One day, I'll be clever at coming up with titles

Last night was Wiscon Book Club at Brocach, which was a good time. brdgt bought me a Guinness for my birthday, which may or may not have made me pleasantly tipsy (it doesn't take much to intoxicate me). Wiscon Book Club itself was pleasant; we had reserved the upstairs, so we had it to ourselves (and had our own bartender!). We discussed Sarah Hall's Daughters of the North, which I already posted about. We decided that for next month, we will read Shelley Jackson's Half Life.

In addition to Book Club, I managed to get to Walgreen's (once I was much more sober), wash a load of laundry, and read a little bit. I don't know if I can finish Tamora Pierce's Lioness Rampant, but I'm a third of the way in. It will depend on how busy we are at work today.

Today, I intend to eat lunch at a new food cart on the Square, that sells Indian food.

I'm pretty excited for Wiscon, and everything else. :D

( Today's Schedule, as related to Wiscon )

I'm not sure where dinner fits into that yet, and my boyfriend might show up for Nerd Karaoke (he did not purchase a Wiscon ticket).

Wiscon, Day 1

The first day of Wiscon was quite pleasant. While there weren't any official events today, there was still a lot to see and do.

Packet Stuffing
This was a volunteer activity to help out the convention. I got to say hi to littlebutfierce, ladyjax, and seaya, and meet some new friends as well. Once it was over, I was able to pick up my programming packet and registration materials, so I'll be able to go through everything while I'm at work tomorrow.

Room of One's Own Reception
brdgt, sasha_feather, and I met up to go to Room of One's Own for the guests of honor readings (and some free hors d'eourves). L. Timmel Duchamp read a couple of passages from her novel Alanya to Alanya. Then, Maureen F. McHugh read a short story of her own. I'm not sure what the short story was titled, but it involved computer programming, and I really think that my boyfriend would like it. I loved McHugh's China Mountain Zhang, and this short story was both interesting and hilarious. But when it was revealed that the protagonist's cat was named Scott Pilgrim, I think I fell head over heels for her. I don't know how I'm going to get her to sign my book without saying anything but OMGILOVEYOU!! I'm really glad that she's just as funny and smart in person as I thought she would be.

Nerd Karaoke
brdgt, sasha_feather, and I grabbed some dinner at Ian's, and then brdgt and I made our way to Karaoke Kid, where cabell had organized "Nerd Karaoke." _bequerel_ and some other local friends of mine were there, as were a number of other Wiscon attendees. I got to witness at least three of chr0me_kitten's karaoke songs, although I didn't get much of a chance to talk to her or deepforestowl. I would like to state for the record that everyone doing karaoke was awesome, especially cabell, chr0me_kitten, and the British guy whose LJ name I don't know, who kept doing sad songs.

general_jinjur and I got to talk a lot, though, so that was good. I had to leave in order to catch the last bus to my house, though. I hope to be able to stick around later the rest of the weekend: I won't have to work in the mornings, and I won't rely on the bus to get me home at night (I'll be taking my own car, cabbing it, or bumming a ride with sasha_feather).

In all, it was an amazing day, although it was pretty full and I feel exhausted. I look forward to tomorrow, and will now shower so that I can sleep. I feel spoiled that I can attend Wiscon while being able to come home every night, while everyone else has to stay in a hotel.