About Sasquan and the generosity of strangers

[rolanni]

Asyouknowbob, Steve and I had to cancel our trip to DetCon, after swearing for a whole long year that we fully intended to be there.  In canceling we disappointed some people who are important to us, including ourselves, but not only is Life generally disdainful of the Full Intentions of human beings, we missed catching the Wealthy Author train some time back.  Added to all of that is the fact that we've put our house on the market and will therefore be moving. . .sometime.  We do have to sell this house before we can buy another (see "Wealthy Author train," above), so this project bodes well for becoming Much More Exciting before it's completed.

What all of the above has to do with Sasquan is that the DetCon cancellation has apparently caused some West Coast folks to fear that we will serve Sasquan the same.  Let me hasten to say that this is not an unreasonable fear (see "selling house," and "Life," above).  We have heard from folks who want Assurances, which we can only give to the extent that Life allows.

Several other people, however, have decided to be pro-active, and have written with offers of assistance, in terms of covering transportation costs, sharing hotel space, and in terms of Cold, Hard Cash.

First, let me say that we appreciate these offers; that we want to get to Sasquan as much as anyone else wants us to get there, and if people are willing to give us some help to make that happen, we're certainly in no position to be anything but grateful.

But.

While we cannot see the future, we can make better guesses about it, the closer we get to a fixed point.  It is, as I write this, July of 2014.  Sasquan is scheduled to begin on August 19, 2015.  We have some time to work with here; time to let things shake out and stabilize.

So, what I propose is this:  Let's not panic just yet about Lee and Miller bailing on Sasquan.  Let's revisit this conversation in February 2015 -- say, after Boskone -- and take a hard look at where we are, and if it seems likely that we're going to need help to get out to Spokane and do the con.  This year, things started going south very early, and while we realize that Life has many sleeves to laugh in, we ought to have some idea of the shape of the rest of 2015 by then.

If it does, indeed, seem as if we're going to need help, then I'll ask for ideas about Patreon and Indigogo and who know what else will have sprung into existence in the meantime.

In the meantime, we'll be making our hotel reservations for Sasquan when the period opens in August, and in general proceeding on this Intention of ours to be at the con.

Thank you all for being with us for this long ride, and for your concern, and generosity.  Steve and I appreciate you more than we can say.

Comments

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

Indiegogo takes a cut of about 10 pct, and the Feds monitor it. Better by far to use a tip jar!

Sasquantities of Cash

[aska-kettlingur.livejournal.com]

Since I can't afford to attend, I'd be willing to contribute in advance to a Splinter Universe running commentary on the train trip, convention, and any other ideas that crop up in connection with Sasquan. Would that be in accordance with the rules?
Pat L.

Thinking of You Guys

[aska-kettlingur.livejournal.com]

Whenever I watch "Castle," and I hear the intro:

“There are two kinds of people who sit around all day thinking about killing people...mystery writers and serial killers. I'm the kind that pays better.”

I think of my two favorite writers and think that serial killers actually pay better.

Pat L.

[the wol (from livejournal.com)]

Having moved house (and downsized) myself in May of this year, I can attest to the combination of excitement and dread that moving engenders. Things being as they are and reality being what it is, the move won't go without a hitch, but I hope you find a really nice place to move to, and that the hitches are few and minor. I might add that three cats were involved in my move, none of them Maine Coons, one of whom was about to turn 15 (July 11). None of us were really happy about The Move, but they got off a lot easier than I did. The movers moved the furniture in 4 hours, loading to unloading. I moved everything else in my 1987 Toyota Crayola five plastic bins and a trunk full at a time. Took me the better part of two weeks. The worst part was having to get rid of almost half my books, which I donated to Friends of the Library -- I'm now down to five and a half bookcases full. (My extensive collection of the works of Lee and Miller all made the cut.) I might also add that I didn't move all that far -- I didn't even change zip codes. Since you are moving from country to town, your experience may vary.

[catherine kelleher (from livejournal.com)]

When we moved 8 years ago we had a daughter in a wheelchair and we desperately needed to get out of a bi-level house. So buying a one-level and handicap accessible home was our priority. Since then she has recovered and moved out, but we have a house we can stay in even when we are old and broken down. Or have some temporary incapacity. So I think it's worthwhile to look ahead and think hard about your future needs. If it sucks to move now, it will suck worse to have to move at 75 or 80. And the right house may give you another 10-15 years of independent living. And the neighborhood matters too, being within a block or two of a grocery store is a huge advantage when you can't drive any longer. My dad is 91 and desperately trying to stay in his own house. But he isn't able to drive now and If I wasn't available to take him to the grocery store he would probably have to move. If you can set yourself up to age in place it might be worth compromising in other areas.