MadCon

[FinderDoug]

Part of me does enjoy the post-con hobknob; but with the events currently in motion in life, the extra night of hotel AND the extra vacation day are probably both better applied elsewhere. But once I have a where/when, I'll shoot you a message and we can see about putting together a Webdermeet-n-greet (maybe before Harlan's first gig on Friday).

And on a related note, if he shows up, he shows up - I don't plan to interact with him. Life's too short to piss it away in such an encounter.

But he won't. Not and announce his presence.

[markabaddon]

Doug, I am thinking I may try to arrange for all Webderlanders to meet up for a dinner on Friday night, as the rest of the time will be fairly packed between activities on Saturday and the GoH dinner on Saturday night (which I assume you and Peggy are attending). Does Harlan have a gig on Friday night? Had not heard if he did, actualy, other than the 2 panels I am on and the dinner Saturday night, I am clueless about what other stuff will be happening at the Con

If you need to reach me directly before the Con, Peggy has my cell phone number as does Cramer

[FrankChurch]

Doug, that is low man. I never did anything to you. I've always been a nice guy to you on here.

Harlan is right. The internet brings the worst out of people.

[Moderator]

That was -- speaking as Steve here, not the Moderator -- kind of an unkind shot, Doug.

If Frank joined the other Webderlanders attending MadCon I would hope he would be greeted with the same sort of common cpourtesy we would all deserve. You may not like his opinions or tactics, but snubbing him face to face is a little brutal. I, for one, would enjoy meeting anybody from this board face to face (with the notable exception of the "Billy Rubin" participants). YM varies, but my two cents.

[FinderDoug]

Steve,

Know what? You're right. It was unkind. And I had a long piece to clarify from whence it came, but really, what's the point?


Mark,

I'll ping you via Facebook RE Madcon.

[FinderDoug]

Frank,

Steve Barber proves the mantle of Moderator - even when he's talking as Steve - is well-placed by the proprietor of this joint. My assertion that I would simply dismiss you was unkind, and having been on the receiving end at times of such a thing, I can legitimately say I wouldn't want to dish that out. And I would like to apologize for that, and so am sorry for that attitude and assertion.

But I also wish you to understand from whence it came: from a very long period of watching you debate disingenuously on these boards with people who continually try to engage you on a level field. You don't have to have swung the club at me - you use it in this place I enjoy, with these people I enjoy. You consistently choose to make spurious, sometimes inflammatory arguments that can be shown to be either intentionally misleading or outright distortions. You cannot blame the internet for bringing out the worst in me, for it is a specific, systemic reaction to watching you treat people who WANT to engage with you, who see there's SOMETHING going on in there, as if what they have to say to you and what they believe are some kind of joke or a game.

And yet we are bound together in our interest in the works of this man Ellison - some of us for over a decade in this space, in its forms. We understand something that the masses cannot either find or entirely fathom. We see the commonalities in each other. Steve is correct: there's a certain courtesy inherent in that longevity and commonality.

But the honesty is that if you conducted yourself in person the way you do here, it would have to be the courtesy of a hello with little else to be had from me, because the rest of it is bereft of common ground on my side.

I don't say that to be mean, Frank. It is merely the truth of how the way you carry on - willfully, intentionally, knowing it causes controversy and furor - runs contrary to what I enjoy. It is a choice you make. And as with all choices, it comes with consequences - in this case, my lack of will to engage you beyond the superficial. Whether that's to our mutual detriment is anyone's guess. But I don't suspect you're going to miss me from your gallery.

[FrankChurch]

Doug, I never discuss politics in person, unless someone brings up something, then I am usually cordial about it. I hang with conservatives, liberals, anarchists, socialists, atheists, deists, satanists, the unconcious, the consious all the time. I upset the applecart here, mainly to get conversations going, when I think it is getting boring. I try not to willfully do anything, but that is the perception. I will look into myself and try to do better. I do have a political view that is rarely discussed in mainstream circles, but that's another apple from another tree.

We tend to see the world a bit differently. Democracy offers those apples on display.

