Dalekboy

I'm sitting here still in mild shock. To my left is a certificate that says, in part, "For making an overwhelming contribution to WA Science Fiction Community."

And it was awarded to me.

There is an award that means the world to me on the years when it's given out - The Mumfan. The Mumfan is basically an award for the people who make the con-going and fan community experience more enjoyable for others. Not by doing big things, obvious things, but by doing small things that are often more important. All those little, unglamourous jobs that never get noticed, supporting people, helping out, welcoming new people... Why it means so much was summed up by one of the winners last night - 'this isn't an award for writing or art, this is an award for who I am, who we are, as people.'

I've always said that what I love about The Mumfan is that it's an award I could never receive. I get noticed, I get accolades and receive recognition for writing, or video-clips, or other things. Hell, over the years in Perth I have been a Fan Guest, Special Guest, and National Guest. You can't say I haven't been noticed.

The Silver Swan has only been awarded twice before in thirty-three years - to Grant Stone, one of the loveliest people you could ever have the good fortune to meet, and a major influence and contributor not only to West Australian fandom, but Australian fandom as a whole - and the other to the team that produced Eidolon, one of the most important magazines in Australian SF history, and naturally enough given the nature of the award, produced in Western Australia.

It's a WA award. I wasn't born here, nor have I ever lived here. I come from the other side of the country. I describe myself as a Perth fan, and I love West Australian fandom, but in strict geographical terms I come from the Eastern States.

It's one of the many reasons this award has so much impact for me. I'm not being recognised for a single achievement or a body of work, but for who I am and how I choose to live my life, and ways in which I try to enrich the community I am a part of.

It's funny writing that because this is the con that has gotten me fired up again. Since the first day I have been planning a handful of pieces on things like the 2010 Worldcon bid, programming, etc. Some are just thoughts and bits of advice, but others are a full-on arse-kicking aimed at those who do claim to be looking after fandom, but are in fact mainly looking after themselves, sometimes at the expense of the greater community.

And upon receiving the Silver Swan, I suddenly thought that maybe it's ungracious to receive a major award, and then go on the attack shortly afterwards. That maybe I shouldn't write anything that is overly critical of the way people handle or approach some of the things I want to talk about.

Except then I realise I don't care about whether it's ungracious or not. Because often the actions of these people are motivated by their own self-agrandisment, and desire to be a part of something big and important, rather than caring about the very people it's all meant to be for.

The speech that was read out before I was presented with the award means a lot to me, because it showed that the folks over here 'get' me. They know where I'm coming from.

At the presentation, Anna Hepworth gave a brief summation of what the Silver Swan is, and informed folks that it had only been given out twice before. She was then followed by Grant and Simon, who gave me their speeches, which I have copied below.

Grant Watson
"Sometimes the biggest impact a person can make is not seen in what they do, but what others do after them.

We all learn by example: we are inspired by others and want to do the things they do, we are enchanted by their talent, swept along by their enthusiasm - they make a difference to their community.

If we're very lucky, these inspirational figures respond to this attention - not with a burst of ego but by enthusiasm and excitement of their own.

The winner of the third ever Silver Swan is exactly that kind of person, not only for their own immeasurable contribution to the WA science fiction community, but in the reflection they leave on the rest of us.

I can say in all honesty that my own drive to participate in this community is inspired by one person's outstanding contribution, example, and boundless enthusiasm.

I'm sure both Simon and Anna would say the same. I'm sure half the room could say the same.


I should point out that Grant was crying so hard by this point that I was sure that someone had died and the Silver Swan was being given to the person posthumously, which I felt was rather a shame. I was also wracking my brain trying to think who had died, because anyone this big in the perth SF scene I should have known of.


Simon Oxwell
A great man once said "Perth fans don't know how lucky they are." But we do know how lucky we are, and that is why the third Silver Swan is awarded to Danny Oz.

Cue me, open mouthed, shambling up to the microphone, squeaking 'you bastards...' in a tiny little voice, and crying continuously for a few minutes while I tried to come up with something to say to do justice to the huge honour I had just been given. I knew exactly what a big deal this was, and there was no way I could ever begin to show just how amazingly touched and honoured I was and still am.

I have cried a few more times today.

Thank you everyone for your kindness and allowing me to do what I do. I may not always get things right, but that so many people recognise my love and passion for this community, one that has given me so much joy over the years, well, I just wish you could all see into my mind for just a moment, to see just how deeply moved and honoured I am.

I shall do my best to continue to be thought worthy of this in the future.

Thank you.

