Lloyd's Locs Box - Fanzine letters of comment
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Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in the "Lloyd Penney" journal:[<< Previous 20 entries]
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03:45 pm
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Loc on NASFA Shuttle Vol. 32 No. 5 (Mike Kennedy, ed.)
Dear NASFen:
Many thanks, Mike Kennedy, for the May Shuttle. If you need to enforce the deadline strictly from now on, that’s no problems for me. Here I am getting caught up on correspondence, anyway.
The fuss about DUFF right now has yet to settle, and it’s one fan fund I don’t usually take part in, so I’ll sit back to see what goes on. The CUFF race worked out well, and Deb Yeung will be heading out to the Canvention in Calgary in August. And, for TAFF, Yvonne and I have decided not to run…it will probably be our last overseas trip, and we want to make sure we have the trip we want, and not necessarily the trip the fund requires.
There’s my birthday…it’s on a Saturday this year, so there’s already plenty of plans on the go, and not to worry, I won’t ask any of you for the bail… The FAAn Awards…I came a distant second for the Harry Warner Award, but I still did well.
For many years, I kept trying to contact First Fandom about membership, but without luck. As of this coming December, I will be involved in fandom for 35 years, so perhaps I should pester them again, and see if anyone wants to answer my questions.
My letter…not sure how I got the impression that you were getting ready now for Con†Stellation, but yes, it’s yet to come. Our anniversary is on the 28th, but we will have our dinner on the 27th, tomorrow.
The warm weather has come early this year, to the delight of all, so plenty of people are out at the local patios. Local fandom is at our annual huge anime con, Anime North, but we are relaxing at home, and Yvonne is doing some studying for a couple of law clerk exams. Take care all, and see you next issue.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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02:00 pm
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Loc on The Ink Machine 5 (Nigel Rowe, ed.)
Dear Nigel:
I’m going to whip up a quick loc on The Ink Machine 5…even if the next issue is just a daydream at the moment, every good zine deserves feedback.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a zine, too. That’s why I’m usually in the locol, contributing to everyone else’s zine. I am thinking of a zine of my own, and calling in a few favours will get it done fairly easily, for the first issue, anyway. I will use a combination of the technologies available to me to get locs done. My computer at home, my computer at work, my old Palm Tungsten (the WP programme has corrupted on it, and I won’t pay the $$$ for a replacement), and a decent USB stick or card…any combination of all that gets the locs done, and allows me to use any bit of spare time to get it all done. I’d like a laptop or tablet, but I don’t think I could ever purchase one of those marvelous inventions.
I’ve been able to get to two Corflus, one in Las Vegas (not the recent one, but the one before), and the one here in Toronto. In spite of my involvement, I’ve always felt like I was on the outside looking in, and some had the attitude of “what are YOU doing here?” As interesting as a Corflu can be, I don’t think I’ll be going to any more of them. Portland sounds interesting, but it’s a bit far.
A discussion between Corflu attendees and those who couldn’t go via e-mail would be good, or perhaps Facebook…not everyone is on Twitter. I’m not. Using modern technology is a great thing to keep us from looking like dinosaurs, but we sometimes use it to exclude others, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Well, not a bad loc for a two-page zine. If you are looking to do another, please do send it along, and many thanks.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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09:43 pm
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Loc on Unreliable Narrator 1 (Doug Bell, ed.)
Dear Doug:
Thank you for an e-copy of Unreliable Narrator 1. Some days, it’s difficult to type up anything, and forget the zines, I want to veg and watch the tube. I’ve had a month or so like that, but I have to get moving, the zines are piling up.
Yes, the enthusiasm flags, and I wonder if I’ve been doing this for too long. I am thinking of my own zine, but I’d go retro and do it 8.5x11 portrait. I don’t think I’d go so retro as to print it on a ditto, but my training long ago was in publication design, among other things, but it has been some time since I have Pubbed My Ish.
No one actually puts every idea they have into the real world, but they try their best. I wanted to write SF, I tried, and I have my share of rejection slips, but the desire to make those ideas real usually get beaten down by the need to work at a job to make a living and pay the bills. Sucks, but what do you do?
As I write, our own local anime conventions is starting up for the year, 20,000 people at a convention centre and three hotels close to the airport. And, we’re giving it a skip this year. Too many people, too much we’re not fans of, too little money, and not enough time. It’s getting tougher to care about any of this. At least there’s another convention coming up in July, and we will be there for the Saturday only. We are skipping the Chicago and San Antonio Worldcons so we can have enough money for the London Worldcon, in just over two years. And that is not certain, either.
Most of fandom is old enough to be John Coxon’s parents. (Yvonne says she is old enough to be his grandmother.) On June 2, I turn 53. Yvonne’s planning a big birthday bash for herself at another local convention in November, and a higher number than 53. I certainly understand why so many go for e-zines, and while paper would be the best, it’s not the best for the wallet. We could discuss websites and podcasts, but this isn’t a Worldcon/Hugo business meeting.
I did vote for Liam Proven, always best for the nominators to vote for who you’ve nominated. My loc…the Ontario Association of Architects position is long gone, and I’ve several short-term positions since, but my evening job at the Globe and Mail still allows me at least some income. The job hunt goes ever onwards…
I think I’ll take it to the page, Doug, and say my thanks. Say hello to Christina for me, and keep the zines coming, when the muse drives you. Otherwise, there’s got to be something decent on telly…
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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09:48 pm
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Loc on Exhibition Hall 20 (Chris Garcia, ed.)
