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I had set back a royalty check, because I'd already committed to this con and not going would have left trhree people in the lurch. So, Friday, after work, I grabbed a shower and Youngest and headed out. I paused long enough to check my e-mail and see that "the Ballad of Angelina Calamity" has been picked up by Kerlak for their Dreams of Steam anthology.

We picked up heraldofdarknes and one of her housemates and began the trek to Nashville. Because GM was late, we made it in about 20 minutes til 7.

irene_heron paid me a visit and we went for dinner. Lovely to see her. We had a nice visit.

The Xerps room party was on, but I only visited and didn't drink. I did, however, go to the Promoting yourself panel. My take-away: the future is the ipad and adding alcohol to insufferable mansplainers only makes them mansplain more.

Our keycards demagnetized themselves repeatedly.

The next morning I did the usual opening. The booth was pretty dead most of Sat. I made it to the Writer's Block and Time Management panel. Eric Wilson, who also looks insufferable in his headshot, turned out to be smart and funny and sex-obsessed.

I never did find my Aussie hat, so Joy let me borrow her tophat for the steampunk. It changes Angelina's look entirely. (while I know it's Georgie who wears the topper, it makes me look rather like Dim from A Clockwork Orange)

Oli was the Darling of the Dealer's Room and entered the Masquerade as a walking commercial. Some of Loren Damewood's mail, some ears from Aridani and wings from Fairystone creations. I even entered. A very well done steampunk bounty hunter looked me over approvingly and offered me his flask, I reciprocated. I also learned I cannot patch my right eye and take off my glasses. I literally cannot see my own face in the mirror when I do.

The Greater Nashville Area Steampunk Hive borrowed our room and threw a party. They brought all thge food and booze. Good party. John Everson and Bryan Smith had BBQ next door and the Aridani boys had their own thing going a few doors down. Good parties all.

Sunday, Oli and I dressed and went to saraphina_marie 's steampunk fashion lecture. She and I have very different definitions. Mine involves an argument with the SF of earlier eras. There is no optimism in my steampunk. The ooh-shiny comes at a cost in my world and the social problems reflect our own.

Did a roaring business, got packed and loaded with no trouble.
After the dealer's room closed and after ridiculously long closing ceremonies, we loaded reannon's car and headed home.

Good con. Good people.

Oli in her fairy and Steampunk outfits