JournalCon

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If you haven't heard, JournalCon will be in Chicago this October. I'm very happy about this, as I've never been to Chicago.

I'm going, and this time I'm bringing Jeremy. Are you planning to go? And does anyone want to volunteer to take my boyfriend to museums and what not while I'm doing gossipy journal things?

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Answers

Is he ok-looking? I'll volunteer. Given your admirable stance on relationship openeness, (I think I'd be like, "Go forth and get yourself a ho..., See you in two weeks."), we should be able to pick up some babes, (really hot chicks always hang out at museums), spread a little luv and ditch them in time for him to pick you up for supper.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Drop him off at my house. He and my husband can geek out together - hack the Tivo to add a slave drive, network up the Linux, Win98 and WinME boxes, and generally blow shite up.

There are a lot of geek/journal keeper couples. Maybe I will run a daycamp at my house for all the geek spouses of journalcon attendees. I shall call it, "Lone Gunman Camp."

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001


Oh, Jeremy will be so pleased that he has so many choices!

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Yeah, I talk a big game, but you know that, come the 'con, my husband will be right where he belongs - 3 paces behind me at all times, holding my coat and purse.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

I think I'm going to set aside some of my tax refund money and go. I'm pretty psyched. I didn't go to the first JournalCon, and I've never been to Chicago either. New experiences for mo pie!

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001


Hey, Mo, I'll meet you on the plane.

I will be trying my damndest to go this year, with husband and baby in tow, of course, since I won't be able to stand being away from Jess for three days. Four days? How long is this one going to be?

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001


I'm going, I think it will be a blast. Rudeboy, are you going? I think you should, we all luv you, you know.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

I'll most likely be there, unless something weird comes up. Last year was really fun, plus, I went to college in Chicago and haven't been back in years. And, of course, Rudeboy needs a roommate...

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

I've never been to the Museum of Science and Industry - I could take him there. Or give him the grand tour of the Art Institute, which is my 2nd home.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

The Museum of Science & Industry is awesome! Do they still have the sliced-up guy there?

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001


I'm going - hell, I'm PLANNING. Somehow (and I'm not sure exactly how), I have ended up being one of the co-coordinators of the whole darn thing (me, who had no journal until August of last year, and who already complains that there are not enough hours in the day for me).

Despite the fact that I know I'm in for a hell of a lot of work, I'm still very excited about doing this. Post here or email me and let me know if there are specific things you'd like to see included in the con itself or as extracurricular type events/sightseeing.

Also, I didn't go last year. I know people have talked this to death, but tell me again if you have the time and inclination: what should be different? what should be the same? out of those, what are most important to you? least important?

And of course...let me know if you're interested in helping plan. We're tentatively planning a chocolate fondue party at my lovely apartment sometime before too long (end of March? beginning of April?) for the local planners!

And Beth, I bet my boyfriend would be happy to take your boyfriend to museums while the rest of us are doing journal things. (Referring to the aforementioned fondue party, he said, "When are you going to do that? I'm going to have to find something else to do that night to get out of the apartment.")

Jessie

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001


Hmmmm, so what are these journal-cons like? I'm not sure what I want to do with my life, so planning to be in Chicago in October right now is absolutely crazy (I'm still debating between staying in Seattle, moving to New York, or dropping everything and bumming around Spain for a while).

Still, it might be kind of cool to go to journal-con. Plus I love Chicago. There must be a website for this thing.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001


There is.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

I'm going. I already have my roommate and have checked out ticket prices. I'll be purchasing the tickets in Aprilish sometime. I've never ever been out of the eastern time zone so I'm VERY excited about going!

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

I'm probably going. We had theorized Europe but.

Last year I only didn't go because my besty pal was getting married; now everyone is married and no one is pregnant so I'm going.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001



I'm planning on going; if I go I'll probably drag Greg so if anyone has a significant other who's into marathon used CD/book/comic book shopping, perhaps they can amuse each other. Greg has met several journalers and is fascinated by the whole "community", but would probably gouge out his eyes with a fork if he had to spend three whole days listening to us gossip.