Dear Chris:
The long weekend here is done! Sunny, warm, lots to do, had a great time; and it was the first long weekend of what will soon be summertime. Still, it's back to the job hunt, and there is still time to whip up some locs. So, here's a few comments on Exhibition Hall 20.
I have not yet been able to get my hands on the Parasol Protectorate books...sorry, Miss Gail, the finances just don't allow for it yet! I am struggling to get through Court of the Air by Stephen Hunt...so detailed, so many new ideas to absorb, and it's close to 600 pages, too.
My own reviews of the first two Weird West books by Mike Resnick seem to match Mike Perschon's and Andy Hooper's. Too many famous names, and I can see the parallel to a few Philip José Farmer books. Steampunk is full of this kind of thing, like Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, and recently, Lovecraft and Tesla, Paranormal Investigators. Two more books in this Resnick series, and I expect I'll be given them to review.
The tea we had was quite the success, to the point where people want more of them, so we have done our research, and we are considering many more places, but we want to make the teas special, and not have people expect them every few weeks or so. I am attaching some pictures from this past weekend...it was an expedition by the Toronto Steampunk Society to High Park, in Toronto's west end. Got myself some new steampunk duds to show off.
Great to see J.M. Frey in here...this is the first time I've even seen her mentioned in fanzines. She's been extraordinarily successful with her first novel, Triptych, and she has a new novel coming up soon. She is also a steampunk fan, but she hasn't had the time to come out and join us at photo shoots or other gatherings. Maybe I should lean on her a bit when it comes time for another afternoon tea.
Time to go, the evening job will come along soon enough. Something Yvonne and I will be adding to SFContario 3...she will be hosting her own birthday party at the con! She won't mark her birthday until just before Christmas, but with the fair fall weather, who wants to wait? It's a big marker for her, but one does not reveal a lady's age... Take care, and enjoy the attached photos. (All
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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03:02 pm
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Loc on The Drink Tank 315 & 316 (Chris Garcia, ed.)
Dear Chris:
Funny how so many people were wondering about the three-week gap between issues 315 and 316 of The Drink Tank. You probably had other things to do, other zines to work on. I’ve written few letters over the last while…the job hunt takes up time, and seeing this is a long weekend here, we went for a steampunk photo shoot in High Park, and yesterday, we helped with the spring cleaning of one of our favorite bars, Orwell’s Grill and Pub (established 1984). But, I am getting ready to go to work, and afterwards, going back to Orwell’s for a fannish pubnight, so here’s a letter on these two issues, just before I head out.
315…It’s a very interesting ballot, indeed. I think you will get at least one rocket, maybe two. I can’t comment on much of the ballot, but I will comment on what I can.
Fan Artist…to be honest, I can see Brad Foster winning this again. His work is everywhere, to the point of being omnipresent, like Rotsler was. I have seen Randall Munroe’s stuff, but I wouldn’t have nominated him for this. Stick figures just don’t do it for me.
Fan Writer…this is Steven Silver’s year, IMHO. I don’t think I have read anything of Jim Hines’ and if he is a pro writer, he shouldn’t be here. He might have been nominated for the popularity of his pro writing, which translates into the fan nomination. That’s happened a number of times over the last few years.
Fanzine…I think The Drink Tank will do it again. I am aware of SF Signal, but again, this isn’t the category it should be in, in my humble opinion.
Short-Form Dramatic Presentation…to be honest, I think you two will be amazed by what happens. If you two nearly peed your pants in Reno, better get your Depends on.
Long-Form Dramatic Presentation…I haven’t seen any of Game of Thrones (yes, I’m probably the only one on the continent), so I will still hope for Hugo getting a Hugo.
316…This year’s DUFF race is a mess, so I am not sure what to do. We had thought of running for TAFF for 2014, but we are standing down from this, thinking that by that time, it’s not likely we’ll be in sufficient health to fulfil our mandate. Even at this point, going to London isn’t certain, and even though the fund is supposed to help get you there, you still have to have some cash of your own to get things done, and we don’t have it. Both Yvonne and I are at the age where travel is more of a hassle than anything else…London looks good, but seeing how old we’ll be in 2014, if we don’t make it, we might not be too heartbroken.
I can’t sit and mope around…too much to do, gotta find work. I don’t have anything like a smartphone, but I do use a Word document to keep track of what I have to do, what my calendar says, what conventions are coming up, what’s happening on the weekend, and important things to remember for the future. I revise it and print it up every Thursday or Friday, and it’s generally the memory I don’t have. I’ve been much more productive since I started using this.
Buckaroo Banzai…this movie put a lot of new sayings into the social lexicon, and I had a rough idea of what it was all about, but yet, this was one of many movies I never did see when it was first released, and had no real incentive to go and see. As a matter of fact, I still don’t. Maybe I can find a cheap DVD some time in the future.
Gotta go to work…see you with the next issue. You might have seen some pictures of our trip to High Park. Let me know if you’d like some of those pictures for the next Exhibition Hall.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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01:07 pm
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Loc on Bullshit 2.71828 (William Housel, ed.)
