Off to Wiscon

I'm leaving first thing this morning to Madison, Wisconsin, to attend Wiscon 31

Everyone else I know on the program is doing it: here are the program items I am on:

Cultural Appropriation Revisited Part Two: Facilitated Discussion (Politics, Race, Class, and Religion) Saturday, 4:00-5:15 p.m. Saturday, 4:00-5:15 p.m.. in Senate B The panel on cultural appropriation at WisCon last year raised issues that were hotly discussed online, and the panel that this forum follows is likely to do the same. This open forum is meant to give you the chance to explore these issues and how they matter to you. Through passionate discussion we can improve our awareness and find the common understanding that lies beneath our disagreements. The open forum will be facilitated by Alan Bostick, who has been practicing Worldwork since 2003. Worldwork is a process-oriented approach to group facilitation and conflict developed by psychologist Arnold Mindell (author of Sitting in the Fire and The Deep Democracy of Open Forums) and collaborators. Attendees are strongly urged to also attend the immediately preceding panel discussion on cultural appropriation. M: Alan Bostick

Let's You And Her Fight (Feminism, Sex, and Gender)
Sunday, 10:00-11:15 a.m. Sunday, 10:00-11:15 a.m.
This year there was a panel about how to flirt at Wiscon. Next year I'd like to see a panel on how to fight at Wiscon. It's not bad to want to get along; but it is when that urge causes us not to speak our minds in public, and leaves us grumbling in private. How do you speak up and explain that you think the respected panel member is talking out of her hat, while maintaining a friendly attitude towards someone who is, after all, a fellow feminist and fan? Ideally people will get a chance to practice. I would particularly like to draft Steven Schwartz for this panel.
Steven E. Schwartz, Liz Henry, M: Alan Bostick, Lee Abuabara

I am particularly excited about the first item: in which I am introducing process work and worldwork to Wiscon and solo facilitating what I hope is going to be a significant crowd. Come give me moral support!