(no subject)

I am returned. I have been on holiday. Note the smugness.

What did I do with my five day vacation? I spent a fabulous day with Janeen and Jack and developed a bad case of house envy and met the town of Foster and was sat on a great deal by a beagle called Bertie. I gave a seminar at Monash University and argued much Medievalness afterwards (the Monash mob are so very nice - I'll go back there anytime they want). I played with my god-daughter, a person of immense intelligence and wit and highly refined taste. I met old friends and had much chocolate and then I met more friends and ate and drank all Saturday evening at Young and Jacksons. I wandered exhibitions in central Melbourne with an old friend and explored some of the stranger pathways the City Circle tram takes (I spent large chunks of my life knowing that Melbourne acts as if it's a city on a river and not a city on a bay - but the tram takes one past water and that water is not the Yarra). I did much shopping. I spent a day in Keilor, revisiting the organ pipes and the Rosetta Rock and my favourite tesselated pavement anywhere (pace Potter fans!).

My breathing was surprisingly inefficient the whole time I was on holiday. That's how far past due the holiday was. Still, I had a frabjous time and I need to remember this, so that I can do it again sometime.

Basic Guide for Avoiding Gillians at Conflux

This isn't as fancy as usual, and I'm posting it a couple of days later than usual, and I haven't made as many jokes as usual. The only bit of this that has a simple remedy is the jokes. Simply add your own in the comments to this post (add jokes and stir?).

How to avoid me at Conflux:

Friday
Stay away from the registration desk before lunchtime.
Completely skip the 3.30 pm workshop about minding Medieval Ps and Qs (very handy for writers and people whose language could do with an extension, but, since I'm the one teaching it…)
Avoid Angry Robots and their hours, for I will be there to cheer them on. Also avoid CSFG launches and events, for I shall be there, again, in my cheer squad capacity.
You might also want to avoid the opening ceremony, though I'm sure there are enough people there so that you will be able to stay clear of me.

Saturday
10 am - Janeen Webb will read Manifest Destiny - I'd be a fool to miss it
12 pm - booklaunch, Dawn Meredith -I'm launching a book! Poor, poor Dawn…
3.30 pm Saturday - Conflux and Eneit press cookbook launch
4.30 pm Mass book signing
7 pm banquet

Sunday
12.30 pm - booklaunch, Mary Victoria and Simon Haynes - I'm helping launch two books. Poor, poor Mary and Simon… (my role is giving a reading from Mary's new book - I have three days in which to rediscover my literacy)
1.30 pm panel - creative writing at university
2.30 pm panel - great libraries of fantasy

Monday
10 am panel - The critical mind
11.15 am kaffeeklatsche (I'll have my medieval photos with me and if no-one turns up I shall commune with broadswords and with the tombs of abbots and eat from my special stash of chocolate and smile in secret joy)
4 ish pm Dead dog party


ETA: It has been brought to my attention that some of these times may be wrong. In other words, I don't know which version of the program I used! This is my fault for going away. I shall do an updated one (if I can) late Friday. This depends, however, on Emma's patience, since my computer is right next to the futon, where she will be sleeping. The moral of this story is use this as a guide only and check the program on the day.

(no subject)

I'm halfwaythrough my Minor Catch-Up. Immediately after I've posted this, I might think of food.

My BiblioBuffet column went up during my absence. This meant I did about ten minutes work (checking edits) while I was on holiday. This is quite unrelated to the one day's work of the seminar and its preparation. Still, I had a holiday...