After a long, stressful week, what I want more than anything is to sleep in late and then do nothing except sit on my butt, with maybe a nap or two thrown in for good measure. Which is why I got up at 7:00 AM this morning, got dressed warmly (it was cold and rainy) and headed out for a day of “adventure.”
A couple of subway rides later (NO WAY I was going to try to mess with traffic and parking at a huge event in a crowded part of town when the Metro dropped me off at the front gates!) I was at the entrance to the USC campus for the first time in my 50+ years here. I’ve been across the street to the Coliseum a few times, and to the Science Museum down the street, but never actually on campus.
Nice place I guess, big bucks and an attitude to match at every turn, but at least the rain had stopped by the time our first event was over.
The occasion was the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, which I’ve wanted to attend for years. The crowds and size are a bit daunting, easily 100,000+ per day there, maybe as many as twice that or more, but the USC campus is a big place, so it never got too awful. Lots of food trucks and a ton of booths and vendors – I didn’t get any books, knick knacks, shirts, or anything else, but next time I might not be so lucky. Next time I might come with a wish list of books that I need to pick up, but then I’ll have to carry them around and lug them on the subway…
The first panel we saw was moderated by Wil Wheaton, with favorite author John Scalzi, and new-to-me author TJ Klune. Talking about how to write speculative fiction in our bizarre political and social era. Excellent discussion. Baseline assumption as stated by Scalzi, “FASCISM FUCKING SUCKS!” No argument here!
Our second panel was the main reason that I got off my ass and made it to the event this year. Writer Chuck Wendig was there, the first time I’ve ever been able to see him live.
This panel was moderated by Ivy Pochoda, with Danielle Trussoni and Nikki Erlick also participating. It was about “magical objects” being used in their speculative fiction or horror novels. Another excellent panel, and I’ll need to be picking up some of the books from Ms. Trussoni and Mrs. Erlick to see what they were talking about, their novels sound fascinating.
(Photo: Michi Willett)
So, a good day of adventuring! Off my ass, out of my comfort zone, out doing interesting and stimulating things, and meeting up with Wonderful Daughter Two for the day. And I got all of my steps in for the day, and then some. Even my watch is happy!
Tomorrow I’ll sleep in late and then do nothing except sit on my butt, with maybe a nap or two thrown in for good measure. Maybe.
We Love The Stars Too Fondly 