Sooner Con was Fantastic
As always Toast Master Selina Rosen and the Yard Dog Press authors were more fun than a barrel of drunken monkeys. Their ‘Merlene Show’ was hysterical. Fortunately, science fiction fantasy illustrator, David Lee Anderson, wasn’t injured when thrown into a table by a pair of over enthusiastic actresses. The Yard Dog Traveling Road Show was even funnier, albeit almost as dangerous for one of the interpretive dancers that was tossed into a wall. These guys are into method acting.
The gamers next door never looked up from their gaming tables as the walls around them nearly tumbled. Amazingly the gamers did leave the gaming area a few times over the weekend, against their will. They were forced out, on Friday night, for a viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a very talented group of live actors playing out the entire movie in front of the screen. The audience was thrilled.
Jennifer DiCamillo and I didn’t see nearly enough of one another. I was busy working the con and her attention was divided between Sooner Con, other commitments, and the Tonys -husband and son. They came along this time so she felt obligated to spend at least as much time with them as with me. I had to bunk alone, this convention, because Dion and Lisa had to work.
I was so busy I didn’t get to attend any of the sessions where my friends, local authors Steven E. Wedel and Mel Odom were speaking. Mel brought his son Chandler. Man has that kid grown. I did get to spend a few minutes with a few other friends; Sue and Brad Sinor, Susan Satterfield, Beverly Hale, Kimber and Tim Chessmore, and Kimber’s mom Carol Bell.
I picked up at least one new minion, Chad, and met a gorgeous man, Larry, that made me think twice about that silly fidelity obsession. Ooooh baby, oooh baby, oooh baby. That nagging little angel on the right won the battle. Damn angels.
Of course I made several new friends including, Vaughn Armstrong. Vaughn has played twelve different characters in 4 Star Trek series. He’s even been a Klingon. My kind of guy. He is an actor, musician, and a delightfully entertaining person, even when he is not performing. We had a wonderful time in the parking lot.
Sooner Con’s guest of honor Stephen R. Donaldson, author of the “Covenant” trilogy, and the “Gap” sequence, was very informative, sharing delightful antidotes of his writing career. Keith Birdsong, best known for his Star Trek novel covers, was the Artist guest of honor. Special media guest included; multi-talented, Babylon 5, actress-author Claudia Christian, actor Casey Biggs, best known for his portrayal of Damar on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Vaughn Armstrong.
It was a great convention. I can hardly wait for next year’s Sooner Con. In the meantime I’ll be busy. I’ll be speaking at Norman Galaxy of Writers July 7 meeting, attending Conestoga July 20-22, and Ozark Creative Writers’ Conference in October. At the moment I’m not certain what I have scheduled for Aug and Sept. But I’ll keep you updated.
Oh yeah, I nearly forgot, I was on a radio show during the convention. Not sure when it aired though. More info to follow.
