![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Thinking About
Apr. 21st, 2010 07:29 pmWiscon. The worst part of going to Wiscon is the airplane part. I'm terrified, and I seem to get more terrified every time I fly. You'd think that doing something scary repeated times would make it better, but it hasn't worked for me.
I've been going to Wiscon since 1985. Never missed one. It isn't the same convention it was then, and I wouldn't expect it to be. It's been changing the last few years into a con that has less to offer me, and while I understand that change happens, it still makes me sad. We go because of the people. To see our friends from all over the world, to eat, drink and party with them. To BE in Madison with them. Plus both our families are in the area, mine in Madison itself, Luke's in Chicago, so it's our chance to see both in one trip. We'll go as long as we are financially able to do so.
Last year there was a lot of talk about how Wiscon is a "tribe" and how every difference must be accomodated. A person considered very important to Wiscon said something which made me feel that something about me that makes me different, is something that should be hated. They don't know it, I couldn't speak up at the time, but it made me incredibly angry.
I've also gotten the sense in recent years that people like me, the non-writer, the not-very-tech-savvy, are not welcome in programming. Last year I suggested a program item that had run in previous years because it was interesting, well attended, and I wanted to see it run again. Ignored. I asked to be on another panel with a similar theme. Ignored.
This year I didn't bother suggesting anything, because what's the point? Guess I'm not one of the cool people with the right opinions.
Anyway, that's my only gripe about Wiscon. We'll be there, we know we're loved by the people that matter(and not just because we have stickers!), we'll throw a great party, and this year, Luke is going to set up a photo booth Sunday night. If it all works out, it will be awesome. As long as the plane doesn't crash.
I've been going to Wiscon since 1985. Never missed one. It isn't the same convention it was then, and I wouldn't expect it to be. It's been changing the last few years into a con that has less to offer me, and while I understand that change happens, it still makes me sad. We go because of the people. To see our friends from all over the world, to eat, drink and party with them. To BE in Madison with them. Plus both our families are in the area, mine in Madison itself, Luke's in Chicago, so it's our chance to see both in one trip. We'll go as long as we are financially able to do so.
Last year there was a lot of talk about how Wiscon is a "tribe" and how every difference must be accomodated. A person considered very important to Wiscon said something which made me feel that something about me that makes me different, is something that should be hated. They don't know it, I couldn't speak up at the time, but it made me incredibly angry.
I've also gotten the sense in recent years that people like me, the non-writer, the not-very-tech-savvy, are not welcome in programming. Last year I suggested a program item that had run in previous years because it was interesting, well attended, and I wanted to see it run again. Ignored. I asked to be on another panel with a similar theme. Ignored.
This year I didn't bother suggesting anything, because what's the point? Guess I'm not one of the cool people with the right opinions.
Anyway, that's my only gripe about Wiscon. We'll be there, we know we're loved by the people that matter(and not just because we have stickers!), we'll throw a great party, and this year, Luke is going to set up a photo booth Sunday night. If it all works out, it will be awesome. As long as the plane doesn't crash.
