Put us on your Schedule! 2/17/2018

Winter's the theme for the
February KaCSFFS Meeting
When? Saturday evening: February 17, 2018, 6:00 p.m. set-up; 7:00 program starts
Where? The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111
Food theme: Chocolate!

Mark your calendar now!

HBO's now-iconic series Game of Thrones is based on George R. R. Martin's epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire.

The program: WINTER in SF-F and Horror
From the motto "Winter is coming" (Game of Thrones) to Planet Hoth to The Shining, the season of winter and wintry-type places form a thread woven through many tales in our favorite speculative genres.

This iconic image of the ice-planet Hoth is drawn from the Star Wars classic, The Empire Strikes Back.

We're still working to put together a panel of writers and/or readers who can guide our exploration of how the big freeze has left its icy mark in some of our best-loved fiction. Check back later at The KaCSFFS Blog for updates and more details.

Unforgettable Jack Nicholson in the 1980 movie The Shining, based on the novel by Stephen King.

The CHOCOLATE
If you're allergic or not a chocoholic, we apologize.

But for much of fandom, chocolate is a favorite passion, which we share with favorite characters such as Counselor Deanna Troi of Star Trek: The Next Generation, for whom Chocolate is a serious thing, and Honor Harrington, focal character for the sf novel series by David Weber, who prefers a cup of hot cocoa to coffee.

Honor Harrington, in a busy moment between cups of hot cocoa, as envisioned by artist David Mattingly for the book The Short Victorious War.

It can even be a palliative remedy (it is the best-ever cure for a close-call with Dementors), of just the sort the folks at Hogwarts use to ease their fears and pains. Chocolate Frogs, anyone?

In this still image from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, young Harry encounters his first-ever chocolate frog.

If you'd like to help us celebrate our food theme, please plan to bring a favorite share-able concoction made from chocolate, or keep it simple with a package of your favorite wrapped chocolates, to share with your fannish friends!

Mark your calendar now!

IMAGES: Many thanks to the following, for these wintry images: to Wallpaper Cave, for the "Winter is coming" image; to the official Star Wars website, for the chilly Tauntaun and rider on the snowbanks of Hoth; and to IMDB for the still from the 1980 movie The Shining.
We also deeply appreciate the chocolate-themed images, as follows: to the Deanna Troi Day Twitter page, for the Troi/Chocolate meme image; to Super Hero Hype for the detail from the David Mattingly cover for the Honor Harrington book The Short Victorious War; and to Smosh, for the movie still of Harry Potter with his first chocolate frog.

The Throne is Coming!

"Winter" may not actually be coming in May, but the Iron Throne is coming to ConQuesT 46!

ConQuesT 46 will be epic. The guest lineup includes
Brandon Sanderson-Author GoH
Selina Rosen-Toastmaster
NeNe Thomas-Artist GoH
George R.R. Martin-Editor GoH
Mark Oshiro-Fan GoH

This year's ConQuesT will be held at the Kansas City Downtown Marriott on Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-24, 2015. Our convention coincides with (and shares membership discounts with) the simultaneously-running Spectrum Fantastic Art Live show in the adjacent Muehlbach Hotel.

IMAGE: the Iron Throne photo is courtesy of HBO, via the ConQuesT Facebook Page. 

Laser Rangers 2015 May Meeting (Part 2)

GAME OF THRONES SEASON 4!

Date: May 9, 2015
Time: 4:50pm
Location: David Sooby’s home theater with 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding.
Captain Laser:Sir Kennos of Kayce
Food: Inn at the Crossroads
Costume: Medieval

To learn more, please visit our Facebook Event Page.

Short features will be shown before each feature. Don't miss them!

Feature Presentation!
GAME OF THRONES SEASON 4 EPISODES 6-10

(2014, LONG!) Directed by: VARIOUS

Starring: Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Maisie Williams, Kit Harington, Iain Glen, Sophie Turner, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Charles Dance, Rory McCann, Alfie Allen, Jack Gleeson, John Bradley, Michelle Fairley, Isaac Hempstead Wright.

The fourth season of the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones premiered in the United States on HBO on April 6, 2014, and concluded on June 15, 2014, consisting of 10 episodes.[4] It is adapted primarily from the second half of A Storm of Swords, along with elements of A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, all novels from the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin.[5]-Wikipedia

Watch Season 3 in four minutes! here!







~~~~~
After the first two or three episodes, please join us for a potluck dinner. Bring something to share. It can follow the theme, or be something you prefer.
~~~~~







The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

IMAGE CREDITS: The information for all of these shows come from the invaluable IMDB. The poster come from Daily India. All copyrights are held by HBO & George R.R. Martin.

The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!

Laser Rangers 2015 May Meeting

GAME OF THRONES SEASON 4!

