Transcript of Worldcon 2021 Special
Lori (00:13):
Hello? Hi. Hey. Hello. <laugh>. Hi, Kevin. Hi. Hey, special guest Kevin. Yay. Kevin's a special guest because this is a special episode and he's special and he's special. Yeah, well he is one of the two men who looks good with and without a beard, <laugh> him and the other one.What's that nice man's name? Remember you asked that you were like, you know, who looks equally good with or without a beard? Duke Leto. What's the actor's name? I can't remember it right now? Oscar Isaac, Isaac, Oscar. Isaac. Yeah. Okay. Thanks.
Amy (00:45):
He does look good with or without a beard. Have we ever seen Henry Cavill with a beard?
Lori (00:50):
Didn't they give him doesn't he have a digital mustache or a digitally removed mustache in something?
Kevin (00:55):
Yeah. He had a mustache in mission impossible and they had to take it out for Superman. Yeah.
Amy (01:00):
I just started watching the Witcher last night. So I'm in full Henry Cavill thirst mode.
Kevin (01:05):
I don't blame you. Special episode, cuz this is a post world con debrief. I Probably texted you guys everything, but that's okay.
Amy (01:18):
You didn't text our listeners.
Lori (01:20):
Yeah. So Hailey, how's it going there in Florida?
Haley (01:26):
It is beautiful sunshine. Beautiful, beautiful weather here.
Amy (01:30):
We're trying this new thing where Haley calls in remotely and Lori and I are in the same room with Kevin. So we're seeing how it works. You guys are part of our beta test. We got a little cord on the internet and it allows us to have a guest by phone. Hi guest by phone. Yeah. And then we don't have to use Zencaster cuz sometimes that's frustrating.
Haley (01:51):
And also, uh, starting in January, the end of each month, won't be a major holiday where I'm in a different state. So.
Lori (01:57):
<laugh> yes. Um, okay. So world con, we went woo-hoo! Kevin and I went, it was fun. Everyone was nice. Uh, we did not get COVID which seems like against the odds at this point.
Amy (02:11):
I think you're in the minority <laugh>.
Lori (02:15):
So, so far they've reported 26 positive tests since world con, which isn't too bad. And at this point it's over a week out. So it's difficult to say if new infections occurred at or around world con, but yeah, so we did not get COVID but the numbers in DC are not great. Um, so hope everybody's okay. So let's see world con was December 16th through 20th or no, that was our vacation. That was when we were there. We got there the second day, uh, and it was uneventful getting there.
Lori (02:50):
We flew on Delta. We had some Biscoff. We had some crummy coffee and I'm just so happy about it. Like being on a plane, just, it just makes me so happy. I just want that garbage coffee and not that anybody we know wouldn't be, but be nice to your flight attendants. Kevin had the nice idea to get Starbucks cards for our flight attendants.
Amy (03:11):
Oh that's nice!
Lori (03:11):
Mm-hmm <affirmative> you get a ittle multi-pack of $5 Starbucks cards because he heard about how like they keep getting punched and stuff.
Amy (03:19):
Here's a not punch in the face.
Lori (03:22):
Oh my God. Yes. A Starbucks card is the opposite of a punch in the face and they were so happy about it. And one of the flight attendants said to us, nobody's getting punched here today, which implied that someone may have been punched the day before or recently. And we were just like, oh, oh, have a here, have a Grande latte. And then in another, um, I think the flight crew leader, she stopped by to say thank you to Kevin. And she was like, we do be back there sometimes crying in the galley.
Amy (03:51):
Aww! <Laugh>.
Lori (03:53):
We're just like, oh, we're so sorry for people. Um, let's see. What else Kevin? That wasn't about world con at all.
Kevin (04:03):
No. Uh, there are a lot of, lot of cute dogs in DC.
Lori (04:05):
Oh my God. Oh, okay.
Amy (04:07):
Get the important things outta the way. How many dogs did you pet?
