What's cooler than bashing around Portland with such incredibly hip people? Ralphie is Madam Kick in the Shorts - I love her! (and I am among the privileged few who got to meet Dan) T Smith scored me an excellent seat and some awesome conversation on the plane Zotto is one of the coolest Jatraqueros out there, and an art student to boot! Johnny not so Bravo is a funny, friendly guy and it was great to meet him. Nato and Shigosei and Mr. Funny are fabulous and I'm wishing I would have gotten a little more time to chat with them, but I was in line getting books signed. (silly!) Jeniwren and her family are awesome - her kids are adorable, and she has the coolest blue hair ever! Moon Rabbit is great and brought sushi and real wasabi and as luck would have it I had the worst tummyache ever and couldn't try it. I blamed it on the fact that I didn't want wasabi breath and got a knowing look from Ralphie.
Narnia and Abrynne - I owe you guys and your family SO MUCH! These gals are great and beautifully accomodating and I love them.
And speaking of loving people... I got to spend all weekend with my Hobbesy!
Thanks to everyone for putting up with the overload of sap. We really couldn't help it though, I promise.
Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
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I'm working on getting the pictures uploaded to the internet. Sorry for the long wait!
I loved meeting everyone at the get-together. I wish that I could have had more time to talk to everyone. Ah, well, perhaps next time I won't be so sick.
I really have to go finish my homework now. I don't regret for one minute going to the signing, but it means a lot more work for me this week.
Posts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Well after finding this web site on Friday, going to a book signing on Saturday and meeting many many of you, I find myself with a log in a name a quasi understanding of how this bulletin board thing works.
What have you gotten me into?
If I was smart I would probably take Raphies advice and be a lurker for a while, but what would be the fun in that?
Remember I swim with sharks.
I was good meeting you all. I trust you all got home safely regardless how far you came from.
Posts: 17 | Registered: Nov 2003
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It was great meeting you too. I hope your Hatrack experience is as good as most of ours have been.
I just saw one of Shigosei's pictures. I have evil looking red eyes. I think it calls for a little digital alteration before it can be safely shown to the public.
Posts: 1592 | Registered: Jan 2001
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I haven't slept in 24 hours (or eaten anything other than a bit of plane food in 20 hours) so I'm not really in a condition to comment on anything except to say that everyone was great! I'm afraid that due to sickness I didn't say much, and Annie is right, we couldn't help it.
Hey Narnia, guess what. I left my homework in your house (probably not as much of a mistake as I would like to think). Can you send it to me if I give you an adress? I can definitly send back money to pay for it...
Ohh, and as we had previously discussed, KACard is incredibly sweet and kind and OSC rocks. Thank-you very much.
quote:Thanks to everyone for putting up with the overload of sap. We really couldn't help it though, I promise.
I suddenly don't feel quite so bad about having to work this weekend.
On the bright side, Hobbes, Annie is apparently having a positive effect on your speeling praughblems.
Posts: 5264 | Registered: Jul 2002
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First I'm going to beat up Frisco, then I'm going to email some pictures ( I only got like three decent ones ) to Ralphie. Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
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Hey, has OSC's e-mail changed? I tried e-mailing them the pictures from the signing, but it bounced.
Posts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
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The whole weekend was one of the best I've had in a LONG while.
EVERYONE was awesome!
