Monday, September 7, 2009

I Was a Stranger in a Strange, Storm Trooper-Filled Land


As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho Section Saturday, September 05, 2009
I've never been one to shy away from new experiences — and don't even get me started on my first and only whitewater rafting trip.

But I was a stranger in a strange land last weekend as I accepted an invitation from a friend of mine and drove down to the Albuquerque Grand Hotel to attend Bubonicon 41, my first science fiction/fantasy convention. I jumped in with both feet, grabbed my press pass and tried not to stare.

Let me just say that I am not a science fiction fan. Personally, my literature genre of choice mostly falls under the categories of nonfiction and biographies. But I will admit I used to love watching "Lost in Space" and my favorite, "The Twilight Zone." So, on the surface I may have been a "stranger," but my inner Rod Serling came shining through about a half hour inside the door as I began to assimilate on the inside.

"There's zombie face painting," suggested the alien maiden in the crowd after overhearing me explain to Francis Hamit, my fellow geek and host for the day, that I felt under-dressed in my jeans and white cotton shirt amid the Imperial Storm Troopers, slime maidens and zombies.

If I would have known cats are a very popular subject in the fantasy genre, I would have worn my calico ears and tail I keep at my desk.

After seeing some very dead-like zombies in the hospitality suite munching on Triscuits, cheese puffs and M&Ms, I didn't think the joke would go over well when I picked up my 11-year-old daughter at her best friend's house all bruised and bloodied.

Next, we sat in on the History of New Mexico: Land of Oz panel discussion with speakers Terry England, Sally Gwylan, Victor Milan and Pati Nagle and moderated by Pari Noskin Taichert. The discussion was very interactive with lots of audience participation.

The question was posed to the many science fiction and fantasy writers: "What is unique about New Mexico and what are the creative seeds that spawn so many stories?"

One zombie wearing Levi's and gold hoop earrings offered her observation that shrimp brine live in the desert. Yes, the small sea creatures do live right here in our land-locked state and when it rains, they grow legs, mate and die.

Many others chimed in on New Mexico's very inspiring weather. Some thought our isolated thunder storms were unique and amusing, and how it could be raining at your house but sunny down the street at your neighbor's. A star maiden commented on our triple rainbows and our distinctive snow storms and dust storms that can be accompanied by thunder.

Another stimulating part of our culture that is more prominent here than in other parts of the country is the Day of the Dead tradition and that our dead ancestors inhabit our bodies during the celebration, entering through our mouths when we eat. Now if that doesn't conjure up a great science fiction short story, I don't know what does. Pass the sopaipillas.

For those zombie wannabes out there who are looking for another chance to get out the face paint, put on your musty clothes and head over to the Guild Cinema on Central next Friday for the 2008 horror/comedy "Dead Snow." But don't worry about your safety; the Sandia Mountains apparently are a barrier against all kinds of negativity thanks to the Harmonic Convergence that happened in '87.

May the force be with you.

Quote of the week: "Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." — Captain Kirk.