incidents and accidents, hints and allegations

So I'm thinking of additional ways to raise money for Con or Bust, because the auction is going well but not smashingly (ends tonight! Check it out!), and one thing that occurred to me was a raffle at WisCon (and maybe Readercon, but first things first). So I've just sent in a request for a dealer's table. We'll see if there's space left and if a raffle is okay. Assuming both are good--

I think I have a decent idea about most of the logistics [*] except kind of the most important one, which is getting stuff to raffle.

Because so many people fly to WisCon, the enormous baskets that Operation Hammond was raffling at Arisia don't seem like a good idea. Ideally we're talking small but shiny. But I don't want to impose on people who've already donated stuff to the auction and I don't know how you approach big companies for stuff. I'm going to see if Tempest can talk, but anyone else have experience?

My wish list, based on thinking over spare moments during the last few days:

• Tablets. iPad, iPad mini, Nexus 10, Nexus 7. This is the most pie-in-the-sky item, because they're expensive and almost certainly would have to come from big companies, but boy would they be a draw.
• eReaders. Nook, Kindle (Sony, Kobo?). Same as above.
• Gift certificates. Books: local bookstore Room of One's Own, Book View Cafe, Amazon, B&N. Food (Omaha Steaks? What other fancy places do mail order?)? Zappo's (shoes)?
• Small packages of quality candy (local?).
• Jewelry? Maybe not, there will be a lot of that already there.
• . . . what else?

Anyway. What am I overlooking, is this a horrible idea, does anyone have suggestions? (Please don't contact anyone yet, because if there's no table space then it's a moot point, but I want to get ready to move in case there is.)

[*] I'll bring the netbook and have a spreadsheet set up ahead of time with ticket numbers, and put people's phone #s on the spreadsheet, so there's no question about handwriting, and also ask them if they'll be around Sunday night for the GoH speeches, which is when I'll do the drawing and hand stuff out after. When I've got programming I'll see if a friend can cover the table; I'll also bring the whole shebang to the Carl Brandon party. I'll also have T-shirts for sale. I don't think I can take credit cards, or that the CBS can, but I can have people open up private browsing tabs for PayPal right there, or ask them to use their own computer, include a note, and then come get their tickets/T-shirts.

As you all overwhelmingly suggested, Con or Bust now has its own accounts on Twitter and Tumblr, which will automagically be updated with new post notifications (as will the old con_or_bust). Handy follow links: follow Con or Bust on Twitter or follow Con or Bust on Tumblr.

Reminders: Con or Bust's annual online fundraising auction starts taking bids on February 9, but you can submit things to be auctioned now or check out the current offerings! More information about the auction. And Con or Bust will be taking requests for assistance to attend cons in April, May, and June from February 15-25; how to request assistance.

Thanks, and please spread the word!

(Also, I'm fascinated that for a while SteelyKid & the Pip were neck-and-neck with an Arisia social justice panel report for the next thing I write. That poll is still open, though as work has gotten worse than I expected, don't hold your breath. (Wah.))

PS: I find Tumblr kind of baffling (you have no idea how long it took me to figure out how to change the page title from "Untitled"), so if I've done something weird or wrong of suboptimal, do please let me know.

I'm very excited to tell you all that Con or Bust now has its own domain, the imaginatively-named con-or-bust.org! LiveJournal was a good home, but between the downtimes and spam, and the ability to conduct the annual auction without needing people to login, it was time to move.

I will still post major announcements on LJ, but if you want to auction things off, come on over now—all you need is an email address. This year's auction will run from Saturday, February 9, 2013, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time to Sunday, February 24, 2013, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, and again, you may submit auctions now. If you bid, you'll also be able to receive email notifications of new bids—and you won't have to worry about bidding in the right thread. =>

Thanks to the community, my intrepid beta-testers, and Philip Weiss for all your help, and I look forward to seeing you at the new site!

( feature unlocked! )

Have some Internet things:

One: The guys on an ESPN football show apparently decided to work in as many Princess Bride quotes as they could into a half-hour. Hilarity ensues, by which I mean, I hurt myself laughing at this 1:38 clip video pulling out all the references.

( embedded video )

Two: I've started re-reading The Hobbit chapter-by-chapter over on Tor.com; here's the Chapter 1 post. Do stop by, it should be fun.

Three: SteelyKid has started sending email. No, I'm serious, she hunt-and-pecks the letters, sometimes asking us for spelling but not always, and then we click "send" together. She's visiting Chad's parents right now and behind the cut I have the very best email chain ever.

( emails from SteelyKid )

I'd send her back a smiley-face but I'm not sure she's understand. Gosh I love that kid.

Four: con_or_bust is now taking requests for assistance from non-white fans/fans of color to attend SFF cons in January, February, and March 2012—including Arisia, FOGCon, and EightSquaredCon (the 2013 Eastercon), which have all donated to support Con or Bust. See this post for information on how to request assistance.

Things I am grateful for (or that, depending on the phrasing), daily during November.

( past days, for my own reference )

15. Gotta go with the Internet today, for all kinds of things, not just the above.

I'm looking for two memberships to this year's World Fantasy Con (which has hit its membership cap) for Con or Bust, either to be donated (US tax deduction!) or to be purchased. Anyone have one or two, or know of anyone who might? Thanks.

I am sadly late on this one, but help_for_ephemere is a a fundraiser to benefit ephemere, with the aim of supporting her in the wake of her losing her job, home, and good relations with her family due to homophobia; it's being run by her friends and with her permission. Bidding on auction items ends Saturday; here are some auctions with no bids or one bid, and the FAQ. *peruses*

Also, Con or Bust will be taking requests for assistance to attend SFF cons in October, November, or December from non-white fans/fans of color during August 15-25; please plan accordingly! More information.

Bidding at con_or_bust is now live. I am offering chocolate chip cookies and boxes of books from our collection. Also of potential interest to people reading this: a print of one of the new Wheel of Time ebook covers, winner's choice; copies of Chad's books on quantum physics and relativity; and an ARC of N.K. Jemisin's next novel. But there's lots more stuff than I can link to; please take a look!

It's also not too late to offer items; bidding doesn't close until February 25, and the more auction items, the better! Here's how.

The annual auction for con_or_bust starts this Saturday! Please see this post for more information, and if there's something you'd like to auction, please do!

Through May 31. I am aware that this is ridiculously short notice, so please spread the word by linking to the announcement post!