A wonderful weekend. Dean and Kathy arrived late Friday afternoon, and we enjoyed a meal and much talking. Sally arrived in time to join us for dessert. They brought Season One of The Big Bang, a sitcom we had totally missed which was hilarious - about very intelligent and nerdy geeks that reminded us of people in fandom. Got to buy that DVD plus start watching this one.

On Saturday, 25 filkers came to listen to Kathy's concert at Sally's, and all seemed absolutely delighted. I think many CDs were sold. Most stayed for some open filking and to help eat some of the food; there was enough to feed twice as many. Excellent music with many contributors, and I think the most harmony I had heard at a house filk. Peggi even sang one of Kathy's songs, at her request, and Alison accompanied both Peggi and Karen (separately) on songs they had not done together before. Lots of songs were done yet it seemed very relaxed.

We got a little more time with Kathy and Dean on Sunday before they left to shop and find their way to Hamilton. Very easy house guests to have around; hope they return some day. And now we have more of Kathy's music to listen to, and they have Phil's album for listening on the road. And I really hope Kathy's bruised and battered ankle (from a Concertino incident) heals soon.

I still had time today to ride Nijomi, and to groom Lizzie and her foal Pearl, who is growing up smart and mischievous. No trails today as there was a thunderstorm warning.

Many thanks to patoadam for giving me the words to Fanthem, which he sang in the OVFF Dead Dog. (Note: the words in the Conflikt songbook are incomplete).

I found it went over well in local circles, and along with Three Days from Mike Whitaker, it inspired me to suggest a "songs of fandom" round robin at Duckon. That attracted a good audience that got to hear vixy and Tony perform Rich Fantasy Lives with Tom Smith as the kickoff song!

It also included two songs new to me from Riverfolk, and I never got those names but they were about attending cons and about a trip to FKO they made; thanks, Chas and Becca! As well, there two songs from Randy Hoffman (Desperation and Laughter - and it was great to see Kathy Mar at the back laughing when he got to "the rabbit is real" line!); a fannish version of Jabberwocky from Art Warneke, Phil Mill's Universal Follower, CONvalescence from Tom, and me doing the two songs that inspired the panel idea. Due to a very long audience comment, Art and Phil didn't get to do their second pieces. If I'd know that was going to happen, I would have skipped my second song. I think that topic was a good idea!

On Saturday, there were several people from our local science fiction fandom club, usually called USS Hudson Bay but formally the Infinite Diversity International Corporation at a party with some filking. "infinite diversity" is a key line from the chorus). They seemed to love it; maybe it should be their theme song).

Anyway, I am really glad I asked Alan for these words and I thank him again for sending them. He posted them on his LJ just afterwards but I got them first!

he Kathy Mar house concert is approaching fast! I think it is very special that she will be in our community.

Come between 2 and 3 pm to be seated for the 3 pm concert, and bring a cash contribution to her expenses if you can (and if you can't, come anyway). I strongly recommend you also bring cash for her new DVD/double CD set, which she was selling for $30 US at Duckon; I don't know her Canadian price. But it includes the WorldCon concert which was the most talked about and praised program item at Denvention.

After the concert, the chairs will be rearranged and a normal house filk will happen (see http://www.filkontario.ca/ufo.html). You will find Kathy a wonderfully supportive person to share a circle with.

Dinner will be potluck; let Sally know what you plan to bring (sheadford@rogers.com). And contact her if you need directions.

Sign up at https://ufo.filkontario.ca/listinfo/ufo to stay up to date with filking activity in southern Ontario.

Other upcoming filking in the eastern half of Canada:
July 10-12: Polaris; Membership required (let Peggi know if you are coming to filk)
July 18: Raspberries and Ice Cream Social (and house filk) at Jane and Phil's in Willowdale
August 6-10: The FilKONtario ConCom brings you the filk track at Anticipation in Montreal! WorldCon membership required. If you are attending please let Peggi (peggiwl@rogers.com) and Judith (hayman@mountaincable.net) know ASAP.
August 22: Toronto Island Picnic with Fen; filking encouraged. Hanlon's Point, area 105. Ferries on the half hour. Approx. 1 pm to 8:30. Bring food to eat and share; BBQ facilitities available; portable hibachis welcome but not gas grills. RSVP to d.lacey@gmail.com.
NEW: September 26th: Filk concert at U of T for space enthusiasts. Details will be sent separately but hold this date!!!
October 2-4: ConCept in Montreal, with Phil Mills as GoH. Membership required.