Dear William:
Found some more Bullshit in my IN box…but then, when don’t I? I have here Bullshit 2.71828, or Bullshit e for the math fans. Comments commence now…
I don’t like blogs on the ballot, either…but it’s because I am unfamiliar with them. Most of my spare time goes to job hunting and loccing fanzines, and keeping up with friends on Facebook. I honestly don’t have any more time to devote to social media. Boycotting the Hugos does nothing except cede the fan Hugos to the bloggers. We could come up with a voting membership, so that those of us who couldn’t afford Worldcon memberships could still vote, but then, those who follow the blogs and podcasts could buy them, too, and that’s when we’d truly be forgotten.
Psychonauts, being launched directly into the id. They use a pretty heavy fuel to go exploring, and results are still a little difficult to understand. If the presidents were against this exploratory programme, where did they get their funding? There are times I could use a few telekinetic manifestations.
My loc…even though I called BS on it, I still like the idea of a Worldcon at Burning Man, but only if we could all teleport to a cozy hotel at the end of each day. If Degler is still calling the shots in our little corner of fandom, I could call BS on him, and tell him to get with the programme and get off his thumbs. We sure could use some changes around here.
I am going to call it short here, and get it ready for e-transport. Many thanks, William, or David, and off it goes, and many thanks for something fun to read.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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08:33 pm
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Loc on Space Cadet 19 (R. Graeme Cameron, ed.)
Dear Graeme:
After an extended writing vacation, it is time to get back on the horse, and get moving again. Here are some comments on Space Cadet 19.
I admit I am hoping for the Aurora I am nominated for this year. I’ve been nominated a lot, so I am hoping I can finally break through. I have won a couple of Auroras in the past, but I haven’t won one in 15 years. With the FAAn Awards, I came a distant second for Best Lochack, and I am pleased with that.
Toronto was once the only city to have a huge comics/popcult convention, but now… Montréal, Calgary, Vancouver, Winnipeg and now Ottawa. I do not enjoy these megacons either, and I don’t usually go. I went to one of them here a couple of years ago to take part in a fashion show, and the crowd crush was worse than rush hour and trying to get into the subway. You’re right, the emphasis is on buying stuff and getting autographs, and that’s never been it for me. These cons just happen (yeah, right) to be on the same weekend as a fan-run con, and they pull attendance away, and the fan-run cons are hurt every time.
Turns out Con*cept may not be dead after all. Cathy wasn’t happy reading about this, so it looks like there might be two SF cons in Montréal next year. I think more news will soon be coming. General interest SF cons…don’t forget Ad Astra and SFContario in Toronto. I am not sure about Halcon, I think it’s a gaming/anime con.
The locol…yes, indeed, I am the bad Penney that keeps turning up. I used to go through the Roncesvalles Village on my way to and from work, so I got to know it fairly well. Not to worry about taking my name in vain…the Boston in 1989 Worldcon bid had a great bidzine called The Mad 3 Party (for Noreascon 3), and it was to well-received, it was to victim of not one, but two parody issues, and I was zapped in each issue. It’s a badge of honour I have enjoyed.
My loc…I had my echocardiogram, and I have heard nothing from either the lab where I went or my doctor, so I must assume that my heart is fine. The work at the advertising agency ended prematurely, so I am hunting once again. I’ve had some good leads.
I think I should fold this up and fire it off to you. Take care, see you next zine.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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02:05 pm
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Loc on Fanstuff 1 & 2 (Arnie Katz, ed.)
Dear Arnie:
Good to hear Corflu went so well…wish we could have gone, but there’s never enough money for the things you have to do, let alone the things you’d like to do. I’ve had a bit of an enforced holiday from writing, but it’s time to get with it again, and here are comments on the first two issues of Fanstuff.
1…Yes, it’s a fanzine…pay no attention to the faned behind the curtain! Some habits die hard, so as you say, it’s another Friday Katzine. Not to worry, they haven’t created a patch for fanac addiction. You’ve produced lots of zines, and used more than your share of titles, but we all find where we contribute the best. I’ve found my niche in the locol, and I’m fairly happy there. I am sure Vegas Fandom Weekly and Folly are much missed by many.
Many thanks for correcting the spelling of my last name. Just think of the department store, and Penney (with that second e) should come to mind immediately.
Fan funds work only when everyone feels they have a shot at it, or have at least a personal stake in it. CUFF has this problem, IMHO, so we’ve been lucky in that younger generations of fans have stepped up to keep it going. Local fan Deb Yeung is this year’s CUFF winner. If another transatlantic fund were to be set up, all would have to be considered for it.
2…The listservs may be the new apas, but to me, the listservs still have that ephemeral feeling to them, that whatever you write will be gone soon. I have kept the originals of all the apazines I’ve ever written. I found that I was writing for a fairly limited audience, and that’s why I moved to fanzines. Fandom is Balkanized at the best of times, for there are many of us, and many interests, sub-interests, etc., so we shouldn’t be surprised to see different interests within written fanac itself. Those interests will stay…one will not supplant another, but will simply add to the variety of methods of communication.
The File 770 website has a variety of news sources and news stories. As you say, not everything in it is to your interest, but the daily newspaper contains much the same thing, and we choose what interests us there, too. I am on it nearly every day to see what’s happening now, and to who. Hey, Terry, looking forward to Outlier. Have you been reading Malcolm Gladwell?
