Worldcon is a very long convention. Although I'm having a lovely time, I'm starting to look forward to it being over.
I started Friday evening at the Marriott bar, having recalled that a conversation with a new friend (and fan of Alpennia) had vaguely been scheduled to continue there. Found said friend easily and had a nice long chat about all manner of things with her and another participant. The Marriott bar was much quieter and less crowded because vast quantities of people were at the Tor (publishing) party instead. I figured I'd stick my head in there for at least a little bit, since it seemed like the "It Party" of the con. It filled up the ballroom at the top of the Crowne Plaza (with a glorious view of the city) and was jam packed with "name" authors...but it was jam packed. And the wall of sound battered at you when the elevator was still a couple floors away. I made one circuit of the room, waved hi to a couple people, and hi-tailed it out. Tried the SWFA suite next, but it's very catch-as-catch can, in my experience, in terms of finding people to talk to. This time, I didn't. Just as I was tweeting my decision to pack it in for the night, my roommate Fade responded with an enthusiastic command that I join her at a small semi-private speakeasy party at the Aladdin, so I checked it out. Nice friendly people (though I only really knew one other person in the room besides Fade, and that was Elizabeth Bear) but I ende up only staying a little while becase said roommate had set her heart on checking out the Tor party and was in a cheerful enough state that there was a communal decision that I should accompany her and see she got safely back to the room afterward. This time the Tor party had thinned out a little (though still quite noisy) and we worked our way through several converations and a lot of gazing at the aforementioned delightful view before turning in.
Well, I was going to do Saturday morning too, but I really need to change and get back to the main convention center to line up for the Hugo seating. So, briefly: morning full of WSFS business meeting again (I now have some strong opinions on the misuse of Roberts Rules of Order), several lovely panels, got a few autographs, bought some new earrings, then back to the room for some quiet time and a snack.
More tomorrow!