Lori (04:09):
Oh, we didn't pet any no. Oh God. Oh, well we petted Ellie, my friend from law school, Jolee and her husband Connor have the cutest dog. Her name is Ellie. Jolee sent me a picture of her wearing a puffy vest with a little, uh, furry hood yesterday. And it was very cute. So we did get to pet Ellie and we petted her a lot. Um, so a thing about the dogs is that I had planned to try to do like little bitty mini audio interviews and record them with my phone. Just ask people like, how's it going or having fun? La la la, it's nice to meet you. And then I got shy about it and I didn't. So all the audio that I have is of me and Kevin discussing the dogs <laugh> and the horses and the potential ghost that was in our hotel room, which we will insert here.
Lori (04:56):
Kevin, how are you enjoying the dogs here in our nation's Capitol? Oh,
Kevin (05:00):
Dogs situation is wonderful. So many different types of dogs.
Lori (05:04):
I think. Tell me if you agree. I think that the dogs here in DC are more diverse than the dogs at home in Atlanta.
Kevin (05:10):
I agree the, the Atlanta dogs are more, uh, Atlanta brown dog, pit mixes, and this is just a cavalcade of not even different, purebreds, but different types of mixes.
Lori (05:21):
For example, we just saw a dog with a Sharpei face, a fox's body and really, really puffy pantaloons also known as butt bangs. Well, I guess that's all for now on the world con dog report.
Lori (05:36):
Quick world con dog update. We just saw our second dog of the trip that was carrying a ball on a walk, which as everyone knows is the cutest thing that you ever might see.
Lori (05:50):
Also I saw four horses this morning.
Lori (05:54):
<back to audio of discussion> <laugh> So we saw lots of cute dogs and on our walk between our hotel, cause we weren't at the host hotel, on the walk between our hotel and the host hotel, we passed over what I later found out was the police horse barn. So it's too bad that those horses are cops, but they don't know that they're cops. So, um, but, but we would walk over this bridge every day and there was this little corral full of nice horse friends down there.
Lori (06:17):
And so I was doing kind of a live tweet thing. And so I was like, this morning, there are four horses outside.
Amy (06:24):
<laugh> I just love, this is a, some sort of Venn crossover of science fiction and horses for Lori <laugh>.
Lori (06:34):
It was everything that I like. And Kevin, yeah. Kevin sci-fi horses and dogs. Yes. In our nation's capital <laugh>. So also, so we met nice friends that we know from Twitter mostly. So we met Olav and Amanda from the unofficial Hugo book club blog. (Amy: Hi!) They were so nice and delightful. And we met Joe Sherry from nerds of a feather. (Amy: Hi!) more on nerds of a feather later. And we also met Juan Sanmiguel and we met Sarah Elkins. (Amy: Sarah!). Yes. And so it was delightful and nice meeting all of them. And had I recorded little mini interviews. The question I wanted to ask Olav was scale of one to 10, how alarmed were you when I knew who you were before you said who you were. (Amy: Aw, did you scare him?) I did. I'm so sorry.
Amy (07:25):
It's a well known fact that Lori has face recognition software in her mind and can recognize people from a mile away. From very, um, tangential acquaintance.
Lori (07:38):
Well, and it <laugh>, so I've never met. (Amy: It's impressive!) I've never met Olav and he had a mask on, so I don't, it wasn't that it was - I've heard him on Hugos There, on Seth's podcast before. So he saw us because we were decked out in our logo t-shirts and he was like, oh hi, you guys are from Hugo Girl. And I immediately recognized his voice because that's also a thing that I also have. (Amy: Got it. Got it, got it, got it.) Um, and I was like, oh, Olav! And his poor eyes communicated fear for just a moment. And then, and then he was like, be nice. <laugh> be nice to this poor woman. <laugh> something's clearly wrong with her. And then we had a nice chat and uh, he and Amanda were doing photos for the finalists. Well,
Kevin (08:20):
It was also funny cuz you said, I recognize your voice, but not where from.
Lori (08:24):
Yeah. That is also what I did. Cause he goes, I said, oh Olav. And he was like, how'd, you know? And I was like, oh, I recognize your voice. And then I just didn't say, because I've heard you on Seth's podcasts and I just recognize it. I was just like, yeah, hey!
Amy (08:43):
<Laugh> I think I should be okay for a podcaster to be recognized by their voice.
