Back from Confusion ’15
Posted on January 18, 2015 Posted by John Scalzi 11 Comments
Krissy, trapped by the insidious Large Inflatable Football Helmet, at Confusion 2015
I attended the Confusion convention the first time in 2005; Old Man’s War had just come out and I wanted to see what a convention that was not a WorldCon was like. I picked Confusion because it was relatively nearby (3 hours driving, which is nothing to a native Californian) and because it looked interesting. I had a great time, and the people there were lovely to a newbie author such as myself, so I kept going. I haven’t missed one since, including the one that wrapped up today, with Karen Lord as the author guest of honor (she was fantastic).
I tend to think of Confusion as my “home” con (along with Penguicon, another Michigan convention; the two conventions share a lot of staff) which means I treat it differently than many other cons. For example, I will frequently show up to it and do no programming at all; I’ll just hang out in the bar and chat with friends. I did some programming this year, but not a lot. I don’t worry about promoting myself there; I’m just there to relax and be with people I like. In short, it’s the convention I experience as a “fan” just as much — if not more so — as I experience it as a pro.
I brought my Nikon with me this year to take some pictures of the convention and also of a fencing expedition I want on with a few other authors and friends courtesy of Subterranean Press; if you’re curious what this year’s edition of festivities looked like, here’s the photo set. Enjoy.
And yes, I’ll be back next year too — provided they don’t counter-schedule it with Arisia, at which I will be a guest of honor in 2016. Hopefully they won’t; I would hate to miss my home convention.
Awesome photos!
psssst… Ted *Chiang*
John – were you aware that the Polaris Fellowship of Weapons Study (http://www.polarisfellowship.com) was at Confusion (and will also be at Penguicon). They are students and teachers of actual European combat sword techniques, rooted in the 16th century but refined and updated through the present. You are cordially invited to check them out!
My favorite con is Boskone. I am from Boston so it makes sense that would be where I was first exposed to it all. Living in Japan now makes it hard to get back but I am always nostalgic. Feeling like a stranger in a strange land :)
As a local Metro Detroiter, Confusion is one of my local cons as well. I’ve been attending since 1992 and have only missed two. One of which funny enough was your first in 2005 (the other was 2008), ConFusion is indeed a great con with lots of excellent varied programming and fantastic parties. I would recommend it to anyone. The other local cons I commute back and forth to from home, but for ConFusion I spring for a room!
I didn’t attend any of your panels, John, but I did see/pass both you and Krissy in the hallways once or twice. I’m one of the faceless multitude who waved and said “Hi!” as you passed, LOL. Hope to see you again next year!,
Great to see you this weekend! The “I Suck” panel was fantastic. Thanks for participating.
Too many epee fencers in that picture for my liking.
I think they had them do epee because for people who’ve never fenced before in their lives it requires the least instruction.
Épée is the best! Everything you stab counts! Plus, the equipment is easier, which I’m sure was also a consideration for a big group of beginners.
Was at Arisia this year and picked up membership for next year. Hopefully I’ll see you there. You are less likely to notice me. At the last convention we both attended you passed me a number of times (volunteering is good and bad). I smiled as you rushed past going from place to place.
It was a good con. Penguicon has been getting crowded lately, but Confusion is the perfect size. Having some of the room parties in unused rooms was a brillant idea.
Will you be at Worldcon, by any chance, or not this year?