I Need My Head Examined . . . and Albacon

So tonight, while watching the rather fine Robert Downey, Jr., in Ironman, pbray says, "We'll have to figure out what's going on next week at Albacon." And I say, "Albacon isn't next weekend, it's the 17th." And she says, "No it's not, it's the 10th." And I stare at her and say, "No, I looked it up, it's the 17th." And she rubs my head and says, "Aren't you cute, it's always on Columbus Day weekend!"

And at that point my head exploded.

Actually, a new acquiantance proved I was wrong by looking up Albacon on the web (damn webs) and lo! Albacon starts the 10th. This completely screwed up my head. Because all of my plans for the next two weeks centered around Albacon being on the 17th. So now I need to . . . reorganize. There really isn't any problem, it's not like I had tons of stuff scheduled for next weekend, but it did require a panicked phone call to the hotel to make certain I'd reserved the room for the correct weekend. (I did.)

I think this upsets me more because I don't make mistakes like this. No really. I don't. I'm organized. I'm on top of things. I'm cute.

So anyway, guess what? Albacon is on the 10th! And because of that, I figure I'd better post my schedule, in case any of you are in the area that weekend (the 10th, remember?) and want to stop on by and stalk and/or harass me. Also, it might be good if someone made certain I actually ate something. I have a tendency not to eat at cons. If you'd like to find me, here's my schedule, with the usual caveat that if I'm not on a panel, I'm likely at the bar. *grin*

Joshua's Albacon Schedule, which starts on the 10th

Reading Fri 7:30pm This is me, reading from my books. Probably reading from the new novel (still on the editor's desk) Well of Sorrows. Notice the reading is scheduled before the con starts (because everyone knows the con starts with the Ice Cream Social). I may move the reading to the bar.

Ice Cream Social Fri 8:00pm This is rather self-explanatory. I'll be there. Likely covered in chocolate.

All You Zombies: The Great Zombie Revivial Bray, McAfee(M), Palmatier, Schwabach Fri 9:00pm Me and pbray on a panel together! Does this mean the Zombie Attack has already begun? You be the judge. It certainly should be . . . entertaining.

Autographing Sat 1:00pm Me, sitting at a table alone, harassing passing fans. Watch the desperate author in action!

Dragons, Wizards & Mysterious Islands Brett, SGrotta, Mead, Palmatier(M) Sat 9:00pm What is it about certain stories, such as Anne McCaffery's Dragon Riders of Pern, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and the TV show Lost that captures our imagination and generates such an avid fan base? Why do other stories with similar themes never make it? And who in hell signed me up to be a moderator?

Believable Evil Doyle, Palmatier, Sklar(M)*, Spoor, Bray Sun 12:00 How do you write believable villains without your villains taking over your story? And look! Me and pbray are on another panel together! Let the evil ensue.

How many freaking panels am I on this weekend?

The Role of the Afterlife in Fantasy Fiction Mead, Sklar(M), Palmatier, Brilliant Sun 2:00pm What happens after you're dead? How does that affect characters in fantasy worlds? This is good planning on the organizer's part, since by 2pm on Sunday we'll all be rather dead. I have something else I could say about this panel but I'll restrain myself because I'm a professional.

And that's the schedule for Albacon. Who's going to be there? Who's going to meet me in the bar? Who's going to bring me drinks during the autographing, or at least bring a lawn chair and their own popcorn so they can camp out and watch the show?

Just a word of warning: If you attend either panel with me and Patricia together . . . it might be wise not to sit in the front row. There may be . . . um, splatter.