Lori (08:46):
Well, oh, he's not a podcaster, but he's been on a podcast, as a podcast guest on Seth's podcast.
Amy (08:50):
How many podcasts you have to be on before you're a podcaster? Or do you have to be in charge of one?
Lori (08:54):
I don't know, but I mean, I <laugh>, I'm just saying I'm sorry. And I wanted to follow up and ask about it. But at that point I was like, it's probably worse if I ask like the next day.
Amy (09:04):
I know let's talk about it on our podcast. <laugh> (Lori: that'll be less weird!) When he cannot respond.
Lori (09:11):
So anyway, uh, Olav, I'm sorry if I frightened you (Amy: and if she's doing it again right now) and also you're not the first person that I frightened. (Amy: You're re-victimizing Olav.) <Laugh> I don't know what to do now. <laugh> Kevin edit this out. (Amy: No, no, it's fine. I'm sure he was charmed) <laugh> Well, they still did have lunch with us on Saturday. I think we're friends now. So we had had a very good lunch with Olav and Amanda and Joe at the Afghan grill. A highlight was a menu item called bolani and it was like a thin fried dough, which, you know, you have me at thin fried dough, stuffed with leaks. Oh it was very good. Delicious and had delicious Turkish coffee and little tiny baklava that looked like bird nests almost. They were so cute. (Amy: Ooh.) It was really good. Um, so we had a nice lunch there and that was Saturday I think. Yeah. That was the day of the awards. Yeah, that was Saturday. I think. I don't know. Doesn't matter. Kevin will edit that out. He'll say no one cares what day it was. Delete!
Kevin (10:18):
You make me sound so considered.
Amy (10:20):
(Mimicking Kevin) No one cares about what you people say. <laugh>.
Lori (10:22):
As I've said before, Kevin has the utmost concern for my feelings, except when he is editing the podcast. He's like, Nope, no one cares.
Amy (10:29):
I think you need a little bit of a ruthless editor though. (Lori: Oh, I totally agree!) We think we're great all the time.
Lori (10:34):
I totally agree. Olav actually complimented Kevin on that. He was like good editing is important. Thank you. Thank you for your service. Oh, and so Juan, so Juan! Oh my gosh. How nice is Juan? (Amy: Hi Juan!) So, uh, I spotted Juan in the crowd. (Amy: We've been asking Lori the entire time she was there. Haley and I were - any Juan sightings yet? Have you seen Juan? It was Juan Watch, 2021.) Yeah. So on Juan watch, I eventually spotted him because he was sporting his Hugo Girl mask handmade by yours truly.
Lori (11:09):
And so I went up to him and awkwardly hovered until he finished his conversation. And then I was like, how won? And he was so gracious and nice and then we made plans made up for dinner. So we went out for dinner at a wonderful, delicious Indian place. And I've been thinking about the food that I ate there every day. It was Naanwise. And, and it was (Amy: that's the name of it? Oh, about that? You ate unwise food?) No, the name of it was Naanwise and it was delicious and Juan was delight. Um, Haley, he does not like horses that much. He had a, a similar experience where his parents made him interact with horses. Uh, like your mom made you go work at the horse barn and he was like, <laugh> it just wasn't for me. So, yep. You're kindred non horse spirits.
Lori (11:55):
Then we met up and watched the awards together and Juan is a great person to experience the Hugos with because (Amy: you bet. I mean, I bet he knows the whole history and he knows all the nominees and he's read everything. Hugos brain trust.) Yes. Um, so we sat way in the back in the ballroom and the oh, fun fact, the awards started an hour late because, uh, not unlike Dragoncon a few years ago, there was a small fire in the ballroom. So they had to put out the fire and clean up a bit and make sure there wouldn't be another fire. Um, so we went to the awards and they were so fun and nice. The host were Sheree Renee Thomas and Andrea Hairston. And they were delightful. They had like just the right amount of commentary and comedy routine to like keep things going, keep it focused on the awards and the nominees and the winners.
