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<DIV>At least you both probably feel better today than I do after celebrating
our National Saint’s day in the traditional fashion...</DIV>
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<DIV>- Gerry Quinn</DIV>
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<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=cnbrewer@yahoo.com
href="mailto:cnbrewer@yahoo.com">Craig Brewer</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, March 18, 2012 2:07 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=urth@lists.urth.net
href="mailto:urth@lists.urth.net">The Urth Mailing List</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Re: (urth) chicago event</DIV></DIV></DIV>
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<DIV><SPAN>Wonderful, Marc. I'm still terribly jealous. Chasing a 3 year old
around a wedding reception while my wife enjoyed her friends was poor
compensation. How we suffer for those we love...<BR></SPAN></DIV>
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<B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">From:</SPAN></B> Marc Aramini
<marcaramini@yahoo.com><BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> The Urth Mailing List
<urth@lists.urth.net> <BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Sunday, March 18, 2012 7:13
AM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> (urth) chicago
event<BR></FONT></DIV><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>I will try to get some photos online Monday; I still have to fly
back.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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!<BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Urth Mailing
List<BR>To post, write <A href="mailto:urth@urth.net"
ymailto="mailto:urth@urth.net">urth@urth.net</A><BR>Subscription/information:
http://www.urth.net<BR><BR><BR></DIV></DIV></DIV>
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