Crypto Confusion

This weekend is the fun and wonderful Confusion Convention in warm, sunny Detroit. Usually for me, Confusion is like a relaxicon. I sit around, catch up with people, jaw, drink, crack jokes, and in general hob-nob with my fellow wizards. Or something like that.

I can't say how much I like Confusion. I've met a lot of people there (the Kletcha Klutch, senior editors, very cool authors, fans of all types), and had interesting experiences (like having a drink with Patrick Nielsen Hayden, he's such a presence light bends around him, but in a good way, Jim Frenkel who is no slouch either and is a raconteur par excellence, Paul Melko who has coolness down to an art and is wickedly intelligent and witty, and Dave Kletcha who carries himself very well, thank you, not to mention the costumes for the masquerade, one of which included not much more than electrical tape).

This year they're putting me to work. I think I'm on the junior panelist track as I only have two panels. Hopefully they won't make me sit at the short table. But if you're in the mood, in Detroit, and in the convention you can see me spew bull wisdom on the topics of The Short Story (Saturday, Noon) and Big Brother is Watching You! In both cases I'm again out of my weight class. For the exploration of the short story I'll share the table with Jim Hines as moderator, Cat Rambo, William Jones, and Merrie Haskell. Yeah, feel up to that, punk? But that's not the end of it, for the Big Brother panel I'm on with Karl Schroeder as moderator, Cory Doctorow, David Rozian, and Catherine Shaffer. Sometimes you need to jump into the deep end and see if you sink. I just hope I don't stumble and face plant as I sit down at the table or end up giggling like a maniac. Both of these will take some research and I'll have notes, just need to remember to pack them this time.

So say hi if you're there. I don't bite. Not hard anyway. John Scalzi will also be around as a fan this year (and if you've never had a chance to talk with him in person you're missing an experience). Dr. Phil will also be there so I get to meet him in person. This is a very accessible convention, most especially if you check out the bar and walk around. Don't be shy, just say hi to people. They're all friendly.