Flag Sends

It is only 10 months until Second Fleet welcomes the world to Chicago for the 80th World Science Fiction Convention – Worldcon.

I want to give some idea of what we are planning, and the progress that has been made.

First, we will be doing a room party. We’re hoping for one of the nicer suites, but can’t be sure of what will happen until that is opened in February. We are in touch with the coordinators, and have made that desire known.

We will almost certainly be running Artemis on the main exhibit floor. Right in the middle of the action! When the con chair heard that all we were asking for was the space (and power, etc.), she was floored. Her concern was that we expected the convention to supply people to run it – and that was a hurdle to be overcome. Having the people to run Artemis, and the table, is paramount now. The working plan is to have both the table display and the Artemis area adjoining, making one large-scale TRMN exhibit.

We also found out, thanks to CAPTSG Dietzmann, that they need programming. I know we like to talk, so that is right up our alley! Seriously – the impression I am left with is that we have an opportunity to flood the convention with TRMN, Honorverse, David Weber et al, and related programming. My mental shorthand here is that we have a chance to develop a TRMN track for the convention. And how cool is that! One thing we will need for that is, of course, people! And here is where we want to encourage everyone – from the S3C who just joined to the Royal Council and other top-level brass to attend. Having a broad sample of people will only make us look better.

We have some other irons in the fire, and need to wait to both get more detail and communicate with the concom to see how that might shake out.

And that is just the currently planned at convention events! It’s Chicago…and there are a few extracurriculars available. One or two. Like the Art Museum (home of the lions and Chagall Window, both of which are missing in Honor’s time); the Adler Planetarium, Field Museum of Natural History, Museum of Science & Industry (they have a U-Boat displayed inside, FYI), and more! We’re also sketching out a way to tour Queen Berry’s Chicago. And by that, I mean the underground spaces of the city, many of which are accessible and open to the public (even if the public doesn’t know). There is also baseball, with the Cubs, and at varying distances, the Joliet Slammers, Schaumburg Boomers, Windy City ThunderBolts, Gary SouthShore RailCats, Chicago Dogs, Kane County Cougars, and Chicago Bandits pro softball. Ok, the White Sox too. We have every form of cuisine possible, and some amazing architecture to check out. That includes the Willis (Sears) Tower and 875 N Michigan Ave (John Hancock), both with observation decks that give you a chance to see for miles. Navy Pier is the thing that locals claim to never go to, but they do. Lots of cool shopping, a stained glass exhibit (with some pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany included), and a Ferris Wheel. Among other things.

All of this is located close to the Worldcon hotel, and local guides are readily available.

Let’s talk about the hotel a bit! We all understand that a 5 day convention adds up. We are here to help! Rooms can be split up to 4 ways, easing the total cost back down per person. To help, we are testing a Berthing Registry, a place where you can go to find others needing a roommate for the convention. While we cannot and will not assign you a roommate, we can and will make sure that you have a tool to help find someone(s) to split a room with. More on that once it goes live.

This is also the time to get your membership if you haven’t already. Prices will go up in December, and likely at least once more before the convention. If you order now, you lock in the best price! Remember, there is a substantial discount for first time attendees! There is also a payment plan, locking in the price and allowing you to pay over time. It takes $50 down as an Supporting Membership, and the balance is due by May 31st. For details, head to https://chicon.org/home/membership-rates/ and scroll down to Installment Plan.

There is a lot of excitement here, and we can’t wait to have you come and see what we’ve planned, and have you help show off TRMN and our city!

The Tradition Lives!

Oak Forest

FLAG SENDS ADDENDUM

Some situations have come to my attention recently concerning members both in and out of Second Fleet, and I want to take a moment to make something clear.

Bullying, of any kind, will not be tolerated. If you are being bullied by a member, let someone know – or message me directly. That is not something you should be expected to tolerate.

If you are engaged in bullying, stop. Now. I do not consider that appropriate, and will do whatever I am able to see it stopped. We’re all adults, let’s act like it.