lightcastle

All the live feeds for StrowlerCon are up here, it seems. They are a bit painful to watch for me, as I am so CLEARLY unprepared and winging it as I go. The Key story in particular is so obviously me having no idea what I'm talking about or where it is going until the end (and thus it ends weakly and the structure doesn't hold together too well) that it's awkward. Ninety percent of emceeing is keeping the crowd there, so I did fine, because that went well (the crowd WANTED to be there, which makes it easy) but I can't help but see so many missed opportunities.

It has been interesting reading other people's response to the con. The description of it as a swan - elegant and graceful to view, but kicking like mad under the water" is probably as good as any. It was clearly full of chaos on the backside, but everyone seemed to be having a delightful time. Which is good. I didn't see the magic in it that so many seemed to, but that's ok, I am glad to have contributed.

The constant refrain of "community" has been odd to me, since I can't say I saw that. Mind you, I am notoriously bad at "community". Certainly for this con, I met lovely people and they were nice, but that doesn't seem to be what people are talking about. For them, there seems to be this sense of "coming home" or being "among my people/tribe" (that word always gets me antsy, btw), none of which I felt.

As I said, though, I am notoriously bad at that. I still remember someone in Boston commenting that one thing she found so interesting was that I was offered an instant community there (in the form of the BostonPoly/Diesel/Burner/Geek/Pagan crowd) and didn't take it. I've paid a price for that tendency, certainly, but it has still felt truer to me to just like people I like.

I am glad that there seems to be an effort to do another one, clearly people liked it. I'm still not sure exactly how it distinguishes itself from the many other cons around, as I think Strowler remains largely undefined in my mind. If it remains hinged on a sort of "music and making" axis, with little barrier between the performers and the audience, I think I'll be happy to call Strowler an attitude and be happy to support it.

p.s. - The con has been described as "flirty", as well, and again it isn't something I particularly noticed. Most cons seem flirty to me, and 90% of my flirt experience at StrowlerCon was with Lee. (Not that I'm complaining, he makes me look like a reluctant and inept flirter.) I found it mostly full of polite friendliness and a certain detachment/distance. Then again, I was busy with the show and did have to leave early, so maybe that was part of the deal.

Off to the bus for the midnight run to Boston and then off to the con. I will presumably be reachable by either my throw-away cell or american skype number. I have limited fabulous diva hosting clothes, so hopefully people will help with that.

My, oh my, but am I getting overbooked. It's almost a relief I got stood up tonight, since it gives me a chance to wash stuff and pack for StrowlerCon. (Not that I have the slightest idea what to wear there, especially since I won't be able to get my hands on a Racaille shirt.)

The play progresses apace, although it has hit that stage where everyone gets antsy about everything. Tomorrow there's a meeting for the film, and Thursday night I am on a midnight bus.

I rather suspect I'll be overbooked clean through the end of the play. I may even go to Halloween parties in character since I'm not going to have time to think of a costume otherwise.

I am also sad to note that I won't get my tattoo finished for a while because my tattoo artist has a screw loose. (Literally. The delay was due to her breaking her arm in derby, and now that she mostly healed, the screw holding her arm together is slowly coming out. She has to go back under the knife.) Thus I will be stuck with a half-finished tattoo a while longer.

(By the way, she eerily looks like one of the main characters from Dragon Age II, and even has a similar name.)

In the spirit of being a stroller/busker/jongleur/hobo/gleoman/gangrel etc. - I will ride a midnight bus to South Station and then make my way to StrowlerCon Thanksgiving weekend. (That's Columbus Day to you Sub-49ers.)

It seemed a fun idea and an excuse to see people I won't otherwise see when I signed up some time ago.

Now it seems I'm emcee-ing the shows. Which means I should prepare.

How does one prepare for an overly-talented collection of liminal characters? One doesn't, one accepts them as they are. However, I *should* try to collect some appropriate tales of tricksters, scoundrels, layabouts and others of questionable characters such as the Stag King of Discord.

Also, I probably need costumes/clothes/many fabulous things to wear.

I leave next Thursday and go back Sunday night/Monday morn depending.

If you're Boston-area and NOT going, but want to see me, call or email or use your telepathetic powers and we'll arrange something.