from National Review Online

The Urth list — 57 messages, 17 voices, 30 Mar 2009
https://urth.darkrealm.vip/thread/urth/5386

Fernando Q. Gouvêa30 Mar 2009, 16:44
Wolfe Man [John J. Miller] Today's Between the Covers podcast is with Gene Wolfe <http://radio.nationalreview.com/betweenthecovers/post/?q=MmQ2ZjA2OGE4ZWNmZjBkMGQ1MjRjYjlhOTA4YmU2OWE=>, the legendary science-fiction writer. Here's what /The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction/ says about him: Though neither the most popular nor the most influential author in the sf field, [Wolfe] is today quite possibly the most important. How's that for an endorsement? In our interview, we discuss his new anthology of short stories, the book that he thinks will be his legacy, and the influence of G.K. Chesterton on his work. At the end, he says this: I am a conservative. I certainly read William F. Buckley, Jr. with delight?I think he mellowed a little too much at the end?He wasn't as sharp-edged as he really should have been. Perhaps the same thing will happen to me. Listen in — and subscribe to the whole BTC series on iTunes!
============================================================= Fernando Q. Gouvea Carter Professor of Mathematics Colby College Editor, MAA FOCUS 5836 Mayflower Hill Editor, MAA Reviews Waterville, ME 04901 http://mathdl.maa.org/mathDL/19/ http://www.colby.edu/~fqgouvea There are no physicists in the hottest parts of hell, because the existence of a "hottest part" implies a temperature difference, and any marginally competent physicist would immediately use this to run a heat engine and make some other part of hell comfortably cool. This is obviously impossible. -- Richard Davisson
James Wynn30 Mar 2009, 16:53

↳ in reply to Fernando Q. Gouvêa

2 quoted lines
Wolfe: "I think he mellowed a little too much at the end? He wasn't as sharp-edged as he really should have been. Perhaps the same thing will happen to me.
The man is in his 80s. If he plans to mellow, he'd better get on with it. :-) J.
Lane Haygood30 Mar 2009, 17:07

↳ in reply to Fernando Q. Gouvêa

I just can't bring myself to support the NRO. Is there a transcript somewhere? Sent from my iPhone
30 quoted lines
On Mar 30, 2009, at 11:44 AM, "Fernando Q. Gouv?a" <fqgouvea at colby.edu> wrote: Wolfe Man [John J. Miller] Today's Between the Covers podcast is with Gene Wolfe <http://radio.nationalreview.com/betweenthecovers/post/?q=MmQ2ZjA2OGE4ZWNmZjBkMGQ1MjRjYjlhOTA4YmU2OWE= , the legendary science-fiction writer. Here's what /The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction/ says about him: Though neither the most popular nor the most influential author in the sf field, [Wolfe] is today quite possibly the most important. How's that for an endorsement? In our interview, we discuss his new anthology of short stories, the book that he thinks will be his legacy, and the influence of G.K. Chesterton on his work. At the end, he says this: I am a conservative. I certainly read William F. Buckley, Jr. with delight?I think he mellowed a little too much at the end?He wasn 't as sharp-edged as he really should have been. Perhaps the same thing will happen to me. Listen in — and subscribe to the whole BTC series on iTunes! -- ============================================================= Fernando Q. Gouvea Carter Professor of Mathematics Colby College Editor, MAA FOCUS 5836 Mayflower Hill Editor, MAA Reviews Waterville, ME 04901 http://mathdl.maa.org/mathDL/19/ http://www.colby.edu/~fqgouvea There are no physicists in the hottest parts of hell, because the existence of a "hottest part" implies a temperature difference, and any marginally competent physicist would immediately use this to run a heat engine and make some other part of hell comfortably cool. This is obviously impossible. -- Richard Davisson _______________________________________________
James Wynn30 Mar 2009, 17:27

↳ in reply to Lane Haygood

1 quoted line
I just can't bring myself to support the NRO. Is there a transcript somewhere?
I doubt it, but you could listen to the interview at the site and just not click the ads. Then you are just leeching their bandwidth; hoisting them on their own petard, so to speak. If you don't allow yourself to be dusted just a little by evil conservative dandruff, you won't know what you are hating. BTW It's interesting if not especially enlightening to hear Wolfe's summarization An Evil Guest. J
Son of Witz30 Mar 2009, 17:53

↳ follows, by subject match James Wynn

I love the part where he says "All those geeks who can't realize Severian is Christ don't get it, LOL" ~Witz
Matthew Keeley30 Mar 2009, 18:06

↳ in reply to James Wynn

2 quoted lines
On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 1:27 PM, James Wynn <crushtv at gmail.com> wrote: I doubt it, but you could listen to the interview at the site and just not click the ads. Then you are just leeching their bandwidth; hoisting them on their own petard, so to speak. If you don't allow yourself to be dusted just a little by evil conservative dandruff, you won't know what you are hating.
I can bring myself to visit lefty websites, so surely a short visit to the NRO won't kill anyone? I love the way this comes up right after the whole "Politics of Gene Wolfe" debacle. -Matt
Fred Kiesche30 Mar 2009, 18:22