I will not be going to Madcon, being that I am a po man--oh whoa is me.

Thanks for the apology. We all need to rachet it down a bit.

[Kafkahead]

Quick question, everyone. If any of you manage to go to madcon, will somebody get me a picture from Harlan and the gang? I'd love to see you any of you there, with unca Harlan.

[sjarrett]

Hello all,

I had pretty much written off Madcon as a financial impossibility but, mirabile dictu, it now looks like I'll be able to go after all. In working out the arrangements, I ran across this little tidbit. Apparently the nice people at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (by way of InterContinental Hotels Group, which I assume must be their parent company) are offering to rebate airline baggage fees to U.S. residents staying at any of their hotels during September through December of this year and paying with Visa. Just passing the information along for whatever it may be worth.

I am eagerly looking forward to the trip and would love to be included in any Webderlander activities during the event.

Steve J.

[Moderator]

I'll ditto Kafka's request/ Group and event shots are appreciated by those of us who cannot attend.

Kafka - If you would like to see pics from some previous get-togethers you can see my FoE (Friends of Ellison) gallery at http://www.barbergallery.net

Towards the bottom on the left hand side menu.

[FinderDoug]

I'm kinda handcuffed by the notion of what to bring; the digital point and shoot is a given, since I can hook the pouch to my belt and go; but I'm spending the week preceding the con in Houston working remote; which means laptop bag and carry on, unless I check a bag (not my first choice for convenience). The conundrum is whether I want to also bring the Pentax Program-A and shoot still film (because it still takes a hell of a picture, and there's an elegance to film and the ease with which I can coax a great shot out of it), or if I want to bring the HDV video camera and capture appearances en toto. There is, quite frankly, no way to bring the video camera without checking a bag; and there's also the matter of a tripod, and now it's an expedition of gear.

So I'm disinclined to video, if only because of the logistics of point A to B of my gear. The point and shoot offers three video shooting modes (14 minutes of 720 HD, 133 minutes in 360) so I may use that as fallback/if needed video.

But in any event, there WILL be photographs; and I'll try to be a little more proactive in putting an album up after this gig too (one day I'll get around to a selection of images from the archive, going back to 1995 and the day Harlan got his six pack of Original Idea cans at a signing in Alexandria, VA)

[Barney Dannelke]

If it matters (forewarned and shit) I'll be attending. It looks like I am also going to be sitting on a couple of the Harlan Panels. These are very much like Death Panels - only about Harlan. The fates of audience members WILL be decided.

Still have not done the hotel thing but banquet is confirmed.

Right now (this could change) I'm driving from PA and hoping to arrive Friday by early afternoon at the latest. There is a possibility of a late night Thursday arrival but that's about 15% right now.

Will stay until the last dead dog. Then I'm either driving straight home (insanity) or driving to Milwaukee and Appleton to do the final tour of the old Dannelke haunts and then driving home Tuesday. We shall see how things play out and how much energy I have.

[markabaddon]

I will being a digital camera and see what pictures I can take, but I will admit in advance I suck as a photographer, primarily becasue I get so wrapped up in what I am doing that I forget to snap a shot for posterity's sake. I will promise to take some pics, though

Mr. Jarrett, I am glad you will be able to attend, and will make sure you and all other Webderlanders get my cell phone number so we can coordinate any activities that should occur. I spoke with Jon Manzo and it does not sound like many or any room parties will be happening, so we may end up congregating at the bar in the evening should there be no panels of interest

Barney, I am glad you will be attending, and it looks like you and I will be on at least one panel together, Collecting Ellison. Considerng how much yours dwarfs mine (Ellison collection, ya pervs), hopefully you will be kind.....

[Barney Dannelke]

Well Mark - now it HAS to be dicks on the table, doesn't it?

[diane bartels]

Hi, guys. I am finally registered and paid for. i booked a suite for the weekend with fridge and micro and you all are invited to party down in my suite as the mood strikes. Should tales a tickets for the banquet surface, Im most interested and most grateful. Diane