I just saw the the news about the Dragon Con. I have been to several of them over the years and I have noticed that there is alot of confusion around the place. So here is a few translations for those of you who live other than in the South. Y'all, not you all. it mean all of you standing there or sitting there...it is never used singular. Grits Breakfast of the South. Just don't ask how it is made or where it comes from. (Personally I have to smother my grits in redeye gravity before I want to eat them. ;}) 'lanta the proper way to say Atlanta. Sherman A firebug that you don't mention in 'lanata. Peachtree Street One of the main streets in 'lanta, just besure that you are on the right one. (Someone once counted all the Peachtree streets in 'lanta and quit when they got over 500.) Fresh Air Barbque About 45 miles south of 'lanta and the best barbque in the world. It has been written up in the New York Times. War of Northen Agression. The right term for what some call the War between the States. If any of you want more translations or things not to say let me know. There are still Redneck tranlations, Good Ole boy translations....

Sorry, but the best Barbque in the world is Corky's Barbque, on Poplar Ave, in Memphis, Tn... which has been written up in countless culinary magazines.

The best barbque is not a barbque at all. It is a gangaque. Which is kinda like a barbque, except instead of charcoal you use ganga. One of the problems with a gangaque though is the more food you cook the hungrier you seem to get.

:shudders: Yes... I grew up in Oklahoma and my first experience was with "grits" last year.... I've been trying to forget all year.... Ugh.. Anz

Remember, scifi fans also have their own languague: pronunciation GOH go Guest of Honour Filk Science fiction folk music, including traditional folk and parodies Fan plural is fen Ghod god nondenominational diety(s) of any gender(s) consuite - hospitality suite for hanging out and munchies, soda will be in the bathtub full of ice SMOF - secret master of fandom, people who organize fanac fanac - fannish activities dealer - person who sells merchandise at conventions zine - fan produced paper publications, also e-zines published donline Badge name or fan name - the name you prefer to be called, as opposed to your real name. Rosity members might want to use their names from here. Hope that helps people some :) Cons can be confusing for newbies Lyrra

Especially one in the south. Don't forget you have to deal with allin'us who talk funny. Of course, God talks like we do. People are going to be surprised when St Peter greets with at the gate with "Yall come up to the big house."

Further note... There is a phenomenon at Cons that, at Mid-South Con, for example, is known as the "Entropy Party". After the costume contest on Saturdays, a random room becomes the site of huge party, with PGA Punch, lots of music, and fellow nerds gettin' down old-skool style. Lot of fun, ya gotta believe me... I remember one where Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi) was a GOH, and at the Entropy Party, I saw two chicks dressed as Klingons doing the Time Warp with Deanna Troi...

I'm mostly used to BosWash Corridor cons - Philcon, Arisia, Darkover. We have 'dead dog' parties on sundays - sometimes into Mon :) Although FilkOntario (canada) had a Dead Penguin party. Arisia has Fannish Amoeba parties that ooze along the hallways and in dealers row at night. I haven't been to a con further down the coast than the late lamented Disclave and the furtehst west was a Marcon. The customs are different in different areas - anthropologists would be fascinated :) I once saw a Klingon, a Highlander and a Narn Riverdancing. Some sights never leave you shudder Lyrra

I went to a convention in Dallas that was.. hmm... assaulted by 5 very large, bearded men in skin tight sailor moon outfits. My soul hurts just thinking about it. :shudders: Anz

I met a blue skinned Andorian at the SF&F Con in Atlanta years back. I had the oppertunity to find out just how far her dye job went. It covered her completely, and I do mean completely. I never caught her out of character for the entire thing. I wondered if she traveled in character. She did tell me that all she did was go from Convention to convention because she didn't have to work.... At the same time I rode the elevator up with one of the stars of a TV series who seemed miffed that I didn't reconized him at once and I didn't ask for an autograph.

I ran into the doctor from Babylon 5 like a half dozen times last year and he always seemed pleased that no one bugged him. :grins: And the woman who played Ivonova was evidently partying pretty much 24/7.. she seemed hung over ever time I saw her :Grins: Anz