luckykaa

Started off in the Washington Library.  This made the bibliophile in me drool.  Nine stories of library space!  Okay - not all of it is books, but still, nice to see such a large library.  Also a display on the top floor about prejudice and being actively involved.

Had a friend offer to show me around but she was a bit tied up so I went to Chinatown on my own. I like Chinatowns.  Bought myself some sweets at a sweetshop.  Looked around.  My Guide showed up later and took me to a very nice park on the edge of Chinatown.  The Ping Tom memorial park.  Has a Chinese pavilion in the centre, and a very asian feel about it.  Acquired a smoothie that really was a bit too wierd for me.  Giant pieces of fruit made it hard to drink.

Then went to the quirky neighbourhood.  I found a very good microbrewery.  My guide suggested we go to Goose Island.  Went to Greektown to eat first though.  Grilled octopus!  Yum!  And I got a free cake because it was my birthday a few days ago. 

So, the Goose Island bar was pretty good.  They did a nice English Ale and served it in English pints.  Cider was rather too dry for my taste.  German style beer was nice.  Something about American beers though.  There's this bitterness about them. 

So, first full day of exploration.  

Started with a river Architecture tour ob the Lickety Spit.  Our lovely guide covered the various buildings, the styles, the purpose and so on.  Chicago was where modernism started - the idea being that form follows function, where the structure istelf defines the look, rather than ornamentation.  This then led to post-modernism which tends towards the referential.  This can be archtecture in-jokes, sympathy with the surroundings, or evoking other objects.  

The thing I like about Chicago architecture is it really is skyscraper city. In other cities a few tall buildings tend to overshadow their neighbours.  This doesn't happen in Chicago.  Not even Sears Tower.  At 103 stories, it's the tallest building in the city, but not by that vast a margin.  So it blends in rather than dominates. The Trump tower deliberately does this by having its various levels at the same height as neighbouring buildings.

So, after this I was feeling cultural, so I went to the Art Museum.  But not before getting a hot dog.  Done in a DIY style - you get a bun and sausage, and the condiments are at the end.  The state of Illionois reserves the death penalty for people who put ketchup on the thing.  While I wouldn't say the Hot Dog is culinary excellence, it's tasty and ketchup would make it taste of ketchup.   

Art museum was worth a visit.  I'm not a huge art lover, so tend to whiz around until I see something I really like.  In this case it was some of the more modern stylistic pieces.  Still don't get Jackson Pollack.  Some nice Picassos and Dalis though.  Also, of course, the famous Nighthawks by Edward Hopper.  Was disappointed that the Lichtenstein exhibition wasn't open yet.  

"The Picasso" on Washington Street is impressive.  I had no idea ho large it was.  

Finished off the evening at a meetup group at a bar in the north of the city, chatted about Sci-fi and played Alhambra.  They did a passable belgian style beer.  I find the local craft beers all have this bitterness to them though.  I wonder if this is just what the locals expect.   

I think I made a friend.  One of the people at the meetup suggested I call her if I want someone to do stuff with.  Should probably take her up on this.

So, my initial thoughts on the masquerade was one of slight uncertainty.  The thing is, the quality of some of the masters didn't look that great.  Then it ocurred to me - I was right up front, and these are about looking good on stage.  They make them big, and showy!

Still, I was particularly imprssed with one of the novice category.  Dragonriders of Pern with a Dalek.  Most bizarre, but really good. The dalek was fabric, with hula hoop for the base.  A lot of work, and a wonderfulo presentation.

Other great ones were a steampunk lady demonstrating her "marvelous machine".  This was all about detail work.  Lots of really nice dials a guages.  Then there was the leather clad sky pirates with a fantastic flying contraption. 

Also notable was a Prince Zuko, who did some loely streamer based fire effects, and a character from Tsubasa. 

As mentioned, Emma demonstrated a stemapunk kimono. And wore it to the parties afterwards. 

The event seemed just a little different from ones I'm used to. Firstly, there were no mics.  Also the MC wasn't as polished as the people I'm used to at British cons, but that might be just that the handful of british presenters have been doing this for long enough that they know what puns they need and how many cat stories. 

I do want to do an entry at Worldcon 2014.  I'd like to do something for Redemption, but I lack a sewing machine, have no idea where the fabric shops are and hve no inspiration... 

It took a while to get into the con frame of mind.  Finding it hard to accost random people and chat.  We really need a large chill out area.  Not the con suite.  Somewhere that invites people sit sit around and chat or play fluxx or werewolf (or werewolf fluxx).  And I've been pacing myself for the parties.

Panels were a mixed bag.  Some a little too serious.  Decided to volunteer for the voting desk for 2014 Worldcon because that seemed like it would be fun.  You get to meet people and chat. 

Also volunteered to be a masquerade Ninja (stage hand stuff) and got a ribbon for my badge. I have been shunning ribbons, but this was one I actually earned, and it was black writing on a black background and says "ninja" so I decided it's justified. 

I was nominated as a catcher.  This involves sitting t the front of the stage and stopping people from falling off.  Does give a very good view of things.  I really wish I'd brought something I'd built.  Other people are better at sewing but I think my props and concepts are usually good enough for novice category. 

Admired Emma's costume.  She decided last minute that she would enter, and won a prize for workmanship - "judges theft" award for the one she most wanted to steal (the judges have a certain amount of discretion on what awards they give).  It was a Steampunk kimono - made from home bleached fabric. 

Aquisitions include a Girl Genius book (signed) and a tie dyed phoenix t-shirt.

Shall talk abut parties soonish.