↳ in reply to James Wynn

If you download it, you're not "supporting" it...you're just (as James put its) "leeching" the bandwidth. Right click (PC), save target as, give it a name, and you have the .mp3 file. If any ads are iembedded in the show, there's always "fast forward"... F.P. Kiesche III "Ah Mr. Gibbon, another damned, fat, square book. Always, scribble, scribble, scribble, eh?" (The Duke of Gloucester, on being presented with Volume 2 of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.) Blogging at The Lensman's Children and TexasBestGrok! --- On Mon, 3/30/09, James Wynn <crushtv at gmail.com> wrote:
5 quoted lines
From: James Wynn <crushtv at gmail.com> Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online To: "The Urth Mailing List" <urth at lists.urth.net> Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 1:27 PM I just can't bring myself to support the NRO. Is there a transcript somewhere?
I doubt it, but you could listen to the interview at the site and just not click the ads. Then you are just leeching their bandwidth; hoisting them on their own petard, so to speak. If you don't allow yourself to be dusted just a little by evil conservative dandruff, you won't know what you are hating. BTW It's interesting if not especially enlightening to hear Wolfe's summarization An Evil Guest. J
Jordon Flato30 Mar 2009, 18:39

↳ in reply to Son of Witz

I totally bought this. Too bad he doesn't say it ;*(
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On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:53 AM, Son of Witz <sonofwitz at butcherbaker.org>wrote: I love the part where he says "All those geeks who can't realize Severian is Christ don't get it, LOL" ~Witz _______________________________________________
Son of Witz30 Mar 2009, 18:47

↳ follows, by subject match Jordon Flato

Gotcha!
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-----Original Message----- From: Jordon Flato [mailto:jordonflato at gmail.com] Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 11:39 AM To: 'The Urth Mailing List' Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online I totally bought this. Too bad he doesn't say it ;*( On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:53 AM, Son of Witz <sonofwitz at butcherbaker.org>wrote:
I love the part where he says "All those geeks who can't realize Severian is Christ don't get it, LOL" ~Witz _______________________________________________
Adam Thornton30 Mar 2009, 18:49

↳ in reply to Jordon Flato

4 quoted lines
On Mar 30, 2009, at 1:39 PM, Jordon Flato wrote: I totally bought this. Too bad he doesn't say it ;*( On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:53 AM, Son of Witz <sonofwitz at butcherbaker.org wrote: I love the part where he says "All those geeks who can't realize Severian is Christ don't get it, LOL"
Gene Wolfe saying "LOL" is no more likely than a Wolfe character saying "STFU." Adam
Jordon Flato30 Mar 2009, 18:51

↳ in reply to Adam Thornton

Hey, stranger things have happened.
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On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:49 AM, Adam Thornton <adam at io.com> wrote: On Mar 30, 2009, at 1:39 PM, Jordon Flato wrote: I totally bought this. Too bad he doesn't say it ;*( On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:53 AM, Son of Witz <sonofwitz at butcherbaker.org>wrote:
I love the part where he says "All those geeks who can't realize Severian is Christ don't get it, LOL"
Gene Wolfe saying "LOL" is no more likely than a Wolfe character saying "STFU." Adam _______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org30 Mar 2009, 19:23

↳ in reply to James Wynn

3 quoted lines · 1–2 deep
Wolfe: "I think he mellowed a little too much at the end
He wasn't as sharp-edged as he really should have been. Perhaps the same thing will happen to me.
The man is in his 80s.
Next year he is 80. Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him? .
brunians at brunians.org30 Mar 2009, 19:29

↳ in reply to James Wynn

2 quoted lines · 1–2 deep
I just can't bring myself to support the NRO. Is there a transcript somewhere?
I doubt it, but you could listen to the interview at the site and just not click the ads. Then you are just leeching their bandwidth; hoisting them on their own petard, so to speak. If you don't allow yourself to be dusted just a little by evil conservative dandruff, you won't know what you are hating.
I was going to say, that is a remarkably ignorant attitude he's got there, but it isn't remarkable at all, is it? Just ignorant.
1 quoted line
BTW It's interesting if not especially enlightening to hear Wolfe's summarization An Evil Guest.
Looking forward to that.... .
brunians at brunians.org30 Mar 2009, 19:46

