rwehavingfunyet?

What Matters? What Works? What's Next?
This blog belongs to:

Dj Connell
* Discworld Area Head, Sasquan / WorldCon 2015
More info at www.sasquan.org
* Current Project: The Great Discworld Fan Gathering at Sasquan
* Founder, Discworld Seamstress Guild of North America, Established 2003
* Co-Founder, North American Discworld Dark Clerks.
Established 2011
* Board Chair: North American Discworld Connection

Trouble Made: By Appointment

rwehavingfunyet?

@ItBodes on Twitter

These are my opinions and mine alone.

This image of Death is by artist Paul Kidby. Mr Kidby's images are used with his permission. Copyright: Paul Kidby.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Memories of Sir Terry Pratchett OR So Long I Must Be Going

I finished closing down the following Facebook pages for these Discworld guilds and groups today.  

Discworld Dark Clerks  
Discworld Guild of Singers and Musicians
Discworld Seamstress Guild of North America 
Guild of Alchemists 
North American Discworld Connection - NADWCon 


While there was crossover in readership, posts went out to roughly 2,500 Discworld fans. Here is the letter I posted on those sites several weeks ago

I know some of you would like me to write more about Terry-the-man but to be honest, the loss of such a good, brave and kind person is still, for me, too recent.  There are - no doubt - people who were closer to him, and who will write about him much better than I could but some day I will post a few of my favorite Terry moments.  For now, here is a slice of the work we did on behalf of the fans.  Terry always put the fans first, and so did we.    

Dear Discworld friends: 

I first met Terry Pratchett in the early 90's, well before he was famous in the U.S. I will always be grateful that I met him when he was just this nice British guy who came to my friend's bookstore, because I might have been too wary or too shy back then to talk to The Writing Rock Star he later became.

Over the years it has been both my pleasure and my privilege to organize and host DW events in my friend's honor. It began in 2002 when he asked me to throw him a party at ConJoseWe had tremendous support from that con's Co-Chair and Terry's friend, Tom Whitmore, and a grand time was had by all.  It meant a lot to our team when Terry said it was one of the best parties he'd ever attended. 


In 1998, he asked me to to help organize the first NADWCon which took place in Tempe, AZ in 2009, I was happy to help out with programming, and to organize the Seamstress Guild's Opening Night Gala in his honor. Those of us who were lucky enough to share those times with him will cherish our memories for many years to come. 

Our Seamstress and other guilds have since been involved with many DW events and meets, including the Great Discworld Fan Meet last year at Sasquan / Worldcon 2015. I was happy to serve as the DW Area Head on that ConCom, and I met many wonderful fans from all around the world as a result.  I am deeply indebted to Laurie Mann, the Programing Chair for Sasquan, for her help, advice and support.  We could not have done any of this work without her.  We had a lot of support of others on that talent-rich, creative ConCom and the experience was a great one for our team.   

My thanks also go out to all those who came to the memorial for Terry at Sasquan and who shared their stories for our documentary film, The Turtle Moves, during the course of the con. 

I knew Terry for almost 20 years, and his friendship graced my life. I will always miss him. I felt it was important to honor his memory in 2015, and to help the fans do so, as well. Now that he is gone, and we've grieved this loss together, I feel that my work here is done. So while I look forward to seeing many more generations embrace the books as the years go on, I will be closing this and other FB pages, and moving on to other projects. I will keep what Terry taught has me through both his work and his life as a constant example, and I will cherish the friends that I have made through Discworld fandom over the years. 

I may add on a few notes about the film, et al, before I shut down these pages for good. In the meantime, please enjoy what we've posted in past. 

Cheers, and Best Wishes, 


Denise Connell 

P.S If you're wondering what I'm up to next, well here's a hint. It makes sense when you think about it, for who of all people could follow Terry? <grin>

Art: Tiffany and the Feegles by Paul Kidby  

P.S. The @nadwcon twitter feed will close down shortly.   It will soon reopen under new management. 