Good starts to this fine zine, and I am looking forward to reading more. Take care, my best to all the fans there, see you the next time.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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04:28 pm
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Loc on OASFiS Event Horizon 294 (Juan Sanmiguel, ed.)
Dear Juan:
A happy Cinco de Mayo to you all today, and I’ve got some time to write up a quick loc on OASFiS Event Horizon 294.
That’s an amazing Hugo ballot…some records are set, such as Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant on the ballot four times, and Chris Garcia being on the ballot four times, something I don’t think any other fan in fandom’s history has ever done. Now to see how many silver rockets Chris walks away with. Wish we could go to Chicon 7 for this great event, but we are franticly saving our dollars to go to London for the 2014 Worldcon. They’re a lock to win it, so it’s just a matter of time.
I am not a reader of horror or vampire fiction, but I agree with any award that goes to I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. I have always enjoyed Matheson’s fiction, and I’ll bet there aren’t many around who remember his name on the credits of many episodes of the original Twilight Zone. And congrats to the SF Hall of Fame inductees.
Convention season has started around here with our annual furry con and Ad Astra, the original SF literary convention in Toronto, and coming up in a steampunk street fair, and Polaris, our annual big fan-run media con. Both should be a lot of fun.
Short but sweet, and many thanks for another interesting issue. I hope you’ll keep sending them to me.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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02:49 pm
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Loc on Random Jottings 7 (Michael Dobson, ed.)
Dear Michael:
I won’t go with the most common greeting yesterday, but it’s now Cinco de Mayo, and before I go for a little siesta, I am going to try to write up a decent loc for Random Jottings 7.
Great Stiles cover, reminds me of a futuristic Macy’s parade. A great portfolio, too! And, from the April 26th issue of the Toronto Star and the Associated Press…
LONDON—When Claire Squires set off on the London Marathon on Sunday, she had raised around $800 for charity.
Three days after the race, her online total hit $1 million. And it just keeps on rising.
But Squires cannot savour the outpouring of generosity from around 60,000 people. The 30-year-old Englishwoman collapsed near the end of the 42.2-kilometre (26.2-mile) course near Buckingham Palace and died. Her death has touched hearts in both Britain and beyond.
“Claire would be so happy and overwhelmed with the incredible support that has been offered by thousands of people from all over the world,” her family said in a statement.
“For Claire and the Samaritans, please keep the donations coming. Don’t stop giving, just like her. It’s what she would have wanted.”
The Samaritans is a charity organization that provides emotional support to help prevent suicide. They raise around $6 million annually from individual donations.
Claire’s mother, Cilla Squires, has been a volunteer for Samaritans for 24 years.
“We desperately wish that it was not under these circumstances but we have been overwhelmed by the response from people donating in Claire’s memory,” said Catherine Johnstone, Samaritans chief executive.
“These donations will be put into a tribute fund and, following discussions with the family, will go towards projects they feel would have been important to Claire.”
Squires is the 11th participant to die in the London Marathon since it started in 1981. She had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with a friend last year to raise 1,500 pounds ($2,400) for the Royal Air Force Association.
“Claire is an inspiration to us all,” said friend Nicola Short, who was on the trip. “She brought laughter and love to everyone’s life.”
The family still does not know what caused the 30-year-old hairdresser from North Kilworth, England, to collapse and die.
“It is hard to understand. She was young, fit and strong and had really been looking forward to the run,” said Simon Van Herrewege, Squires’ boyfriend. “She was an amazing person who was always doing stuff for charity and to help others. This is a difficult time for her family.”
I wasn’t sure if you’d seen it, but it definitely should be repeated.
Yvonne would definitely be a little envious of you having that space suit. She was active with International Space Development Conferences and International Astronautics Conferences for a number of years, the latter especially when it was on this continent. Right now, the Canadian Air & Space Museum, which had been situated at an old Canadian Forces base in Toronto, has been mothballed in favor of redeveloping the building it was in for a couple of hockey rinks. The federal government pulled all financial support for it, and in the midst of government cutbacks, is threatening to mothball most of this country’s archives. Do we ever need a federal election…
The articles about the historical Samaritans just show that religious intolerance is an equal opportunity offender, meaning that anyone can employ it and anyone can be the target of it. We’ve been doing it for a long time, and we’ll do it for a long time to come.
We can’t help but see what US politics are like, given our proximity and the news services. Right now, we are suffering under a Conservative regime, but the idea of a Republican government, with their current promises and policies, is repulsive. I can see why Obama might be smiling, but I think of how much more he could do if the Republicans weren’t saying no to almost every proposal he puts forth. Then they have the nerve to say that Obama’s a do-nothing? There truly is no shame any more.
I am going to fold…a few places to go to this afternoon, which will at least get us out into the sunshine. Take it easy, and see you with the next issue.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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10:07 pm
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Loc on Fadeaway 28 (Robert Jennings, ed.)
