Whoops
Posted on April 21, 2007 Posted by John Scalzi 23 Comments
Because apparently I’m an idiot, I’ve left my computer at home. I’m using a community computer at the moment. So, uh, no real updating today or tomorrow until late in the evening. Hey, these things happen.
Having a great time here at Penguicon, however. So that’s good, at least.
As a writer, how is it possible that the computer is forgotten and left behind? I can’t relate. You must be in a strange state of mind.
As a writer, how is it possible that the computer is forgotten and left behind? I can’t relate. You must be in a strange state of mind.
One assumes that he’s resorted to napkins and pencils to jot down ideas.
So, since we know you packed (new) clothes in one carry-on and all your electronics and cables and stuff in another, the question is: Did you forget that whole bag, or are you carrying around a bag full of cables for the laptop, but nothing to use them on?
If anyone transcribes online your MST3K of Starship Troopers, I want to know the link. Sounds like a good time.
Glad you’re having a good time! I’ve really got to try to get to that one next year…
Ha! The ragging you got yesterday about Krissy packing your clothes caused this didn’t it? You actually tried to pack your own bags, didn’t you?
See? Submit, John, things will just be easier that way.
The silliest question I’ve heard in some time was asked before the autographing/reception at the Harlan Ellison event at the Writers Guild Theatre in Beverly Hills, Thursday night, where a prescreening of the splendid quirky poignent insightful ROTFL funny documentary “Dreams with Teeth” was shown, with segments by such as Neil Gaiman, Robin Willims, and audience including Werner Hertzog:
“Does anyone have a pen?”
I laughed, imagining everyone present saying:
“Left mine in my other jacket”
“Left mine in the car”
“Writer’s Block”
“Only use a typewriter.”
“Only use a laptop, and I’ve left my computer at home.”
“Only dictate”
Of course Harlan had his own pens. he signed the glossy cover of a Lawrence Bock novel (“Random Walk”, curiously related to King’s “The Stand” and Sturgeon’s “More than Human) which was blurbed by Harlan above the title. Harlan used a silver-ink pen.
The DVD will be worth buying, and will include Harlan reading some of his stories. There are several priceless rants captured on camera of the Howard Hendrix “amateurs are the enemy of professionals; don’t give anything away free” variety. But Harlan, bless his soul, doesn’t “do” the interweb-ipod thing. And did bravely sue AOL. And has done more for Writers Rights than many SFWA officers have.
So how’d the MST3K and panel with Stross go at Penguincon? And why is the Linux community and Batman fan community collaborating on a con, anyway?
“apparently I’m an idiot”
Don’t worry, we won’t hold it against you. I’d suggest that in the future, instead of posting pictures of your clothes laid out to tell us that you are the most accomplished carry-on packer in the world, prompting much discussion of you choice of skivvies, you should post pictures of your electronics bag.
Surely, one of us meat-heads will chime in with, “Yo Schmuck! Any plans to pop the laptop in there?”
boggles!
Everyone’s an idiot some of the time, but how the fleeming pleebles could you forget your laptop? Please share the story with us when you get back. This should be a good one.
boggles!
Everyone’s an idiot some of the time, but how the fleeming pleebles could you forget your laptop? Please share the story with us when you get back. This should be a good one.
Somewhere in meatspace this weekend… high probability it occuring at Penguicon… as if…
Scalzi: Yeah, I forgot my laptop and left it at home.
LinuxHead: Good one, dude. So, like, where’s your laptop?
Scalzi: Uh, I left it at home. Like I said.
LinuxHead: No, really — where’s your laptop?
Scalzi: Home.
LinuxHead: Now you’re really freaking me out, man. Where… is… your… COMPUTER?
Scalzi: I forgot it. No big deal. I’ll survive.
LinuxHead:
True story.
Dr. Phil
Ooops, my bad. My stage directions in the previous post got eaten as malformed HTML. Rewind!
—-
Somewhere in meatspace this weekend… high probability it occuring at Penguicon… as if…
Scalzi: Yeah, I forgot my laptop and left it at home.
LinuxHead: Good one, dude. So, like, where’s your laptop?
Scalzi: Uh, I left it at home. Like I said.
LinuxHead: No, really — where’s your laptop?
Scalzi: Home.
LinuxHead: Now you’re really freaking me out, man. Where… is… your… COMPUTER?
Scalzi: [shrugs] I forgot it. No big deal. I’ll survive.
LinuxHead: [heads explodes]
True story.
Dr. Phil
Just tell everybody you’re researching a story on Luddites in the 21st century…
Those damned pixel-stained technopeasant wretches! They got it comin’ they do!
They think they can have their own day? Forget about it! Sharpen the pen quills, me matey, those PSTPW’s are goin’ down!
Dr. Phil
… wasn’t the packing for the tour? I didn’t think Penguicon was part of the tour…
<rereads>
Never mind, it helps when I actually read what people write.
Incidentally, Dr. Phil… if you weren’t aware, you can use “<” and “>” for “<” and “>”, respectively. Handy-dandy!
lucky me, I rarely travel on business… but when I do and I know that there is going to be hassles with switching planes — a situation as amusing as the look on Tarzan’s face when the vine he’s counting on turns out to be poorly anchored — I accept that my luggage will end up with more frequent flyer miles than I will…
and I pack a cardboard box with stuff, ship it via UPS GROUND four days ahead of my flight and it is there waiting for me at the hotel
==
this has the added advantage that if god-forbid-let-someone-else-do-it I ever have to take a multi-city “working tour” as some of my professional peers, then I would have two (or even three) such boxes, each a ‘full kit’… before packing it to send out the items are: washed, pressed, deloused, folded, read a bedtime story… box “A” goes to cities #1, #3, #5, etc. with box “B” going to cities #2, #4, #6, etc…
==
the only thing I need to carry on is earplugs, laptop and enough food to survive until rescued …err, uhm, arrive at my destination…
==
BTW: peanut butter and hard crackers, tea bags, dried aprcots, and a two pound garlic salami are all essential parts of a ‘basic kit’…
==
cheers…
Howard,
You can have part of your kit shipped to you from
these guys.
<test>
Hey, Brian, that’s handy! Thanks!
I think I’d freak out if I didn’t have my laptop on me. I’d probably call home and say, “It’s in my office, right? It’s still there? I didn’t just leave it in the trunk of my car where the 90 degree heat of the parking lot will turn it to so much electronic goo?”
After about the tenth time (this will be BEFORE my plane leaves), my wife will simply let all calls from my cell phone go to voicemail.
When I come home to hear said voicemails, the mechanized lady on the other end will say, “You have… fifty… messages from… [Insert Jim’s phone number here.]”
This is why I refuse to get a Blackberry and jealously guard my iPod.
I think I’d freak out if I didn’t have my laptop on me. I’d probably call home and say, “It’s in my office, right? It’s still there? I didn’t just leave it in the trunk of my car where the 90 degree heat of the parking lot will turn it to so much electronic goo?”
After about the tenth time (this will be BEFORE my plane leaves), my wife will simply let all calls from my cell phone go to voicemail.
When I come home to hear said voicemails, the mechanized lady on the other end will say, “You have… fifty… messages from… [Insert Jim’s phone number here.]”
This is why I refuse to get a Blackberry and jealously guard my iPod.
I have met John twice. At Penguicon 2006 and 2007. I have to say he and his lovely wife are both very gracious. Make sure you go to meet him if he is in your area….
Regards,
Jerry Jesion
BTW John, please thank Kristine for getting the piano player to play my request!
So I was just surfing through some sites, found this one and read some of your postings. You’re an interesting person.