Please note: My team and I are not associated with the current effort to organize a North American Discworld convention in 2017 in any way, shape or form.  If you have questions about that event, please contact the organizers directly.  

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

NADWCon wishes to thank three very special people - guest post

Guest Post: 

NADWCON wishes to thank three very special people in our organization: Denise Connell, Patty Panek and John Kentner . This team provided extraordinary support for Discworld fans over the years, and we want to recognize them for their contributions to Discworld Fandom in North America.

If you were a volunteer for NADWCON at Sasquan, you already know Patty. She was the dynamo, making everything work for the Arts exhibits, organizing the volunteers, helping with the panels and being generally indispensable. Patty began working on this project long before anyone made their reservations for Sasquan. She contacted all the guilds to make sure they were ready for the event. (In addition, Patty manages several of the guilds!) She gathered materials and encouraged people during the long preparation period for the Con. We would not have had an art show without Patty’s efforts. During Sasquan, she was busy everywhere to keep the volunteers and fans happy and involved. Patty, we can’t say enough to thank you.

John Kentner filmed a wonderful tribute to Sir Terry Pratchett and the Dicsworld fans at Sasquan. Many fans were interviewed for his project there and they all told wonderful stories. We all know how much Sir Terry has touched our lives and John worked to put that experience onto film for others to see and share. The film project has been in the planning stages for some time now. John was able to secure funding through a Kickstarter campaign which allowed him to make this marvelous documentary. Thank you, John for your creativity and drive.

You may have missed Denise Connell who works quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes to support NADWCON. She made the connections to have NADWCON collaborate with Sasquan. As the Discworld Area Head for this Worldcon Denise set up the Discworld panels and games, gathered films, supported DW events, and organized Terry's memorial at Sasquan. She also backed John Kentner’s film efforts with advice and support while wrangling people for John to interview. She was there for Patty, as well, to help with background, past experiences and aid. Without Denise, there would not have been a North American Discworld fan gathering at Sasquan. 

Denise is also the founder of the North American Seamstress Guild as well as the Dark Clerks, and she has a served as a staff member at DW cons in 2009 (AZ) and 2011 (WI). She has been the NADWCon Board Chair since 2012. 

Thank you to these three wonderful NADWCON volunteers. We literally could not have done it without you.

Thank you, as well, to all the volunteers who served on panels, worked as costumed docents, helped out with events, and promoted Discworld fandom at Sasquan / Worldcon 2015. 

Thank you, to the various DW guilds on FB who help get the word out and contribute so much to our fun at events. 

We would also like to salute the writers like Fran Wald and editors such as Anne Hoppe who served as panelists and helped make the discussions of Sir Terry’s world both illuminating and erudite.

We salute you, all, and we think Sir Terry would be proud. 

Marilyn Bunzo,
Web Mistress and NADWCon senior staff member and volunteer since 2010.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Discworld Events at Sasquan / Worldcon 2015 - A Timeline



Below is a list of Discworld events currently planned for Sasquan / Worldcon 2015 

Here is the official, online schedule for Sasquan (which is frequently updated).

The mobile app for this Convention Guide is now in the app stores; the access code is SASQUAN (it is not case sensitive)

Android:

Apple:

Please check the official convention schedule for additions and changes.  

WE'RE GONNA MAKE A MOVIE! 

We are happy to announce that The Turtle Moves: Remembering Terry Pratchett achieved their funding goal, and we will be making this documentary "love letter to Terry Pratchett" at Sasquan, as planned.  If you are a Discworld fan and you would like to be interviewed for this film, please contact the director, John Kentner, via the Kickstarter page at the link above.  


