I was at COSine this past weekend, [View all]

the s-f con that takes place in Colorado Springs in January. Yeah, I know. Colorado Springs in January? It does tend to keep the con a small one.

This is only my second con in two years. Mile Hi, in Denver happened back in October. Hooray!

It is absolutely wonderful to see people I consider good friends, even if I only ever see them at cons. On Saturday night I went out to dinner with one such friend, and it was a delight. Turns out he and I are not quite on the same political path, but we quickly decided to change the subject and talk about other stuff. Some of which was science fiction in movies or TV, and it was a great discussion.

Looking forward, I expect to attend the Jack Williamson Lectureship in April. That’s a truly amazing experience, and I constantly tell s-f people they need to attend. But the Lectureship is at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico, which is well off the beaten track. It’s very small, and actually intended primarily for the students of ENMU, although various random s-f people like me show up.

I think that this year Walter Jon Williams is the Guest of Honor. He’s a great guy, so if it’s at all possible, attend.

Oh, and the night before the Lectureship starts, there’s a dinner at the Cattle Baron, pretty much the best restaurant in Portales. The first time I attended, I sat next to Well Known Science Fiction Writer (whom I’d met several years earlier). When the server took our drink orders, I fussed a bit, saying I hope she’s keeping track of who ordered what. I’d understood the meal was paid for, but I assumed I’d be paying for my own alcohol. Well Known Science Fiction Writer said, “Oh, Poindexter. Jack funded this lectureship very generously and everything is paid for.” Wow.

The fact that this event is so small is a lot of what makes it so wonderful. It’s possible to interact meaningfully with the pros who are there. Plus, Cordelia Willis (Connie’s daughter, and if you don’t at least know the name Connie Willis, look her up) who is a CSI person in California, always gives a talk based on some recent stuff in her job. OMG. Always amazing.