It’s been quite a busy month, even by my own standards. Clearly, I’ve not been totally successful in keeping with my theme for the year. I have some more cogent ruminations on that coming down the pike in a few days.
In a brief bit of site news, I have resurrected the Gustatory Libation Front from a period of neglect (although it has suffered from the same update-paucity of late). While I’ve enjoyed putting my beery ponderings up on Saint Nickanuck, it has become evident to me that said commentary appeals to a slightly different audience, so having its own forum is worthwhile. I’ll be putting some culinary and beverage observations from my recent travel to New Orleans and Chicago there shortly.
But, first – this weekend is RavenCon at the Crowne Plaza West in Richmond, VA! The convention is in its third year, and I’m pleased to say that this will be the third year that Laura and I will be participating as guests on the science track. Past experience has shown this con to be well-run and an absolute blast, so if you aren’t already planning on attending and happen to be within striking distance, I encourage you to stop by and check it out.
Laura will be doing a number of panels relating to space science, including the latest on her work at NASA and the International Space University. As to my own schedule, it is as follows:
- Thirteen Dooms (Friday, 11pm, Potomac) – A multidisciplinary science panel addressing the various ways in which all life on earth might be eradicated. Bwa-ha-ha!
- Live Recording of Mr. Adventure (Saturday, 11am, James) – I’m uncertain as to what role I’ll be playing, but I understand it may be evil and nefarious. Bwa-ha-ha-ha!
- The New Reds Deaths (Saturday, 2pm, Potomac) – In which I will consider many horrific and interesting diseases, from Poe’s Red Death to the latest modern day terrors. Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!
What? You sense a disturbing theme? No… I think not. But, that means you’ll just have to come out and see for yourself.
BWA-HA-H- uh… sorry.
Sounds like a lot of fun. Sorry I missed it. Are you doing anything like this at Balticon? If not, how come?
Laura and I will be both give a talk at Balticon, although at least for me the topic is yet to be completely determined.
I’ll be getting up a recap soon, and will save my commentary on how the “Thirteen Dooms” panel went there. 🙂
Hello Dr. Cmar,
Just wanted to drop a line to say that I enjoyed your “Red Death” and Laura’s James Webb Space Telescope talks at Ravencon08 immensely (missed your Thirteen Dooms panel though…). You had mentioned about putting up your Red Death presentation online. Do you mind sending me the link or the actual presentation? Also, what are some good science/medical pod casts that you recommend? I may have been the only person in the room who didn’t get the disclosure nun joke….
On an interesting side note one of the books in the “20-science-books-every-scifi-fan-and-writer-should-read” listed by io9 is The Coming Plague by Laurie Garrett. (http://io9.com/384242/20-science-books-every-scifi-fan-and-writer-should-read).
Thanks,
Gopa
PS: I sent an email on April 30th to your gmail address but I guess it must have been lost to the ether…
Thanks for being in touch! My Inbox has been rather “etherial” of late… you’ll get a reply shortly. 🙂