A host for a September house filk would still be most welcome.

If you don't live here, don't you wish you did? Let us know if you are coming for a visit.

Once again, janmagic has run the most amazing filk track at a wonderful GenCon. Even better than last year. Just got home; falling into bed now.

Once again, there is much filk, laughter and friendship going on. Jan is taking good care of her filkers, and Duckon is treating filk as important. I love this con.

I've gotten to lots of stuff. Every panel has been well attended with good panelists - you don't see that everywhere!

I have not felt much like singing but have been happy to listen. Pony Man worked well for me yesterday at the Canadian panel.

Today I am on a panel on conrunning, discussed months ago but I never heard back and thought I wasn't on it. I get to talk to people about being on the wonderful FKO ConCom! And I moderate one on musical fandom where I had to recruit all the panelists at the last minute due to a mix-up but I think it will be fine.

Tom and Sue will arrive any moment for our drive to Chicago, with stop tonight at Elderly Instruments, Lansing.

My thanks to Art and Randy for offering to join the Musical Fandom panel; anyone else?

On the road, with Duckon to look forward to.

It just arrived!!! Duckon reading? But who will get it first, Phil or me?

Apparently that is the new term for the dead people who received about $14 million in cash handouts to stimulate the Australian economy. Wonder how that's working out for them.

Ah, fond memories of working in bureaucracy - NOT.

I hadn't heard from Merle over a month, then she called to ask about getting drugs (catnip) from my garden. So we talked about that on Wednesday night and arranged for pick-up Thursday night. We saw each other at Finch subway on Thursday morning. I might be at that subway in the morning twice a month, always at different times.

Last night I drove Forrest Ann to see Pearl, the filly born to Lizzie the first week of May. A very slow drive, BTW, given the heavy fog outside the city. And ran into her today, at the York Farmers' Market, where I was buying chicken and a flat of flowers while Sally (yeah, I like driving people) bought food. falcat ran into two other friends while there. I've been many times without seeing anyone I know.

From Karen Paddison (who will probably - hint, hint - post it in her new LJ too):

WHAT: Overnight House Filk
WHERE: Prince Edward County, ONT (between Trenton and Belleville, to the South)
WHEN: Saturday, May 23 noonish- Sunday May 24 whenever
WHY: Are you kidding with this question?
HOW: The usual and acceptable methods

DETAILS:
Saturday, May 23rd there will be a house filk at 284 Burr Road in Prince Edward County. (Those interested can email me directly for complete directions at earthgirl@kos.net.) It begins any time after twelve noon and lasts as long as the weekend allows. Weather permitting, we will gather on the patio. If it doesn't, the music will move indoors.

Meals: Dinner Saturday night is a potluck/order in meal. Appetizers (deviled eggs, cheese and crackers, veggie tray) will be provided as well as a lasagna for sharing. All kitchen and BBQ facilities will be available if you'd like to make your own supper. If you prefer not to pack a cooler, several chain grocery stores are on the way to the house (locations will be provided in detailed directions). Although beverages (pop, water, juices, beer,) will be provided, please supply your own if you have a specific favourite. Several chain restaurants are also within 20 minutes and dinner can be ordered in (the fictitious husband is happy to serve as gopher- so no need to leave the music to order in dinner).

Morning: Breakfast will be Maple-Cinnamon French Toast (served at a reasonable hour) complete with County produced maple syrup. Local restaurant listings can be provided as well for those who would prefer to eat out. Church listings and directions can be provided to those who would like to attend services.

