Quick Romantic Times Recap
Posted on April 29, 2010 Posted by John Scalzi 34 Comments
I had a one-day, zoom-in, zoom out appearance at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in Columbus today and aside from yet more driving added to my already prodigious weekly tally, it was actually a very good time — my panels were good and for my signing I got to sit next to Harley Jane Kozak, actress and mystery writer, who was just lovely and good company; we ended up exchanging books.
I also saw some friends (Holly Black, Kat Richardson, Sarah Zettel, Diana Rowland among them) and met some fun new folks, including Nicole Peeler, Carrie Ryan, Charlaine Harris, the aforementioned Ms. Kozak, and the crew at Romantic Times magazine, who were all very nice to me. Natalie Luhrs, the science fiction reviewer there, however, gifted me with perhaps the most evil CD ever created in the history of history. She frequents the comments here so I will let her reveal the black depths of her sinister compilation; suffice to say I expect it violates the Geneva conventions in an awesome sort of way.
In short: glad I went, even if only for the day.
John,
So much fun talking to you again and listening to your humorous stories! Next time, I hope you’ll be able to stay for a drink too. Can’t wait to put that excellent photo up on my blog when I get the time.
It was great to see you too, Gennita!
RT: it’s not just for romance writers.
You might have already known this (or discovered this while talking with her) but Harley Jane Kozack also played Col. O’Neill’s estranged wife on Stargate SG:1. Some things come around full circle, eh?
Glad you got to meet Harley. She’s absolutely awesome. She and I debuted books the same year and, as luck and the alphabet would have it, we kept getting assigned seats next to each other at a couple of conventions. Loads of fun and such a great person!
It was great to finally meet you! I do believe that you are mistaken about the nature of the CD, however: it is the most awesome mix CD ever made in the history of history.
I mean, doesn’t everyone need a compilation of covers of the best 80’s song ever?
(Tee hee.)
Oh no. How many versions of Duran Duran’s “Union of the Snake” do you expect John to survive!? That’s just diabolical!
I read the archives… I’m betting on The Final Countdown… And I need to be held, I think.
It a compilation of Don’t Stop Believing covers, isn’t it?
If so, I want it too… :)
@8: The “The Final Countdown” reference reminds me of its best appearance EVER in science fiction (although, for all I know, it might be the only appearance): John Ringo and Travis Taylor’s _Vorpal Blade_. Hilarious!
(Whoops, sorry, it was in the previous book in that series, too: _Manxome Foe_. Also a fun read!)
I did not realize there were this many conventions. I have to check if any of these con’s are near Washington DC.
Sinister? I’m thinking it’s something by Nightranger.
@#12, if you find any, make them public! I never hear about any
99 Red Balloons?
If you like – or hate – memorable cover versions, then starting at about 1:45 into this video, you will find what YouTube inadequately titles as “Quite possibly the greatest Beatles cover ever.”
I can’t recall any song from the 80s that was covered enough for a complete mix CD. You would need 10-15 versions right? I am intensely curious.
If I could create the ultimate evil mix CD using that concept, I would want a thousand versions of Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record).”
Rob @17
I don’t think its a compilation of just one song done over & over again, but a grouping of 80s songs that have been covered by other bands.
I’d love to see the list (I’m sure we all would) if it isn’t too much trouble for John or Natalie to post.
Thanks much!
Totally dying from curiousity. I’m voting for Night Ranger. :-)
Oh Tommyrocks, I beg to differ. I think it quite clearly is a CD with only one 80’s song, covered by several different bands.
I go with Come On Eileen.
Night Ranger? Journey? Mashed together into an endless loop?
I shudder to think of the malign literary influence One John Scalzi might exert over innocent Harley Jane.
Heh.
Stairway to Heaven? It’s been covered dozens of times… Rolf Harris’s version is my personal favourite.
Freebird!!??
Oh wait, wrong decade…
@22 Gord: Stairway to Heaven was the ’70s.
The CD contains about 15 different versions of “The Final Countdown”. And I didn’t even come close to using all the ones available from iTunes. I am still in Columbus (and commenting from my phone), so don’t have the playlist handy, but there’s a Norwegian rockabilly version, a rap version, a weird German version, one with kazoos, and worst of all, an Italian operatic pop version which will make you want to kill yourself.
It was a ton of fun to put together–I was really surprised at the variety that was available, I was expecting mostly football anthem type stuff.
Also, it was my favorite song when I was 14 and I’m still rather fond of it.
I stand corrected & Thank You Natalie for taking the time to reply.
Everyone have a great weekend!
Yay! I won! And Scalzi lost, if he had to listen to them all. :)
I agree with John.
Natalie@25: that is EVIL.
Though now I’m wondering about the rockabilly version, no, NO, bad brain, BAD brain…
Lauretta, the rockabilly version is from The Twang Gang and the video is on YouTube. Of all the versions, that one is my favorite (after the original, of course).
Another totally awesome Beatles cover. Peter Sellers doing Lawrence Olivier doing Richard III doing hard Days Night. He and Lennon were friends.
Sorry! I meant to put in a link. Bad me..
Hey, it was cool to meet you. Next time, hang out longer!
It was great meeting you, even though it was only for a minute!
I believe Natalie L. just made it into the top 10 coolest people list. I love that song.