GardenGrrl's WunderBlog

Sci-Fi Convention & Filk Singers

Posted by: GardenGrrl, 07:29 AM GMT del 21 Settembre 2009

What a fun weekend it's been. I'm a big fan of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy section of the bookstore. My spouse owns every video tape and DVD of Star Trek, yet I have never been to a Sci-Fi convention. Mostly because I thought I'm just not hardcore enough, wouldn't know what to say to people and don't own a space uniform or Vulcan ears.

Well, I heard about Fen Con in Dallas that caters mostly to Sci-Fi literature. They were having a bunch of authors as guests and I was hoping to find some rare gems carried by self-publishing houses. It was a hoot! I met the "Four Red Heads of the Apocalypse". These ladies are great. They were working the booth for Yard Dog Press and pitched their books "Bubbas of the Apocalypes Series" (humor). Had to buy one and get them all to sign it.

Two things I found out about these conventions; one is that you don't have to be an uber fan. If you have questions, just ask someone and they will happily talk your ear off. Second, I learned about a fun musical genre called Filk Singing. Like the blues, it is best appreciated live. And third, people over forty actually look kind of cool in steam punk outfits.

Steam punk has been around for a few years but is largely underground. It's kind of a Road Warrior meets Captain Nemo 2000 Leagues Under the Sea thing. Victorian art melded with todays technology.
Link This link will get you to one of the steampunk websites. Basically steam punks are Neo-Victorian artists/engineers. There is a whole genre of steam punk literature.

Sci-Fi Conventions attract a lot of talented and creative people. They have a Caberet Show where convention goers put on shows to entertain. If you live in DFW area, they had a awesomely funny comedian from the Addison Improve. See www.dorksidecomedy.com to get show info. I nearly wet my pants laughing at this guys routine. Go to the Dorkside!

Filk singers. Basically it's fun and silly parodies of songs with sci-fi themes. Best seen live. Here are a couple you-tubes about filk singing. A really funny r-rated one is called "Banned From Argo" by Leslie Fish submitted by efecss. I would get banned from wuba if I posted it.

Finally, put this on one of those things you need to do at least once in your life list. Check out a Sci-Fi Convention.
www.fencon.org/calendar.php

Updated: 07:47 AM GMT del 21 Settembre 2009

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7 inches, still raining

Posted by: GardenGrrl, 09:15 AM GMT del 14 Settembre 2009

The Big news in Texas is RAIN!
Here in North Texas it has been a bit dry, but over in the Hill Country it has been parched for waaaay too long. Am really glad to see rain there.

Currently in our little corner of Lewisville we have collected five and one half inches in the rain gauge since Friday. It's been raining off and on all night so there is a bit more. My journalistic integrity stops at wet hair right before bed so I am not going to run outside and see what is in the rain gauge.

I am very happy to report that inspite of the low clouds and grey skies the landscape has taken on an attractive new look this afternoon. With just three days of steady rain, the off-green kind of yellow pall has been replaced with a vibrant green.

So, will El Nino bring moisture back to the Hill Country and end their cursed drought? Let's hope so.

Walk in beauty.
Peace from the blog porch.

Updated: 10:13 AM GMT del 14 Settembre 2009

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