Toft

Circumstances have led me not to plan to be in Asia at the time of the convention. This makes me sad because whereas this convention has not been short of controversy, I always wish to support new groups of volunteers running conventions in new countries and cities and I don't think for a moment that they are acting in bad faith. However, perhaps one or two of you will be at Octocon. I might manage to make that as even last-minute fares to Belfast are reasonable.

I am signed up for Glasgow and intend to plan my next year or so around being in the UK at that time. For China, I will go if I am in the region at the time (and I intend to be) and the later date makes it easier, but I have to say, it is not very easy for attendees outside of Asia to commit to that given it has already changed date and venue. If you're around there anyway then you can book a flight closer to the time, but if you're planning it a year in advance and suddenly the date and location changes, it's not good. Still, if I can do so sensibly, I will go.

Wow, this is an interesting development, and it seriously increases the chance I will attend. (Incidentally, who is going to Eurocon? I booked last week! And Eastercon was already decided, of course.)

I wonder what impact Covid and the China policy has had on this. If I am in Asia at the time then I still intend to go to Chengdu, but I will see much closer to the time what sort of conditions they are applying regarding Covid and decide whether it is sensible or not. Anyway, I hope to see some of you at Eastercon! It has been too long.

I think the only "solution" (if one perceives there to be a "problem") is more WorldCons! Two a year, minimum!

If I am in Asia (as I am now) then I will happily attend this. They have worked hard to win this bid and I congratulate them. The Chinese people and fans are not representative of their government any more than we would have said that all US fans were theirs, and one of the best ways to exchange values is to witness cultures and countries first-hand.

I wasn't aware of the theories concerning Melisandre's ancestry, but to me, she looked suspiciously like something else. We shall see. But this represents the beginning of a new era.