Dear Robert:
Many thanks for a copy of Fadeaway 28, always appreciated. I’ve been hearing about sizable postage rate hikes in both the US and in the UK, and both countries are paying extra to send me zines in Canada. If the costs get ridiculous, stop sending me paper zines, and I will happily take a .pdfed version. In the meantime, some comments…
Comics Revue sounds like it’s a great deal for those, like me, who enjoy reading the comics. I admit that I read about six webcomics, and there is a comic strip that I can access through the Toronto Star website, but is not printed in its paper…Bleeker the Rechargeable Dog by Jonathan Mahood.
I would be quite pleased to read a biography of Hugo Gernsback. We connect Amazing with him so much, we have probably forgotten his other publications, like Air Wonder Stories. A great and quite informative article. Ah, if only we could vacuum power from the ether… Marvelous artwork through it, and to me, those illustrations represent vintage SF.
My letter…not being a comics reader, I didn’t know about the occasional rewrite in the comic books, like the war Jonathan Kent has fought in. From what I read, the wholesale changes in many comic books has meant many long-time readers are dumping comics entirely, and newer readers are buying more. I guess you have to change for the demographic you’re aiming your products at.
Milt’s loc…I know people who plan their lives around the TV schedule as well, and in many ways, that’s a life wasted. If there’s a programme I wanted to watch but missed, oh well. I used to do a lot of VHS taping for a show I liked, and after it was done, I promised myself I’d never do that again, and I haven’t. Sure, I could PVR it, but I don’t have a PVR.
Brad Foster’s comments on The Weather Channel…same in Canada on The Weather Network. Half the time I can’t get the weather information I need because of too many commercials, so I get the basic weather information from an adjacent news channel. There hasn’t been much Arts on A&E in a long time, not much Learning on TLC, and not much Discovery on The Discovery Channel. Too much so-called reality TV on all of them.
My letter…my hating the idea of books being pulped has been furthered by new stickers on the recycle bins near our building who encourage you to recycle unwanted paperback and hardcover books. They happened to use as artwork on the stickers Tolkien’s Two Towers and a John Grisham book as fine examples of what to recycle.
Just made it past the page, and off it goes. Again, if cash becomes a problem, send me a .pdf of the next issue, no problem at my end. Take care, see you with that next issue.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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02:19 pm
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Loc on Swill @ 30 13 (Neil Jamieson-Williams, ed.)
Dear Neil:
I will pass on what seems to be the traditional greeting for this day, but I will say many thanks for the copy of Swill @ 30 13 you handed me at Ad Astra. Comments are coming…
Most of us are approaching ‘old fart’ status, and some have gotten there ahead of us. We remember what it was like, and regret that it’s not that way now. We remember the good and the bad, and we’ve painted over some of the bad with the benefit of memory and its distance on our personal timelines. Overall, the good was great, and the bad didn’t really hurt anything but our pride. We took some pride in our activities, and we sometimes felt we had some standing in our communities, and perhaps we had too much pride. It wouldn’t matter if it was SF fandom or any other interest that forms a sub-culture around it, we’d find a place for ourselves within the community, and perhaps show a little too much pride. SF fandom isn’t nearly as unique as it likes to think it, and the people within it are not slannish, but all too human.
Too many people I know who do read SF do not take note of the themes within the literature, or enjoy the stories themselves, but who would prefer to lionize the authors, the same way media fans lionize the actors who portray their favorite characters. Many authors are troubled by this, and some just love the attention. The fragmentation of fandom into literary and media has always been unfortunate, and one of the factors may be attention span, whether you are willing to wait until the end of a novel or the end of an hour to get the story you want. It is also due to subjective desires, for some people I might have written off as mere media fans actually do have extensive SF book libraries, and a pile of DVDs; they just prefer the small and big screens to the book. We also want SF to be the literature others say it is not, and we’ve been haughty in its defence; this also chases people away to the less serious concern of enjoying any of the popular TV shows.
It is perhaps the fact we have created a sub-culture centered around our enjoyment of science fiction that pushes it closer to popular culture, and away from literary culture. The fact the press has gotten their hands on SF and (their words) the geek and nerd factions doesn’t help, either.
That radio play you mention…ever get it produced and performed? That’s one kind of work I do pursue, voicework for any kinds of radio plays, usually student-produced.
I have been on several e-mail groups that propose that the people within are the True Fans, the Secret Masters. I admit I aspired to be in the centre of things when it came to fandom, for I always enjoyed myself more when I was immersed in an activity. Now, I am pleased to sit back, relax a little, do what I’d like and not worry about any street cred I might blow by doing something a particular group doesn’t approve of. Like tht song says, you can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself.
Lester would like some reaction? Okay. Piss away, Lester, obviously you’re not offending anyone, and getting a rise out your readers. Time to kick it up a notch, and say what you really think. Modern fandom doesn’t know what happened in ’48, and those who do know and care are more and more a rapidly shrinking minority in their 60s, 70s and 80s. I have the book on the history of science fiction fandom, and they could be written because the foci of fandom at that time were SF books, SF magazine, SF fanzines and SF fans themselves. Now, there is no single main fandom, in spite of what the sercon True Fen think, and that has reduced the community aspect of fandom, but certainly not eliminated it. Fandom does have a more modern history, but the only way to quantify it is by city or country or interest.
Categories of fans…I’d be most comfortable in the Traditional Fan category. My own preferences are to be constructive and creative, and to relay information, for that is the true currency of fandom, to pass along con listings or information about deadlines or special events in the works. That is the truly positive part of fandom, that and the community that fandom creates.
