Better Late Than Never ~ Balticon 45 Report

Sometimes I’m just behind on everything.

Balticon was a whole new experience for me. I started attending Science Fiction Conventions in the early 1980s, when I was in graduate school, and I have always enjoyed them. Over the years I have attended panels, filk concerts, bardic circles, workshops, art shows, auctions, slide shows, GOH speeches, readings, open filks, and dead dogs. Key word: attended.

At Balticon that all changed. Mike and I (with help from Janina, Amber and Tree–thanks!) spent the weekend running a fan table for Darkovercon 34 [ 25 - 27 November 2011 in Timonium, MD ] , in a busy hallway right in the middle of things. We talked to a lot of nice folks, and met a ton of nice people.

I took a few breaks from the table–notably to attend several panels–where I sat on the other side of the table for the first time! I did two costuming panels: Faux Paws (Recreating Expensive Looks for Less) & Steampunk in Costuming; and was drafted onto a couple of literary panels: Dark Quest Books Presents and Steampunk. I also helped at the Dark Quest book launch on Sunday evening, and did my first reading.

Mike and I also managed to squeeze in the Masquerade, and a couple of concerts including a great FuMP show. And I proofread a magazine. We even got some sleep.

I’ve been working in the field for better than a dozen years, but now I really feel like a pro.

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

TICA Trend Book Review — The Theory of Cat Gravity

The Theory of Cat Gravity
by Robin Wood

Chapbook 2000 Livingtree Books ISBN: 978-0-9652984-2-1 available at http://www.robinwood.com Rating: 5 paws (out of 5)

Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to get up when a cat’s been sitting in your lap? Or why so much stuff just accumulates under the bed, even when you vacuum regularly? Why is it harder for you to move around as you get older? The Theory of Cat Gravity answers all these questions and more. It will have you laughing out loud, with its sensible, logical explanations for some of life’s odd little phenomena–all of which are actually caused by your cat.

I’ve owned The Theory of Cat Gravity for years, and I never tire of re-reading it. Robin Wood’s Unified Pet Theory holds together as it is built up step-by-step, and will have you reading it aloud to your friends and family. This edition includes not only the theory, but also its proofs and its corollaries (for the completist in you).

The entire chapbook is decorated (illustrated) throughout by the whimsical art of Diana Harlan Stein, which enhances it even further. It’s highly recommended for anyone who has ever lived with a cat and suitable is for all ages, although young children may prefer to use the illustrations as a coloring book.

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.