Did I say gossip? I meant...well...hell, I meant gossip.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001


I haven't decided if I'm going yet or not, and will most likely wait until August or September before I finally decide.

It should be a fun time, though.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001


Ooh ooh! I planning to go and I have a geek husband too! Perhaps there should be a 'Lone Gunman' camp. My mom lives a few hours south of Chicago and I'm pretty sure she'd be gleeful at getting a chance to babysit, so being in Illinois works out well.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

Once again the timing sucks. I'm out of a job. I don't have any money saved up. And Dragon*Con instead of being in July is in late August this year. Aug 31-Sept 4 and that's a lot of money to drop so close together.

I want to go, really I do. I want to go hang out with Gabby too (Hi Gabby) and maybe get plastered and be completely and utterly silly.

But I don't know if I can unless I get a job and I can't get a job unless I somehow magically become much more competent in all sorts of web related technologies that have slipped out of my fingers in the last nine months ... and welcome to the constant chorus that's been going around in my brain since February 9th when I a) got married and b) got laid off.

Ahem. Right:) Back to your regularly scheduled conversation.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001


Gabby is more than happy to play tour guidista for people, since I'd rather poke myself in the eye with a sharp stick than go near Journalcon. The weather is gorgeous and brisk in October.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

I'm going to take you up on that tour guidista thing Gabby!

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

This brings up something I was wondering about last JournalCon... are only journallers allowed in? It sounds like lots more people are bringing SO's this year (children, even!), and that's going to change things a bit.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

I'll probably go. The first one was fun, and I went to Chicago last year for an SF con and it was really very nice (not at all what I expected; I had all sorts of bad ideas about Chicago, as opposed to Pittsburgh which I knew was nicer than its PR, which made me backwards from everyone else as usual ....)

But, um, I digress.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001


I'm probably going to go, seeing as how I live less than 30 minutes from Chicago. I've volunteered to help as well because of my location. However, I'm a little nervous about it - I've never met anyone from the internet before. And my husband definitely won't want to attend, he thinks the whole idea is rather corny. I'm hoping it'll be fun.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

Like Lisa, I was trapped in wedding festivities and couldn't attend last year, so I definitely want to go this year. I probably can't afford it, but that's why credit cards were invented, right? Plus, I think Chicago, I think Amy Lester. (Miss Parsley Pants, can you hear me?)

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

I live here, ot too far from the proposed site, so I'm gonna think about being there. Might be interesting to see some real live journal people.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

I'm there. Anybody want to be my roommate?

I've never been to Chicago. I'll be looking forward to that a lot. I love visiting new cities.

Has it been decided where it will be? I thought the Days Inn sounded pretty cool.

As for activities and such-like, I just hope this year's organizers don't get all pissy if the bad kids go off and drink and smoke and play truth or dare while everybody else is processing. Heh.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001


I hope this year we will not be consumed with guilt if we decide not to heal and reveal.

Believe it or not, this year the non-journalling boyfriend is the one who wants to go, as he's never been off the east coast.

Or, really, out of Jersey.

So we might end up going. Though I might end up being dragged around the whole of Chicago, having things pointed out to me by the boy with big dorky tourist guidebook more than doing gossipy journal things.

Beth, would Jeremy want to hang out with a crazy history nut?

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001


Hey Molly - if you haven't been flooded with roomie requests, I'm looking for one who also engages in bad habits!

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

Oh geez, I need to find a roomie?

Ok, who wants to stay with an abrasive anarchist bowler Clint Eastwood fanatic?

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001


Dora, my Parsley Pants will be very big indeed as I will be 9 mos. pregnant at the time of Journal Con. I don't know if anyone will want my act around...

