AfterCon

This year has seen more new registrations to AfterCon, “The Big Convention In The Sky.” (That’s what their progress reports call it).

Forrie wasted little time after getting his badge getting his collection set up- WorldCon displays aren’t going to have anything on the ballroom he’s taken over. Arthur’s wondering how long he’ll have to hear fans joke “My God, it was full of stars” before the joke becomes old. (Knowing fans, not any time soon).

Gary has gotten his badge and settled in by now, and is getting in some face time with friends before setting up a string of D&D games that he’s agreed to run- after all, he finally can play for as long as he wants. Dad and Gary tell stories about sneaking into graveyards and reading Lovecraft out loud- for other, this would be awkward, considering their location, but they don’t care. Dad then tells Gary that he needs to meet Lovecraft (he’s not really into conventions, and frankly a bit weirded out by it all), before the two lapse into other topics… their families, the problems with publishers… and inevitably, as most conversations with my dad are prone to do, the Civil War.

They part ways- after all, there’s plenty of time to catch up at the con later- and my dad moves on to catch up with other old friends, or just whomever will listen. He runs into someone near the art show. Just as they are about to start talking, there’s a loud shout from nearby: “KHAAAAAAAN!” It seems the media portion of the convention has just gotten a new guest, and being fans, there was only one way to greet him.

He complains about those media fans (and ESPECIALLY those Trekkies), but not because he’s really bothered by it- complaining is just what he does. After all, if there is one man who could find something to complain about there, it is my dad.