(urth) chicago event

[James Wynn]

Okay. Let's see what I can add to what Marc posted:

This initial ceremonies were instituted in a house that --as Wolfe 
remarked-- appeared to be the sort of place that you have to use a 
password just to enter. The performance hall was built around a giant 
Wurlitzer that could be automatically sunk entirely into the stage 
floor. The pipes and brass horns surrounded us on all sides. Also it was 
filled with amazing giant mechanical player organs for the turn of the 
century (the last one). There was a player bango I saw there too. The 
house architecture was of the sort that you would expect someone from 
each event held there would disappear and forced to eternally serve as 
staff.

This house was filled with surely every early model of gramophone and 
other recorded player ever produced prior to 1920. Also lots of art deco 
furniture, figurines, and stained glass. Also

Gary K. Wolfe gave the first speech. Gene Wolfe later noted that Gary 
usually points out that he and Gene are not brothers or even related to 
which Gene always responds "I'm telling Ma!" Michael Swanwick gave a 
speech. The Gaiman gave the award, offering a speech that drew a lot 
from him Guardian article from Wolfe's birthday last year.

Marc's summary of Wolfe's speech is accurate but I'll give more detail 
to something he mentioned. He took questions after his speech. Someone 
shouted out (humorously) was "Where do you get your ideas!" This led 
Wolfe to answer another common question he gets" "Why do you write?" The 
answer to this was "So I don't have to explain why I'm not working." And 
then he told a story about the sale of "Car Sinister" (collected in 
"Book of Days"/"Castle of Days"). He would do all his writing in the 
early morning before the distractions of work and kids. In 1969?, they 
needed money to buy school clothes for their four children, but they 
didn't really have it. Then he sold the story for $80 (which went a lot 
further then than it does now). He cashed the check and gave Rosemary 
four 20s explaining that it was all the money he got from the sale of 
the story and she now had $20 for each kid. So not long afterwards he's 
doing so manual repair work around the house and Rosemary came up to him 
and said "Shouldn't you be writing?"

Then there was the terrific adaptation of "A Toy Theater" (adapted by 
/Larry Santoro/). And I think, having seen it, everyone should now agree 
with me that not only is Stromboli a puppet, but so is the narrator and 
everyone else. Wolfe is the sole puppeteer. They worked in "Coin 
Operated Boy" by Amanda Palmer (Neil Gaiman's wife) of "The Dresden 
Dolls". The actors were tremendous singers as well. The play was 
accompanied by the Wurlitzer.

After the play, we had the Wurlitzer performance, in which he also did 
another rendition of "Coin Operated Boy" which leads me to believe that 
Wolfe has an especial affection for this song right now, since I know 
that the organist had asked his family for a favorite song of Gene's 
that he could perform. It was the only song that appeared to be not part 
of his usual repertoire.

Then we proceeded to the building where we ate. This was essentially a 
barn containing more giant music players. Also, a huge turn of the 
century circus carrousel. The walls were festooned with vintage movie 
posters and side show posters. In another room, they had aisle upon 
aisle of early steam engines. The whole thing was a steam punk dream.

I sat with Marc and Patrick O'Leary and also Jill Thompson the 
illustrator. I wish I had googled her at the table because I discovered 
afterwards that I was a huge fan of hers. I have the entire 80s 
Elementals series, and the Dead Boy Detective series, and Black Orchid.  
And of course of have the "Fables and Reflections" Sandman volume (Wolfe 
wrote the introduction). Instead, of a friendly conversation with her, I 
could have had an amazing conversation with her.

Peter Sagal of NPR's "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" was the master of 
ceremonies. When I heard this was the case, I thought "Eh...big name and 
local to Chicago but...." However, it turns out he's a huge SF 
literature fan. He's one of us. It was totally appropriate. He boosted 
the "John Carter" movie which made Mantis quite happy because he would 
ask everyone he met if they saw it and what they thought of it. Mantis 
is huge Burroughs fan and he was not looking forward to this adaption. 
He was quite happily surprised. However, he had not noted all the 
Burroughs references in "The Long Sun/Short Sun" so I was glad to be the 
first to point them out to him.

Incidentally, Mantis is about to release a Lexicon Urthus-style book on 
"The Long Sun" and "The Short Sun."

