womzilla

1. grahamsleight is a prince among men. He schlepped about thirty thousand pounds of European books and games--and two adorable stuffed toys--in his luggage so that I wouldn't have to pay transAtlantic shipping.


2. I once again spent too much of a convention stalking crowleycrow. Well, not really stalking, but he kept being at the center of events I wanted to see. The hour-long discussion on Ægypt, in particular, was very rewarding. (It feels like I spent more time around him than I actually did because supergee and I spent most of the four-hour drive each way listening to his audiobook of The Solitudes, which is superb.)


3. On the other extreme, we barely got to see fjm, because we arrived late and she departed early. She has made me promise to find at least one meal she can share with us at the Conference next year.


4. I actually did some networking--but not for myself. Eugene Reynolds, intrepid and brilliant NYRSF staffer, has a friend who is a playwright in New Hampshire, whose plays are sometimes spec fic. partimedriver's wife is an award-winning playwright in Vermont, whose plays are sometimes spec fic. They needed to meet, and they did.


5. It was sad to be among constant reminders of the death of tomsdisch but superb to be among people who thought--think, and will continue to think--so highly of him.


6. The "NYRSF at 20" panel was a lot of fun, and would have been more fun if it hadn't been scheduled opposite the first Shirley Jackson Awards panel.


7. Eric Van generally does a superb job with programming (previous complaint notwithstanding), ginning up fine discussions of topics two or three steps beyond the normal range of such things, and then populating the panels with people well-fitted to the topics. Much kudos to him. I might derive a few posts from responding to ideas tossed around in public.
   
8. And I know it's a cheap thrill, but I had really, really missed the Kirk Poland Memorial Bad Prose Competition.


9. If I listed everyone I was glad to see, I'd be here all night, but if I saw you there, I'm *glad* I saw you there. I hope I engendered the same reaction in you.

daveamongus

Yes, that’s right FOXSports. Michelle Wie needs to learn her lesson. She should stop competing against men. Maybe you should get the belt ready in case she doesn’t learn her lesson this time. Danica Patrick and Billie Jean King are next in line, eh?

I’d say more, but it really kind of speaks for itself, and I’m between attempts to resurrect my wife’s laptop harddrive. Noticed this today when I pulled up an MSN homepage on a client’s computer. Grabbed a screenshot in case it went away. The article is still at FOXSports, but with a much less inflammatory headline.

x__wicked__x
customers_suck

I work at a big-name bookstore outlet, in a rather large mall.

 
Our store was supposed to have our district manager make a surprise visit sometime this past week, so we were all on our best behavior- well, we tried.

On this particular day, there were 2 employees on shift, myself, and another girl with the same name. We had just blown up some balloons for our big clearance sale we have going on. So we had to tap the balloons back at each other for a few minutes. (Who doesn't?) 

Then this man walks in, with his wife, and we knew he was somebody. He came right over, and was joking about my juggling skills. He asked us soem questions, and acted like he knew the answer to them. He then walks away with his wfe, walking through the store. I then find a pop one of the shelves, and dispose of it, before walking out for my 10 min break. I come back, and they are still there. 

He comes over, asks me some more questions, and I check him out. As he's leaving he asks for our store card, and my name. When he gets to the door, we get a phone call and I answer. I happen to notice he's still at the door, listening to me answer the phone.

Afterwards, my co worker and I freak out. Did they like the store? Did we do a better job than last time? What will otu store manager say? He walked in on us playing with balloons, ect. He also asked for my name specifically.

About 2 hours later, we get another phone call, a man looking for me. 

"Hi, this is so and so. I was in your store earlier, and I was wondering you if you had a moment to spare. I saw how much you loved your job, and you obviously take pride in what you do. I have this job opening in our headquarters in _____ and I think you would be perfect for the job. We should get coffee sometime and go over the job details. You are over 18, right? Well, is there a number where I can reach you? No, well, I'll give you my number, and you call me when possible, and we will see if we chan't schedual some time. I don't know how much you like working at ___ but I can tell how much you like selling books, and this atmosphere, and you have a great energy and pressence about you, and I would love to see you come apply for this job. You even impressed my wife, and that is saying much. Have a great day!"

wtf?

overheardnyc

http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/archives/015515.html

Nanny to boy blocking slide: Hi, are you going down the slide?
(kid shakes head)
Nanny: Well, can we get past you?
(kid shakes head)
Three-year-old friend: Sam, share.
(Sam shakes head)
Three-year-old friend: Sam, share or I will leave you.

--69th & West End

salinetears
customers_suck

I work at our local hospital. It's medium sized, but it's certainly not sparkly clean. This isn't to say that isn't clean, but ya know. There are the occasional blood stained cloths left on the floor, bandaids, contaminated tape, fluids, etc.

This is more of a WTF than a suck. 


Do not let your child under -any- circumstances, go barefoot when he or she is walking around. Especially in a high traffic area. Ever. Especially in a hospital. 

There's a statistic out there that claims that patients pick up many illnesses from a hospital - the flu, the common cold, pnuemonia, infection. Put some socks and/or shoes on those little feet!