↳ in reply to Matthew Keeley

Matt Keeley writes:
4 quoted lines · 1–2 deep
On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 1:27 PM, James Wynn <crushtv at gmail.com> wrote:
I doubt it, but you could listen to the interview at the site and just not click the ads. Then you are just leeching their bandwidth; hoisting them on their own petard, so to speak. If you don't allow yourself to be dusted just a little by evil conservative dandruff, you won't know what you are hating.
I can bring myself to visit lefty websites, so surely a short visit to the NRO won't kill anyone?
I love the way this comes up right after the whole "Politics of Gene Wolfe" debacle.
I thought that was a very lively conversation. I certainly did learn a lot from it. .
don doggett30 Mar 2009, 23:19

↳ follows, by subject match brunians at brunians.org

Doggerel www.don-doggett.blogspot.com
4 quoted lines
--- On Mon, 3/30/09, Adam Thornton <adam at io.com> wrote: Gene Wolfe saying "LOL" is no more likely than a Wolfe character saying "STFU."
Yeah, WTF? I can't even begin to tell you how wholly satisfying it was to put those four letters in the subject line. Keeping it relevant to Wolfe and trying to answer a question that's been bothering me about AEG was just cake. Don
Jeff Wilson31 Mar 2009, 09:09

↳ in reply to brunians at brunians.org

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brunians at brunians.org wrote: Wolfe: "I think he mellowed a little too much at the end? He wasn't as sharp-edged as he really should have been. Perhaps the same thing will happen to me.
The man is in his 80s.
Next year he is 80.
Most sources I can locate list his birthday as May 7, 1931.
3 quoted lines
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com < http://www.io.com/~jwilson >
brunians at brunians.org31 Mar 2009, 10:17

↳ in reply to Jeff Wilson

9 quoted lines · 1–4 deep
brunians at brunians.org wrote:
Wolfe: "I think he mellowed a little too much at the end
He wasn't as sharp-edged as he really should have been. Perhaps the same thing will happen to me.
The man is in his 80s.
Next year he is 80.
Most sources I can locate list his birthday as May 7, 1931.
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute....
Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
Oh, I m sure we would all be on our best behavior. If you don't feel that you can control yourself, by all means, stay away. I've done this kind of thing before, it can work out well. .
Adam Thornton31 Mar 2009, 14:18

↳ in reply to Jeff Wilson

4 quoted lines · 1–2 deep
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote: Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam
Allan Anderson31 Mar 2009, 14:58

↳ in reply to Fernando Q. Gouvêa

Thanks, Fernando -- it's always fun to hear a voice and have an author become a bit more of a real person in my mind! My favorite part was how he described Chesterson. I've only read The Man Who Was Thursday, but the lyrical yet sharp and insightful style of that book really clicks with what Wolfe says.
28 quoted lines
On Mar 30, 2009, at 9:44 AM, Fernando Q. Gouv?a wrote: Wolfe Man [John J. Miller] Today's Between the Covers podcast is with Gene Wolfe <http://radio.nationalreview.com/betweenthecovers/post/?q=MmQ2ZjA2OGE4ZWNmZjBkMGQ1MjRjYjlhOTA4YmU2OWE= , the legendary science-fiction writer. Here's what /The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction/ says about him: Though neither the most popular nor the most influential author in the sf field, [Wolfe] is today quite possibly the most important. How's that for an endorsement? In our interview, we discuss his new anthology of short stories, the book that he thinks will be his legacy, and the influence of G.K. Chesterton on his work. At the end, he says this: I am a conservative. I certainly read William F. Buckley, Jr. with delight?I think he mellowed a little too much at the end?He wasn't as sharp-edged as he really should have been. Perhaps the same thing will happen to me. Listen in — and subscribe to the whole BTC series on iTunes! -- ============================================================= Fernando Q. Gouvea Carter Professor of Mathematics Colby College Editor, MAA FOCUS 5836 Mayflower Hill Editor, MAA Reviews Waterville, ME 04901 http://mathdl.maa.org/mathDL/19/ http://www.colby.edu/~fqgouvea There are no physicists in the hottest parts of hell, because the existence of a "hottest part" implies a temperature difference, and any marginally competent physicist would immediately use this to run a heat engine and make some other part of hell comfortably cool. This is obviously impossible. -- Richard Davisson _______________________________________________
Craig Brewer31 Mar 2009, 15:24

↳ in reply to Allan Anderson

Definitely thanks for the heads up on this! Personally, I thought it was very typical Wolfe on his answer to the conservative question. Give a straight answer and follow it up with qualifications that ask more questions. What parts of Buckley, exactly, counted as mellowing? Why was he seemingly not perfectly fond of being a conservative in Buckley's image? And why back out of the question with a dismissive, "Oh, you talk about conservatism all the time, you don't want to hear about that." And was his surprise that BotNS is so popular just modesty? He's said before that he's surprised that people stick with a torturer as a protagonist for so long, but certainly by now, his reputation lets it be known that isn't "just" a torturer, no?
brunians at brunians.org31 Mar 2009, 15:51

