More Foolscap

Too big for a youth, too small for a grown man, an experienced eye might have taken him for a farmer’s son upon a journey had it not been for the long sword which, dangling from a leather baldric, hit against the calves of its owner as he walked, and against the rough side of his steed when he was on horseback.
-- Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers

Saturday, September 29, 2001

I managed to wake up early enough to get up and get going, so that three people could get their showers and get dressed. Jack was on the panel for a 10:30 discussion at Foolscap, so we needed to get going!

One slight problem with the Foolscap programming this year was that the clever titles of program items had been printed without the explanatory subtitles, both in the program books and in the pocket program grids. So Jack's idea about what the topic, "Brother, Can You Spare a Credit?", was supposed to mean, didn't exactly match what the moderator had in mind.

Jack had done some research on future economic and money ideas, and didn't want to just talk about e-cash (he was betting other panelists would do that). He had some stuff to say about reputation and branding as economic things. He finally managed to make his point after being interrupted by audience members. Funny, once he spoke, they kept coming back to his ideas and talked about them more!

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After the panel ended, Jack, H---, and I drove to get lunch at the Southcenter Mall food court. I must remember that Jack doesn't like this! Too crowded and he gets antsy. But I had a good meal (chop chop salad).

I know we went to programming in the afternoon, but I can't remember what it was! The books we brought to contribute to the "magic book box" were picked up right away, which was gratifying. When Jack was going to participate in his third program item of the day (he was overbooked, we agreed), H---- and I went up to the hospitality suite.

We sat on the bed and H---- created an Origami Box. I helped by holding the instruction book open, and giving a small bit of advice. But mostly she did it on her own!

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At the end of the afternoon we talked about what we should do next. Should we leave, and take H--- home, then come back? Jack felt that it wasn't worth coming back. What did H---- want to do? In a fit of passive-agressive stuff, She wouldn't say. "I don't care." "Whatever." Argh! I was rather irritated. I even went back into the lobby and sat down for a few minutes.

Finally I chose! Caveman barbecue, then the movies. I was hungry, and hoped we'd all feel better after eating. In an ideal world, we'd have hooked up with other con members for dinner, but that just didn't seem to be happening.

The dinner was good, and it was a short drive back to Renton for the movies. We sent H--- to Glitter. since she's a Mariah Carey fan. Jack and I saw the Musketeer -- not bad, but I wouldn't even pay to rent the video. Some good stunts, hong-kong stylee, but I missed the European fencing. The chinese swords are too twangy and flexible.