Talking the same language

[mschatelaine]

I just had a conversation with Jamie Scott about conventions and the Emergency Hologram Eastercon, where I suggested that when the proposed Eastercon failed, the Interesting Times Gang stepped in. He replied, "Well, yes."

I was gobsmacked; "You got that reference?" says I. He replied that Excession had been his favourite book for a long time.

I don't hold with a lot of aspects of SF fandom, but good grief it's good to be able to throw out a reference like that and be immediately understood.

Comments

[fjm.livejournal.com]

Not my favourite book, but definitely my favourite Banks.

So: remind me which conventions you are going to next year. It looks as if I may be travelling a lot.

[ahforgetit.livejournal.com]

Hopefully Eastercon and World Fantasy. Definitely Worldcon the year after, in Montreal.

[tanngrisnir.livejournal.com]

I am actually astonished that you are astonished. ;)

I am not sure that Excession is my favourite book (some Strosses are giving it a run for its money, for one thing), but it is in the running.

Damn. Want to read it again, and strangely enough I don't have access to either of my copies. Grrr.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm too used to people not having read what I've read. It's really unusual to be able to throw out a reference, the way that people can quote Shakespeare (often without knowing) and not have to explain the context

[tanngrisnir.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean, really. Although, a group of Scottish fans, I would have hoped there would be a fair number who would get an IMB reference. (But, then, there was that Who is this Neil Gaiman comment.)

I think the Interesting Times Gang is a perfectly apposite comment. ;)