never being posted.

POISONED PEN - Someone else's insanity

  • Jan. 22nd, 2009 at 10:28 AM
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I've been to busy/exhausted/distracted for posting in some while, but this passed my desktop today and I need to share it:


http://nihilistic-kid.livejournal.com/1249222.html


I've had a similar experience with an author who didn't believe there would be consequences to his behavior.  

He'd spammed a list I was on pimping his vanity-press novel.  He then sent people insulting and sexually abusive email posing as me.  He didn't stop until I threatened legal action. He was a coward. I've kept his e-mails in a file in print.  My tormentor was Jeff Redmond.

These poison pill people think they can write abuse without it influencing how others think of them is remarkably naive.  Its not like they are DMV employees beyond the touch of mortal folks.  Maybe they hold with the idea; "Any publicity is good publicity."  I'll never pay to read anything by these two writers, ever.  Good luck to them.

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Devious Journal Entry remember this artist

  • Dec. 2nd, 2008 at 6:01 PM
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R E G R E T by *IgNgRez on deviantART

100 things someone else did and made into a list that I got from celedraug

  • Nov. 26th, 2008 at 11:48 AM
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I picked this up from[info]celedraug

   I also highlighted the items I've done here.   Yep. Slow moment.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked - I've picked up hitchhikers
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - but it was ugly
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David

41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen a geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance 
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone hang gliding
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check  Truly sad & pathetic
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - does a magazine count?
85. Read the entire Bible - 5 thousand years ago
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day. - My record was 4
 


Elections Never Seen

  • Nov. 5th, 2008 at 4:50 PM
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The last election day I remember clearly  participating in was the 1992 Presidential contest.  It  was capped by a stunning and hope filled evening, though marred by touches of the Flowers and other scandals drawn up as the pundits reviewed the race.  Two young couples facing outward in an arc on that well lit stage which, if I remember correctly, set behind the Governor's Mansion of the State of Arkansas.  " Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac playing as the crowd cheered and balloons fell, the camera panning back, the networks giving up commercial time to linger in the afterglow of Bill Clinton's acceptance speech.  That was a pretty good evening.

Since then I've not really been involved enough to sit and watch.  I vote.  I've voted all but once since I've had the legal right, some odd non-presidential, non-governor, non-mayoral thing.  I keeps my right to Bitch/Moan/Complain about the Government fresh.

With my recruitment by Michael Mason as a poll worker I become completely detached from the events on election day as they developed beyond the room where I witnessed votes being cast.  It became a waiting game.  Be involved with the process from very early in the morning until my clerk part was complete.  Finish the task and pass along the responsibility to the next level.  Then we'd gather with Liz Mortensen & Ed Green from their completed duties and eat.  And follow the news.  Or not.  It all depended on whether the place we ate had a t.v. or not.   We talked about the day, some about the election results, a good deal about how tired we were, and shared anecdotes about 'special snowflake' voters.

I enjoy not being part of the madness and speculation that roils through my world on a typical election day.  It did in the worlds I hung out in before I started working the polls.  Other people tell me they didn't have this problem.  Apparently working at a bank (ok S&L) then a foreign govt. put me in a unique position.  Even now, if I'd been at work, they were talking it up all day. I work at a labor union.  We had our own I.A.T.S.E. Barack Obama phone bank.  I tend to work places where today's election is our special obsession. 

Michael died, but still there's Scott Beckstead (who took Michael's Inspector's gig) &  his son Patrick.  I keep getting offered an Inspectors gig of my own, but I don't want to volunteer to run a group of strangers who might never show up.  I'll keep volunteering to keep showing up for Scott.

Have I mentioned recently that I really miss Michael Mason?

Yesterday was very different.  Maybe another post different.
  • Location:Studio City
  • Mood: contemplative
  • Music:Don't Stop

Tags:

Providence St. Joseph's Hospital

  • Oct. 30th, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Anime Portrait 2
The last time I spent any volume of time at St. Joe's, in the Emergency Ward, was with a Robbie related Migraine in the before time.  But yesterday...

First I have to pick up the patient [inserted here to relieve you of any thought that it might be me], sans appendix.

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