Into the Night: Filking can go on until the last person drops. As for on-site sleeping arrangements, two of the 3 private rooms have been claimed. The remaining private room has a double bed. The semi-private room is still available. It has a double air mattress bed (on frame- off of floor). there is also space in the community room- bedding still needs to be arranged. If you prefer,local B&Bs can be found easiest here: http://www.pec.on.ca/pec_yellowpages/yellowpages.php3?category=10 and hotels, motels and inns can be found easiest here: http://www.pec.on.ca/pec_yellowpages/yellowpages.php3?category=32

Sunday: If you'd like to stay and see the County, you are more than welcome to do so. I can provided maps, brochures, and the like if you wish to take a day trip on your own. I am also more than happy to serve as tour guide/chauffeur if there are a few people interested in seeing/doing the same types of things (my van seats 8 comfortably). Let me know if anything interests you: http://pec.on.ca/Welcome.html

RSVP:
Please contact me directly if you are planning on attending, so we can make sure we have enough beds/rooms/accomodations/food/everything else for everyone. earthgirl@kos.net

This is going to be a fun, casual, filk-filled weekend, that I hope will turn into a annual event (and be so amazing that even Phil will want to travel for it ;) )

See you in less than 2 weeks!

Karen

STAR TREK / COOL AGAIN, FINALLY
Beamed up from the nerdy void
DAVE MCGINN
May 8, 2009

MaH ja'ta' soH vaj.

That's Klingon for "We told you so."

As the once-moribund Star Trek franchise prepares to fly into the mainstream at warp speed this weekend, Trekkies - that most maligned of sci-fi obsessives - are awaiting their moment of vindication.

http://tinyurl.com/on8pmq

A 'nerd' shoots for the stars, and NASA comes knocking
Toronto teen's intergalactic Canada takes top prize in space contest

From Friday's Globe and Mail
May 7, 2009 at 11:36 PM EDT
TORONTO — By Grade 9, Eric Yam's science-geek pedigree was already approaching a state of high polish – starting with Lego blocks, he had advanced steadily through calculus, radio-controlled robots and wind turbine design. Then his teacher asked him to take on a new challenge: to design a space colony that could be home to 10,000 people, and serve as a lifeboat for humanity should the Earth come to a bad end.
(snip)

Mr. Yam's proposal also includes a method for choosing space colony inhabitants, which is based on Canadian federal immigration policy, assigning points based on criteria that include age, education and marital status. Mr. Yam believes that this approach would produce a balanced, relatively harmonious culture that would be a kind of intergalactic Canada.

http://tinyurl.com/pk3wuz

It does bother me somewhat that this 16-year old says "Finally, some recognition!" Sigh.

I am so sorry to have been travelling and out of touch (the Grand Canyon is not a place for WiFi) and not have sent sympathies sooner than now (I just posted in Brooke's journal). John was amazing, and so without ego that many would not have realized how amazing. I know I only saw him occasionally so if I'm crying, those close to him must be much more sad.

I would love to know what songs people have played/are playing in his honour at filk events.

Nine of us went to see this movie in Tucson this week, and I expect everyone who loves music (esp. classical) and cares about people will want to see this. I will avoid spoilers. I did not like everything about it by any means, and neither did others, but we were all glad we went. It may not appeal to people who loved the book and want everything in the movie to follow exactly; the script changed/compressed a lot.

PS - There are four confirmed cases of swine flu in Phoenix, about two hours away. There are no travel restrictions within the USA except to tell people feeling sick to STAY HOME (unless violently ill and then go to hospital - I guess they are overwhelmed with people who sneezed once or feel a little unwell). And to tell people over and over and over again to WASH THEIR HANDS and COVER THEIR MOUTH WHEN THEY COUGH. You'd think that message would only be need to be told to children.

So I expect to return Monday as scheduled but the news changes daily and we are on high alert.

Just finished Day One of the immersion training for consultants to community benefit organizations, and I was wonderful! I have renewed friendships and new friends and we're heading out for Mexican food now.

Friday evening was terrrific - the always good company of Peggi and Ken, Tom and Sue, Sally and Phil in our first ever visit to Lula Lounge.