↳ in reply to Adam Thornton

I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
8 quoted lines · 1–3 deep
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________
Craig Brewer31 Mar 2009, 15:54

↳ in reply to brunians at brunians.org

Since I already live in the neighborhood, I'd be more than willing to attend and help organize if we get enough people thinking it would be a good thing. ----- Original Message ---- From: "brunians at brunians.org" <brunians at brunians.org> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:51:53 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
11 quoted lines · 1–3 deep
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________ Urth Mailing List To post, write urth at urth.net Subscription/information: http://www.urth.net
Dan'l Danehy-Oakes31 Mar 2009, 15:54

↳ in reply to Craig Brewer

Perhaps a festschrift would be more appropriate?
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On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 8:54 AM, Craig Brewer <cnbrewer at yahoo.com> wrote: Since I already live in the neighborhood, I'd be more than willing to attend and help organize if we get enough people thinking it would be a good thing. ----- Original Message ---- From: "brunians at brunians.org" <brunians at brunians.org> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:51:53 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________
Craig Brewer31 Mar 2009, 15:56

↳ in reply to Dan'l Danehy-Oakes

Ah, now that's an even more promising idea, methinks. ----- Original Message ---- From: Dan'l Danehy-Oakes <danldo at gmail.com> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:54:46 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online Perhaps a festschrift would be more appropriate?
35 quoted lines · 1–4 deep
On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 8:54 AM, Craig Brewer <cnbrewer at yahoo.com> wrote: Since I already live in the neighborhood, I'd be more than willing to attend and help organize if we get enough people thinking it would be a good thing. ----- Original Message ---- From: "brunians at brunians.org" <brunians at brunians.org> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:51:53 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________ Urth Mailing List To post, write urth at urth.net Subscription/information: http://www.urth.net
_______________________________________________ Urth Mailing List To post, write urth at urth.net Subscription/information: http://www.urth.net _______________________________________________ Urth Mailing List To post, write urth at urth.net Subscription/information: http://www.urth.net
Dan'l Danehy-Oakes
Adam Thornton31 Mar 2009, 16:16

↳ in reply to brunians at brunians.org

9 quoted lines · 1–4 deep
On Mar 31, 2009, at 10:51 AM, brunians at brunians.org wrote: I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up.
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge.
Oh, I wasn't going to GIVE them to him. Just throw them. Certainly not AT him! Adam
James B. Jordan31 Mar 2009, 16:58

↳ in reply to brunians at brunians.org

Why not organize a festschrift, and have 15-20 authors write short stores in his honor? Nutria
14 quoted lines · 1–4 deep
At 10:51 AM 3/31/2009, you wrote: I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________
Jerry Friedman31 Mar 2009, 16:58

↳ in reply to Dan'l Danehy-Oakes

Or equally appropriate. Indeed, a dedication copy of a festschrift could easily be presented at the kind of dinner Josh has in mind. I imagine Wolfe's children may be planning something, in which case people would need to join or coordinate with them. Jerry Friedman
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--- On Tue, 3/31/09, Dan'l Danehy-Oakes <danldo at gmail.com> wrote: From: Dan'l Danehy-Oakes <danldo at gmail.com> Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online To: "The Urth Mailing List" <urth at lists.urth.net> Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 9:54 AM Perhaps a festschrift would be more appropriate? On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 8:54 AM, Craig Brewer <cnbrewer at yahoo.com> wrote:
Since I already live in the neighborhood, I'd be more than willing to attend and help organize if we get enough people thinking it would be a good thing. ----- Original Message ---- From: "brunians at brunians.org"
<brunians at brunians.org> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:51:53 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online
I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org31 Mar 2009, 17:24

↳ in reply to Craig Brewer

Very excellent. Since we have more than two years to plan this out, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be a success. .
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Since I already live in the neighborhood, I'd be more than willing to attend and help organize if we get enough people thinking it would be a good thing. ----- Original Message ---- From: "brunians at brunians.org" <brunians at brunians.org> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:51:53 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org31 Mar 2009, 17:25

↳ in reply to Dan'l Danehy-Oakes

Is that what it is called? I like the sound of that! .
24 quoted lines · 1–5 deep
Perhaps a festschrift would be more appropriate? On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 8:54 AM, Craig Brewer <cnbrewer at yahoo.com> wrote:
Since I already live in the neighborhood, I'd be more than willing to attend and help organize if we get enough people thinking it would be a good thing. ----- Original Message ---- From: "brunians at brunians.org" <brunians at brunians.org> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:51:53 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org31 Mar 2009, 17:27