Lori (12:45):
And it was just like a very warm, nice, happy, positive evening. (Amy: The Amy Poehler and Tina Fey of the Hugo awards.) I mean, not even though cuz they were not like here's my big, big personality and also an award. They, they were just like very nice. Um, one thing I'll say to just like put it out there and then I'll step away from it is there was the controversy which we've chatted about, about the sponsors for the awards, which were Raytheon and Google and like people are kind of grumpy about Google. Normally the awards don't have sponsors from what I understand. Um, and so it was, I think, surprising to people that there were sponsors for the awards themselves rather than the convention. Um, and then the one that people were very worked up about, which definitely overshadowed Google, was Raytheon, which I did not, I had never heard of it or if I had, I didn't remember.
Lori (13:35):
Um, but it's they're uh, well, I don't know what - they're overarching intelligence and some science something. Yes. (Amy: They do have like science, they have a science arm of some kind like a research arm. Yes. But they have, they have do hickeys and whatnot.) They have a large arm that creates missiles and whatnot, um, that are like actively being used. So, um, a lot of people were upset with that and I, I definitely understand it. Like I hadn't heard of it, so I had to do some reading on it. And so I think if people want to know more about that, I'm not the right person to talk through it, but if you're interested in it, you can look at the worldcon 2021 or discon3 hashtags and find a lot of intelligent, thorough discussion about it. Um, but I, I get why people are upset about it.
Lori (14:22):
Like I was trying to make it something that I would understand personally. And I thought like if I showed up to receive a major award and I saw like the NRA on all of the photo backdrops, like, oh, it'd be very, very upset. So, um, I get why people were very upset about it. But I think the important part for our purposes is that it was a lovely event celebrating some deserving people. Yes, for sure. Um, so I'm not gonna talk about all the awards because that would take like a very, very, very, very long time, but there are some that were highlights. So Martha Wells won both Hugos for best novel for Network Effect Murderbot novel and for best series for the Murderbot diaries. (Amy: Yay!) And her speech was wonderful. She just seems like a nice, wonderful per and I assume that the awards are probably on YouTube cause I think there was like a live simulcast. Um, and if they are it's worth watching because she was just like, so she was saying like, people tried to, she did not feel welcome because of like her age and her accent and being a woman. And then she was like, lots of people receive less welcoming, um, reception than I do. And then she was like, there's someone out there who needs to hear your story. And I, it was just like very nice. I think universally people were happy for her and happy about her. Um, and then T Kingfisher, which is a pen name for Ursula Vernon. This was another fun one. She won the Lodestar award, which is for YA. fiction. And her book that she won for is A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking. And I had not read it. And Juan said it was wonderful.
Lori (15:57):
So I went back to the hotel and immediately got it from the library on my Kobo and I read it pretty quickly. Cause it's easy to read, but it was so good. So if you haven't read it and you want something that's easy and fun to just sit and read, that's a wonderful book. Um, what else? Oh, her speech, the reason I got it was partly because Juan said it was good. And then also because her speech was, she was so funny. She was like, well, I didn't expect to win. So here are some facts about slime molds <laugh> and she just talked about slime molds for like a few minutes. And I don't know, I was like in the wrong hands, this would be terrible. And it was just so charming and funny. And then when I started reading the book, like within the first 10 pages, there's a mention of a slime mold.
Lori (16:41):
So I laughed out loud (Amy: she's into slime molds, it's like a little baby Ologies episode or something. <laugh> yeah, it was very funny. She was very funny and it just seemed like nice and happy. And she also won, um, you guys read this, she won, uh, best short story for Metal, Like Blood in the Dark. (Amy: I loved that.) Yeah. And uh, yeah, so she got up and she was like, here are some more facts about slime molds <laugh> so that was fun. Um, and then obviously I have to mention the highlight, our friends at nerds of a feather won for best fanzine and Joe Sherry accepted the award in his Hugo Girl mask.
Amy (17:15):
I can't tell you how many people. I told that to just beaming with pride <laugh> that someone accepted a Hugo award wearing our mask. I was just thrilled. <laugh>.
Lori (17:24):
I texted you guys a picture like contemporaneously.