Got this with many thanks to sootysmudge, and been meaning to put it up for a while, like so many, many things.

( Article/interview below cut )

And having spoken to the journalist from The Australian, it looks like she'll be coming to Canberra in a couple of weeks to interview me about sperm donation, and it sounds like she wants to talk to Sharon as well! Exciting times!

( Just talking about feeling down, feel free to move along... )

So feel free to tell me something nice and jolly. It doesn't have to relate to me or my life in any way at all. I'm always happy for other people's good news, experiences, ideas, or thoughts.

Okay, for those of you that haven't seen shazgirl's news, she's up the duff again. We've passed the 12-week mark, had ultra-sound and blood tests done, and Nibblet seems to be doing fine, while Sharon is knackered most of the time. ( General thoughts and effects of things this time around... )

Yes, it's been a while, sorry about that. Two major contributing factors - one is that I foolishly left a lot of difficult subjects for the final 30. Not all of them are, but many require a fair bit of work. That wouldn't be so bad, but the other reason is that with recent events I simply don't always have the mental energy required to open myself up in this way and write about my thoughts and feelings. But be patient and I'll get there. One of the strengths of 100 Days is the required balance of talking about something I hate and something I love. Anyone can bitch and moan day after day, that's easy - counting your loves is far more rewarding and enjoyable for others to read, but much, much harder to write.


Nudity
( Long post, but I don't think there's anything particularly NSFW or TMI about it. )






Comfort Zones
( Read more... )

All comments screened, unless they have a 'yes' at the end.

"...they don’t think they need saving. I mean, they haven’t changed for years, have they? They’re not designed to be wanted because they don’t want to be wanted, not really. They want to be left alone to do their thing, and they don’t want any loud new people in the room. They serve a dwindling audience, and they have to be aware of that — so they have to be in it to simply serve that audience, to provide that presumably cosy experience to their people until the last light goes out. Otherwise they would have done something different years ago."

That's Warren Ellis talking about sf magazines, but he could be talking about the majority of sf fan clubs and conventions in Australia.

Just because your friends turn up, doesn't mean it's good.
Just because it breaks even, doesn't mean it's a success.
Just because something runs, that doesn't mean it's still relevant.

More on this later...

Regarding the Klara and Edda Belly Dancing picture, and it being pulled from the exhibit for being considered child porn, what is interesting is the reaction from people. One of the things I'm seeing is a gender difference in the perception of what is 'okay'. I don't believe this picture would have had quite the same reaction if it'd been a naked boy with another boy. I'm not saying there would have been no reaction, I'm saying it wouldn't have been judged as harshly. ( Read more... )

Just after the penis post in 100 Days, I was put onto a series of posts by a young woman regarding her genitalia issues. Completely different to mine of course, we have different bits for a start! But raw, honest, powerful, and all the sorts of things people say about my posts. I didn't get around to commenting at the time, I wasn't reading much in general because of my concentration, and so after going through a chunk over a few days, life got in the way and I forgot to go back to it again.( Read more... )

At Conflux I was chatting with a mate and something got brought up to which I said 'I don't know if you saw my Livejournal post on such-and-such,' and she replied, 'I read everything you write.'

It kind of surprised me, mainly because I figure people have better things to do than read my LJ. Okay, I know I have a couple of hundred readers, but still my expectation is that they'll dip in from time to time, rather than read me regularly. Sure, there are people with whom I try to make sure I read all their posts, but I don't expect others to do the same with mine.

But when I stopped to think about it, I remembered a few comments from various people. A couple of folks who, on discovering this journal, went right back to the beginning and read through the whole thing. The people who commented on how they regularly go back and check to make sure they haven't missed posts. So, even if my friend was not quite that zealous, some people would appear to be.

So, this is a question for that small group of you that go to the extra effort to read most, if not all, of what I write on here. See answering it as a way to say thanks.

Why? Why read so much of what I'm carrying on about?

I have a fair few anonymous readers, people who don't have LJ's, or at least don't use them to comment. So what draws you here? I mean for many folks, we're friends, but that doesn't require you to read every bloody thing I write! For some, we've barely or never met. So what is it that keeps you coming back? Especially for periods like the last year where, let's face it, it's been a bit of a chore at times.

I'd prefer the casual readers, the folks who only bother with it when they just happen to see a post, to not respond.

For those of you who go out of your way to keep up with my written meanderings, no matter when you end up reading this, no matter if you don't have an LJ account, I'd love know why.

All comments screened unless you clearly tell me otherwise or end the comment with a "Yes".