Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 72
January 18, 2011
How to Moderate a Panel: Procedures
In my last post on this topic, I talked about preparing to moderate a panel. Here are some tips on the actual process.
1. Be on time. In fact, be early. It may or may not be your job, but you should make sure there are enough chairs for the panelists, the table (if there is one) is cleaned off, etc..
2. Give a little extra time at the beginning for latecomers, say five minutes or so. Otherwise, you risk being repeatedly interrupted during introductions. I usually let the audience know ...
January 17, 2011
Retail Pirates
I'm on the road again today, coming back from Boston, so I thought I would share with you the fruits of recent internet searches for Pirate Booty. (You may take that as you will.)
Black patent pirate dress flats. "Walk the plank with style in these mighty fine flats that be includin' a spider-web stlye buckle made of brass and a pirate emblem lining for a lovely lass." And are these toddler shoes adorable, or what? How about these baby shoes?
Awwwwwwww. Mini Pirate Rubber Duckies.
January 15, 2011
Arisia 2011
I'm in Boston this weekend, having fun at Arisia. Scroll down for my schedule.
January 14, 2011
Guesting at the NINC Blog
I'm over at the Novelists, Inc. Blog today with an expanded version of my post on David Attenborough, Antarctica, & Writing.
January 13, 2011
Arisia 2011 Schedule
I'm on the road today, on the way to a science fiction convention in Boston, Arisia. (Yes, we are going towards where the snow is worse.) My friend is driving, and I'll be keeping track of her two dogs, one of whom is a rambunctious puppy who's never made a long car journey before. Wish us luck!
I'll be at the convention through Sunday.
Here's my schedule (details are subject to change):
Re-Reading Childhood Classics
Douglas, Fri 6:30 PM
Vikki Ciaffone [mod], Greer Gilman, Victoria Janssen...
January 12, 2011
Preparing to Moderate a Panel – The Basics
I'll be attending Arisia, a science fiction convention, this weekend. I'll be moderating a panel on writing while having a day job.
I've been attending sf cons since I was a young teenager, and serving on panels, and moderating them, for more than a decade. *blink* Yes, really.
Here are some basics of how to prepare to moderate.
1. Read the panel description ahead of time. Think through what the description seems to be asking for–since some descriptions are very brief or generalized, you ...
January 11, 2011
Philadelphia Mummers 2011 Part 3
Saloon girl!
A pirate float!
You can't have a parade without a Stormtrooper.
My favorite float had a circus theme.
And finally, I leaned over the police barrier for this view up Broad Street towards City Hall.
January 10, 2011
Philadelphia Mummers 2011 Part 2
As promised, more pictures from the Mummers' Parade on New Year's Day.
That is one sexy French maid.
Grandma Gaga is doing her best to compete, though.
And then–ELVIS!!!
The Buccaneer Bakers! Pirates and baking, my kind of group.
Their pirate flag.
I'll post a few more pictures tomorrow.
January 9, 2011
Siegfried Sassoon, "The Rear-Guard"
The Rear-Guard
(HINDENBURG LINE, APRIL 1917)
Groping along the tunnel, step by step,
He winked his prying torch with patching glare
From side to side, and sniffed the unwholesome air.
Tins, boxes, bottles, shapes too vague to know;
A mirror smashed, the mattress from a bed;
And he, exploring fifty feet below
The rosy gloom of battle overhead.
Tripping, he grabbed the wall; saw some one lie
Humped at his feet, half-hidden by a rug,
And stooped to give the sleeper's arm a tug.
'I'm looking for ...
January 8, 2011
Siegfried Sassoon, "Glory of Women"
Glory of Women
You love us when we're heroes, home on leave,
Or wounded in a mentionable place.
You worship decorations; you believe
That chivalry redeems the war's disgrace.
You make us shells. You listen with delight,
By tales of dirt and danger fondly thrilled.
You crown our distant ardours while we fight,
And mourn our laurelled memories when we're killed.
You can't believe that British troops 'retire'
When hell's last horror breaks them, and they run,
Trampling the terrible corpses—blind with...
