DragonCon

In less than ten hours I’ll be leaving for DragonCon. I’m trying to look forward to it, but honestly, right now it’s hard for me to see the convention as anything other than a pain in the ass.

Part of the problem is that I over-scheduled myself this month. Four conventions and a family vacation in August means that I’ve spent 9 days at home this month, everything else has been travel.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some good times, (more stories will be forthcoming) but it’s easy to have too much of a good thing.

Adding to my lack of enthusiasm about the con is the fact that I’m not going to be on any of the programming. One of the main reasons I go to conventions is so I can sit on panels and discuss writing, worldbuilding, and stuff like that. At Worldcon I did 6 or 7 hours of panels, autographings etc. At Gencon, I did 11 hours, not counting a reading and signing at the nearby Indianapolis library.

Dragoncon? 1 hour. I have a reading at 1:00 on Saturday and that’s it. (So if you’re looking to catch me at the con to get your book signed, that would be the easiest place to do it.)

And now, looking at the Dragoncon page, I see that for some reason I’ve actually been removed from the list of official guest authors. Oh totem spirits of the con, what have I done to anger you? Let us not quarrel amongst ourselves, and instead use our combined powers to usher in an age of peace, enlightenment, and fluffy bunnies.

That said, angry spirits, if you chose to stand against me, be aware that I have terrible powers at my disposal. Should conflict arise, I will destroy you as easily as Optimus Prime would tear the stuffing from a one-armed Muppet with a learning disability.

Humorous hyperbole aside, I am looking forward to the con. This will be my first Dragoncon, and I hear it’s a hoot. It will be nice to just be able to stroll around and look at things, as opposed to rushing from one panel to another.

Plus, I’m thinking of wearing a kilt. That might be tricky, if I was doing a lot of panels. Panelists tend to sit up in front of the audience, and I’m not used to keeping my knees together….

For those of you who are going to be in the neighborhood, but don’t want to brave the convention crowd. I’m going to be making a stop at the Decatur book festival while I’m in town. I’ll be on a panel about Fantasy with Peter S. Beagle from 12:00 – 1:00 at the Decatur Library Stage, wherever that is.

Yeah. That’s going to be cool. I’m also hoping to hang around a bit with Peter at bit at the convention. Now that we’ve already met once, hopefully I can be a little more relaxed.

If you happen to see me at the con, feel free to come up and say howdy and ask me to sign a book if you have one with you. I’m down with that.

That’s all for now folks. Wish me luck,

pat

This entry was posted in appearances, conventions, my terrible wrathBy Pat20 Responses

20 Comments

  1. LiquidWeird
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 2:10 AM | Permalink

    Hey Pat,I actually see you on the program as an official guest, but yeah, for some reason you’re only on the one reading. I’ll definitely be there.I’m in the Hilton right now (thurs night), since my SO is in the Dealer’s room. She’s the one in the jewelry booth next to the pocky dealer booth. I look forward to seeing you around and at your reading! I’m sure it’ll be standing room only.

  2. Captain Joe
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 2:19 AM | Permalink

    The esteemed Tartan Authority has something to say on this matter:http://www.tartansauthority.com/Web/Site/Highland_Dress/HowtoWeartheKilt.aspWhen I lived in Scotland, I shepherded sheep across a foggy moor in a kilt. Those were good times…Angry spirits, is it? Well fine then.At your word, General Rothfuss, we, your handsome fans, shall rise up against angry spirits and the like, selflessly hurling ourselves into that shadowy abyss in a hellish firestorm of fisticuffs and low-brow humor… We are ready.Good luck, Pat.

  3. Grayone
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 3:16 AM | Permalink

    As an avid gay boston fan I will say that if I were at this con I would require you to wear a kilt and it wouldn’t be a horrible thing if you didn’t cross your legs :D Not to be creepy! just sayin’!!!

  4. Pat
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 7:17 AM | Permalink

    Not creepy, Grey, just slightly nonspecific. Remember, god gave us commas because he loves us. I’m guessing that you’re actually an avid, gay, Boston fan. When I read your comment without the commas, I thought that you were an avid fan of gay Boston. For about two seconds I thought “Gay Boston” might be a band. Needless to say, this led to some confusion on my part. Fondly, (and grammatically) yours, pat

  5. marky
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 8:00 AM | Permalink

    It totally sucks being in Scotland. My two favourite authors in the one place, and one of them is wearing a kilt. If my sucky feeling had a name it would be, Sucky McSuckfy, from McSuckland. Please take pictures Pat. Not because I have a hairy mans Knee fetish, but because it would be quality to see how you carry off our national dress.I’ll wear mine all day tomorrow in your honour. (And so that you know, you won’t be the only one with some serious chaffing going on!)“When I lived in Scotland, I shepherded sheep across a foggy moor in a kilt. Those were good times…” How did you manage to get them to safety with all the haggis running around the moors Joe?Sorry for all the comments deleted. I got paranoid about my awful spelling.

