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Nick Stathopoulos often tells people that SF conventions are family coming together. That's what this weekend felt like. And as soon as I realised this (which took me until Saturday, me being so very slow on the uptake) most things were easy. Not everything. Doing four panels in a day was tough and panel #3 that day was especially tough, but in every audience I could look out and see people I cared for and every time I left a panel or tried walking from one place to another, it took forever because I'd walk a bit then run into someone and walk a bit more and run into someone else.

It was awesome to meet so many of my LJ friends and discover that I like you all just as much face to face as I do blog to blog. Obviously I have impeccable taste in blogfriends.

I've a few entirely new friends who I intend to plague for a very long time, one of whom shares my sense of humour and is thus a danger to the universe (hi, Mary!). I also intend to plague all my old friends and feel a bit guilty for saying over and over again to Sydney mates "I'll see you in a few weeks, go away." I will, though, and the others I may not see for years. I did want to spend time with you, if that helps. I had no time to spend, is the problem. I didn't have much time for sleep, either. I was so lost to everything by the time I got home tonight that my tram sped past the stop and the only thing I could do was wait until the terminus and then try again from the other direction. (Anyone laughing will please stop, instantly.)

I still owe two drinks (Ian and Rose - if either of you are reading this, I'm around for a few more days and I haven't forgotten) and am owed a few more than that.

I keep wanting to thank my acolytes for being my acolytes for an hour, and also to applaud the one whole audience that went out into the convention and spent their AussieCon working on developing a convincing Harold Holt myth (it made the newsletter, but I don't have a copy of that issue, I discovered, too late to get one). I never saw my evil henchperson, so I might have to withhold her pay.

If anyone who met me at AussieCon is reading this, please feel free to make yourself known. Also, don't worry if this post makes not much sense. Some of my posts do, sometimes.

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This is where I admit that my reports on AussieCon were scanty because the head-above-water thing was only just happening. As I explained to several friends yesterday, the heart and etc were coping, but only just.

I've spent the morning in bed and am going back there in a few minutes.

The wonderful thing is that I was mostly OK until the last hour (although I wasn't really thinking straight after about 6 pm - which a couple of friends spotted). Alan and Talie got me safely onto a tram and they know the exact moment that walking became rather difficult. Them being there (and walking an extra mile or so each to do that) meant I got home safely and am already well on the road to mending. I promise I shall report all this faithfully to the various medicos that await me on my return. And I'm still so much better than six months ago that my face is consumed by the wideness of my grin (or it would be, if I wasn't so much in need of more bedrest).

It has been an utterly amazing few days. So many friends; so much to think about. Also, a Ditmar (can't forget the Ditmar). Thank you everyone (especially the AussieCon committee. You still rock!).

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You know, it's very satisfying to tell people that Australia is rabbit-proofed...