This weekend is the Labour Day long weekend in several states of Australia and in the Australian Capital Territory. This means that, for me, it’s the weekend of the Conflux science fiction weekend. It’s also a big weekend for tourists … Continue reading
Dionysos, god of wine, fruitfulness, and ecstatic revelry, was honored alongside Apollo and Artemis on Delos and nearby Mykonos. Join Thor and me as we visit his sanctuary. NOTE: Since our recent trip to Greece to research more settings for my … Continue reading
Have you noticed that this project has taken a couple of hard left turns, in the journey from inspiration to completion? I am deep on the pantser side of the creative spectrum, so this always happens to me. I welcome … Continue reading
“How do you find time to write? “When do you write? Morning? Evening? Middle of the night?” “Do you have a goal of so many words per day?” “Does it work when you force yourself to sit in the writing … Continue reading
I simply cannot resist a grim Victorian prison. And fortunately I was able to score tickets to tour Kilmainham Gaol Museum in Dublin. This grim stone pile was built in 1796 and extensively refurbished to the latest fashions in Victorian … Continue reading
All right, almost done! Lining inserted and hem pinned up. Alas, all this hand sewing is actually the slowest part. Here is the front: … Continue reading
All the programming here in Dublin is mobbed. People have to line up to get into the panels, and the con volunteers have painfully, by trial and error, figured out how and where to create the queues and how to … Continue reading
Going to Worldcon always involves travel. And what is the point of travel but eating interesting new foods? Ireland is full of fascinating meals. The other main thing to do at Worldcon is no, not necessarily panels. That can be … Continue reading
The great Victorian innovator Isambard Kingdom Brunel put his stamp on the entire era. Among his feats was the Great Western Railway, which runs from Bristol to London and which we rode yesterday. He also built the Steamship Great Britain, … Continue reading
This is my first visit to Bristol, one of the great Victorian cities in southern England. It has everything to recommend it — thrillingly redeveloped industrial buildings, preserved churches, and fantabulous food. It’s not as expensive and intimidating as London, … Continue reading