My letter…that ad agency job ended prematurely, so the job hunt is on once more. I couldn’t find any issues of Swill in my collection, so I need to take the time to look again. You are correct that every fannish generation has to learn somehow, and when I was a newbie, I had to learn too, or figure it out for myself. So many fail to remember their own neo days; remembering mine was the incentive to retire from the concom. We could all easily sit around a table and chat away about our own fannish histories and reminisce and laugh our heads off…unfortunately, that sounds more like a retirement home. WE still have things we want to do, and we are trying our best to make new friends of the new fans on the scene, and for the most part, we’ve been successful.
I’ve taken part in the SF Fan Survey #1…I shall remind Yvonne of it and see if she’d like to take part in it, too. The deadline is in July.
This is more of a letter of comment than I’d intended, but a good zine gets the writing juices flowing, I guess. Many thanks for it, and I will keep looking for further issues. It’s been a good exercise to look at fandom from a relatively objective viewpoint, see how silly we’ve been, but also see what the beneficial parts have been. See you next time.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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10:59 am
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Loc on SFC Update Vol. 1 No. 27 (Warren Buff, ed.)
Dear Warren:
I won’t say the obvious from the date above…thank you for Vol. 1, No. 27 of the SFC Update. Hey, you do what you can with the time you have. As far as I’m concerned you have the best of excuses, which can be summed up as life happening. Wish I could go to DSC50, but some days, I barely have enough cash on hand to get on the bus.
Mention of TAFF…I know you’d expressed interest in nominating us for TAFF for 2014, but we’ve decided not to go for it. There’s lots of reasons, but the main one is that Yvonne tires easily these days, and if we’re going to go to London (we still want to go), we will do it at our own speed. Fingers crossed for saving enough to go.
I gather there are some complaints from people about the deadlines set for the next DUFF race, complaints that very little time is set aside to gather nominations and campaign for votes, and then vote on the winner. I have rarely participated in the DUFF process, and I’d think there’s not enough time to get it all done this time. I believe Murray Moore has put his name onto the ballot, but is recommending Hold Over Funds. I am not sure what’s happening here, but it may be a way to make known their displeasure over the way the fund is being administered.
The CanVention in Toronto came and went, a good convention, and I didn’t win the Aurora I was up for…but, this year’s CanVention is in Edmonton, and I am nominated for another Aurora, and I think my chances this year are better than ever. I am hoping for a little feel good this summer.
The list of fanzines…I haven’t seen issues of Vanamonde in some time. And the list of websites…I am not sure if they are still there, but I do know that Don Markstein (Toonopedia) and Bob Sabella have both passed away.
Time to fold up and get this to you. Take it easy, enjoy this coming summer. With a young lady by the name of Mandy, I think you will.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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01:30 pm
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Loc on SF/SF 128 (Jean Martin & España Sheriff, eds.)
Dear Jean and España:
Issue 128 of SF/SF is printed out for me here, and time is at a premium. So, I’d better get with it and write up a page of comments for the next issue.
We’re really looking forward to going to London in 2014. We are looking at cheap fares to the UK via Iceland, and we’d also like to travel a bit either before or after the Worldcon. Depends on how much we can save.
Our Grand Great Lakes Victorian Tea took place this past weekend, and with 19 people in attendance, it was a popular success, and many have asked us to organize another one, so the hunt for other places for a tea continues. Professor Elemental was a guest at the Canadian National Steampunk Exhibition last year, and he was quite the performer, and you’ve now found out. I believe he’s working on a television show now.
You BArea folks have got to learn to share the Hugo nominations with the rest of us. Geeeeze! Well done, everyone, and there should be a handful of rockets going down to your location this coming fall. Wish I could go.
Jean, sounds like you might have to go to the optometrist, and see about getting glasses or contacts. I need to do the same thing, but I’d need employer’s benefits first. Ad Astra was good fun the only day we were there, but at the vintage clothing show on the Sunday, I bought myself a smoking jacket (black with red trim) that serves me as a steampunk suit jacket. This impulse buying will just get me in trouble, but in the meantime… I should send you the pictures from the Victorian Tea mentioned above.
The Fannish Calendar reminds me that I need to check to see if a Maker Faire is returning to Toronto. I think not until next year, but if it’s this year, I’d happily go. We had a great time last year.
Short time, off it goes, have to get ready for the evening assignment. Many thanks, see you with the next issue.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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08:36 pm
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Loc on Andromeda's Offspring 3 (Theresa Derwin, ed.)
Dear Theresa:
Many thanks for Andromeda’s Offspring 3, and it looks like there’s going to be a decent-sized letter coming out of it from me. Time to get with it, and flesh it out a little bit.
Glad you were able to see my positive review of this zine in Askance. I have formally shut down my review column in Askance, mostly because there wasn’t much response to it, but also because I’ve had to devote more time to the job hunt. John definitely understands, although it will make his fine zine a little thinner. Thank you for your kind words to me about my letter-writing…I’ve never been sure about writing articles, and I can barely draw a straight line, although John Purcell did print some of my cartoons in an earlier Askance, so the letter column has always been the place for me, and I’ve been there for about 30 years. It’s always been fun, even though not all are happy to see me there.