Hobbes and Annie were delirious with warm'n'fuzziness. It was great. Kudos, you two. Narnia and her sis were the best gals ever for haulin' my butt around. Ralphie and Dan were perpetually hilarious. T Smith is disturbingly normal in person. Except for the orange tights, anyway. JohnnyNotSoBravo was tall. Really, really cool, but also very tall. Nato was awesome to hang out with, 'specially at Powell's (come back to Portland, punk! Now!) and Shigosei and Mr. Funny are related. This I did not know. Mr. Funny is so NOT a southern woman, although I DID almost mistake him for a southern MAN. Shigosei is witty and pretty, but probably too young for me and T_Smith to hit on. Jeniwren et al were SO COOL! Blue-pink hair! Moon Rabbit got pictures of me looking deeply philosophical in a sitting-on-the-john sort of way. I'll eventually forgive 'im, though, since he's a cool, laid-back dude. Crystal was great, even though she didn't hang out nearly long enough. Plus, there was, of course, the INCREDIBLE KACard, who is quite possibly the sweetest, most hyper gal in the known universe. I even scored a hug! Oh yeah, there was also that OSC guy, who's just the best author EVER. He signed some books for me and my far-away friends, and was basically the coolest guy at the signing.
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Hey, Zotto!, about your comment about hitting on my sister? You do know that she is older than you are, right? Does that mean you have a thing for older women? Posts: 1466 | Registered: Jan 2003
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This is the story of how I met a bunch of people from the internet. Not suitable for children under 3...days. Superstation, that means you.
My family, along with Nato, made the long trip up to Portland. We arrived at the coffeeshop but found no one. Gradually, the other Jatraqueros began to arrive. At first it was just MoonRabbit and his wife, but then a torrent of highly intelligent and funny people began pouring through the door. I had already met Narnia, Laura, and Ralphie at the OMSI gathering. This time, I was honored to make the acquaintance of T_Smith, Hobbes, Annie, JonnyNotSoBravo, Zotto!, and Jeniwren, her husband, and their adorable kids.
After getting to know each other, we headed for the downtown Powells. It covers an entire city block and sells both used and new books. We all made a beeline for the C shelf in the science fiction section, of course. I bought a few more books for OSC to sign. You can never have too many books.
After cleaning out Powells, we split up for dinner. We met at Borders at around 6 PM. There were a few chairs set up in the music section of the store. It wasn't as large an area as I thought it would be. I hoped that the small area meant a small turnout was expected, but I feared that it would simply mean a bunch of people would have to stand.
Around 6:30, the Cards showed up. There wasn't any fanfare, but the audience got pretty excited. OSC handed a bag of candy to Nato, saying, "I'm giving it to him first because he looks like he needs it." I believe he also requested that we finish the candy because otherwise he'd have to eat it. He then began signing books. What I want to know is why he signed my little brother's copy of Ender's Game "A survival guide for geniuses" and mine "A friend of Ender." At any rate, OSC is unbelievably funny. He cracked jokes with the audience as he signed books.
The little talk OSC gave was interesting, although I've seen much of that information on the website. It was delivered with plenty of humor and interaction with the audience, so I didn't mind hearing it all again.
All of us had the honor of talking with Kristine while her husband signed books. The reports of her friendliness and kindness are all understatements. I'd invite Kristine in for tea any day (don't know about that shady character she's married to though ) We also met Crystal, who unfortunately didn't make it to the other events.
I had a great time at the Portland gathering. Meeting some really cool Jatraqueros and Scott and Kristine Card, who are amazing people, was completely worth the trip home.
Borders Pictures Jatraqueros and OSC First row: OSC. Second row: Jeniwren, Ralphie, Shigosei. Third row: Mr. Funny, Abrynne, T_Smith, Nato. Fourth row: Zotto!, Narnia, Annie, Hobbes. Fifth row: JonnyNotSoBravo. More Jatraqueros First row: Ralphie. Second row: Shigosei, Jeniwren, Crystal, T_Smith. Third row: Hobbes, Annie, Mr. Funny, Zotto!, Narnia, Abrynne, Nato. Fourth Row: JonnyNotSoBravo
I'd hit on you, Shig, but I'm afraid of inciting your brother's wrath. I'm sure that won't stop T, though. Posts: 1595 | Registered: Feb 2003
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I'm not sure either of my brothers would actually try to protect me from other males. Mr. Funny probably would not do anything to someone who hit on me. Just because my brothers won't beat people up doesn't mean I won't, though. Fortunately, I haven't had the sort of unwanted attention that requires physical violence. (But if I figure out who's calling me at 5 am, I have some H2SO4 for him to try...)
