WorldCon L.A. (2006) Official Report Thread

[Rosencrantz]

Wow, people sure are freaking out about this Harlan thing.  He's just a funny, crazy old man.  What's with all this political correctness?  I thought the whole bit was hysterical, and I seem to remember everyone in the auditorium was laughing like crazy during Harlan's whole spiel.

[stacer]

I don't find inappropriate touching, on stage or off, very funny (I've heard many Harlan stories). Old man or not, he should know better. Sounds like he apologized, which is well and good. But I'm just saying, old and crazy doesn't give one a free ride.

[Fellfrosch]

I must not remember the inappropriate part. I thought he was insane and over the top, but in a good way. If there was inappropriate touching, however, I can certainly see where that's a problem.

[stacer]

I heard reports of it on blogs, where no doubt it got blown out of proportion. On the most reliable of the reports, they said he momentarily brushed her breast or something to that effect. Most of the people who were actually in the audience commenting on it didn't notice it, or said it was very hard to tell what had happened, so it's hard to tell who to believe. All I know is, if something inappropriate did happen, he's apologized, and let's hope it never happens again.

[Rosencrantz]

Well, so much for looking forward to being an old man, if I can't get a free ride out of it.

[Peter Ahlstrom]

I saw it distinctly. It was a pat-pat kind of thing. Ellen Datlow later described it as part of his "act like a baby" shtick of putting the microphone in his mouth like a big lollipop. People were laughing at that, but  the general reaction I heard at the time to the pat-pat was gasp-shock, and it turned to outrage on blogs and forums very quickly after that. It was easy to miss though, especially since Connie Willis completely ignored it while onstage.

But he really was acting entirely immature, even the times where he wasn't specifically acting like a baby.

[CtrlZed]

Well, next time I want to see no pat-pat and more microphone eating.

[Gemm: Rock & Roll Star; Born to Rock]

His Wikipedia article make him out to seem like a big baby as well.

[Rosencrantz]

Is there a single decent writer in the world who isn't a bit twisted?

[Bookstore Guy]

yeah, i saw the whole "pat-pat" thing which looked more like a grab.  He was plain out of control.  In my opinion it kind of hurt the whole feel of the ceremony.  I wasnt too impressed with the guy.

[Eric James Stone]

My recollection matches pretty much with Ookla's.

[stacer]

Anybody see November's Locus? EUOL and Scalzi are in the picture wrap-up holding the lego award (the Scalzi? what was it you called it?). Who knows. Just thought you might like to know I just saw the picture. Also, Eldon Thompson, a favorite from Norwescon.

[Fellfrosch]

Yes, it was called the Scalzi. That's awesome that it made it in there. Once again, CrtlZed gets no money or credit for a nationally known piece of art. Ha ha!

[stacer]

Once again? What was the first (or second or whatever) time?

[CtrlZed]

And Fell gets no credit for getting the thing signed by the Scalzi himself!  Alas, Scalzi thwarts even us!