On Mon, 1 Jun 1998, Nicholas Leifker wrote:

     Hey, everybody.

     About A-Kon...

     The best description I can give for how the con went for me is hectic.
 I found myself running from event to place to event, with not much time
for real rest.  

Heh.  Found myself moseying around mostly.  The fastest I moved was when we
crossed the street to get breakfast.  And clearing out of those elevators.
:)

     The most enjoyable thing?  Sitting in either Tokyo-one or Denny's or
Whataburger, talking with people and just chewing the fat (in more ways
than one).  I had some beautiful discussions with Richard, Zen, Lara,
Travis, Doug, Blade, Gadekan, and others in these locales, and (along with
the panel) this will be the most memorable part of the experience.  The
last meal in Scoops was one that I needed, as I felt like I'd been running
everyone everywhere.  

Yes, fun.  It was also fun scaring the staff and "normal" patrons.  :)
Don't ever get in the way of a group of rampaging fic authors.  Especially
when they're hungry.

That last meal would have been better if we could have gotten it free.  I
was done when the fire alarm went off.

     Friday night was a blast.  Imagine a number of the most opinionated
writers around a table, scarfing sushi and debating characterization with
some of the most admittedly opinionated writers out there (myself included).  

Stabbing people with forks, etc etc... :)  Not going to mention the ride
there?  That was... awfully fun.  And here I have a bridge in New York for
sale.  How come I always get stuck in the back seat, smashed between people?
:)

     The panel wasn't as good as I would have liked, though it was pretty
good; I thought we got off on tangents too much.  I decided to try letting
the audience ask the questions; problem is, that tends to lead the group
off topic.  

It was better than the panel at Anime Central.  The two hours worked *much*
better, and even if people did go off on tangents, they were usually
interesting ones.

(As lame as it might have seemed, giving people a chance to introduce
themselves and spout off about what they've written was a nice touch.  No
one was overly flakey.  :)

Anyway...

Things I learned from A-Kon 9:


If you are arrogant in front of other writers, even accidently, dive for
cover.  Bokken and battle spats may be headed your way.

Naw.  It was funny.  About the funniest thing I heard the entire weekend,
even if it was unintentional.

All-you-can-eat Japanese is your friend, even if it is expensive.

Curse those onion rings I ate!!

If it needs it, get your shocks fixed before going to a con.  Your car (and
your passengers) will thank you for it.  

It was fun in a twisted way.  :)  Lots of baseball talk.  ;)

Don't trust any electronic or similar equipment in a hotel room -
especially the alarm clocks.  

Or those stupid keycards.  *bleah*

Do not spend too much time with one member of the opposite sex unless you
want the rumor mill to start flying.  Especially when you drove to the con
with said person.  

Rumors?  There were/are rumors?  And I missed them?  Now I've GOT to hear
these!  Someone tell me!!  (Oh yeah... :P :P :P :P - did you even hear some
of the worst stuff?  I think I corrupted him, if only temporarily)

And how about those Red Wings?  :P

Anything can happen in an elevator.  Anything.

Unfortunately, this is true.  Bet that guy wished he hadn't tried to push
his way into the elevator as the door about closed on his nose.  :)

Three words that should *never* be said during a panel: "Script or prose?"

Was surprised.  It looked like people were almost ready to discuss this.  I
thought the world was ending there for a minute.

Well, take care, everybody, and have fun.

No, now back to the real world...   x.x


Lara