There is now a different light flickering in Balmoral. I am cursed. 🤣 However, I spotted friends in the fan lounge, which was quiet enough at the time that I managed half an hour.
This is why I put up with spending half the con in my room - the serendipitous encounters with long time friends I only get to see face to face (or mask to mask) once a year.
Right. Had sufficient carbs and caffeine to feel less sorry for myself and I can probably cope with a panel, even if not the bar. There is a surfeit of "things I want to go to" so will pick the one which won't be available on catch-up. Anyone who wants to catch me might find me in the vicinity of Balmoral for the next hour, although possibly with ear plugs in.
Off to tourism of the imagination panel. Will be interesting - I had a shock a few years ago to discover the place we went to for summer holidays when I was wee was now a Game of Thrones tourist attraction. Not sure what the tourists make of the ice cream and dulse van. 😆
So by the time I'd got lost in the Metropole and then dealt with someone else's dropped wallet I was not going to have time to rest/eat/caffeine/meds before the panel I really wanted to see. I thought I'd just nip back to my room for the caffeine and meds, and by the time I'd had half a hot cross bun and the meds realised that the rest of it wasn't optional. Hope the talk is on catch up.
Thirty years ago I would go to something in nearly every panel slot, be up to 1am every night, drive home, and be back at work the next day. Getting older is not fun, even if it's better than the alternative.
At least the wonders of modern technology mean I can whine about it on the internet in real time instead of having to wait until I get home. 🤣
Panel on creating haunted objects for a story. Workshop section at end involves writing from a set of prompts about haunted everyday objects.
I, meanwhile, am frantically scribbling notes for a plot bunny about haunted giant hogweed chasing someone into a tunnel in the gap between two modern buildings in modern Manchester, sparked by a comment about urban explorers twenty minutes earlier.
The giant hogweed and tunnel are real, although probably not haunted. Unfortunately the resulting story would pin down fairly accurately whereabouts I work, so probably won't get written.
It wouldn't be a *proper* con hotel without a Douglas Adams Memorial Lift...
Bah humbug. Yesterday when I couldn't cope with the noise I saw passing by or in the distance several people I think I know. Now that I can cope with at least ten minutes in the bar I can't find anyone.
Though I've probably passed several people whose avatars I'd recognise, just not their faces. 🤣
(Also, if I see you but don't acknowledge you it's because I didn't actually see you, especially if you're on my right. I almost certainly can't read your name badge. Next trip to the eye hospital is in a week or so. Say hello. 🙂)
This is why I should not be allowed in the dealers room when I don't have a grown-up with me.
Just got out of the fountain pen meet, where a good time was had by all. Lots of lovely pens and inks being passed around. I've got a couple of samples to take away; just wish I'd had more to contribute in exchange.
I already have stash beyond life expectancy in yarn. This did not stop a "please take my money" experience at Lola of Third Vault Yarn's table in the dealers room.
I was not the only one doing this...
JulesJones