↳ in reply to Craig Brewer

What specifically is a festschrift besides 'a celebration of the writing' as I translate it from the German? Is there a specialized meaning of the term that I am unaware of (as I am unaware of most things)? .
32 quoted lines · 1–5 deep
Ah, now that's an even more promising idea, methinks. ----- Original Message ---- From: Dan'l Danehy-Oakes <danldo at gmail.com> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:54:46 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online Perhaps a festschrift would be more appropriate? On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 8:54 AM, Craig Brewer <cnbrewer at yahoo.com> wrote:
Since I already live in the neighborhood, I'd be more than willing to attend and help organize if we get enough people thinking it would be a good thing. ----- Original Message ---- From: "brunians at brunians.org" <brunians at brunians.org> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:51:53 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________
Dan'l Danehy-Oakes31 Mar 2009, 17:29

↳ in reply to brunians at brunians.org

A festschrift is a book -- usually of essays -- "presented to" someone to celebrate their life and work. This is an academic tradition for a highly-respected colleague. In the case of Wolfe, it would make sense if it was stories, or a mixture of stories and essays.
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On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 10:27 AM, <brunians at brunians.org> wrote: What specifically is a festschrift besides 'a celebration of the writing' as I translate it from the German? Is there a specialized meaning of the term that I am unaware of (as I am unaware of most things)? .
Ah, now that's an even more promising idea, methinks. ----- Original Message ---- From: Dan'l Danehy-Oakes <danldo at gmail.com> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:54:46 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online Perhaps a festschrift would be more appropriate? On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 8:54 AM, Craig Brewer <cnbrewer at yahoo.com> wrote:
Since I already live in the neighborhood, I'd be more than willing to attend and help organize if we get enough people thinking it would be a good thing. ----- Original Message ---- From: "brunians at brunians.org" <brunians at brunians.org> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:51:53 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org31 Mar 2009, 17:29

↳ in reply to Adam Thornton

5 quoted lines · 1–4 deep
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge.
I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs.
I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up.
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
Oh, I wasn't going to GIVE them to him. Just throw them. Certainly not AT him!
Wow, you're strong! Unless we're talking doll furniture or something.... .
brunians at brunians.org31 Mar 2009, 17:34

↳ in reply to James B. Jordan

Well, I don't know anything about doing this. I know I could organize logistics for a dinner/conference. I am wary of committing myself to large amounts of work that I am unfamiliar with. Besides, this is Gene Wolfe we are talking about: I am sure that both pros and fans are going to be doing similar things already. That's why not from my end, anyway. .
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Why not organize a festschrift, and have 15-20 authors write short stores in his honor? Nutria At 10:51 AM 3/31/2009, you wrote:
I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org31 Mar 2009, 17:36

↳ in reply to Jerry Friedman

Absolutely. As someone pointed out to me in private mail, it would be absolutely required that we had the man's permission for me to be willing to do it. So it might be appropriate for those of you who have direct contact with him to see what plans might be for us to conform to. .
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Or equally appropriate. Indeed, a dedication copy of a festschrift could easily be presented at the kind of dinner Josh has in mind. I imagine Wolfe's children may be planning something, in which case people would need to join or coordinate with them. Jerry Friedman --- On Tue, 3/31/09, Dan'l Danehy-Oakes <danldo at gmail.com> wrote:
From: Dan'l Danehy-Oakes <danldo at gmail.com> Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online To: "The Urth Mailing List" <urth at lists.urth.net> Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 9:54 AM Perhaps a festschrift would be more appropriate? On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 8:54 AM, Craig Brewer <cnbrewer at yahoo.com> wrote:
Since I already live in the neighborhood, I'd be more than willing to attend and help organize if we get enough people thinking it would be a good thing. ----- Original Message ---- From: "brunians at brunians.org"
<brunians at brunians.org> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:51:53 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online
I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org31 Mar 2009, 17:38

↳ in reply to Dan'l Danehy-Oakes

I like Jerry Friedman's take on this.... .
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A festschrift is a book -- usually of essays -- "presented to" someone to celebrate their life and work. This is an academic tradition for a highly-respected colleague. In the case of Wolfe, it would make sense if it was stories, or a mixture of stories and essays. On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 10:27 AM, <brunians at brunians.org> wrote:
What specifically is a festschrift besides 'a celebration of the writing' as I translate it from the German? Is there a specialized meaning of the term that I am unaware of (as I am unaware of most things)? .
Ah, now that's an even more promising idea, methinks. ----- Original Message ---- From: Dan'l Danehy-Oakes <danldo at gmail.com> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:54:46 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online Perhaps a festschrift would be more appropriate? On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 8:54 AM, Craig Brewer <cnbrewer at yahoo.com> wrote:
Since I already live in the neighborhood, I'd be more than willing to attend and help organize if we get enough people thinking it would be a good thing. ----- Original Message ---- From: "brunians at brunians.org" <brunians at brunians.org> To: The Urth Mailing List <urth at lists.urth.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:51:53 AM Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online I'm fairly sure that Gene Wolfe has all of the household furniture that he needs. I was thinking more of like a dinner in his honor and perhaps people thanking him for writing all of this great stuff that he has written and maybe other things, the idea being that they are pleasurable things for him and not anything that requires him to do any work or anything besides show up. .
On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:09 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
I was thinking a sofa, or maybe a fridge. Adam _______________________________________________
Jeff Wilson31 Mar 2009, 18:37