Date: May 2, 2015
Time: 4:50pm
Location: David Sooby’s home theater with 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding.
Captain Laser:Sir Kennos of Kayce
Food: Inn at the Crossroads
Costume: Medieval

To learn more, please visit our Facebook Event Page.

Short features will be shown before each feature. Don't miss them!

Feature Presentation!
GAME OF THRONES SEASON 4 EPISODES 1-5

(2014, LONG!) Directed by: VARIOUS

Starring: Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Maisie Williams, Kit Harington, Iain Glen, Sophie Turner, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Charles Dance, Rory McCann, Alfie Allen, Jack Gleeson, John Bradley, Michelle Fairley, Isaac Hempstead Wright.

The fourth season of the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones premiered in the United States on HBO on April 6, 2014, and concluded on June 15, 2014, consisting of 10 episodes.[4] It is adapted primarily from the second half of A Storm of Swords, along with elements of A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, all novels from the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin.[5]-Wikipedia

Watch Season 3 in four minutes! here!







~~~~~
After the first two or three episodes, please join us for a potluck dinner. Bring something to share. It can follow the theme, or be something you prefer.
~~~~~







The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

IMAGE CREDITS: The information for all of these shows come from the invaluable IMDB. The poster come from Daily India. All copyrights are held by HBO & George R.R. Martin.

The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!

Laser Rangers 2015 April Meeting

GAME OF THRONES SEASON 4! (Postponed to May 2!)

Date: May 2, 2015
Time: 4:50pm
Location: David Sooby’s home theater with 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding.
Captain Laser:Sir Kennos of Kayce
Food: Inn at the Crossroads
Costume: Medieval

To learn more, please visit our Facebook Event Page.

Short features will be shown before each feature. Don't miss them!

Feature Presentation!
GAME OF THRONES SEASON 4 EPISODES 1-5

(2014, LONG!) Directed by: VARIOUS

Starring: Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Maisie Williams, Kit Harington, Iain Glen, Sophie Turner, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Charles Dance, Rory McCann, Alfie Allen, Jack Gleeson, John Bradley, Michelle Fairley, Isaac Hempstead Wright.

The fourth season of the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones premiered in the United States on HBO on April 6, 2014, and concluded on June 15, 2014, consisting of 10 episodes.[4] It is adapted primarily from the second half of A Storm of Swords, along with elements of A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, all novels from the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin.[5]-Wikipedia

Watch Season 3 in four minutes! here!







~~~~~
After the first two or three episodes, please join us for a potluck dinner. Bring something to share. It can follow the theme, or be something you prefer.
~~~~~







The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

IMAGE CREDITS: The information for all of these shows come from the invaluable IMDB. The poster come from Daily India. All copyrights are held by HBO & George R.R. Martin.

The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!

A ConQuesT 46 Preview #1

By David Sooby 
(with additions by Jan Gephardt)

ConQuesT 2015: Blowing the Doors Off!
A frequent topic of recent discussions by KAXFEN* is: Just how big will ConQuesT be next year? Consider our guest lineup:

Queen of Silk, by Nene Thomas

Artist Guest of Honor (GOH) Nene Thomas 
After years of working with such companies as Wizards of the Coast (on Magic: The Gathering, among other projects), Nene Thomas has spent the last several years as a successful print artist. View a gallery of her work on her website.

Fan GOH Mark Oshiro
Mark Oshiro chronicles his unspoiled journey through various television and book series in provides just such a thing on a daily basis on Mark Reads and Mark Watches. He received a Hugo nomination for Best Fan Writer in 2013.

Toastmaster Selena Rosen 
Selina is an accomplished writer with a long list of published short stories and 20-plus novels. She owns and runs Yard Dog Press, and is a popular and entertaining guest at sf conventions, particularly in our region and the South.

Author GOH Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson authors the Mistborn series, and completed Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. He has begun a planned ten-volume series The Stormlight Archive, and co-hosts a Hugo Award-winning writing advice podcast Writing Excuses with Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, and Dan Wells.

Editor GOH George R.R. Martin
George's fans are certainly aware that in addition to editing the Wild Cards series, he is the author of A Song of Ice and Fire, the fantasy series which is the basis for HBO's wildly popular Game of Thrones, for which George also produces and writes episodes.

The Kansas City Marriott Downtown can handle even a super-sized ConQuesT

So just how big will ConQuesT 2015 be? Well, the best indication is the advance registrations. They are running more than twice what we normally get, which suggests an attendance in excess of 1000. While the ConQuesT committee is not willing to guarantee that number to our dealers and artists, longtime KAXFEN are guessing at an attendance around 1200 or even more! One thing seems very nearly certain: This will be by far the biggest ConQuesT ever.

But not to worry; our hotel, the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, and its convention space, can easily accommodate that many fans. We do recommend you make your hotel reservations soon, though; our room block is already about half full.