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

As long as RABcon's not that weekend, I will find a way to be there. The husband will be with, but he'll probably be the official wheelchair pusher, unless I can find a place to rent an electric one.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

I'd love to go this year, but it will all depend on how school's going. I think I'm scheduled for 18 hours that semester - couple that with my full time job and I'm not left with much time.

I was jealous of all who got to go last year and put names with faces. I think it would change the whole posting on BB dynamic if you could do that and didnt' have words to reply upon only, don't you think? I know I do peculiar things that once met, might make more sense. Don't ya'll think? If for no other reason, that's exactly why I want to go... names & faces.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001


I feel like, if I went, I'd be the one sitting in the corner watching everyone else laugh and talk and make in-journal jokes. Eventually someone would nudge someone else and I'd hear, "Oh, that's Jette or Jeanette or something. I think she has a page on Columbine's Web site. Where are you going for dinner?"

I feel like I'd be really out of step. Most of the people who read my journal and write me aren't journal keepers themselves. And the few that are, aren't likely to go.

It's like I'm not cool enough to hang with the gang, or something. Does anyone else feel this way? I can't be the only one.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001


Jette - I think most of us felt that way at the last one, and a lot of us weren't familiar with each other's journals. There winds up being LOTS to talk about (in some ways it's more fun with the ones you don't have any preconceptions about).

Really, don't let worries about that put you off. I figured we'd be sitting, staring across the room at each other silently like it was a 7th grade Sadie Hawkins Day dance. Instead, most of us (ok...me) never shut up.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001


Jette,

You aren't the only one. I actually just wrote something similar to Stee in response to his column today.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001


Jette, that's exactly how I felt last year before going. But really, everyone was fun and no one was snobby at all. And you'll get all the "in" jokes.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

Did someone say that one of the rules is you hafta have a journal or can you just be perpetually pretending to think about having one? I may never have a journal but, I could at least have a journaller.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

I find it incredibly weird that Jeremy and other spouses would even WANT to go to this thing. It's like going to your partner's high school reunion, which I'd never do because I don't know the people and would get bored listening to them reminisce, or having my husband point out the class slut, brain, etc. Won't these guys get bored listening to everybody crack injokes to each other?

Unless they have some desire to visit Chicago anyway, I guess,

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001


Jeremy wants to go to Chicago because he's never been there. If I make him listen to a reading or something, he'll stab himself in the eye, I'm sure. (Of course, so would I, which is why I don't go to readings.) I suspect that's why other spouses are going along, too.

If it had been held in Vegas or San Diego, I'd have been on my own, because he has no interest in those places.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001


Shit, did I just call him my spouse? You know what I mean. Sex toy.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

Amy, I think everyone will want you around, no matter how pregnant you are. The fact that you might go into labor at any moment will just add to the excitement of the weekend!

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

The number of accompanying non-journaling folk is remarkable, actually. The conferences we plan at my work always have 'co/sub programs' for spouses... while a general geek enclave at someone's house would work just fine, maybe a specific plan could be made for 'em. At least one day tour of Chicago. (Of course, some journalers themselves would probably nip out to go with them.)

And, no one should have problems should the "bad kids go off and drink and smoke and play truth or dare." As the new organizers will discover, and as any event organizer should know, the reason for being "pissy" revolves mostly around restrictions and liabilities that come with the venue (i.e. Days Inn) -- a non-smoking room is just that, and underage drinkers, although impossible to stop, should probably try a little harder to not be seen.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001


So much controversy over our 45 minute game of Truth or Dare!

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

Well maybe this year's organizers can let people know ahead of time where smoking is and is not allowed. And maybe if this year's organizers have issues with underage drinking, they should speak directly to the offenders. My mental telepathy is really out of whack, so unless someone gives me clear cut statements regarding what I can and cannot do in certain situations, I decide for myself.