↳ in reply to brunians at brunians.org

13 quoted lines · 1–5 deep
brunians at brunians.org wrote: brunians at brunians.org wrote:
Wolfe: "I think he mellowed a little too much at the end? He wasn't as sharp-edged as he really should have been. Perhaps the same thing will happen to me.
The man is in his 80s.
Next year he is 80.
Most sources I can locate list his birthday as May 7, 1931.
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute....
Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
Oh, I m sure we would all be on our best behavior. If you don't feel that you can control yourself, by all means, stay away. I've done this kind of thing before, it can work out well.
It's not me I'm worried about, but I can all too easily envision some heated discussions and spilled drinks leading to an exchange of assaults, both real and imagined.
Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com < http://www.io.com/~jwilson >
brunians at brunians.org31 Mar 2009, 19:03

↳ in reply to Jeff Wilson

6 quoted lines · 1–4 deep
Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute....
Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him?
I doubt Mr Wolfe would appreciate having a brawl thrown in his honor.
Oh, I m sure we would all be on our best behavior. If you don't feel that you can control yourself, by all means, stay away.
I've done this kind of thing before, it can work out well.
It's not me I'm worried about,
No one expects you to control the behavior of anyone except yourself.
1 quoted line
but I can all too easily envision some heated discussions and spilled drinks leading to an exchange of assaults, both real and imagined.
As I say, gaurantee your own behavior and let others do the same for theirs. .
Adam Thornton31 Mar 2009, 19:18

↳ in reply to brunians at brunians.org

3 quoted lines
On Mar 31, 2009, at 12:29 PM, brunians at brunians.org wrote: Wow, you're strong! Unless we're talking doll furniture or something....
I figured I'd have help. It was supposed to be a get-together, right? Adam
brunians at brunians.org31 Mar 2009, 20:58

↳ in reply to Adam Thornton

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On Mar 31, 2009, at 12:29 PM, brunians at brunians.org wrote:
Wow, you're strong! Unless we're talking doll furniture or something....
I figured I'd have help. It was supposed to be a get-together, right?
I'll bring my trebuchet. .
Rebecca Bushong-Taylor01 Apr 2009, 04:34

↳ in reply to brunians at brunians.org

I checked with the Source. Gene is 77.
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On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 2:23 PM, <brunians at brunians.org> wrote: Wolfe: "I think he mellowed a little too much at the end? He wasn't as sharp-edged as he really should have been. Perhaps the same thing will happen to me.
The man is in his 80s.
Next year he is 80. Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him? . _______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org01 Apr 2009, 05:21

↳ in reply to Rebecca Bushong-Taylor

7 May, right? So this year he will be 78, in 2010 he will be 79, in 2011 he will be 80. Do you think we'd get permission to throw this here shindig? The timing is excellent. .
15 quoted lines · 1–4 deep
I checked with the Source. Gene is 77. On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 2:23 PM, <brunians at brunians.org> wrote:
Wolfe: "I think he mellowed a little too much at the end
He wasn't as sharp-edged as he really should have been. Perhaps the same thing will happen to me.
The man is in his 80s.
Next year he is 80. Perhaps we should descend upon Barrington bearing tribute.... Quite seriously, why don't we get a hotel there sometime around his birthday and throw a big thing for him? . _______________________________________________
Son of Witz01 Apr 2009, 14:11

↳ in reply to Jeff Wilson

2 quoted lines
On Mar 31, 2009, at 11:37 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote: It's not me I'm worried about, but I can all too easily envision some heated discussions and spilled drinks leading to an exchange of assaults, both real and imagined.
Guaranteed these discussions wouldn't get so pitched in real life face to face. Faceless internet communication makes it much harder to recognize a joke, or when you've gone too far, or...
brunians at brunians.org01 Apr 2009, 15:46

↳ in reply to Son of Witz

Sometimes I will meet people who know me from online, and occasionally they will try to get me to talk about some of the more controversial stuff that I do talk about. It is very easy to not do so, and even to tell them why I am not doing so. If they really insist, I find that the best thing to do is to say: "You know what? You are absolutely right!", change the subject and do not go back to the old subject whatever the temptation. .
5 quoted lines · 1–2 deep
On Mar 31, 2009, at 11:37 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
It's not me I'm worried about, but I can all too easily envision some heated discussions and spilled drinks leading to an exchange of assaults, both real and imagined.
Guaranteed these discussions wouldn't get so pitched in real life face to face. Faceless internet communication makes it much harder to recognize a joke, or when you've gone too far, or... _______________________________________________
Jeff Wilson01 Apr 2009, 16:08