Isn't it great how with just one word I can threaten two guys and tell Narnia that I've corrected the problem she pointed out? Double meanings are wonderful.
Posts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
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You managed to get a picture of Kristine! Wow, now that's impressive! (She's rather camera-shy.)
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Annie's next photoshop contest: Remove those extra chins from Ralphie's face...if you can even find them.
Posts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
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I just got some of my pictures from the Portland signing and I'll post them as soon as I can figure out how. It really was fun meeting all of you, even though it wasn't for very long it was definately worth the trip down from Anchorage! I even met some really cool people at the Beaverton signing, also. Oh, and Nate, now that i've posted on this side am i still going to be known as "Crystal from the other side?" Posts: 70 | Registered: Jul 2003
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Not quite. In order to officially make the change over and quit being from "The other side" *lightning and horses neighing* you have to preform 3 hatrack miracles.
Or just start posting over here and you'll be set.
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Well, you're still from the other side, aren't you?
No, it's okay. I don't think anybody remembers, but I started over there too. It's nothing to be ashamed of.
In all seriousness, it was nice to meet you, even if I'm not the Nate you're talking about. That's the trouble with having a much more famous person around who shares my name. Anyways, looking forward to more pictures.
P.S. I don't think Ralphie has a double chin.
Edit: T, you just had to beat me posting didn't you? You're an addict!
[ November 21, 2003, 02:03 AM: Message edited by: Nato ]
Posts: 1592 | Registered: Jan 2001
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Nato, theres a difference between famous and prolific. I am not famous, just always around. Famous people actually have things to brag about. I just make things up to brag about.
Edit: Oh, come on! At least one hatrack miracle? Please?
Fine... how about we just go grab some pizza at the next meeting and we'll call it even?
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Ok, pizza and it'll be even. But hey, you never know, maybe someday i'll perform a hatrack miracle. Posts: 70 | Registered: Jul 2003
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Welcome to this side of the river. Sorry we had to leave so quickly after the signing. You'll have to tell us more about Alaska sometime (that's where you're from, right?)
Posts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Crystal, losing the "from the other side" is the easy part. Losing the "newbie" badge is tougher. Read Mr. Squicky's essential advice. Then update your will and get busy. Good luck, you'll need it!! Posts: 6316 | Registered: Jun 2003
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*clap of thunder and whinnie of horses* The POGO STICK PICS!!!
Ralphie Because your hair is in your face hun you ended up looking a little like the girl from The Ring. Not my fault! T-Smith Group w/ OSC T and his bottle fondling.... This was along with the orange tights conversation... Narnia, Myself, and Ralphie I think I can beat you on double chins Ralphie. I do believe the only decent picture taken of me this entire weekend was in that group that Shigosei posted. T 'n John Wedding Invitation Photo! You know I think it's different this time. Annie's on the left and Hobbes' is on the right The Sister Hostesses Zotto! Looking rather content I think. T again I honestly don't remember this being taken....with my camera....
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Dear Friend, I am a former genral in the Canadian Armed forces, eh, who has escaped the recent conflicts with two hundreds million dollars (Cdn) and twelve Skyhawk helicopters--I am at present sitting in one, the other eleven have been stored in Newfundland--the bombs are falling now. I need a secured bank account in a developed nation in which to deposit this money (and some safety-deposit boxes for the Skyhawks). If you will only--wjhat is that smoke coming out of the turret?--if you will, dear friend, only respond with your persoanl account number I will condider sharing 1% (Cdn) of this koney with you. That is.......200 dollars (Cdn), for only your secured bank account number (and the safety-deposit boxes)--is that oil pressure gauge correct?--then fix it you fool!, eh. I eagerly await your prompt response--Mayday! Genral Lance "Contiki" Bay
Posts: 1154 | Registered: Dec 2001
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