Man. I haven't been in this much trouble for playing Truth or Dare since fifth grade when we got a kid to light his own fart and he set his butt on fire. And I wasn't punished/scolded near as long for that as I have been for last year.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001


Sheesh! "Controversy"? "Scolding"? I honestly don't get that.

Seriously. I'm all for cutting loose. I'm damn pissed I was too numb to enjoy any of it myself. Much as the formal stuff was my responsibility, everyone knows from the start it's what happens outside that's the attraction. I was just answering here to the comment about being "pissy."

Please, just think about it from the point of view of the person who's name is on the four-figure hotel contract - just for a moment. I hate party-poopers as much as anyone, but finding violation fees or damage charges on your back is even less fun. I don't even have to get all dramatic about municipal laws and whatnot.

I agree, this time we should make various expectations and concerns clear up front, as dry and procedural as they may be. (But also in my experience folks will often ask before smoking indoors, or in a commercial facility, out of courtesy. If you're not sure, I don't think anyone would mind finding out.) Honestly, we learned 101 things and more in the first go-round.

I'm excited and thrilled Jessamyn and Kim are doing it this year. They're brave, enthusiastic, and capable. Can we not focus on this particular hiccup? I mean, how about how I couldn't get anyone's name right? (NAMETAGS!) Or how about "the incident"?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001


If there's anything I'm all about it's wholesome fun. In fact, just last night I had a thought and it hurt like hell. With eveyone's enamoration with Temptation Island, (you only think you know where this is going), why not have a Temptation Island reenactment segment?

I'm thinking of a particular scene. A scene involving a hammock, a redhead and a clear summer night. You remember it don't you? Of course you do, it was the only truly unforgettable epsisode of the show.

Obviously we won't have an island or a hammock or a clear cool summer night, but, with a few practical substitutions we could really give some type of performance.

The scene: a long pressboard plastic fake wood table, a redhead and a boy sitting close (outside thighs touching) on the table, a ceiling fan wiggles and hums on medium speed just above them and all but two of the track lights in the room are turned off to provide the moonlit darkness. The redhead's boyfriend is off let's say, for instance, looking at fine art and babe watching in a museum somewhere.

The table top two begin talking. The conversation consists solely of platitudinous romantic cliche questions spoken in soft tender throaty voices. "Where were you five years ago?" "Why couldn't I have met you sooner?" "Is that a bannana in your pocket?"

A kiss is shared. A roaming hands embrace follows. The girl places her arms around the boy's neck, she starts leaning backwards pulling him onto her. She whispers in a soft voice, "Am I going to hell?" The lights go dim. The couple continues down, kissing tenderly, lost in the moment. She whispers again, "Am I going to hell?" The lights go out.

The lights come on and throngs of drunk online journallers stand to their feet whooping and applauding.

(One of us in this community is always thinking about sex... Ok. It's me!)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001


So who's the redhead?

(Did I mention my new haircolor?)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001


Damb.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Is there anyone who went last year that felt like nobody knew them before going? That's how I feel about going this year... like no one knows me, so why bother. Top that with having to go by myself and being a recluse at heart, I'm trying to figure out why I think this is a good idea. I didn't go to the last one for a lot of those reasons, and it was in my own city. So someone who was braver than I, share your story!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Cindy, do you have red hair?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Rudeboy, have you forgotten me already?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

No way. But don't you have blonde hair?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

No silly, I'm a redhead!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Ryan, you weren't supposed to mention "the incident." Didn't we all agree?!

BTW, I didn't know anyone when I went last year, and I had a great time, and ended up making lots of new friends. Don't be shy - go!

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001


Cindy - the feelings of apprehension are normal, trust me. From what it sounds like, it'll be a good time.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Yes, Rudeboy. I do have red hair. Should *that* question make me afraid of going?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Color me crazy (and black-haired) but I think I'm gonna go!!

Is there a roommate matching service? I'd be lying to say if I wasn't a wee bit nervous, but hey, first time for everything, no?

And, anyone want to catch some drinks at a local bar? I just figured out what a top shelf LI Iced Tea was and shitass, why haven't I been drinking them earlier?

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2001


Oh my god, I'm having palpitations. I get to meet Columbine! And Dora! And Claire! And Greeeeeegg...

Be still my beating heart.

(But not too still, or else I'll be dead.)

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2001


After I met Columbine, and then met Mo, all I could think was, we have to get these two into a room together.

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2001

Since there is now an unknown plethora of redheads planning to be in attendance, precluding any possible fairminded preselection of participants, maybe Mo and Columbine will volunteer to perfrom the Tamptation Island skit. What an icebreaker.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001

I do not skit.

I am tremendously amused that someone would actually want to meet me. Mo, you do realize that means you are deranged, right? Ignore Beth, she's hopped-up on sinus medication and too much Beowulf and is delusional.

On the other hand, I'd like to meet Gabby, who won't come near this, so I may have to wander over to the Art Institute and ambush her.

At any rate ... um ... what WAS I saying? Oh, yeah. So. I'm definitely going; the numbers have crunched properly. I'm an early-ticket-buying kind of person so I'll be looking into plane fare Any Minute Now. I unfortunately am not a room-sharer; I pay extra so I don't have to put up with a roomie and vice versa (actually it's more the vice versa; I'm a bad roommate, ask my fiancee). So I hereby deal myself out of the roommate game.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001


Oh, Columbine, everyone wanted to meet you last time, too. I did, I did! And I'll admit I've got the issue here and there, but I do so solemnly swear I wasn't and never was deranged.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001

I'm perfectly willing to accept that I'm deranged, but Columbine, I don't think wanting to meet you is one of the symptoms. Anyway, Beth says we have to. You're not going to argue with Beth, now are you?

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001

Columbine is great fun to meet as long as you remember a few ground rules, like No Singing Gilbert & Sullivan at the Dinner Table.

I'd like to meet Gabby too but I'm not sure the feeling is mutual. (No conflict, here, but she may not have a clue about who I am.)

It sounds like I am slowly being persuaded to go to this thing, since it's in Chicago, a city that I've always wanted to visit, and Austin-Chicago airfare is often quite reasonable.

Me, I probably will need a roomie. If you promise not to smoke in the room, I promise not to subject you to Elmo at 8:00 am.

I suppose Columbine will also establish a rule about not singing the "Chicago, Illinois" song from Victor/Victoria. Which, due to the weird entanglements involved in this topic, is now running through my head. Damnit.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001


It's entirely possible to arrange some kind of dinner or lunch or brunch thing for all of you deranged wackos who feel the need to meet me (you hear the wry tone, yes?).

There are, however, people I'd very much like to avoid. Desperately like to avoid. This does not include Jette and Columbine, both of whom I find to be excellently bitchy and wickedly intelligent and who get the thumbs up from me.

So, if you guys want to do this, I'd like it to be a rather private and limited affair. Because I'm a mean, elitist snob like that. (Again with the wry - you got that, yeah?)

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001


Jette, the Elmo at 8 am is part of your appeal! And while I would be happy to go along with the no Gilbert and Sullivan at the dinner table rule, I am very much hoping that Columbine can be persuaded to sing "Hymn For A Sunday Evening" or "Honestly Sincere" with me.

Time to put away part of the tax refund for airfare...

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001


Hey, speaking of boyfriends, does anyone want to meet Keith? I was just talking to him, and I told him that Beth's boyfriend was going and that he should go too, and his ever-logical response was, "But way less people read your journal than read Beth's, so nobody will know me. And even if they did, why would they want to meet me? It's your journal."

So, anyone want to meet Keith? Now I'm curious.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001


I am hereby inviting myself to be a part of the Bye Bye, Birdie medley, Melissa.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001

I played Mae Peterson in high school! I was always miffed because I couldn't sing the fun songs with everyone. Whenever I play the soundtrack (with Dick Van Dyke, etc) Andy runs from the room in horror. He says it's one of the worst musical soundtracks he can think of. Bah.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001

I didn't know anyone prior to JournalCon 2K and I had a blast. There were a few people I was nervous about meeting, but as usual, it was simply my own irrational thoughts that made me nervous. They were wonderful.

I didn't share a room last year and I feel as though I missed out. I'm definitely up for room sharing this year.

If you have any thoughts about going and have the means to do so, DO IT. You won't regret it.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001


Oh, Athena, you're going too? This just keeps getting better and better.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Yay, Athena! And Amy, Andy, bless his heart, obviously needs his head examined.

I'm starting to look at airfare right now ... tickets from New Orleans to Chicago are running about $300 ... yikes. Amy, other any other Chicago people, is there a better airport to fly into? In terms of ticket price / convenience? (I've never been to Chicago.)

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001


Check Midway Airport. It's west of the city in a scary neighborhood, but has airlines like ATA that O'Hare doesn't. If I didn't live an hour away from the city, I'd invite everyone to stay at my house.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Amy, I played Mae in high school also!! I sense a journalcon musical in the future...

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Amy, thanks for the airport tip. Wait -- I thought we were all staying at your house. Damn!

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Ed Sullivan ... Eeeeeeed, Ed Sullivan ... We're gonna be on Ed Sullivan ... How could any family be ... half as fortunate as we?

Ahem. I blame society.

At any rate, I just wanted to note that one advantage I know of about O'Hare is that you can take Chicago's lovely subway system (some parts of which make the Boston one look like a model of efficiency) all the way into town from the airport. (It's a LONG trip - 45 minutes - but some of us neither believe in nor trust taxis, airport shuttles, et cetera. And it's a lot cheaper than either.) I don't know if there's good public transportation from Midway.

Yes, I'll pay for a single hotel room but not for a taxi. It's mostly that I distrust the honesty and/or driving skills of the people involved. Color me paranoid.

I did take an airport shuttle service back to the airport last time (Debby refused to make the subway ride back) and it ran about twenty bucks a head, as I recall, which isn't bad; you'd pay more than that in a taxi.

Is there an ETA on when the hotel will be announced?

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001


Yes - there is a line from Midway into the city. It's the Orange line and it's right quick: 20 minutes or so, loop to airport.

Additionally, Midway has a brand spankin' new terminal!

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001


You couldn't keep me away Mo!

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Athena, maybe we'll have more than, say, thirty seconds to talk? Now, that would be nice.

My journalcon 2001 vow is to Not Rush Around So Much.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001


There's like a whole middle section of this thread that I somehow missed yesterday when I read it. I don't know how that happened.

There was a Truth or Dare game last year? And I missed it?

I'm obviously not one of the cool kids.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001


I think Journalcon should be longer than a weekend. You don't have enough time to hang with everyone. I was really surprised that some of the people I found the most interesting that weekend were people I didn't read very often.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I'm trying to picture a non-rushing-around Jen, but the picture keeps moving on me....

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Jen, that would be wonderful! I can't wait to see some of the friends I met last year and make some new ones as well.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I think instead of so many speakers we should have time allotted for games or small discussion or something where we can all talk to each other, and not just sit quietly and politely in our seats.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Amy, I think that's a swell idea. I am adept at sitting neither quietly nor politely.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

I want to go just to see if anyone (or everyone) is actually successful in gettin' wit Rudeboy.

Seriously, I'm considering it. I have to work up to it though. The DC journallers have almost persuaded me to drive up for one of their monthly activities. If that goes well I might buy a ticket.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001


The idea of enforced "game" time makes me want to stick a fork in my eye (tm Beth), although some more open free-form discussions might be nice.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

What a shame...I was so looking forward to a round of dodgeball with you, Jan!

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

And I had hoped for a rousing round of duck duck goose.

But what about intellectual games, writing games, drinking games? I'm a big fan of them. We're all writers - I bet we would get a wicked round of Exquisite Corpse going.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001


Enforced "game" time...not really what I meant, but hey, run with it.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

I think it would be neat if everyone was given a clue about someone, and then had to socialize with everyone to figure out who their assigned person was. It's a big icebreaker, imho.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

I want to go just to see if anyone (or everyone) is actually Successful in gettin' wit Rudeboy. ...Seriously, I'm considering it. I have to work up to it though.

Awww baby, ain't nuthin' to work up to. You just gotta lay back, relax and let the rudetongue and salad tongs work their magic.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001


Can we combine the dodgeball with Exquisite Corpse? Now that sounds like a riot.

Amy, I wasn't sure exactly what you meant, but I just wanted to sound the alarums about my complete and total hatred of enforced games before things got out of control. I think it stems from one too many, "Let's meet each other by playing the game where each person says three things and one of them is a lie and two are true and we all have to guess which!" experiences.

So, to sum up, games in general = good. Mandatory lame get-to-meet- you games = bad.

Not that anyone cares about my opinion.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001


Am I sounding whiny and bitchy about this? I'm sure that no matter what happens at JournalCon, be it speakers, readings, games, or doing body shots off of rudeboy in the main lobby area, we will have a grand time.

I'm leaving Keith at home, by the way. I need a damn vacation by myself for once.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001


Oh I am so there, kids. I am so so so so so there. I don't care how many classes I have to skip, how many books I have to sell to get a ticket, I am so so so there.

I also need a roomie.. and I also hope that nobody minds if bad kids do bad kid things..

teehee. I can't wait.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001


yes, answering again 'cos I went back and read the whole page.

Athena, maybe this time we won't leave you when we go out to dinner. I still feel bad about that. "Wait, she's not in your car? I thought she was in your car!" "Well, we thought she went with you guys!" "Dammit!"

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001


David G.

If you still need a roomate, I'm always up for an anarchist influence...

Drop me a line

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001


chicago is only a 5+ hour drive from minneapolis and this happens to be my midterm break, so who knows? i may be tempted. if anyone's in the mpls/st paul area and wants to drive down with me, let me know. that would definitely encourage me to go.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2001

I'm in Chicago, and am planning to go to JournalCon (my first)...feel free to e-mail me for Chicago advice or to plan an outing. I have a map of just about every good (and some not-so-good) Chicago bar in my head. (I'm so ashamed....)

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2001

Emily,

You are too cute! Actually, you won't be able to get rid of me.

*grin*

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001


Athena:

I'd love it if we couldn't get rid of you! We hung for like, all of sixty seconds last time!

em

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001


Attention bibliophile JournalCon attendees & coterie:

Please bring both money and extra room in your luggage, for I have visited a bookstore which left me dizzy and thrilled. The Seminary Co-op Bookstore at the University of Chicago is one of those labyrinthine, basement stores - packed to the gills with books books books. I walked in and faced a rack of the complete Penguin and Oxford Classics.

I'm still in shock. Luckily, this is very close the Museum of Science and Industry, so this could constitute a lovely day out.

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2001


Gabby, have you been to the Co-op's sister store, 57th Street Books? It's right around the corner at 57th and (I think) Woodlawn.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2001

It was on my list but I'd already been to the official uni bookstore and by the time I left the co-op, I was overwhelmed and in danger of handing over my debit card in exchange for free range.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2001

I went to the U of C, so I'd be all over a Hyde Park field trip (maybe that can be the official "Gabby" event).

Also, a bit of diary world trivia: Jen Bombpop used to work at the Co-op.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2001


Hey, all! Just wanted to let you know that the Journal Con website is now up. Go here:

http://glitterbook.com/jcon2001/

We'll have it linked to the "official" Journal Con website (at www.journalcon.com) as soon as possible, but for now, bookmark the above! Then start registering and emailing!

Let me or Krystyn know if you have questions about anything on the site!

Jessie

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001


I'm coming with my entourage

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001

Thanks for your work, Krystyn and Jessie. The site looks great.

But one thing - I know a lot of people, in a lot of places, have expressed interest in being more social, and having interactive gatherings rather than concentrating on too many panels. But on the site it looks like full days have been dedicated to speakers and sessions. Personally, I'd really rather not spend my entire day nodding thoughtfully.

Any one else have any thoughts?

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2001


I'd like a mix of what Jen was talking about. Social gatherings are cool. Panels are cool. However, I'm not shelling out bucks to go to Chicago just so we can all sit around and shoot the shit (no matter how lovely your poo may be, alas)

So a good amount of social mixed with a good amount of educational, and poof. Happy me.

Just my opinion, of course.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2001


Well, nobody is going to be forced to go to all the sessions. If people want to socialize instead, they can go ahead, but the people who are interested in a more formal program wouldn't have that option if there were fewer sessions.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2001

I have to second what Jen Wade said. The real trick to making it pleasant for everyone is if those attending panels don't grouse about the ones choosing to socialize and vice versa. Do what you want, and have fun! You may not know what you want to do until you're there, so be glad for the options.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2001

I agree with Jen Wade. This is how I've always handled Austin Film Festival. I read the panel descriptions, and if all the sessions listed for a given time sound lame, or if I'm tired, or if I just want a beer ... then I'll skip out.

Going to panels is great, but playing hookey is fun too. Especially if you have co-conspirators and feel appropriately naughty about it.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2001


No, no - I guess I was unclear. Playing hooky was absolutely the best part of last year's con. Picking and choosing sessions and so on, that's absolutely a given, too. Obviously.

What I meant is that I would like to see, instead of straight sessions scheduled all day, one or two of those social grouping game things mentioned earlier in between. Maybe one a day. And I wondered if anyone else would be interested in that. That's all.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2001


Personally, I'd really rather not spend my entire day nodding thoughtfully.

Damb. This is what I do best. Well, maybe not so much the thoughtfully part, but, lemme tell ya babe, I can nod with the best of 'em.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2001


Hey! Hey hey hey! Hey!

(Just saying hey.)

Oh, and also. As far as panels/sessions throughout the day, they have NOT (I repeat: not) been finalized. As far as we (the planners) are concerned, these "panels/sessions" could be pretty much anything that people would like to see/hear/do. So, while the website now states that sessions will be from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday, and from 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday, some of those sessions could very likely end up being much more informal/unplanned (I'm really liking the "/" today, have you noticed?) than others.

What that means to me is that if you have an idea for some sort of activity that you'd like to see happen during the day (some sort of game social type thing that you're talking about Jen girl), then please, by all means, PROPOSE IT to us! Especially if you're planning to attend JournalCon and would like to lead/moderate whatever that activity is.

My hope is that the planned activities will include topics and activities that range from very formal to almost-spontaneous, from serious to humorous, and so on, and so on, and so on.

And I'd also like to point out that the Con is scheduled to take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The only time planned for Sessions of any kind (whether formal or informal) is between 10 and 6 on Saturday, and 10 and 2 on Sunday. There's still Saturday after 6, Friday evening (although there is a planned dinner that night), and Sunday after 2. From what people have said, a lot of you plan to stay until rather late on Sunday and/or come early on Friday (or even Thursday). If you're one of those people, we'd like to hear that, too! I'd be happy to help people "organize" some informal gathering social type activities during those other times.

And finally (thank God, you sigh)! Krystyn and I are setting up a JournalCon 2001 forum on delphi.com so that we don't all have to run from forum to forum to keep track of what everyone's discussing. Today or tomorrow that forum should be linked to from the website, and we look forward to moving as much of the discussion as possible to that forum, so that we don't miss anything!

Thanks, all!

Jessie

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001


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