DISCWORLD THEMED EVENTS AT SASQUAN

Wednesday - 14:00
Headology and Boffo: Character and Cunning on the Discworld 

Wednesday - 17:00
Ook - A Welcome To Discworld Fans 

Wednesday - 20:00
Discworld Pub Quiz 

Thursday - 11:00
Unseen University - A World Within A World

Thursday - 12:00 
Terry Pratchett Memorial Panel 

Thursday - 14:00
Nanny Ogg Knees Up - A Discworld Dance 

Thursday - 14:00 
Terry Pratchett for Kids 

Thursday - 20:00 
A Public Reading of Where's My Cow Wherein We Make All The Noises 

Friday - 10:00
The YA Discworld Novels and Other Books by Terry Pratchett for Young People 

Friday - 13:00 
A Night in Ankh-Morpork: City of 1,000 Surprises 

Friday - 16:00
How Discworld Changed My Life

Friday - 1800 
Fans of Terry Pratchett Discworld Rendezvous 

Saturday - 12:00 
Guided Tour of Discworld Exhibit - Please note: Other tours have now been added. Please see online schedule.

Saturday - 12:00 
The Turtle Moves - Discworld in the Roundworld 

Saturday - 13:00 
Witches, Werewolves, Seamstresses and Soldiers - The Women of Discworld 

Saturday - 16:00
Science and Technology of Discworld 

Sunday - 10:00 
Heraldry of Discworld for Kids 

Discworld Exhibit - There has been so much excitement about the Discworld Exhibit that we have added more times on for our docent tours.  Please check the online schedule for days and times.  Stop by any time the exhibit room to view the exhibit, and sign our guest book.  

Discworld Games: Stop by the Gaming Room to try the demo version of the new Discworld game CLACKS from Backspindle Games.   The BackSpindle game THE WITCHES will be on display in the Discworld Exhibit.
 
Discworld Movies: Please check the convention's Movie Schedule for a list of DW films to be shown at Sasquan.  

Discworld Party -  The Seamstress Guild has announced that, due to a series of unfortunate events beyond their control, there will be no official Seamstress Guild party at Sasquan. However, many of their members will be there with bustles on, and they have volunteered to help with the Discworld meets, games, exhibits, panels, dances and events at this convention. There are quite literally hundreds of parties at a Worldcon, both big and small, so folks won't be lacking for entertainment. 

Art: Young Nanny Ogg

Sunday, July 26, 2015

The Turtle Moves: Remembering Terry Pratchett - This Documentary Needs YOU




Discworld fans have a chance to appear in and/or help fund "a love letter to Terry Pratchett".  

We've chosen to make a film featuring fan's memories of Sir Terry at Sasquan / Worldcon 2015 because he was a popular attendee at Worldcons for many years and is well known there.  This particular worldcon is the site of The Great Discworld Fan Gathering and Sasquan is honoring Terry with a number of panels and events. (1) We have their permission to interview Terry's fans who are traveling from all over the world to attend, and a special memorial panel for Terry will be presented on Thursday, August 20th.   

The Turtle Moves: Remembering Terry Pratchett - Kickstarter Page

This film is going to be a positive and heartfelt commemoration, and it is being made by fans, for fans.

Questions about the film itself should be directed to John Kentner, the director, via the Kickstarter page.

Please help us get this film made: Share the link to the Kickstarter page with your friends and on your FB and Twitter pages and donate a few dollars if you can.  A list of rewards and perks for donors, including a DVD of the film,  is available at the Kickstarter page. 

Thank you,

Dj

(1) Sasquan / Worldcon 2015 is honoring Sir Terry in a wide variety of ways, including Discworld themed panels, events, dances, games, fan meets, exhibits, and more. With 6,000+ attendees it's the easiest (and cheapest) way to find a lot of Discworld fans from all over the world in one place.

Sasquan / Worldcon 2015

Saturday, July 18, 2015

July Update on the Discworld Themed Programing & Events at Sasquan / Worldcon 2015



Discworld Themed Programing at Sasquan / Worldcon 2015 - Spokene, WA, Aug 19 - 23rd, 2015 

The Discworld themed programing will include (but is not limited to):


Discworld Games 

* The new CLACKS game from BackSpindle Games will be shown in the game room and available for play. 

