Where Personal and Professional Life Collide...

One of the things I did at Arisa was help with the Fast Track sessions (kids 6-12ish). Never mind that one of those little plague carriers was probably the one who got me sick, they were bright, energetic, mostly-adorable kids, and great fun to be around for short periods of time. *grin*

(kids of fandom are great not because they're naturally any smarter or cuter than everyone else's kids, but because they have no fear. None. They know it's okay to act out their dreams, wear weird costumes, do things that aren't mainstream, etc. The trick is to make sure they know how to pass when they have to, too.)

Anyway, one of the tracks I participated in was the haiku/scifiku session, which ended up being one of my favorites, because everyone really got into it (including one youngster who has a real future as a political satirist waiting, if his parents aren't careful). And I promised I would post my results and so here they are.

1. example of the nature-based haiku:

child climbs
old tree leaves falling
eats apple

(some discission on the pronunciation of 'child' having one or two sounds...after some consideration the judges let my eastern seaboard 'chi-uld' pass)

2. example of senryu, the social-based haiku (observation of people around you, also including humor):

no music playing
our emcee madly stalling
that entrant scratches

3. example of scifiku (Geoffrey and I were challenged with specific phrases -- mine was "transport beam")

Safe they say
all right beam me up
he's dead, jim

(not inspired, but the material and time was limited)


So, here's a challenge, assuming you've gotten this far. Don't let yourself be outdone by a bunch of 6-12 year olds! Drop and gimmie 17 syllables of a genre topic....

EtA: hah. wusses.....

As I've determined I will never live that down (thanks, Eric), I'm gonna embrace it, damn it. Hi, I'm the owner and pilot, taking you right where you really didn't want to go. Enjoy the ride, please remember to tip your flight attendant.

So. Arisia. Friday we were well-treated, and then thrown into the shark tank. Saturday is bit of a blur of dashing to and fro, and a lot of people doing a double-take at my name badge. I know I did a lot, and people seem amused by and pleased with me, so I guess I'm doing a good job. We managed to fill every single slot at the blood drive, and at least two people gave for the first time. They haven't come forward to claim their Tuckerization yet, tho.

Amazingly, the totally improv "crossing genres" panel went really well, and someday maybe Keith and Shariann will forgive me what I did to them....

And then I put on the leather pants, the boots, and the coat of many colors, and went out to a) be interviewed by eric in the Elevator and then b) party. I honestly can't remember the last time I party-hopped like that, but eventually had to crash around 2am.

*waves to the Bronx Babes*

In a few hours it starts again, including a reading. I suppose I should decide what I'm going to inflict on people.

There will be no gym this morning. Oh dear me, no.

Pandora has a new nickname: "Night Mouse." Don't ask. It does nobody honor.

Last feline update for a while, as I abandon them to the tender mercies of smoemeth and wojsvenwoj while I am off GoHing at Arisia....

I'll be the one looking slightly dazed and exhausted, grinning madly. Possiby wearing leather (no, not the miniskirt. It's January. In Boston!).

(okay, Cambridge. Like anyone can tell the difference these days...)

ETA: and I just realized there's an outpost of Elephant Walk in Cambridge, isn't there? Heh....yum.

Why?

Because yours truly, LAG, is going to be Writer GoH.

I am Already Plotting. *evil laughter*

Boston/Cambridge, MA, for those of you not familiar with the convention. Books, gaming, costuming, media, and an all around Good Time.

And it's gonna be FOUR DAYS!

That's right, Friday January 18- Monday January 21 (Martin Luther King Day)


Details and Plots As They Happen.