Lori (17:28):
I was like, oh look, (Amy: I freaked out.) And then I like looked back down at my phone and Amy was like, I just got teary. (Amy: I freaked out. It was great. I love seeing that) was so nice. Oh, I think Kevin, uh, Kevin called it because when we had lunch earlier that day, Joe was like, well, I'm gonna go lose another Hugo award cuz this was their fifth nomination <laugh> and Kevin goes, well, Kevin goes, maybe the fifth time's the charm. And it was was. (Kevin: It was!) And then when they released the long list of nominees, it turned out that our friend Cora Buhlert was a very close second for best fan writer. So that's wonderful. (Amy: Good job, Cora!) and also our friends, us (Amy: yay!!) were on the long list for best fan cast. (Amy: we did it!!) The short list ends up being the top six nominees.
Lori (18:12):
And so we would've, we were tied for eighth with another podcast. (Amy: I mean, that's, that's pretty close.) (Haley: so close!) We had 24 nominations. (Amy: Thanks guys!) And the, um, sixth place nomination was 31. So we were not far behind. I'd like to thank everyone who got me here. Yes. And on that note, Seth, Hugos There, was also on the long list. (Amy: Hi Seth!) And he's always telling people to listen to us and support us. So speaking of people who help us got there, that was him. (Amy: Everybody go listen to Seth.) Um, okay. Let's see. Uh, new things I like since the awards were Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, I read that I also read the new Beowulf translation, which won for best related work by Maria Devana Headley. And that was really good. Um, I also found out about the winner for best fan artist, Sarah Felix, she makes incredible tiaras.
Lori (19:00):
That is not her main art claim to fame. She does like umm, I don't know what to call it, but she does these cool, like alcohol ink prints. And then she's also designed multiple of the Hugo Award bases over the years. Um, but I guess it was like maybe a pandemic hobby on Instagram, she started making weekly tiaras and she was wearing a really cool tiara at the Hugo awards <laugh> and uh, and she just makes these cool tiaras out of like interesting onhand materials.
Amy (19:25):
Well, if we ever actually get shortlisted, we're all getting tiaras so that if we have to accept a Hugo we're crowned, (Lori: obviously!) Haley, I'm gonna make you wear.
Haley (19:33):
Can I wear like, uh -
Amy (19:33):
No, I'm gonna make you wear a tiara. I knew you were gonna say something.
Lori (19:36):
No, you don't have to wear one.
Haley (19:38):
No, you can make me like a silver bolo tie or something. <laugh>.
Lori (19:41):
I think that's perfect.
Amy (19:41):
That is pretty perfect.
Kevin (19:44):
I'll wear the third Tiara.
Amy (19:45):
Nice. Thank you, Kevin.
Lori (19:47):
I'm glad you volunteered. I was about to say Kevin I'll wear one <laugh> um, what else, Kevin?
Amy (19:51):
Did y'all go to any of the panels or anything? Kevin?
Kevin (19:55):
Uh, we did. Yeah. Panels were, were fun. I actually don't remember the names.
Lori (19:59):
So the panels are, it was different. It's different from dragon con. We are all seasoned dragon con goers in the sense that dragon con is everything pop culture. And this is very, uh, literature, science fiction focused. So it's mostly like writing and um, about writing and about the books and like different subjects within science fiction. So we went to um, oh, the, it was a unconquered -
Kevin (20:27):
Unconquered something. Yeah. I don't remember the exact word.
Lori (20:29):
Yeah. So it was like narratives of the unconquered. Yeah. And Rebecca Roanhorse was on that panel. So remember we read Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience. And then she was on the best novel ballot this year for her novel Black Sun, which I really enjoyed. So she was on there and then several other people that I really enjoyed that panel. I thought it was great. And then we went to one that was like a panel that sounded like it was gonna be for lawyers. It was basically like <laugh> what was it called? It was basically like who, who is responsible for like the havoc that superheroes wreak. Oh yeah. And I'm like messing up the name - (Kevin: holding superheros accountable.) Yes. That's what it was.
Amy (21:09):
There used to be a really good blog about that. A property law blog about all the, um, damage that superheroes do and like who it would have to pay for it and how much it would cost. It was a great blog.
Kevin (21:17):
Yeah. That was a good panel. The funniest thing was, um, when they kept saying, well, we could talk about this, but it's not very interesting. It's like, but, but I, but all of these people showed up for you to talk. I
Lori (21:27):
I know. Well, and where I thought there was like room to talk about, it is like, how do we decide what's worth, what's worth knocking down two thirds of New York city. (Amy: <laugh> like what kind of evil would have to present itself?) Yeah. Yeah. Cause sometimes it's like, well, worldwide alien invasion. I mean, that seems fairly obvious, um, that, that maybe that's worth knocking down the empire state building, but like there's always going to be someone in those buildings, you know? Yes. So grappling with that I think is interesting. But I think they were sort of thinking of it in terms of like permits and insurance claims and it's true that that would not be interesting.
Amy (22:07):
I guess you never really think of about, because like in the Marvel movies and stuff, you're I think they sort of present these tall buildings as if they are just blocks to knock down.
Lori (22:13):
Yeah. But a hundred percent there's people in there. Of course there's and, and, and usually it's going to be like, um, the people it's not, it's not usually gonna be the CEO. Right, right. Like he got out on his private elevator. Right. It's usually the cleaning person who had their headphones in and didn't hear people saying, get out, get out. What movie was that? Where they were actually grappling with all the, all the damage that was done by the like Marvel heroes. Maybe. Um, there was a movie that I can't - Kevin, what was it with? Will Smith. (Amy: Oh, it was hi- Not hitch. Oh, hitch) <laugh>. No, it was not hitch. Uh, it was, um, Will Smith and Charlize Theron. (Amy: Yeah. Yeah. What was that one?) I can't remember but everyone was mad at him. (Amy: not Hitch) <lots of laughter> Haley's so joyful. <laugh> (Amy: Hitch is definitely the one we got that little round guy hooked up with evil Longoria or something, right? Eva Mendes. Yeah.)
Kevin (23:05):
It was another like one, one word, a name or something. It was, yeah. I, I thought hitch too. So
Amy (23:13):
Thank you, Kevin. I'll look it up.
Lori (23:15):
What Haley?
Haley (23:16):
I, I think it's Pitch right?
Lori (23:18):
Pitch?!
Kevin (23:20):
Hitch and pitch.Yeah. <laugh> no!
Lori (23:22):
No! It can't be!
Kevin (23:23):
Like Coto and Poto <laugh>.
Lori (23:24):
knuckles and chuckles.
Amy (23:26):
not Hancock, right? (Lori Yes! Hancock, that's it!) (Kevin: Yeah. Yeah.)
Haley (23:30):
That's what I meant. Yes.
Lori (23:32):
Not Pitch, you know, Pitch/Hancock.
Haley (23:35):
<laugh> I feel like, because it's on the phone, I feel like I'm already listening to the podcast, which is interesting
Lori (23:44):
Um <laugh> okay, so. Go ahead.
Kevin (23:47):
Oh yeah. I was just gonna say, I, I, um, at Dragoncon, I, I think we tend to avoid more of the fan panel things cuz a lot of those are, uh, (Amy: hit or miss?) Well, a lot of them are literally just fans. Like what do you think is gonna happen next season on Dr. Who, I don't know. What do you think? And it's I can only take so much of that and I can see why that was cool. Like back before internet, like it it's basically what happens on the internet now, but in person. Um, but I, so I liked that the, um, world con panels were people who actually were professional. Well, like, you know, professionals actually had some experience and insight in, in what would, what they were discussing and yes were, were also prepared
Lori (24:32):
<laugh> yeah. I, I did appreciate that. Cuz some of the fan panels that I've stopped by at dragon con it's been like, well we're we just like a thing and we're gonna show up and chat about it, which there's nothing wrong with that. But right. Like Kevin said, you know, especially before it was easy to have access to a community of like fans that feels like that was probably very important then. And so it, you know, remains today. But I, I like, I like to listen to a, despite what I'm doing right now, uh, my preference is to hear <laugh> sort of a, a, a pre-planned or at least outlined prepared discussion.
Amy (25:06):
I mean sometimes at dragon con for various reasons, they're literally grabbing panelists out of the, out of the audience. (Lori: Yes.) <laugh> those people will go sit on the panel and then, you know, exte, extemporize, exte, extemporaneous (Lori:speak extemporaneously.) Yes. And,
Kevin (25:22):
And to be clear, there's nothing wrong with that. Not at all, not at all, not my personal cup of tea. Yeah. So
Amy (25:28):
Some, some of those have, there's been some, you know, lightning struck and it's been pretty good sometimes when I'll stop by them.
Lori (25:34):
For sure. Yeah. Um, and so another one that we went to, um, because Olav was on, it was, um, have, has science fiction gotten too big for meaningful Hugos. So it was just sort of talking through, like, what do these awards mean? And who are they for? And are, you know, who are they potentially shutting out? Are, are they perpetuating a cycle of shutting out specific populations? So that was an interesting discussion. And um, Olav always a nice supporter of ours shouted out our podcast. And he was saying that he thinks the Hugos are important. And he said, for example, you don't have podcasts doing a read through book by book of winners of other awards. And he mentioned us and Hugos There.
Lori (26:15):
So that was nice. Um, another time I was awkward was <laugh> before that panel started, we had made lunch plans over Twitter with Joe and then Kevin and I were seated and Joe came in. I did not recognize him. Okay. I haven't seen him, so I didn't recognize him, but I heard him introduce himself to someone. I just heard it. It's not my fault. <laugh> and I was, and I said to Kevin, I was like, oh, we're having lunch with him in an hour. And I was like, should I go say hello? And Kevin was like, I don't know. And I was like, is it weirder if I don't or is it weirder if I run up and interrupt and I'm like, hello, we're having lunch in an hour. (Amy: Kevin, you have to be her handler sometimes. <laugh> I would tell her, yes, it'd be well, what's the right answer though. In that moment, I probably would've said hi) But I was sitting like halfway back in the room. <affirmative> okay. So we have a split vote. (Amy: Did he, did he see you?) No, but <laugh> no, but then I like knew who he was.
Kevin (27:09):
And the panel is about to start. You have to like step over someone. (Lori: Yeah.)
Amy (27:13):
I wouldn't have said hi.
Lori (27:14):
Yeah. Okay. Uh, okay. (Amy: Cause you're gonna see him in an hour, so) well, so then, then like I <laugh>, I went up to him like right after and I was like, Hey, it's me and I know who you are. And here's why. And I was like, I didn't know if it was weirder for me to wait and say hi or, and he was like, I don't know either. Okay. <laugh> so in conclusion, I am sorry to everyone. I was weird and awkward too. (Amy: I don't think there's a wrong answer here. It's just whatever you-) Well, I think there's maybe it's that there's not a right answer. (Amy: Potato potato.) <laugh> Kevin, would you like to tell everyone about the worst eggs we've ever had in our lives?
Kevin (27:52):
Yeah, so, uh, it, it turns out DC is very expensive and even our little coffee shop breakfasts were like $40. So (Amy: Jesus!) we figured I've seen a little hot bar with egg and cheese biscuits and the hotel for six bucks. Let's just go get those. Um <laugh> yeah, that was, that was a bad idea.
Amy (28:10):
I just watched the horror re-dawn on his face as he was thinking about the eggs
Kevin (28:13):
Yeah. Uh, well, the, because they're like the little McDonald's style. Mm-hmm <affirmative>, mm-hmm <affirmative> egg puck, egg puck, but they'd been sitting in a steam tray for God knows how long. So when I first bit into it, I thought someone had left the, uh, plastic on it. Cuz I could not bite through this layer on top of it.
Lori (28:31):
When he pulled it out, I was like, oh no, honey, that's just some plastic wrap. They left some plastic wrap in there and he was like mm-hmm and
Kevin (28:37):
I realized it was not plastic when I kept trying to eat it. And it was, it might have, it might have been a rubber egg. It might not have been actual egg puck did you pick up the (Amy: Did you pick up the decorations?) I, I might have yes.
