Went to the convention and had a blast. And, for those of you who read the last entry, no I did not kill Aton. That became a running gag among the students.

Aton is actually a typical science fiction geek with a motor mouth and the brains to put behind it. I was rather amused by the first part of our conversation (if you can call it that since I could rarely get a word in edgewise) during the one hour drive to the campus for the con. I have a feeling that my son must have at one point or other told him that we're pagans, as he brought up Bush's statement of a few years ago that pagans and wiccans were not a true religion. And then went on at length about his being Jewish and therefore very understanding of minority religious groups...pagans etc. He had to go straight to work for his part time job after dropping me off.

Once Aton left, everyone was asking me whether I'd killed Aton yet and I assured everyone that I had not beem so terribly provoked by his ability to talk at length without so much as taking time to breathe. My son had, also, told them about my tendency to shred people who get obnoxious with me, but rest assured I kept my promise and found Aton perfectly acceptible.

Impoverished authors cannot afford fine clothes and my clothing is comprised of mostly sweats and t-shirts from wal-mart. Which is what I wore along with a San Francisco Giant's baseball cap. Very scruffy indeed. But I stole the show from an author in a fine suit. Which was fun. I'm certain he wondered what the students saw in me.

Partly maybe it was the lack of pretentiousness. I dressed like they did. (except for those in costume and some of the costumes were very lovely).

When I gave my talk, it was to a crowded room. But my son David did not come. I mentioned this and a tiny black girl (and here I say girl because she looked so very young and small) wearing a french maid's costume went and fetched him. She returned with David slung over her shoulders like a sack of potatoes and plunked him down in a seat near the front. I wish I had gotten her name as from that moment she had me completely charmed.

I sold a few books, which covered my various expenses for the day, and made it all the more enjoyable. I chatted and laughed and joked with the students, many of them my son's friends. I also met a very nice young woman who is trying to write. She was somewhat shy and hesitant, but once she learned I wasn't going to bite came up and talked to me at my table in the dealer's room for several minutes. Her name is Tovah, I got that off her name tag. Her boyfriend appeared to be a big blond lout with a sweet face.

Finally I was driven home by Adam, a large blond viking with a mellow nature who is majoring in English intending to teach. Made me wish I was twenty years younger I don't think they made them like that when I was David's age. But that's the price of getting older.

I had a wonderful time. I believe that I have not had such a good time in years. Maybe it is time I took my nose off the grindstone and started getting out more. More than ever, I beleive that this is the year that things start to turn around for me.


Currently Reading: When True Night Falls by C. S. Friedman.

Recommended Reading: