Grumpy, Sending Cats....

[lydamorehouse]

 
Image: Willow sees something out the bedroom window.

So, I am planning on going to Chicago WorldCON. For one, Chicago! For two, naomikritzer is up for a Lodestar this year (the YA Hugo) for her novel Catfishing on Catnet, and she is my friend and I would love to see her win again (or, you know, hold her hand, if she doesn't.) 

I've been feeling very lucky to have gotten past the various hurtles to be considered for programming. Chicon has announced its first wave of programming participants and... I'm not on it. APPARENTLY, the email I got that sent me to a list to frantically check for my name, implies that there's still another chance for me to be on paneling. So, I guess I am still in the running? I am crossing my fingers.

But, you know, I am disappoint.

Like one is.

Plus, I did not manage to get my novel done by the end of May, so I am feeling generally loser-ish. 

And it's gray and threatening rain, but not actually raining. (The worst!)

WHINE.

So, here are pictures of my cats.


Image: sleepy orange boy, Buttercup.

Comments

[lcohen]

i live in chicago, just saying. (i am almost certainly not going to worldcon and am not very mobile at the moment (though i can hope that i will be better by then!), but if someone has transportation we might be able to work out grabbing a meal.)

either way, i hope you get on some panels!

[lydamorehouse]

I would love to get together in-person if we can. Fingers crossed for your mobility!

[profiterole_reads]

*pets the cats*

I hope you'll have fun at the con. Catfishing on Catnet was so good!

[lydamorehouse]

Wasn't it????

And, I'll have fun at the con either way? So, I'm sure I will. Like I said, I'm just kind of cranky to have to continue to play wait and see with programming. I'll live. :-)

[hrj]

I just got an email in the last day from ChiCon saying "ack, we're behind our promised target about getting back to people about programming, so if you haven't heard from us, rest assured you're still under consideration." Of course "still under consideration" isn't the same as being certain. I keep reminding myself that I never *expect* to be given programming, but I do so enjoy doing panels.

[lydamorehouse]

Yeah, that's similar to the one I got? Mine included a website to check/look at that included the people they HAVE already picked?

Was yours this:

"Thank you for your continued interest in being a program participant for Chicon 8.

For anyone who applied to be a program participant by April 15th (of which you are included), we made a commitment to let you know your participation status by the beginning of June. While we have gotten back to many applicants, and you can see a list of confirmed panelists on our website, we’ve fallen behind on this commitment to let everyone know by now. For everyone else who applied on time, we are continuing to work towards getting back to them by the end of June.

We are sending this email to let you know that you are still under consideration, and we hope to be able to let you know your status soon. If you are no longer interested or able to be a program participant for Chicon 8, please let us know by replying to this email."

The website bit being an actual link, which had me going to see who got picked ahead of me? NOT GOOD FOR THE PSYCHE. ;-)

Chicon

[magenta]

I got the same email. Looking at the site, it's the "A List" People like Jo Walton and Charlie Stross. People who have won Hugos. Sorry to say, you aren't on that list right now. Hopefully, you'll get on panels - they will need a *lot* more people for the program.

Anyway it's Worldcon, we can take the train to Chicago. No way in hell would either of us drive to DOWNTOWN CHICAGO. Hope to see you there.

Re: Chicon

[lydamorehouse]

Just FYI, Magenta, I know that I am a has been. You don't actually need to tell me that I don't rank with John Scalzi, etc. But, neither does EVERYONE on that list, so you know. I was trying to say without saying that Chicon did not need to tell the A-Listers that they got in first. They could have told all of us, all at once, and then I would have no reason to glumly compare myself to others.

That is LITEARLLY WHAT HAS ME DOWN RIGHT NOW.

However, I am looking forward to seeing you there!

Re: Chicon

[magenta]

I don't think you're a has been. You are still writing. Even if you didn't finish the book yet, you will. I've noticed you are a persistent person. One foot in front of the other, one word in front of the next. And good grief, we live in discouraging times.

Re: Chicon

[lydamorehouse]

I know you meant no harm. I am glum! With glum sauce! Everything is no good and rotten at the moment. It's a Big Mood as the kids say.

But, I'll be fine tomorrow.

And, no matter what happens, I'm sure to have a blast at Chicon.

[hrj]

Yup, that's the one I got. Having been involved in doing programming on a much smaller scale for local conventions, I can see the layered approach making sense. Start with a framework of "anchor" participants, then start adding in additional layers who match particular niches. That's the point where I suspect being highly specific and eclectic in ones "participant interest" form helps out. "Hey, we need another couple participants for the zero-gee fiber arts panel, has anyone mentioned that as an interest?"

Honestly, I'm always a bit gobsmacked when I get offered programming at Worldcons. Would I be disappointed not to get any? Sure. But I get my chance regularly and maybe someone else is getting their first chance instead.

[lydamorehouse]

Yes, of course, I am also always wildly grateful and amazed when I get on WorldCON programming, too, but can really no one else see how this feels a bit like getting picked last in the line-up for the ballgame? I have been to WorldCONs before. I've been on paneling on them, and I have NOT gotten paneling on them. That is not my issue.

In the past, the WorldCons I have attended just told you at some point if you were on paneling, the end. This one feels like they are saying, "Here is a list of the special people," and then *MAYBE* you, please stand-by. So, potentially, I will have to get another notice telling me to look at another list of people who are cooler than me that I also did not get on.

Just tell me yes or no.

Then I will feel no need to feel cool or uncool, or, in fact, compare myself to others.

YES OF COURSE this is how you decide who goes on panels, but you don't usually have every hopeful person in the room while you do it, do you?

[sabotabby]

They are good cats indeed.

[lydamorehouse]

Purrfect with a bit of WHINE. ;-)