# from National Review Online *The Urth list — 57 messages, 17 voices, 30 Mar 2009* > Exported from an unofficial mirror of a public mailing list. Copyright > in each message remains with the person who wrote it. > Email addresses are obscured as `user at host`, the form the original > archive published. This file was rebuilt from parsed fields rather than > retained headers, so it is faithful in content but not byte-exact. --- ### Fernando Q. Gouvêa *30 Mar 2009, 16:44* Wolfe Man [John J. Miller] Today's Between the Covers podcast is with Gene Wolfe , 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 Wynn *30 Mar 2009, 16:53 · in reply to Fernando Q. Gouvêa* > 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 Haygood *30 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 > On Mar 30, 2009, at 11:44 AM, "Fernando Q. Gouv?a" > wrote: > Wolfe Man [John J. Miller] > > Today's Between the Covers podcast is with Gene Wolfe , 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 Wynn *30 Mar 2009, 17:27 · in reply to Lane Haygood* > 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 Witz *30 Mar 2009, 17:53 · follows 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 Keeley *30 Mar 2009, 18:06 · in reply to James Wynn* > On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 1:27 PM, James Wynn 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 Kiesche *30 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 wrote: > From: James Wynn > Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online > To: "The Urth Mailing List" > 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 Flato *30 Mar 2009, 18:39 · in reply to Son of Witz* I totally bought this. Too bad he doesn't say it ;*( > On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:53 AM, Son of Witz 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 Witz *30 Mar 2009, 18:47 · follows Jordon Flato* Gotcha! > -----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 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 Thornton *30 Mar 2009, 18:49 · in reply to Jordon Flato* > 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 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 Flato *30 Mar 2009, 18:51 · in reply to Adam Thornton* Hey, stranger things have happened. > On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:49 AM, Adam Thornton 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 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.org *30 Mar 2009, 19:23 · in reply to James Wynn* >> 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.org *30 Mar 2009, 19:29 · in reply to James Wynn* >> 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. > BTW It's interesting if not especially enlightening to hear Wolfe's > summarization An Evil Guest. Looking forward to that.... . --- ### brunians at brunians.org *30 Mar 2009, 19:46 · in reply to Matthew Keeley* Matt Keeley writes: > On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 1:27 PM, James Wynn 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 doggett *30 Mar 2009, 23:19 · follows brunians at brunians.org* Doggerel www.don-doggett.blogspot.com > --- On Mon, 3/30/09, Adam Thornton 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 Wilson *31 Mar 2009, 09:09 · in reply to brunians at brunians.org* >>> 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. ``` Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com < http://www.io.com/~jwilson > ``` --- ### brunians at brunians.org *31 Mar 2009, 10:17 · in reply to Jeff Wilson* > 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 Thornton *31 Mar 2009, 14:18 · in reply to Jeff Wilson* >> 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 Anderson *31 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. > 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 , 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 Brewer *31 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.org *31 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. . > 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 Brewer *31 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" To: The Urth Mailing List 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 --- ### Dan'l Danehy-Oakes *31 Mar 2009, 15:54 · in reply to Craig Brewer* Perhaps a festschrift would be more appropriate? > On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 8:54 AM, Craig Brewer 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" > To: The Urth Mailing List > 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 Brewer *31 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 To: The Urth Mailing List 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 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" > To: The Urth Mailing List > 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 Thornton *31 Mar 2009, 16:16 · in reply to brunians at brunians.org* > 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. Jordan *31 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 > 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 Friedman *31 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 > --- On Tue, 3/31/09, Dan'l Danehy-Oakes wrote: > From: Dan'l Danehy-Oakes > Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online > To: "The Urth Mailing List" > 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 > 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" > > To: The Urth Mailing List > 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.org *31 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. . > 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" > To: The Urth Mailing List > 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.org *31 Mar 2009, 17:25 · in reply to Dan'l Danehy-Oakes* Is that what it is called? I like the sound of that! . > Perhaps a festschrift would be more appropriate? > > On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 8:54 AM, Craig Brewer 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" >> To: The Urth Mailing List >> 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.org *31 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)? . > Ah, now that's an even more promising idea, methinks. > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Dan'l Danehy-Oakes > To: The Urth Mailing List > 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 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" >> To: The Urth Mailing List >> 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-Oakes *31 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. > On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 10:27 AM, 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 >> To: The Urth Mailing List >> 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 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" >>> To: The Urth Mailing List >>> 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.org *31 Mar 2009, 17:29 · in reply to Adam Thornton* >>> 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.org *31 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. . > 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.org *31 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. . > 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 wrote: >> From: Dan'l Danehy-Oakes >> Subject: Re: (urth) from National Review Online >> To: "The Urth Mailing List" >> 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 >> 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" >> >> To: The Urth Mailing List >> 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.org *31 Mar 2009, 17:38 · in reply to Dan'l Danehy-Oakes* I like Jerry Friedman's take on this.... . > 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, 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 >>> To: The Urth Mailing List >>> 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 >>> 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" >>>> To: The Urth Mailing List >>>> 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 Wilson *31 Mar 2009, 18:37 · in reply to brunians at brunians.org* >> 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.org *31 Mar 2009, 19:03 · in reply to Jeff Wilson* >>>> 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. > 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 Thornton *31 Mar 2009, 19:18 · in reply to brunians at brunians.org* > 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.org *31 Mar 2009, 20:58 · in reply to Adam Thornton* > 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-Taylor *01 Apr 2009, 04:34 · in reply to brunians at brunians.org* I checked with the Source. Gene is 77. >>> On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 2:23 PM, 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.org *01 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. . > I checked with the Source. Gene is 77. > > On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 2:23 PM, 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 Witz *01 Apr 2009, 14:11 · in reply to Jeff Wilson* > 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.org *01 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. . > 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 Wilson *01 Apr 2009, 16:08 · in reply to Son of Witz* > 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.org *01 Apr 2009, 16:38 · in reply to Jeff Wilson* Really, this doesn't come up with me. I must be getting old. . > 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 Wilson *01 Apr 2009, 18:53 · in reply to brunians at brunians.org* > 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 Thornton *01 Apr 2009, 18:55 · in reply to Jeff Wilson* > 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 Wilson *01 Apr 2009, 18:59 · in reply to Adam Thornton* > Adam Thornton wrote: > > 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. 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 Thornton *01 Apr 2009, 19:00 · in reply to Jeff Wilson* > 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 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-Taylor *01 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. > On Wed, 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? > > -- > Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com > < http://www.io.com/~jwilson > > _______________________________________________ --- ### brunians at brunians.org *01 Apr 2009, 19:12 · in reply to Jeff Wilson* I got a bottle of ether and some ketamine darts.... . > 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.org *01 Apr 2009, 19:12 · in reply to Adam Thornton* Just don't drop him and don't let him kick you in the elbow. . > 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.org *01 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! . > 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 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 > >> _______________________________________________ --- ### James Wynn *01 Apr 2009, 19:17 · in reply to Rebecca Bushong-Taylor* > 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-Taylor *01 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.... > On Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 2:17 PM, James Wynn 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.org *01 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.... . >> 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 Wynn *01 Apr 2009, 19:47 · follows 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. ---