David Hartwell gave a speech in which he described why Wolfe is so 
difficult to edit. He would try to do due diligence as an editor and 
would say things like "I don't think it's clear why such-and-such." To 
which Wolfe responds, "Well, you must have only skimmed the book." So 
Hartwell always reads every manuscript twice before making editing 
suggestions.

This lead Patrick O'Leary to recount how Hartwell has once noted that 
Wolfe had used the exact same word to describe the color of separate 
women's aureolas. Wolfe's initial response was "But they ARE the same 
color." But he then conceded that it was a mistake. And, of course, if 
that had got through, I WOULD be convinced that despite all reason, that 
WAS the same woman or at least the same breast.

By, the way, Hartwell's anthologies are absolutely the best IMO. Not 
just "The Years Best" series. I mean the ones where he gets to pick from 
all eras to compile stories based on a them. I strongly recommend the 
two "Masterpieces" books. But he has others that you can almost fill a 
shelf with and that's exactly what you should do.

After we ate, we all had to ride the huge vintage carrousel. I was a 
little worried that I would get off as child or an (even) old(er) man. 
Aside for horses, it also spinner seats (like the tea cups at 
Disneyland). And it also had carriages which we assumed was for 
grandmothers to be able to ride with their kids---until the ride started 
and we discovered that the carriages teeter wildly left and right 
through the entire ride. It was probably the most harrowing choice of all.

It was a disappointment that Rosemary couldn't be there this time due to 
health reasons. I *think* this is the first event I've been to with 
Wolfe in which she wasn't there. She is a really sweet person who is 
obviously crazy about Gene.

It was great to meet Marc face-to-face after all these years. And Nick 
and Jensen. It was great to see Mantis and Gene's daughter Teri again. I 
missed all the the people who couldn't make it. By the way, Teri is now 
working with Cheeky Frawg books (http://www.cheekyfrawg.com/about.html) 
which seems devoted to bringing under-recognized literature to e-book 
format. Check it out.



J.

On 3/18/2012 7:13 AM, Marc Aramini wrote:
> I am at the hotel in Chicago now getting everything ready for my flight back to Vegas, and I noticed a little computer in the lobby (my phone is low tech - for calling) so I figured I would give a brief summary of events.  I will expand more later after I arrive home.
>
> AWESOME event.  Valya and the coordinators did a wonderful job getting together a very interesting and entertaining evening.  The atmosphere and weather were wonderful, and the estate was amazing, with the highlight (of the facility) being an 8000 pipe organ that was masterfully played by their organist, from coin operated boy to Star Wars.  The Toy Theater story adaptation was perfect for the setting, and as James Wynn commented, the estate was a steampunk's dream come true, probably the best way to describe it.
>
> I got to meet James Wynn, Michael Andre-Druissi, Nick Lee and his date, and Jensen and his wife from the list (if they don't all post actively, they have at least frequented it).  I have probably mispelled the even names.  I have to admit that a priori in my mind I harbored the idea that we must be somewhat nerdy, but we are actually a pretty sharp bunch even when it comes to appearance.  I had never gone to a con or anything before, and this was well worth it. It was a much more handsome and dignified group than I expected from the Urth list, both women and men.  I enjoyed speaking with all of them.
>
> Craig, I didn't see your email before I drove up to Vegas and have not had access to a computer until now, I apologize.  The personal stories related by Neil Gaiman and Lawrence (was it Sarrantonio?) the guy who adapted the Toy Theater were profound and touching.  Michael Swanwick had some great things to say as well, as did David Hartwell.  Patrick O'Leary and his wife were sitting at my dinner table with James Wynn, and they were also great.
>
> I will try to get some photos online Monday; I still have to fly back.
>
> Gene's acceptance speech was hilarious and touching.  It went into the reason for his style (four kids and a wife hollering if he wanted bacon while he was trying to write in a small place), his reasons for writing (easier than repairing stuff around the house), and said he wanted to make sure to personally insult every friend who came.  He is a wonderful speaker, and there is a sharpness and energy to him that makes the years fade when he starts to talk.
>
> I will post more later, but it was a truly great evening and one of the highlights of my life.  Gene has always been a kind and brilliant man, and he still is.  I really enjoyed getting the chance to meet everyone there.  I will post more later.  Some pics to come!
>
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