my moral standing is lying down

Hey guys, in particular those of you who attended wincon -- I remember having an extended conversation with a whole bunch of you that last day, talking about YA novels and such, yes? This may or may not have been part of that conversation (I seem to think it was, but I'm not really sure), but I remember mentioning Sarah Monette's Melusine and one of your responses was something like, you didn't like it so much? I remember taking it as being put off with, I dunno, the style of writing? I'm not sure.

Anyway, I just finished the first book in that series did actually enjoy it to pieces, so now I'm really curious as to what the reason for being put-off was?

There are definitely some dark, triggery themes in this particular book (and maybe in the rest of the series as well?), but I remember having the impression that it was the style rather than the subject that was off-putting?

In any case, I'd love to hear thoughts by anyone who's read Melusine or any of Monette's other works. This is the first of her writing I've read.... I mean, other than her awesome due South episode analyses. =D

In other news, I also read Audrey Niffenegger's The Time-Traveler's Wife and DAMN THAT WAS GOOD. Oddly enough, I also remember hearing negative reactions to it... but now I wonder if it was toward the movie rather than the book? As usual, the movie didn't do the book justice. It also kind of solidified my negative opinion of Eric Bana. I mean, there were moments where I thought he was adorable, but that has more to do with his looks than his acting. His emotions just fall so flat. And I had just finished reading the book, which made me CRY FOR HOURS, NO FUCKING JOKE; my eyes were puffy for hours after I stopped. So I was willing to be emotional about the movie. SO WILLING. Sadly, I barely shed a tear-- and that was only because I was thinking about all that had led up to it in the book, rather than actually reacting to the movie. What a waste.

Please feel free to chime in on The Time-Traveler's Wife also!

1. JARED LETO. I have not done a double-take at you since you were Jordan Catalano and my teenage heart (and other things) were completely captivated by you. I also kind of like your band, or at least several of your songs. This song is not one of your best, but GODDAMN WHEN DID YOU GET SO GOOD LOOKING AGAIN? I WANT TO TOUCH YOUR PINK FUCKING MOHAWK AND SHAVED SIDES AND YOUR SUPER SKINNY JEANS AND ALSO MAYBE BITE YOUR FINGERS. ...ANYWAY.

2. SUPERNATURAL. I watched the first 3 episodes of season 6 tonight because I didn't want to be inadvertently spoiled at Wincon this weekend. Um. So.

( SPOILERS )

3. I dunno, I think I had something else to say but the SPN ranting took a lot out of me. WINCON. OMG ARE WE REALLY DOING THIS THIS WEEKEND?!

So after 10 years of faithful attendance at Otakon, this year, potentially to be year eleven, is the one in which I will not be going. It feels crazy and weird and wrong to not go, but there are a few things which just naturally point in that direction for this year.

A little higher up on my travel priorities right now are Berlin (sometime before 2nd week in August) as I mentioned previously, and Vancouver (theoretically over Thanksgiving).

The other two cons that I'm planning on attending this year are Dragon*Con and possibly Wincon. D*C's "cheap rate" deadline is coming up (end of the week!) and I've got to shell out the $80 for that. Wincon's second pre-reg deadline is at the end of the month, but is $100.

I'm less sure about Wincon, truthfully, because I don't know anyone in the fandom all that well (except for you two) and... well. Not that I wouldn't have a good time, but in light of the lack of connections, and not wanting to do the *I DON'T KNOW ANYONE, LET ME CLING TO YOU* thing... the cost might be prohibitive? (But the potential for going to a Blackhawks game! DO WANT!)

Sigh. I'm just going back and forth, thinking aloud now. Why is this so difficult!

Anyway, back to the point: I'm not going to Otakon this year. Neither are Liz or Juliet. And probably not Maryann either, come to think of it. What is up with that?!

SO SAD. ;_;