Sakura of DOOM

Gah, I just realized FOGcon is only a week or so away!

And since I have profited greatly from posts like this in the past, help me think about what to say at my panel!

Gray is the New Purple

Aging isn’t for the weak of heart. What sf/f works deal with the topic of aging, either positively or negatively? Who gets it right and who should do some homework?

Moderator: Madeleine Robins
Panelists: Phyllis Holliday, Oyceter, Erin Hoffman

I can think of Tehanu off the top of my head, and I remember someone asking for representations of older women in SF/F, not counting immortals, people who do not physically age, and etc., and the list was fairly scanty.

I love DWJ's Howl's Moving Castle, but I've always thought it was odd how Sophie suddenly begins to think like an old woman and how there is no disparity between her own self image and her changed physical image. Maybe this is particularly interesting because I feel we see more of the opposite situation in SF/F: old people in young bodies, thanks to magic/science/alien technology/plot point/etc.

I really like how A:TLA includes multiple kickass old men, but I really wish there were awesome old women as well. The only few we see tend to be on the creepy side, and there's definitely no equivalent of Uncle Iroh.

I wonder how much of A:TLA's old people kicking ass has to do with its martial arts heritage? I think several of the older women I've seen in wuxia movies tend to be the villains, but they have a much greater presence than what I've read in English-language SF/F. Possibly this has to do with the greater number of female martial artists and the whole cameo thing?

Thoughts? Ideas? Anyone?

Exciting news! After this year's WisCon, con_or_bust is expanding to more cons! Basically, kate_nepveu is awesome, and going forward, fans of color should be able to apply to go to any con they like. Bidding is still going on, and they are short of the deadline right now. Check here for items with no bids and etc.

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I was also trying to brainstorm for a Con or Bust logo, and was thinking maybe a dinosaur with a unicorn horn and a "Con or Bust" sign? I tend to like my logos more graphic and less illustrative, but was wondering what other people thought. Also, important question: what kind of dinosaur?! I always think T-Rex, but that is because I like T-Rexes. Maybe the sign can dangle from the horn? Maybe the dinocorn is holding the sign with a hitchhiker's thumb? Maybe this is a crap idea and you guys have way better ones? /so not a graphic designer

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Fogcon POC meetup: I know some people volunteered to help with making and/or handing out flyers for the POC meetups. Could you guys email me at oyceter at gmail noting what you're willing to do? I can design something fast (and probably ugly), although I don't know if someone has a paper cutter or something for printing out half-size sheets?

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( Ratlings )

I am trying to organize a FOGcon POC meetup, a la the ones at Wiscon!



Current planning ideas: I want to see if there is a convenient space around the hotel that is easily accessible and not a restaurant, since a) splitting the check between 20+ people gives me a headache, b) it's hard to talk like that, and c) maybe some people going to the meet do not want to buy dinner? Any suggestions re: good spaces would be awesome. If someone has a room and is willing to host, that would also be awesome!

Also, once there is a date/time, I want to make flyers and pass them out! I will probably be fine making the flyers and putting them on tables, but I am terrible at approaching people I do not already know, so may put out a call for volunteers to help spread the word, both online and at the con.