Days of Minicon Past

[dreamshark]

I was starting to do something else on my to-do list and instead ended up spending hours sifting through old files on my hard disk related to Minicon programming. It never fails to amaze me how much of my life I forget completely, even things that were all-consuming at the time. I cannot remember how many times I have headed or co-headed programming, for instance. I can sort of guess by looking at my computer files: the years where I have tons of programming related files were probably years I was in charge of it. But my computer files only go back to Minicon 32. I think that the first time I co-headed programming was Minicon 24, which would have been 1989. Does anybody remember? There is a lot of Minicon-related info on the Minnstf website, but nowhere do I see indications of who was on the concom during years past - not even the Chair or Exec.

I started gathering together lists of programming items for each year that I had the files, including lists of ideas that weren't used. I found myself looking at ideas like "Children of the Atom" and saying, "Gee, what a great idea! I wonder if we ever used that one." Well, yes, we did. In fact, according to the programming grid for Minicon 39, I was on that panel. In fact, I moderated it. You might think that I'd remember it. I hope it went well.

Comments

[barondave.livejournal.com]

For a while, concom was listed in the Program Book, but that proved to be iffy (they kept leaving me out, for instance) and got dropped as the concom grew. Never put back. You could, in theory, recreate some concom lists by meeting minutes, beeper sign-outs and contact information, but I'm not sure how much of that survives.

I don't recall when you first were co-chair of Programming. You were co-head (w/Eric) in 1990, when you did the Minicon Moderator Tip Sheet, and I don't think that was your first.

One of the reasons to do conreports is as a reminder of what I did at the con. Pictures, my site, LJ, it doesn't matter as long as I can dig it up. Still, until Lj and digital cameras, my fannish cv is remarkably incomplete; and not rigorously chronicled even after.

I wasn't a the "Children of the Atom" panel, but I remember you talking about it favorably and with pride.

[asimovberlioz.livejournal.com]

Back when the concom was listed, I remember one year when I was supposed to be one of the GoH liaisons, but the GoH in question cancelled. I remember hearing this at the committee meeting, and saying in dismay, "But how can I be listed in the program book?" I think it was dd_b who replied, "Baritone." And so it came to pass.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I thought Elise had a hand in writing the Minicon Moderator's Top Sheet?

K.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Indeed she did, as did Eric H, mgs, Steve Brust, myself and many others. Sometimes I can still hear the voice behind certain tips and identify the one who added them But it was dreamshark's project, and the four meetings were held at her house. To my knowledge, she was the only one present at all four. Then I wrote it up for print and eventually html.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Actually, I wrote it up and you did the final edit. You also converted it to HTML, thus preserving it in a retrievable format after the old Macintosh word processor software I was using was defunct.

[quadong.livejournal.com]

We list the concom in the program book now, and have for the last few years at least.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

And there is is, dog gone it. And you even spelled my name right. My apologies for omitting recent concom listings. Still, that doesn't help Sharon in her quest from years past. You wouldn't happen to have any historical records, would you? I'm not hopeful, but it's worth asking.

[quadong.livejournal.com]

I don't have much that isn't available on the web. Eventually, I plan to be able to answer better, as I have a plan to scan all the old program books and get them on the web. This is going to be a long and slow project, however.

[laurel]

Seems like, as long as I've been going to Minicon (since Minicon 24), the concom has usually been listed in the program book. I can't remember it not being listed, but it's possible it wasn't a time or two in there.

My pet peeve is when it's not listed on the website somewhere obvious. Really should be.

[mle292.livejournal.com]

What is a "Children of the Atom" panel?

I was at Minicon 32, and if I attended that one, I don't remember. It sounds interesting.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

It was a panel based on the book "Children of the Atom," a strange little book from the 1950's about children who had been mutated by one of those radiation accidents that produces scary superhumans. In this case the kids seemed perfectly normal except that they were so much smarter than the mundanes around them that they had to go into hiding to avoid being persecuted. In fact, the novella that the novel was based on was called "In Hiding." That was the form in which I encountered it.

As one might imagine, many proto-fannish children growing up in the 50's and 60's identified intensely with this story. I thought it would make an especially fine panel since Jim Young, our fan GoH, was one such child. Okay, I guess I am starting to remember this panel now. Or anyway, I now recall why I put it on the program. I don't remember much about the panel, but I think it did go pretty well.

That was at Minicon 39, not Minicon 32. Since that was only 5 years ago it seemed like I should remember it. Minicon 32 is ancient history.

[nancymcc.livejournal.com]

I had one of those "I did what?" moments at this recent Minicon. cowfan said "...when you were membership coordinator of MnStf..." and I said, "I never was!" She and Martin and fmsv spent a few minutes convincing me it was true, so I retrieved (or manufactured) a few vague memories.

It was good to see you at the con!