Journal

Friday, July 15, 2005

tired but functional

Continuum is underway -- I wasn't sure that a "debate" was going to be a great program item, but once Jack Dann explained that the object was to entertain rather than to convince I felt better, and a rollicking good time was had by all.

Charles Brownstein from the CBLDF asked me if I would point people to the amazing Sandman and Death sketches and drawings at http://www.sandman.tv/cbldf/intro.htm -- it's being auctioned at San Diego in a couple of days -- as it explains+

These items will be auctioned off on Saturday July 16 as the Fund's Gala auction, beginning at 7 PM in Room 8 of the San Diego Convention Center. If you can't make it to the show, the Fund is accepting sealed bids until Saturday, July 16 at 3 PM Pacific Time. To bid send an e-mail to director@cbldf.org with the words "sealed bid" in the subject line. In the body, include the item you wish to bid on, your bid amount, a valid credit card number, and a phone number at which you can be reached. All sealed bids will be shredded following the auction, and the files deleted. If you have any questions, please e-mail Charles Brownstein at the above address.

Details on how it's being auctioned -- along with lots of other cool stuff -- is at http://www.cbldf.org/articles/archives/000265.shtml

...

Hi, Neil! I was one of the volunteers for your signings here in Manila, and I would just like to say thanks so much again for being so patient with everyone and for being just the nicest person. We all enjoyed working with you. :) We hope you come back to see more of the Philippines. :) Also, your readers might like to know that Fully Booked just found out that your segment at MTV "Hanging Out" will air on August 5 instead of July 15, as previously announced. :) Take care! :) *** meann http://www.neilgaimanphilippines.tk

Consider them informed.

Dear Neil, I'm sure you have much more important matters to discuss, but your mention of Poppy Z. Brite made me wonder.Do you prefer saying "Zee" or "Zed"? As a Canadian, I very much prefer the latter...but I was just wondering what your opinion was on this issue?Thank you for humouring me, Mike

I say "Poppy Zee Brite" 'cos that's what she says. And I say "Zee" to Americans when spelling things out aloud because otherwise they get extremely confused and the whole spelling process grinds to a halt. But in my head the alphabet still goes from A to Zed.

Mr. Gaiman,If the World Fantasy Convention were to be held in Wisconsin, and if Stephen Jones, Peter Straub, Charles Vess, and Gene Wolfe (among others) were all planning to attend, what are the odds that one might encounter "Mr. Punch" there, too?-Nemo

Pretty much zero, I'm afraid, because I'll be in the UK, wrapping up Beowulf stuff, and either doing a preliminary book signing in Dublin or starting the official Anansi Boys signing in London.

...

Faintly frustrated -- I wanted to pull some obscure songs off my iPod and just discovered that iTunes 4.9 does stuff to an iPod such that Xplay (which I use to get under the hood) can't access the files. They'll put out an update next week that'll fix it, but that will be slightly too late. Oh well.

If anyone's sent in any urgent questions about Australian signings and events, feel free to send them again.