Orycon 32

I went to Orycon today -- I usually don't on Fridays, but got a last-minute call from Jim Fiscus, who administers the Endeavour Award -- a plaque, and a check for $1000 to a Northwest writer to help encourage the arts up our way. 


Did I remember I agreed to MC that last year when we were chatting?


Um. No, but, hey, I'm good. 

It was to be a short ceremony -- shoehorned in just before opening ceremonies. Unfortunately, the rehearsal for that ran long, and we didn't get into the room until 6:27 p.m. for what was supposed to be a 6:30 p.m. start time ...

Jim, who sometimes is known to get excited and rant a bit, was making cut signs at the folks on stage, who were blithely ignoring him. When they finally trooped off, and Jim got a mike, it kept going off every time he seemed about to say something disparaging. Either wonderful coincidence or a sound guy with a wicked sense of humor.


It did come back on just in time for Jim's " -- bunch of muthafuckahs!"


Imagine it with a slight Germanic accent. 


Then there was the award, a lovely glass plate etched with a design by artist Ashley Harper. 


Where is the award?


I thought you had it.


I don't have it, I gave it to you!


Hey, Moe! Hey, Larry! Wooowoowooowwoooo -- !


Finally we got it all sorted out, over my somewhat hysterical giggles. 


My part was easy, all I had to do was get up read the names of the finalists, then call out the winner. Wore a sport coat and leather shoes. People who have known me at this con for thirty-odd years walked past me, not recognizing me. Perfect disguise, a sport coat. 


I read out the finalists. Asked the audience for a drum roll, and made the announcement. And the winner -- David Marusek -- was onstage behind me and so deep in conversation with the other two finalists who made it there that he didn't hear me. Got a nice, classic double-take when I went over and tugged on his sleeve. Hey, Dave? You, uh, won ... 


Best laugh of the evening. 


Saw Rory Miller in the green room -- we're doing a panel together on the morrow. He sent me greetings from a guy we both know and wondered at the tone of the message. Something going on there? he wondered?


Oh, yeah. Maybe after our panel I can take him to lunch and tell that story ...