Blue Collar Cool

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They closed off Ridge Avenue, just a block from my house, for the afternoon yesterday, and I spent several hours watching as a crane hoisted four housing modules and stacked them on top of the old farmer's market to make two new condos.  You never saw so much nonchalance in one place in your life.  The guys doing the work knew exactly how cool they were.

Above is the crane operator.  The plastic-wrapped thing behind him is one of the modules.

Roxborough is a blue-collar neighborhood, so I deal with a lot of skilled guys who work very hard.  It's hard not to feel effete in such company.  But when when the subject comes up, I say, "Remember English Comp in high school?  I do that for a living."  That impresses 'em.

Speaking of which, here's my schedule for Norwescon this coming weekend:

Getting the Tale Write . . . Friday 4:00 p.m. Cascade 10

This is a "group-interactive creative writing experiment."  I think we're supposed to make up a story.

Andrew Dolbeck (M), Cymbric Earlysmyth, Spring Schoenhuth, Me

Autograph Session  Saturday 11:00 a.m.  Evergreen 1 & 2

Clarion West -- Why has it worked for 25 years?  Saturday 3:00 p.m.  Cascade 9

This one's pretty self-explanatory.  Mostly, I suspect, we'll sit around telling funny stories, like the "dinosaurs and sodomy" incident.

Leslie Howle (M), Mary Rosenblum, Greg Bear, Dave Williams, Me

Reading  Saturday 4:00 p.m.  Cascade 9

Networking and Self Promotion for New Writers and the Bookstore Dance  Saturday 8:00 p.m.  Cascade 5

My single best piece of advice for new writers is to go to as many signings, readings, and other public appearances by writers you know are good as you possibly can.  That way, when only three people show up for your signing, you won't slit your throat.

Stoney Compton (M), Yasmine Galenorn, Vladimir Verano, Me

Is the Short Story Dead?  How to Write and WHere to Sell Small  Saturday 10:00 p.m  Cascade 8

No question about it, the short story has never been in better shape!  Too bad it doesn't pay much.

M.K. Hobson (M), Patrick Swenson, David Lee Summers, Ted Butler, Me