Lori (28:47):
The best way to check and see if what you have is food or a foreign object is to, as we all know, keep chewing, keep chewing it, keep eating it. Um, but then mine was the same. So it wasn't a fluke. I don't think. (Amy: Sorry that happened to you.) Um, that, yeah, they looked like I, when I opened up the biscuit, they looked like playschool play kitchen eggs. <laugh> (Amy: but it sounds like you had good food otherwise.) Yeah!
Kevin (29:10):
Yeah. Otherwise good. Fortunately, uh, I, I also got an emergency Danish just in case the biscuit wasn't good. (Amy: a purse Danish!)
Lori (29:17):
<laugh> um, I think that's everything I have to report. (Amy: It sounds really fun guys.) It was really fun. (Amy: It'll be a while before there's another one we can go to.) Well, I would love to go again next year is Chicago. (Amy: Oh that's oh, I thought it was in China.) Oh no. That's 2023. Despite our last minute votes, we voted with in site selection with 15 minutes down to the wire. Kevin had had a cocktail too. And he was like, I, I must fight for, for my, for my people, my Homeland. (Kevin: more or less hometown.) Yeah. Um, and <laugh> we had to, we had to pay a hundred dollars to vote. (Amy: each?!) No, total. It was $50 each, which was like fine, but also like just enough for me to be like, errrr, and Kevin was like, I'm paying.
Kevin (30:01):
Yeah. Well cuz yeah, just before that someone had said, oh, Chengdu already has like a thousand votes over. Like Winnipeg's never gonna get it. So I thought, oh, well what's the point of even voting until, yeah. I'd had a couple cocktails when we were in the dealer's room and they made the: voting will close in 15 minutes announcement. I was like, well we gotta get over there! (Amy: Well, you know, it's never gonna win if nobody votes!) Exactly. Exactly. (Amy: So you might as well go do your part.).
Lori (30:22):
Kevin was like, I'm grabbing my wife and we're going to the polls!
Kevin (30:24):
<laugh> they gave us some Smarties. We gotta vote.
Amy (30:27):
Did you wear, "I voted" masks after that?
Lori (30:29):
Uh, in fact we wore, I voted badge ribbons. And they said Winnipeg 23 and had a little moose on them. Um, there's also some drama with site selection, which I'm I just not sure, but there is there's plenty of stuff to read about it. Um, it didn't look great. Um, but the end result is that Chengdu won because they had the most votes and that is how voting works. (Amy: Right.) And so next year will be in Chicago, but unfortunately it's exactly the weekend of Dragoncon, it's labor day weekend. (Amy: Nope.) I would miss Dragoncon if we were on the short list, though, just throwing that out there.
Amy (31:02):
Yes. If anyone is listening and really wants to hang out with us at world con in Chicago, we will skip dragon con for you. If you get us on the short list.
Kevin (31:11):
I would go to dragon con on Thursday and Friday <laugh>
Lori (31:14):
And then fly early on, on Saturday, Friday. Yeah. Yeah. I would, I would consider doing that too.
Amy (31:21):
if we were on the short list. Yeah. If we're not on the short list, I'm going to dragon kind guys. Okay. Yeah.
Lori (31:26):
Um, and then, so it will be in Chengdu in 2024, which is definitely not accessible.
Amy (31:30):
What if we get shortlisted in 2024,
Lori (31:33):
I would be appearing by zoom.
Amy (31:36):
I want to go to China.
Lori (31:36):
Listen, I was looking at plane tickets and it's like $15,000 to fly there.
Amy (31:42):
But the world will be different by 2023. Right?
Lori (31:45):
Oh yeah. I'm sure it'll be great. <laugh> I'm sure it'll be great. There'll be no persecution. There will be no pandemic. It's gonna be fine. Everything will be fine.
Amy (31:52):
Everything's gonna be fine. Mm-hmm <affirmative> um, figure, figure it all out next year.
Lori (31:55):
Yeah, exactly. We'll we'll cross that bridge when we're on the short list.
Amy (32:00):
We're gonna fix it in 2022 mm-hmm <affirmative> mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Lori (32:02):
Um, so that was Worldcon.
All (32:08):
Yayy!!!!
Amy (32:08):
This has been a very special episode of Hugo girl.
All (32:12):
Bye.