* THE WITCHES game will be on exhibit



Discworld Events: 

* Discworld Discussion Group: How Discworld Changed My Life

* Discworld Pub Quiz & Pictionary Game 


* Discworld Rendezvous- A Meet and Greet for Discworld fans

* Nanny Ogg Knees Up - Spirited Country Dancing sans Hedgehogs  

* Public Reading of Where's My Cow Wherein We Make All the Noises 


Discworld Exhibit

An introduction to the Discworld novels for the uninitiated, with extra special fun planned for the fans.

The exhibit will include docent tours by Discworld characters and the change to take your photo with some very special items.  

Discworld Movies 

We also hope to show some Discworld movies in the convention's movie room (permission pending)

Discworld Themed Panels: (These include but are not limited to)


* Discworld on the Roundworld - A Q&A with Anne Hoppe (Terry's American YA Editor since 2001) and others.

* Headology & Boffo: Character and Cunning on the Discworld

* A Night in Ankh Morpork, City of 1,000 Surprises 

* Terry Pratchett's Books for Young People

* Terry Pratchett Memorial Panel- Join us to hear and share stories about STP

* Unseen University: A World Within the Discworld, 

* Women of Discworld

Add to this all the fun of a Worldcon—meet fellow Discworld and science fiction/fantasy fans from all over the globe, attend program sessions and workshops with authors, see the Hugo Awards ceremony, participate in the Masquerade, and more, all in the setting of the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

See sasquan.org for Sasquan convention membership and registration details. 

 
Follow our Discworld at Sasquan updates in


* The North American Discworld Connection Facebook page

* Our NADWCon Twitter page 

* The North American Discworld Connection Website  

* the Discworld Monthly 

and on this blog.  

Discworld Fan Volunteers Welcome !—We need your help to make this the best event for Discworld fans that we can. Email us at volunteer@sasquan.org and let us know you’d like to help with Discworld at Sasquan!
 

5,000 people are coming to one heck of a party; we hope to see you there. 

Dj 

Art: Granny Weatherwax and the Unicorn by YonYonYon on Deviant Art.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

A million to one chance

There is a million to one chance that we might, just possibly, if the stars align, be able to announce that some very special Discworld guests will be joining us at Sasquan / Worldcon 2015.

To say any more at this time would bring me to the attention of the Assassin's Guild.

Stay tuned. 

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Black Hat Day

Today is Sir Terry's birthday and fans around the world are remembering him by wearing black hats and doing nice things for other people.

This lady gets my vote for Nicest Thing Done In Terry's Honor Today

Here is one of my favorite photos from the Black Hat Day page (which has over 1,000 members). 


Thursday, April 23, 2015

Some Updates on The Great Discworld Fan Gathering at Sasquan / Worldcon 2015

Updates on The Great Discworld Fan Gathering at Sasquan:

There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes regarding Discworld programing and events for Sasquan / Worldcon 2015 but much of it is a surprise, at least for now.  But here is what I can tell you:

Sasquan is making ribbons for DW fans to wear on their badges so they can find one another.  These will be purple and will say, "Ook".   

(Traditionally, the Seamstress Guild makes up their own ribbons which have their motto:  Nil Volupti sine lucre. The guild will give these out at the parties they're hosting at Sasquan.) 

In addition to all the great experiences offered by a Worldcon, Sasquan will be hosting Discworld programming, events, a Discworld exhibit, guild meetups, and our fabulous Seamstress Guild parties.

Here are the Sasquan Membership Maps (along with facts and figures) for those attending Sasquan / WorldCon 2015. 


Sasquan has recently welcomed new members from Chile, Estonia, Hungary, India, and Romania, North Dakota, Newfoundland, Saxony-Anhalt, and Yukon.  Join us at Sasquan and make friends all over the world.

One of the Guests of Honor for Sasquan is David Gerrold, who is also a Terry Pratchett fan. Mr Gerrold has recently started an informal group called Just Us.  These are Discworld fans who perform random acts of kindness at conventions and other events.  We'll have more on this movement and what it might mean at Sasquan next month. 
 
