Boskone

[browngirl]

Boskone is this weekend. Huh.

I admit, I feel a bit conflicted about the convention, after the past month's big discussion -- there are people I wanted to introduce myself a month ago whom I don't want to now (and a couple to whom I want to say "people like me are neither theoretical nor negligible", though I won't, because there are such things as appropriate times and places). But I've already paid for my membership; also I want to see several people, not least papersky the GOH, rysmiel, and redbird, and I want to attend some panels and learn a bit more about the creation and enjoyment of speculative fiction.

Besides, SF&F fandom still belongs to us as much as to any other fen. I want to walk through the convention, smiling and listening and learning and occasionally speaking, being myself and being nothing unusual. I shouldn't preemptively call up a freckle moment for myself, and I should get out of the house. So, unless things change dramatically, I'm going to the con, at least on Saturday.

Comments

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

Besides, SF&F fandom still belongs to us as much as to any other fen

Got that right! Be there and be proud! *hugs*

[supergee.livejournal.com]

Good for you. I only wish I could be there to see you.

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

*sighs* Yet another weekend of wishing I was there (following hard on the heels of GAFilk, Arisia, Conflikt, and AXXidental, all since January began).

Go enjoy. Don't sweat the kerfufflement; there's life to be lived, and joy to be had, and if you're all knotted up about other folks' misconceptions, you're going to fall short as you leap for the ferry :-) (Yeah, the metaphor's twisted, but (a) so am I and (b) I'm tired :-D

Have fun and please spread hugs freely from me.

[bercilakslady.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you'll be there.

[eudociainboston.livejournal.com]

Go. Enjoy and have a great time.

[quietann.livejournal.com]

Go enjoy it!

Ben will likely be there all day on Saturday, harassing dealers about coming to this year's Worldcon. The mess that happened with Canadian customs at Torcon is making them shy of trying Canada again, but Ben & co. are trying ever so hard to Do Things Right this year.

I may join him in the evening.

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

Remember this
http://littlebutfierce.livejournal.com/374007.html?style=light

But then there's the whole pick your battles thing, & the fact that repeatedly getting into these discussions, constantly being on the defensive, is draining. And that I'm not obligated to wear myself out explaining my POV, even if I have before. Even if the person seems interested in discussion, seems like they want to hear what I have to say. Even if they seem "nice" or "polite" or whatever. I don't owe them an explanation. I don't owe them my time or my thoughts. Even if I'm socialized to be a "nice Asian girl." Even if I do believe in dialogue. It doesn't mean I must run myself ragged responding to every little thing.

So repeat after me (because I know I'm not the only one with this problem): I have the right to stop the conversation. I have the right to stop the conversation. I have the right to stop the conversation.


Protecting yourself through disengagement (http://yeloson.livejournal.com/537266.html)

Read this POC carnival about fen of color talking to other fen of color (http://ladyjax.livejournal.com/560725.html).

Take breaks. DO NOT ENGAGE THE CRAZY

[gingicat]

This. :D

[redbird]

I definitely want to see you, and Boskone will be a good place to do it.

That said: we have a date for dinner. If you need to be away from the con Saturday afternoon, we could arrange to meet at dinner instead of in the hotel lobby, dealer's room, etc.

[marydell.livejournal.com]

I think kate_nepveu is going to be at boskone, and has similar misgivings. If you don't know her you might introduce yourself (I don't know her in RL but she seems cool via her LJ, and she has an adorable kid, always a plus).

edit to clarify: adorable kid is a plus not because childfree is bad, but because I like the cute, whether kid, doll, puppy, or otherwise.

[bearfairie.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I can totally understand the feeling of conflict given the past few months of LJ racefail nightmare. SF&F fandom totally still gets to be a place for you, even if some other folks there suck. Also? You get to stay for as long as it's fun, and leave when it stops being fun. Fandom is *fandom* - it's (supposed to be) our fun time, our hobby time, it's recreational. if it stops being enjoyable, there stops being a reason to stay there.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the importance of going into potentially charged places with allies who I can trust to get my back. Do you have allies who will be there for you?

[peteralway.livejournal.com]

Have fun at the con!

[micheinnz.livejournal.com]

Go! Go! I'm ten thousand miles from the friggin' thing, or I'd go with you!