Toronto has faded into the mist. Actually it was a pretty clear day as we departed Toronto. We could see the Tower from the Airport, which we didn’t on arrival, on account of darkness. Elaine and I spent the morning packing up and visiting the Royal Ontario Museum. It’s a lot bigger on the inside that the outside. Fortunately, or un, the ROM didn’t open until 10 AM, giving us plenty of time to pack and organize our return. The unfortunate part is the we only had 2.5 hours at the ROM before returning for our bus. The ROM was under renovation and several exhibit areas were closed. We did get to see the South Asian, Indian and Chinese Art exhibits as well as a ‘history of decorative drawing rooms from the 1500’s to present’ exhibit. What we totally avoided was the Natural history on second floor. Just ran out of time.
We arrived in Toronto Wednesday evening. There were a few parties just getting underway and we visited them just to get our feet wet. Missed Moshe’s party, but the others were enough to get started.
Thursday, the Convention got officially underway. I realize that trying to recollect what happened a week later is not a good way of reporting, but that is all I have at present so I will try. Nope, Thursday is a complete blur. I remember the bid parties, which started Wednesday night, were going full swing. I had a definite preference of KC and Charlotte over LA and Seattle. They had some good parties. Japan opened their party too, I think, or was that Friday night? I really want to go to Japan in 2007. I find their venue of SF, in anime such as Cowboy Bebop, Trigun and the Excel Saga, is totally awesome and far outdistances many stories I have seen in the past decade.
Mary Morman dragooned me into a volunteer mode. “Come and Relief Mark Owings” she commanded. I was able to stave her off for a half hour while I checked out the activities on the huckster room floor.
Mike Walsh was at the door with his table and the long awaited Edward Whittemore reprints. Ted W wrote some really excellent stories in the ’70s and I had a chance to read ‘Jerusalem Poker’ and fell in love with the style and the characters. I quickly snatched up the 5 volumes. Then it was back to Mary.
Six hours later, we had registered quite a few people and it was time to close up the convention center. And then on to the parties. From there it all turns into a blur….