  6. Alex Bledsoe
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 11:11 AM | Permalink

    Considering how humid it is in Georgia during August (especially after Fay), a kilt may be ideal. If you’re prone to any fungal infections, you could actually claim the kilt is for medicinal purposes. You might be able to get special parking, too.

  7. Chris
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 11:32 AM | Permalink

    James Marsters is going to be there, I think. I heard he’s fun to talk to…Sadly, I won’t be able to make it. I’ll be too busy lazing around in my boxers and eating Captain Crunch. Or possibly Cocoa-puffs. Not sure which.

  8. Dustin
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 11:44 AM | Permalink

    Aw, for a second there I thought you meant Decatur, AL (about 4 hours away by car). C’mon a state over, Pat. The Heart of Dixie loves you!

  9. Arevanye
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 12:14 PM | Permalink

    I’ll be there, Pat! I’m driving down from the north suburbs just for Saturday so I can catch your reading, and am *really* looking forward to it.Okay, so I might take in a Peter Beagle reading and some of the Joss Whedon track but really, you are the main reason I’m standing in line at 6 a.m. outside the Hyatt to get in tomorrow morning.I hope you get to have fun just hanging out at this con.

  10. Grayone
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 1:01 PM | Permalink

    Pat, Your response to my comment prompted some thought on my part. “Wow, I fail at grammar!”Here’s why:I used to be a skilled writer back in my English major days. Now, I’m a science graduate student which means that I write 2-3 long papers throughout my entire graduate career. Science papers are easy to write. There are formulas for writing these things. I guess between gaming, emails, and lack of contact with non scientists I’ve completely forgotten how to write (or use commas). This worries me. Anyway, I will endeavor to improve my use of commas if you post pictures of kilt wearing Pat. Avidly gay,Gray

  11. black Sunshine
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 1:17 PM | Permalink

    i’ll be there!!! i’ll MOST definitely be at the Decatur event. DragonCon is a lot of fun – last time, we ended up going the last night and sneaking into a rave and running around with glowsticks and a bottle of Jameson . . .let me know if you want a tour of any of the rest of Atlana, i’d be HONORED to show you around . . .

  12. Fe2O3
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 4:52 PM | Permalink

    “Remember, god gave us commas because he loves us.”That is going in my list of favorite quotes.Have fun at the con and I hope you get to hang with Peter S. Beagle.Go easy on the spirits of the con, they have yet to fully appreciate the havoc that could be wreaked if you unleashed your League of Fanatical Minions. Cap’n Joe and others have only offered the slightest of glimpses of what that would be like.

  13. Rachel Aaron
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 5:24 PM | Permalink

    Hi Pat! You don’t know me, but my name is Rachel Aaron and I just had my first novel picked up by your agent, Matt Bialer. He’s said such awesome things about you! Anyway I live in the Atlanta area and was already planning to coming to the Decatur Book fair, and I’d love the chance to get to meet you!Have a great trip, and hopefully I’ll get you to sign a book on Sunday!Rachel

  14. RedCochina
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 6:44 PM | Permalink

    Hi Pat!I was in the paperback photo contest with Lego Fett. :) I’ve wanted to go to DragonCon forever but lack of funds has made it difficult (impossible). I am very much looking forward to seeing you at CONvergence in Bloomington next year over 4th of July weekend. My fellow Browncoats and I hope you will stop by the Serenity party room. You and your kilt will most definitely be welcomed. ;)So go ahead and burn yourself out now and then rest up for us!Meredith

  15. Pete
    Posted August 29, 2008 at 8:17 PM | Permalink

    that is a sexy picture

  16. Jessica
    Posted August 30, 2008 at 12:19 AM | Permalink

    That looks like a B.J. Hiorns drawing.

  17. Jessica
    Posted August 30, 2008 at 3:21 AM | Permalink

    9 days at home is not enough. But enjoy Dragon Con anyway.

  18. Chro
    Posted August 31, 2008 at 6:25 PM | Permalink

    Just got back from the Decatur Book Festival, and it was great to meet you in person, Pat (I was the one who gave you the dice.) You really are a down-to-earth guy, and talking to you felt like talking to an old friend. I’m off to read that anthology you gave me, and get a peek at Wise Man’s Fear.Oh, and yes everybody, The Beard is truly magnificent to behold in person. I swear, when Pat grows old and his hair turns white, he’s going to have a hell of a time walking around town in November and December with all the kids running up to him and asking to sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas.

  19. LB
    Posted September 2, 2008 at 12:25 AM | Permalink

    The two lone panels you were on at DragonCon were the highlight of the con for me. During the Now That’s Funny panel I actually felt bad for the other panelists because Pat was so much more entertaining and informative and generally well-spoken than any of the other panelists. Despite the fact that he looked less than bright eyed and bushy-tailed when he came in. Sincerly,The wife of the husband with the now incorrigible beard.P.S. Don’t even bother picking at my English, I gave up on it and decided to learn Spanish instead years ago.

  20. Nikola Kamburoff
    Posted July 30, 2009 at 11:44 PM | Permalink

    Do write, Mr. Patrick Rothfuss, do write!
    Good luck!

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