My letter…a friend gave us a lot of books she was discarding to get more room in her apartment, and with what she gave us, I believe we now have a complete Joanna Russ library. I look forward to reading more of her works.
A shame to see Anne McCaffrey pass away, but time will march on. I may have said this before, but the only time I met Anne was on the plane that took her from Ireland to Winnipeg in 1994 for the Worldcon…she plane stopped at Toronto, and that’s were we got on. To be honest, I’ve enjoyed her non-Pern novels more.
Hey, there’s Jacq! Looks like her TAFF trip was everything everyone wanted, and more. Yvonne and I had thought to run for TAFF in 2014, but we have decided not to. There is the distinct possibility that we might not be able to go at all, and if we can, we want to go based on our own schedule.
I think Andromedacon is a great idea. Wiscon has been such a bonus for female writers and their supporters in the US, and I think Britain could use its own Wiscon. I am sure there’s lots of people who will like that idea, and who will work with you on that.
Only a page, a little less than I thought I’d write, but still, some feedback is better than none. Thanks again, take care, see you with the next one.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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12:57 pm
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Loc on OSFS Statement 396 (Grant Duff, ed.)
Dear OSFen:
Many thanks for issue 396 of the Statement. That’s a great filtered photograph of the Sun on the front, with that enormous prominence at 10 o’clock. I will attach below a list of events happening down here to help with your own Coming Events list. In the meantime, some comments on this issue.
A past Fan eXpo in Toronto was a chaotic mess because of huge crowds wanting in, and the recent Calgary Comics and Entertainment Expo was much the same. I think the Central Canada Comic Con in Winnipeg might have the same problems, and same with Fan eXpo in Vancouver, and the Comicons in Ottawa and Montréal. Television and movie science fiction and comics, plus video games, bring in the crowds, and book science fiction seems to have been forgotten. I know Fan eXpo will bring in authors, but they are often lost in among the other attractions. These are all independent conventions, but must fight against Creation and Wizard World for space in convention centers and on the calendar, and fan-run conventions are left to pick up the crumbs. I do have some hopes that some of the newer fans I know in Toronto are skeptical of what Creation and Wizard World (and frankly, Hobbystar, who run the Fan eXpos) offer at their conventions, and are finding the fan-run conventions a better buy, and more enjoyable.
I never saw the John Carter movie, mostly because I didn’t grow up reading Edgar Rice Burroughs, and later did read some Carter fiction, and didn’t really care for it. I think the next movie I might see is Pirates!, to see how silly the reviews make it out to be. (I wonder if anyone who saw The Hunger Games might have been reminded of Logan’s Run…)
Not sure if we are going to Anime North this year, but it is one of the last conventions to still be on the airport strip in Toronto. Both Ad Astra and Polaris have left Toronto for Markham and Richmond Hill respectively.
Take care, all, and Grant, below is my current list of conventions coming up. See you next issue.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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10:33 pm
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Loc on Revenant 3 (Eric Mayer, ed.)
Dear Eric:
A new month, the harbinger of warm weather. Just hung up my winter coat for the spring, and I am finding that I am having a little trouble getting some impetus to keep writing. A weekend of doing very little usually helps…this past weekend I went to a Victorian high tea. Time to write again, and here are comments on Revenant 3.
I had to learn at least some laundry skills when I was a university student. I was fortunate in that the Laundromat I’d go to was staffed, and a few questions usually meant I could get my laundry to come out all right. If it hadn’t been for that, I’m sure most of my clothes would all have been close to that sooty grayish colour…
Being peppered with “Sit up straight!” and “Did you wash your hands before dinner?” gave most of us selective hearing. My parents barked out orders, especially about cleaning my plate, and I really don’t recall what they said, it was just the way they said it. Yes, there’s kids in China who’d love to eat my dinner, so send it to them, already…
The locol…actually, Mike Glicksohn’s fanzine collection went directly to Murray Moore. I’ve been in Murray’s basement, with his own collection and Mike’s collection…that basement was probably very warm this winter, with all that extra insulation.
My loc…so hard to knock the pounds off, so easy to put them back on again. Often, I come home so late from my evening job, I don’t bother with dinner, or I will have something fairly light. Another Republican senator, I think, said that the Girl Scouts were a hotbed of communism and lesbianism. What kind of hallucinogens do the GOP ingest these days?
Recognition is always good. I finished a decent second for Best Letterhack with the FAAn Awards in Las Vegas this year, and I am pleased with that. Congratulations to you and Mary for your good book reviews. I hope they continue.
Close to the page…this past weekend, we dressed up to go to a Victorian-style high tea. Had a wonderful time, was dressed in Victorian style, and all were quite entertained and well-fed. I hope we can do it again soon.
All done, take care, many thanks! Always good to get more zines, don’t care if they’re in the mail or e-mail.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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11:06 am
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Loc on NASFA Shuttle Vol. 32 No. 4 (Mike Kennedy, ed.)
Dear NASFans:
I am just in time to write up a quick letter of comment on the April Shuttle. It’s been a busy weekend (went to a Victorian high tea!), so a few comments will follow.
Hope Con†Stellation was a great time for everyone, and hope you enjoy this year’s DSC. We’ve had our first conventions of the year here, and more will be coming this summer. And there I am on the calendar…I turn 53 this year, and Yvonne and I celebrate 29 years of marriage on May 28, a Memorial Day of another kind for us.
