Words Words Words » Kit

Reesa and Kit visit San Francisco (Arse Elektronika 2008)

kit — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 07:44:16 +0000

In 2007 I attended the first Arse Elektronika, a conference about sex and technology. Last year’s theme was ‘pr0novation’ (see my notes on the conference here). I had a great time. I can’t help but think some conversations I had with the organizers helped inspire this year’s theme, “Do Androids Sleep with Electric Sheep?” which focuses on sex, technology, and science fiction.

Reesa and I will be attending together this year this year and presenting a paper, “What is the 21st-century novel?” Not only do we have a lot of exciting things to talk about, but we’ll be releasing some of the first details on a collaborative project involving all the residents of the Dream Café. Arse Elektronika runs from September 25-28 in San Francisco. Tickets are a mere $40 and I am sure it will be fascinating.

We’re also exploring our options for a place to stay in the area — ideally somewhere near the conference, which is at CELLspace on 2050 Bryant Street. If you know a good, inexpensive motel/hotel in the vicinity, or have some space yourself, we’d love to hear from you. We’ll be staying from September 25-30.

After 4th Street — First Thoughts

kit — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:29:09 +0000

I am in Dallas with Reesa’s mom, Deborah, after flying back this evening. The rest of the Dream Café is headed back by car with TxAnne, driving through the night.

I’m exhausted and my brain is churning in ways I can’t even write about yet. The panels were stimulating and we’re all full of ideas and plans for the days to come. I made a bunch of really great contacts there, several who want to help with our ongoing project. I had a wonderful time and I’m already looking forward to next year (and its exciting GoH).

We took tons of notes which we’ll be collating and posting in the days to come. I’m also hoping to compile a reading list of the many books which were discussed and recommended during the con. There’ve been some great photos taken that are already beginning to filter onto the net. We’ll link to or repost those too — if you’ve taken some, feel free to leave comments. We’d also love to hear your feedback on the con.

Thanks to everyone who made the con so amazing, and all the great Minneapolitans who showed me the best of their fair city.

4th Street’s First Day

kit — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 08:50:42 +0000

It seems like the revival of Fourth Street Fantasy is a success, if one judges by the first day alone. The two panels today — From Cool Idea to Story and Grinding Buttons and Pushing Axes were entertaining and stimulating. The fascinating discussions that began there spilled over into the bar, the restaurant, and the con suite late into the night. Reesa and I were the last ones up, discussing our experiences with the day until she had to pass out. There has been music, food, a lot of laughter, and I think a very large helping of inspiration.

Among all the other fascinating panels scheduled for tomorrow, Reesa, Jennifer and I will be holding forth on Advice From New Writers with Marissa Lingen, Michael Merriam, and Jon Singer, moderated by Teresa Nielsen Hayden. I’ll also be sitting on Food, Fashion, and Fornication (and I’ll be wearing a Fuzzy Hat). Steve will be talking about the Chewy Bits and moderating the highly anticipated 21st Century Storytelling panel, featuring the whole Shadow Unit team plus writer/game designer Alec Austin.

… which means I better get some sleep if I want to stay awake tomorrow!

More from MN

kit — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:49:10 +0000

Last night Steve’s friend Tesla hosted a wonderful party with good scotch and better music. We all had a wonderful time. Today 4th Street starts. Steve is already getting ready while Reesa & I are eating some food in the hotel’s cafe prior to opening ceremonies. The hotel is filling up with people in yellow 4th street name badges, a happy sight for sure.

On the cover of the Rolling Stone

kit — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 08:52:53 +0000

Not quite. But we understand that there is a photo of the Dream Café residents, along with the glorious Kij Johnson, in the June 8 issue of Locus (which should already be on the stands). The photo is from the Nebula Awards, which we crashed like the vicious party crashers we are.

Clockwise from Left: Reesa Brown, Steven Brust, Kij Johnson, Kit O’Connell and his hat. Photo by Liza Groen Trombi/Locus Publications.

We love, love, love this photo, both because of how photogenic we look and for the wonderful memories it brings back. We had a great time lurking about the bar and consuite and looking like we belonged there (Kij, of course, did belong there).

Alas, this issue of Locus (or Locus at all) is not available anywhere we can find in the Bryan/College Station area. We’d be really grateful if one our readers has a copy they’d be willing to pass on when they are done.

Kit & Reesa presenting at Arse Elektronika 2008

kit — Sat, 17 May 2008 03:52:14 +0000

Reesa and I will be presenting at Arse Elektronika 2008, a conference on sexuality and technology that takes place in San Francisco this September. This year’s theme is “Do Androids Sleep with Electric Sheep?” and deals with the influence of science fiction (and “social fiction”) on technology and the future. Our paper, “What is the 21st century novel?” will be part of the conference’s Narration track. Not only will we be talking about the history of and (our ideas about) the future of storytelling, but we hope to reveal details of an upcoming Dream Café collaborative project as well.

I attended last year’s Arse Elektronika and had a great time; you can read my notes here.

In other news, Reesa & I will also be attending the upcoming Burning Flipside 2008. We’re returning with our chill camp, Eposia’s Crosstime Saloon. Our address this year is 8 Naughty Avenue. If you happen to be a reader who attends, be sure and stop by to say hi.

Leap Day alternatives

kit — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:14:26 +0000

On this fine February 29th, I find myself wondering what about February 29th is so much better than all the alternatives? We could have a December 32nd. Kids could have an extra day of summer vacation, once every four years (although knowing schools today they’d just make them go back a day earlier). We could have 24 extra hours of sleep, on 24 selected Sundays, making those Mondays a little easier on the working stiff. We could have a special day number 0 — now that would be fun.

February is already special because it is so short, we should distribute something cool to the other months so they don’t feel left out.