↳ in reply to Son of Witz

5 quoted lines · 1–2 deep
Son of Witz wrote: On Mar 31, 2009, at 11:37 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
It's not me I'm worried about, but I can all too easily envision some heated discussions and spilled drinks leading to an exchange of assaults, both real and imagined.
Guaranteed these discussions wouldn't get so pitched in real life face to face. Faceless internet communication makes it much harder to recognize a joke, or when you've gone too far, or...
God bless you for your faith in our fellows, Witz, but I've been to too many meet-ups where people started showing their ass to have your confidence. I believe it is like the same-birthday exercise; any one person has less than a 1% chance of sharing a birthday with any other random person, but in a group of twenty the odds are better than 40%.
Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com < http://www.io.com/~jwilson >
brunians at brunians.org01 Apr 2009, 16:38

↳ in reply to Jeff Wilson

Really, this doesn't come up with me. I must be getting old. .
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Son of Witz wrote:
On Mar 31, 2009, at 11:37 AM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
It's not me I'm worried about, but I can all too easily envision some heated discussions and spilled drinks leading to an exchange of assaults, both real and imagined.
Guaranteed these discussions wouldn't get so pitched in real life face to face. Faceless internet communication makes it much harder to recognize a joke, or when you've gone too far, or...
God bless you for your faith in our fellows, Witz, but I've been to too many meet-ups where people started showing their ass to have your confidence. I believe it is like the same-birthday exercise; any one person has less than a 1% chance of sharing a birthday with any other random person, but in a group of twenty the odds are better than 40%. -- Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com < http://www.io.com/~jwilson > _______________________________________________
Jeff Wilson01 Apr 2009, 18:53

↳ in reply to brunians at brunians.org

4 quoted lines
brunians at brunians.org wrote: Really, this doesn't come up with me. I must be getting old.
It's not you I'm particularly worried about, either. But suppose Harlan Ellison shows up?
Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com < http://www.io.com/~jwilson >
Adam Thornton01 Apr 2009, 18:55

↳ in reply to Jeff Wilson

5 quoted lines · 1–2 deep
On Apr 1, 2009, at 1:53 PM, Jeff Wilson wrote: brunians at brunians.org wrote:
Really, this doesn't come up with me. I must be getting old.
It's not you I'm particularly worried about, either. But suppose Harlan Ellison shows up?
I can take him. As long as I can keep him at arm's length anyway. Adam
Jeff Wilson01 Apr 2009, 18:59

↳ in reply to Adam Thornton

10 quoted lines · 1–3 deep
Adam Thornton wrote: On Apr 1, 2009, at 1:53 PM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
brunians at brunians.org <mailto:brunians at brunians.org> wrote:
Really, this doesn't come up with me. I must be getting old.
It's not you I'm particularly worried about, either. But suppose Harlan Ellison shows up?
I can take him. As long as I can keep him at arm's length anyway.
I would appreciate such a brawl, but still I don't think Mr Wolfe would.
Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com < http://www.io.com/~jwilson >
Adam Thornton01 Apr 2009, 19:00

↳ in reply to Jeff Wilson

10 quoted lines · 1–4 deep
On Apr 1, 2009, at 1:59 PM, Jeff Wilson wrote: Adam Thornton wrote:
On Apr 1, 2009, at 1:53 PM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
brunians at brunians.org <mailto:brunians at brunians.org> wrote:
Really, this doesn't come up with me. I must be getting old.
It's not you I'm particularly worried about, either. But suppose Harlan Ellison shows up?
I can take him. As long as I can keep him at arm's length anyway.
I would appreciate such a brawl, but still I don't think Mr Wolfe would.
If there's one person I'd worry about trying to apply the Two Apricots to me, it's probably Harlan Ellison. So it's probably for the best. Adam
Rebecca Bushong-Taylor01 Apr 2009, 19:05

↳ in reply to Jeff Wilson

If people are serious about this and genuinely mean for it to be a tribute to Gene and not simply a "groupie fest", the smart thing to do might be to talk to his daughter Teri, who lives closest of all his kids.
10 quoted lines · 1–2 deep
On Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 1:53 PM, Jeff Wilson <jwilson at io.com> wrote: brunians at brunians.org wrote:
Really, this doesn't come up with me. I must be getting old.
It's not you I'm particularly worried about, either. But suppose Harlan Ellison shows up? -- Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com < http://www.io.com/~jwilson <http://www.io.com/%7Ejwilson> > _______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org01 Apr 2009, 19:12

↳ in reply to Jeff Wilson

I got a bottle of ether and some ketamine darts.... .
10 quoted lines · 1–2 deep
brunians at brunians.org wrote:
Really, this doesn't come up with me. I must be getting old.
It's not you I'm particularly worried about, either. But suppose Harlan Ellison shows up? -- Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com < http://www.io.com/~jwilson > _______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org01 Apr 2009, 19:12

