OMG IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!
The organisers really outdid themselves this year! But I'm getting ahead of myself. I should just discuss the first day.
*cue dreamy music*
It was a day like any other. Almost. I work up. I went to work. And by about midday, I was so anxious to be away from the office and setting up for the convention that I literally started pacing. For a further five hours, I paced, and paced, and paced.
I was a caged tiger, growling in ineffectual rage as i waited for the first opportunity to escape and...
Geek out over everything because I'm a complete and utter nerd.
Okay, so, five o'clock rolls around and I'm out of work like a shot. I practically ran to the Novotel Hotel downtown, carrying a bag of stuff that I forgot to pack before. I got there sweaty and breathless and so very excited.
The vendor's room opened to the public at five. I couldn't get the day off work to set up, so a very kind friend carted all my books over for me at around midday and I set them up when I arrived. I tried to make my table look pretty. It wasn't very pretty, but I tried.
I also failed to take a photo of it, because no sooner had I finished setting up than the room flooded with people scoping the place out. So many familiar faces, so many smiles, so very many hugs to be had!
And then, a mere two hours later, the room closed. And I was away, listening to the opening ceremonies, and then onto the first panel I was a participant in:
Unarmed Martial Arts for Writers and Dummies.
With me on the panel were other writers who were also martial artists:
Erik Buchanan, who was also our very excellent moderator, Nicole Lavigne, Kris (K.W.) Ramsey, and myself. It was great! We got up, we showed how some things are applied, and talked about the different ways our various styles approached various situations. For an hour, I got to geek out over martial arts and that was so, so, SO much fun!
Immediately following that, I had another panel in which the fantastic Katrina M.E. Guy (for whom I could not find a website, but trust me, she's awesome), myself, and our brilliant moderator Lesley Donaldson got to discuss archaeology and where it's one right... and so very wrong... in fiction. I've become a huge fan of both these people.
Afterwards, I was dragged out by the new friends I met on panels Friday night, and they very kindly paid for my dinner... because I was, and still am, broke AF. I will get them back, however, as I'm certain I will see them again.
Don't let me forget, Erik!
We didn't realise how late out we were, and ended up staying out until about fifteen or so minutes before all the parties shut down for the night. So, I popped in the the Bundoran Press party, and then had to duck out again almost immediately, as I had a bus to catch.
I got home to very angry, very hungry cats (sorry kitties). I fed them, got ready for bed, and, despite feeling so damned buzz from such a spectacularly wonderful night, I fell into the sleep of the dead.
I would like to take this time to thank all the people I met Friday night, to Erik, Lesley, Katrina, and the most awesome KT Bryski (we met during dinner) who are new to me, and to Kris, who isn't new but awesome all the same. You made for the best first night of a speculative fiction convention I have ever had.
Thank you all so much, and I cannot wait until we meet again!