Reading: 1633 by Eric Flint and David Weber
Music: Old-Time Radio dramas
TV/Movie: Fist of the North Star
Link o' the Day: Noreascon IV

Impressions of Boskone 41.

It was pretty good--not as good as last year, but still worth the time, money, and travel. Sharing space with the evangelicals was somewhat reminiscent of MilPhil, but they weren't nearly as annoying in Boston.

I attended more panels than usual, but was disappointed not to find more panels that covered either fanac (particularly fanzines) and short fiction. (I was also disappointed that the only short fiction editor in attendence seemed to be Darrel Schweitzer.) Still, it wasn't a total loss. the best panel I attended was one on the nature of SF series compared to series in other genres. I also attended panels on what (novel) editors look for, YA fiction, computer technology, and space opera.

I found myself returning to the dealers room several times. I dropped a few bucks here and there despite being on a pretty tight budget. Greg Cox had some Geis SF Reviews (my favorite defunct fanzine) from the 70s that I picked up. I ended a two-year quest for a copy of the Chalker/Resnick/Effinger novel THE REDTAPE WAR. I was sorely tempted by a big ole bound set of WARHOON (another ancient fanzine) at the NESFA table, but decided that I could wait for Noreascon or (perhaps) order it online. It was good to see the other regulars like Larry Smith and Mike Walsh hawking their wares, and was glad that there wasn't an _over_abundance of media or jewelry-related tables. There were a few quasi-related tables, but for the most part it was a printed-matter-intensive dealers room, which I prefer. (It was also cool seeing that the "new book" tables had copies of both LOW PORT and MEN WRITING SCIENCE FICTION AS WOMEN in which I appear.

A number of people I had hoped would appear didn't this year. Aside from the lack of short-fiction edtiors, Rob Sawyer had to cancel due to illness. I did get a chance to chat with George RR Martin, David Hartwell, Jane Yolen, Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, and some others. A few fen I had hoped to catch up with were running ragged themselves. The most heartbreaking absence, of course, was Hal Clement's. I remember standing in front of the Fairfax room remembering how last year that room had suffered some flooding and Hal telling me about other flooding events at conventions.

Unless I can find an excuse to go to Icon, this will be my last con until worldcon as there won't be a Readercon this year. All in all, while a weaker con than last year's, Boskone 41 was still a good con and has me looking forward to Noreascon more than ever.

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Today's link goes to (appropriately) Noreascon IV.

Enjoy!