↳ in reply to Adam Thornton

Just don't drop him and don't let him kick you in the elbow. .
10 quoted lines · 1–3 deep
On Apr 1, 2009, at 1:53 PM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
brunians at brunians.org wrote:
Really, this doesn't come up with me. I must be getting old.
It's not you I'm particularly worried about, either. But suppose Harlan Ellison shows up?
I can take him. As long as I can keep him at arm's length anyway. Adam_______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org01 Apr 2009, 19:15

↳ in reply to Rebecca Bushong-Taylor

I am completely serious about this, and I will go to great lengths to ensure that it is in fact a tribute to Gene and not a groupie fest, and I would be incredibly happy to talk to Teri if only I knew how to get in touch with her! .
13 quoted lines · 1–3 deep
If people are serious about this and genuinely mean for it to be a tribute to Gene and not simply a "groupie fest", the smart thing to do might be to talk to his daughter Teri, who lives closest of all his kids. On Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 1:53 PM, Jeff Wilson <jwilson at io.com> wrote:
brunians at brunians.org wrote:
Really, this doesn't come up with me. I must be getting old.
It's not you I'm particularly worried about, either. But suppose Harlan Ellison shows up? -- Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com < http://www.io.com/~jwilson <http://www.io.com/%7Ejwilson> > _______________________________________________
James Wynn01 Apr 2009, 19:17

↳ in reply to Rebecca Bushong-Taylor

2 quoted lines
If people are serious about this and genuinely mean for it to be a tribute to Gene and not simply a "groupie fest", the smart thing to do might be to talk to his daughter Teri, who lives closest of all his kids.
I don't disagree about any of this, but how would a "groupie fest" not be a tribute to Gene? If people showed up dressed a Severian or Horn or Typhon, could that be anything but a tribute? Gene has been going to conventions since the early seventies (at least), I'd be surprised if he did not appreciate a convention thrown in honor of his works. He'll probably have a "real" birthday party with family and friends. Anything organized from this list is likely to be indistinguishable from a festival of fans. Just trying to establish realistic expectations. J.
Rebecca Bushong-Taylor01 Apr 2009, 19:21

↳ in reply to James Wynn

I was under the impression that Teri was affiliated with Urth.net, and contributed from time to time. If you can't get her email address that way, I could check with her and see if it's ok to pass on her address to you....
7 quoted lines
On Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 2:17 PM, James Wynn <crushtv at gmail.com> wrote: If people are serious about this and genuinely mean for it to be a tribute to Gene and not simply a "groupie fest", the smart thing to do might be to talk to his daughter Teri, who lives closest of all his kids.
I don't disagree about any of this, but how would a "groupie fest" not be a tribute to Gene? If people showed up dressed a Severian or Horn or Typhon, could that be anything but a tribute? Gene has been going to conventions since the early seventies (at least), I'd be surprised if he did not appreciate a convention thrown in honor of his works. He'll probably have a "real" birthday party with family and friends. Anything organized from this list is likely to be indistinguishable from a festival of fans. Just trying to establish realistic expectations. J. _______________________________________________
brunians at brunians.org01 Apr 2009, 19:25

↳ in reply to James Wynn

I imagine that if this is going to be real, at some point we will discover his likes and dislikes in these matters, which we will then conform to. I remember from his writings that he doesn't want to be sent out after ice. That should be fairly easy.... .
9 quoted lines · 1–2 deep
If people are serious about this and genuinely mean for it to be a tribute to Gene and not simply a "groupie fest", the smart thing to do might be to talk to his daughter Teri, who lives closest of all his kids.
I don't disagree about any of this, but how would a "groupie fest" not be a tribute to Gene? If people showed up dressed a Severian or Horn or Typhon, could that be anything but a tribute? Gene has been going to conventions since the early seventies (at least), I'd be surprised if he did not appreciate a convention thrown in honor of his works. He'll probably have a "real" birthday party with family and friends. Anything organized from this list is likely to be indistinguishable from a festival of fans. Just trying to establish realistic expectations. J. _______________________________________________
James Wynn01 Apr 2009, 19:47

↳ follows, by subject match brunians at brunians.org

You know....the more I think about it, if this were called a Gene Wolfe Convention and were organized as such with all the events and forums and hoopla one expects from such things, and if it were held in the Chicago area, Gene would go. Also, it would probably attract more admirers on this list, and an impressive assortment of Named Authors as well. You should get in touch with the Windy Con people since they already have experience with such things. If one wants merely to sit down at a meal with Gene and Rosemary, my recent experience was that he is an especially accessible person. If you contacted Teri and set a date, you could buy a plane ticket to Chicago and have the opportunity to take the Wolfe's to dinner yourself. Invite Teri along, because she's a real hoot. J.

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