Zooming toward Worldcon

Despite all my posting about Gen Con, Worldcon does remain my priority for the days it's being held. There just hasn't been much to write about. Yesterday morning, though, I attended a Zoom training session for program participants.

CoNZealand program items will be held in webinar mode, which means the audience will not be able to engage in Zoombombing. There will be both text chat, for the audience to talk among themselves, and a Q&A feature for questions to be submitted to the panel.

The most important piece of information for me as a moderator is that every panel room will have host, separate from the panelists, who will be there to iron out technical difficulties and help block abusive or spammy comments or questions. Given that a Worldcon can have twenty program items going on at the same time, this is a huge commitment of volunteer time, and one I've very grateful that they're making.

For those new to Discord, CoNZealand's programming department has set up its own server for participants to try out.

Achievement unlocked: PFS 2e season 1 metaplot

Every Pathfinder Society season, which runs from Gen Con to Gen Con, there are a few scenarios designated as part of the "metaplot", an overarching story thread that runs through the season. I've now managed to play all the ones for season 1 of the second edition. In fact, I think this may be the first time I've played any metaplot scenarios during the season where they were released.

Continuing the adventure log, again with no spoilers but a certain amount of extraneous commentary...

PFS2 #1-11: Flames of Rebellion: ( Read more... )

PFS2 #1-00: Origin of the Open Road: ( Read more... )

PFS2 #1-07: Flooded King's Court: ( Read more... )

PFS2 #1-20: The Lost Legend: ( Read more... )

114 days to go

About that nice, sunny mild weather that was forecast for the week? Half of it was gloomy and rainy instead. Locally, rain is known sarcastically as "Oregon sunshine".

It's a fine representation of how things are going locally. Covid-19 infections continue to spike. Oregon as a whole may still be doing better than most of the US, but my postal code and all the ones around it are seeing Sun Belt rates of infection now. At least, as I said last week, everyone going to the grocery store is on the same page about masks. Ditto the local pharmacy, and there's still one bank with a drive-thru around here, so that covers all our essential errands.

In downtown Portland, the feds have moved in, reintroduced tear gas, and shot a protestor in the face with a round meant to be aimed at the arms or legs.

I'm feeling pretty pessimistic about the rest of the year, but I'm sure 2020 will find a way to exceed my negative expectations.