We hope to see you there. 
 
Dj 


Art: Marc Simonetti. This is a piece he painted after Terry passed.  His work for the Discworld is here. 

Thursday, March 12, 2015

North American Discworld Fans Remember Sir Terry Pratchett


Sad Oook.  Sad, sad, Oook.

I got the call early this morning.  I'm still in shock.

We knew this day was coming, and that our friends / his fans would need someplace they could go to grieve with those who understand the depth of their loss.  So some of us have spent the morning posting to the various Discworld pages on Facebook.  (1) Each time we post the same sad announcement but we put up a different photo of Himself for each guild.  It's important to us that "Terry's people" know they have a welcoming place to go to in order to share their memories.  He wasn't just Sir Terry -ing Pratchett to us.  He was pterry.  Many of us have known him years, some for decades, and we loved the man as much as we loved the work.

North American Fans are remembering Terry Pratchett today on Twitter and at the North American Discworld Connection Facebook page. You can read their comments here. 

North American Discworld Connection

Our thoughts are with Terry's family and friends today.  One of his long time friends, Bernard Pearson AKA The Cunning Artificer, has posted a lovely note on his FB page today. 

We will host a remembrance for Terry at The Great Discworld Fan Gathering at Sasquan / Worldcon 2015 which takes place in Spokane, WA, August 19th - 23rd.

Update: There will be a memorial panel to Terry at Sasquan / Worldcon 2015 and we will host many a glass in his name at the Seamstress Guild parties planned for that convention.

For those who are interested, I am posting some of the best tributes to Terry that I've found on Twitter on @ItBodes

Today, and May 25th we'll wear the lilac, and I'll be urging Discworld fans to contribute to two of his favorite charities in his honor.  These are

Orangutan Foundation

Alzheimer's Research

This loss is huge for all of us, and it will take a long time to process.  Right now, I just can't imagine a world without him in it. 

In the days and weeks that follow the rest of the world will comment on his books, his profound influence on literature and culture, his courageous activism on a wide variety of fronts, and his many kind and charitable acts.  But today we remember the man, and we're all glad that he died in peace, surrounded by friends and family, and with one of his beloved cats by his side.

Goodbye pterry.  We love you.  

*********
 
RIP SIR TERRY PRATCHETT

It is with immeasurable sadness that we announce that author Sir Terry Pratchett has died at the age of 66. Fans are welcome and to share their memories of Terry here today. 

Terry faced his Alzheimer's disease (an 'embuggerance', as he called it) publicly and bravely. Over the last few years, it was his writing that sustained him. His legacy will endure. 

Our sympathies go out to Terry's family and friends and all those whose lives were touched by this fine man and his wonderful work. 

Terry passed away in his home, with his cat sleeping on his bed surrounded by his family on 12th March 2015. Diagnosed with PCA1 in 2007, he battled the progressive disease with his trademark determination and creativity, and continued to write. He completed his last book, a new Discworld novel, in the summer of 2014, before succumbing to the final stages of the disease.

We ask that the family are left undisturbed at this distressing time.

His daughter Rhianna posted these notes on his twitter page: https://twitter.com/terryandrob

(1) Some of the Discworld Guilds and pages on Facebook 

North American Discworld Connection

Discworld Guild of Bakers 

Discworld Dark Clerks 

Discworld Guild of Engravers and Printers

Discworld Guild of Singers and Musicians

Discworld Seamstress Guild 

Guild of Cunning Artificers 

and our Discworld friends in the UK and all over the world are at a discussion (?) group known as  The Discworld Monthly 

Update: On a personal note: I would just like to say a heartfelt "Thank you" to Jason Anthony and the moderators at the Discworld Monthly and other FB pages. Thank you, all, for making these pages a safe place to share our feelings and memories.  And thank you, Discworld fans, for sharing. <<hugs from afar> D. 

Art - found at The Discworld Monthly