Paul and Storm are so funny to see; don't miss a chance if they come your way. Good voices too but I can't imagine it would be nearly as much fun to just listen - they should have a DVD. I was really glad Jonathan Coulton brought them on stage for harmonies and antics on some of his songs.

And I am even more glad that Tom Jeffers learned about the show (from Decadent Dave, he says) in time for us to get tickets and dinner reservations; both nights sold out. Great to see and hear how JoCo performs the songs we often hear from filkers, and he is funny and twisted like his lyrics. If he comes back to Toronto, I'll want to go again despite the somewhat over-priced food.

I just wish Alison and John had booked in time to share a table with us, but we got some time to chat there and when I drove them to Yonge and Finch where they had parked.

Well, no, I'm still working on that.

But I got filk friends; I got music; I got good pizza; who could ask for anything more?

Phil and I had a lovely Saturday evening with Tom and Sue. Music practice and good company.

P.S. Oh, and I got my love to keep me warm.

I think I'm going to trust all music recommendations from vixy and Tony. S.J. Tucker's Sirens is absolutely wonderful, and I've just listened to the Marion Call one I bought at FKO and heard songs I really like.

Anyone out there have sheet music or chords for Alligator in the House by Betsy and Katie Tinney? If I haven't found them by Duckon, maybe Tony would help me there if I said pretty please?

Some chronological highlights except I have to start with what will be the strongest memory of most FKO attendees:

- Suburban Travestry - you can find the pictures. Dave Clement was such a perfect Jodi except for the guitar; Tom was an absolutely perfect Alison and I was so glad he wore the red wig to the banquet too. Walter imitated Debbie more than you might think possible

- Meeting guests, ConCom, staff and a few strays collected in the lobby for quiet conversation in ConSuite on Thursday night. First time meeting Gerry and Sandy and they seemed as nice as their reputation. And meeting the youngest filker, Thalea (hope I got that right) at three months, as she arrived from Germany.

The excitement of seeing Deborah walking into the hotel as we arrived, when that miserable woman hadn't told us in advance she was coming! And we didn't get to have her as a guest at home this time, sigh.

- Greeting returning attendees at Reg and trying to find time to hug everyone. Getting to share the Reg table with Dave, Marah and Caroline

- Watching Phil's face as I sold CD's to people who wanted autographs - including people whose autograph's he's wanted in the past! Sharing the fun with Merle

- Hearing Toyboat just slightly change filk classics, and after the first song, get the sound really working for them. Great in the circle too, and an excellent song contest entry

- Being in a relaxed circle listening to great music until ready to fall into bed, three nights in a row! Plus a jam that was morphed into a filk circle part of the time. Particular memory - Rafael, who had seemed so serious whenever singing with Eva, doing a song called "My baby has rabies" involving a skunk and done in a Texas accent. Mind-bending.

- Learning about mikes from Gerry and Sandy, who put the info into plain English and helped me understand arcane concepts. But I already mentioned workshops in Part 1, didn't I?

- Amazing guest concerts of course, and not nearly enough from Julianna, Douglas and Dr. Filk in their half-hour. And especially hearing UT perform Phil's Heart of the Mountain

- Being with Erica when her Hall of Fame induction was announced (and listening to the wonderful write-ups the HoF sub-committee had prepared, as always). And hearing her perform wonderfully in the Hall of Fame concert

- Watching the audience reaction (WOW!) as Phil's song contest entry ended, and his reaction when he heard he had won for a song finished that morning (his earlier contest entries were written months ahead and practiced obsessively)

- Time to talk with Phil and Helen Parker over Indian food

- Living out Mike Whitaker's Three Days Away from the Rat Race over the course of the weekend, especially the Monday morning part about "We say our farewells in the lobby, surrounded by bags and guitars. Just one hug more, we've excuses galore, to put off that walk to the car."

I hope to see everybody back next year. And all those regulars whose health, family issues or economic stresses prevented them from coming this year. And everyone who talks about wanting to come but has never made it. Well, we'd have to check on the room sizes if everyone came at once, but you know what I mean.