When we were in Vegas a few years ago, the Trek show at one of the strip hotels was going on, but we didn’t see it…more expensive at the door than was advertised in the papers and on the phone. We also noticed that more hotels were being built at the bottom of the strip, but were halted in construction because of money problems and a German investor pulling out, accord to the local paper. I expect these projects are finally completed, but newer projects like this reproduction of the Enterprise? I wouldn’t hold my breath.
You should be able to get the FAAn Award, given out earlier in the month at Corflu Glitter in Las Vegas. Just in case, here’s the results…
Best Website: efanzines.com, hosted by Bill Burns
Harry Warner, Jr. Memorial Award Best Letterhack: Robert Lichtman
Best Perzine: A Meara for Observers, Mike Meara
Best Single Issue or Anthology: Alternative Pants, by Randy Byers
Best Fan Artist: Steve Stiles
Best Fan Writer: Mark Plummer
Best Genzine or Collaboration: Banana Wings, Mark Plummer & Claire Brialey, editors
# 1 Fan Face: Mark Plummer
And re awards, I have some high hopes for the Aurora Awards this year. With some luck, my chances of winning this year are very good. Fingers crossed…
Renaming awards, while an even more definitive way of honouring a giant in your field, causes so many schisms, especially with older members of the field who remember the original person the award is named for. Perhaps a general name for the award, also mentioning those who have gone before. It’s a little simpler, and with luck, it will heal any schism rather than create it.
Made the page, and I have to think more about getting ready to leave…many thanks, and I will see this zine again next month.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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01:14 pm
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Loc on Alexiad 62 (Joseph Major, ed.)
Dear Joseph:
Many thanks for the newest issue of Alexiad. Much to discuss and much to comment on, as always.
The Titanic remembrances were well covered here, especially by the CBC, which covered the Canadian angle of the sinking. Halifax, where the bodies were brought, identified and stored, and many were eventually buried there. There was so much more about Canadian reaction and involvement, and the reaction of descendents.
Pawn Stars…I hate to admit that we do watch that on occasion. I’ll also admit to American Pickers, and to Canadian Pickers. Other than that, news and documentaries make up the rest of my TV viewing. Overall, the Glass Teat is dull and boring.
Future Worldcon bids…I think you can add Montréal and Los Angeles to the 2019 slot. I have read mention of both, especially Montréal, but haven’t seen anything specific on the Web, and no further discussion. Perhaps these mentions serve as placeholders for the years they want. I think Rene Walling is behind the Montréal bid, and I need to pester him further on this.
Interesting Hugo ballot, hm? The best way to react to this ballot is to vote on it, and the actual voting period is on now. All we need now is our PIN numbers so we can vote online.
The lettercol…like Rich Dengrove, I love steampunk as well. It allows for some sensawunda, even though we have to stand about 120 years back on the timeline. It surely had a Best Before date on it, whatever that date might be. I will enjoy it while it is here; it has allowed us to get back into costuming to a certain extent. There is more creative anachronism in steampunk than in SCA.
My loc…the ad agency job ended prematurely (something to do with money), so back on the jobhunt again. I might need to get information on Etsy. I have been making a lot of steampunk jewelry, and I have been asked several times if I have an Etsy page. Getting it set up is something I’d need to learn…I could use a Dummies book on the subject.
Time to go…sometimes, I think I am running out of things to say or comment on. I’ve been in the locol for more than 30 years now, so perhaps it’s true. Or maybe I just need to get more sleep. Sounds good to me. Take care, and thanks.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
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10:13 pm
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Loc on Journey Planet 12 (Chris Garcia, James Bacon and Pete Young, eds.)
Dear Chris, James and Pete:
Many thanks for a dark fanzine, Journey Planet 12. I think this will be a rather short letter, but if I don’t attempt it, I’ll never find out.
The reason I think it will be short is that I saw Blade Runner exactly twice. I saw it as a rather dystopian movie, with influences from the Dick novel, and some proof that Harrison Ford, at the time, could do more than play Han Solo. It was a confusing movie, with a general WTF? at the end. Was Deckard a replicant himself? Difficult to know at the first viewing, unless you were meant to take those questions with you when you left the theatre. Not every movie has to have its plot tied up in a pretty bow. I remember the Director’s Cut, and not much more than that. The fact that there’s been so much discussion about this movie and its iterations, shows that more people saw more in the movie than I did.
I’ve got the movie font at home too, and if I were simply going to print up this loc and send it to you via the tender mercies of Canada Post, I’d use it.
The idea of the sequel…that’s something I had not heard of anywhere. Seeing the movie was released in 1982, I think it would have to be re-released for a new generation to see before the new movie comes out. But then, look at the sequel to TRON…got that font, too.
The character of Roy Batty may have been Rutger Hauer’s first roles in Hollywood, at least, first memorable role. I’d need a look at IMDB to confirm that.
I cannot add more to this…obviously, the movie didn’t affect me the way it did so many others. Still, I was pleasantly reminded of some of the artwork used to promote it, and some artwork I’d never seen. Many thanks for this issue, and bring on the next one.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.
P.S. I’ve been doing some clothes shopping, Chris, and I may have some more pictures for you for future issues of Exhibition Hall.
L
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