*KAXFEN are members of the Kansas City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society.

IMAGE CREDITS: The Queen of Silk image by Nene Thomas is from of the ConQuesT website. Prints of this copyrighted image are available on Nene's website. The image of the Kansas City Downtown Marriott is from the ConQuesT website.

September 2013 KaCSFFS Meeting

Tonight: George R. R. Martin Program
Who: You, we hope!
What: Monthly KaCSFFS Meeting
When: BoD 5:30 p.m., General meeting 7:00 p.m. TONIGHT Sept. 21, 2013
Where: The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111
Why: Because it's fun and interesting! 
Food Theme: Cookies and Salad (NO broccoli; it's an exercise in futility)

GRRM in the Land of Enchantment:
Founding member Ken Keller (AKA Sir Kennos of Kayce) traveled to visit his friend George R. R. Martin in August, and we are the richer for it, tonight.  As Ken announced in a message on the KAXFEN list:

Jean Cocteau Cinema: Santa Fe's new/historic gem.

 

"I'll be presenting and narrating a photo show I shot in early August while visiting George and his wife Paris in Santa Fe, NM. I was in Santa Fe for the grand reopening of the Jean Cocteau Cinema, which George had purchased in early 2013 and then had completely refurbished.
 
"The first film shown at the theater was the classic Forbidden Planet, George's favorite science fiction film. One of the film's most famous stars was also in attendance at the theater' s sold-out first screening; many pictures were taken with this celebrity by everyone, including me.
 

George R. R. Martin

"I'll also be giving a photo tour of George's large office house, his personal working office, his astonishing collection of medieval miniatures and original art, and I'll have photos of most of his staff, too.
 

Melinda M. Snodgrass

"Concluding the show will be my and George's visit to SF writer Melinda Snodgrass' beautiful mountain vista custom home in the wilds of Santa Fe. Melinda is one of George's oldest friends and writing collaborators, having been his right-hand in the on-going (for 26 years!) Wild Cards series from Tor Books. Melinda has also worked in Hollywood on many of TV's science fiction and fantasy series, including Star Trek, The Next Generation, among others. Melinda is also a past Writer Guest of Honor here at ConQuesT."

Swap & Shop Tonight:
President Ty Gephardt has scheduled a Swap & Shop event tonight, in addition to Ken's presentation, and a general business meeting; however, we do not have an advance-list of anyone who may be bringing things to sell.  

Next Month: Halloween Costume Party!  

Photo Credits: the image of the Cocteau Cinema is from its website. The profile pic of George is from his "Not a Blog" on LiveJournal. The photo of Melinda M. Snodgrass is from her website.

Laser Rangers SPECIAL Game of Thrones 2 Part 2

pecial Event!!!!

The Laser Rangers of Kansas City are proud to present a special Blu-Ray High Definition screening of HBO's Game of Thrones Season 2 in two parts by the graciousness and providence of Ser Kennos of Kayce.

Date: On the 30th day of the third month in the year of our Lord two thousandth thirteen. (March 30th, 2013)  
Time: Pre-show: 3:30pm, Showtime: 4pm sharp! 
Place: House Sooby of Castle Robbins. Wherein a viewing mirror of 51 inches span surrounded by the mæsters's greatest speaking stones imbued with modern magic will accommodate 15 persons in comfort and warmth. (a 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding).
Lord Laser: Ser Kennos of Kayce
Fōda of the Realm: Soups, bread, and refreshments. Please query Inn at the Crossroads for ideas and suggestions. Pot Luck. 
Costumes of the Realm: Medieval, query: L.A. Times for ideas.

ews of the Realm

Send a raven to our Facebook Group

dditional Announcement

[Less than] *one week* [until] we show the final 5 episodes of "Game of Thrones" Season 2 (*Blackwater* is coming...). We will assemble just before 3:45 p.m. at our usual venue, and the program will start *promptly* at 4:00 p.m. (no exceptions).

The dinner break will be after episode 6 or 7 by consensus of the group; the food theme will be a Pot Luck, since no foods of Westeros have appeared at these special screenings (yet).

For our final GoT session this year, on display . . . will be Longclaw, the sword of Jon Snow; a stunning 14" tall reproduction of the Iron Throne of Westeros; many examples of the coinage of the 7 Kingdoms of Westeros (and the Dothraki); plus a very special coin of significance that has a minor role near the end of Season 2; plus other items from the series.

Please plan your upcoming schedules accordingly, as there will be *no repeats* of this season by the Laser Rangers! [Edited and Reposted from the Laser Rangers Facebook Group. Written by Ken K.]

laylist

#6. The Old Gods and the New
#7. A Man Without Honor
#8. The Prince of Winterfell
#9. Blackwater
#10. Valar Morghulis.

ame of Thrones Season 3 - "Princess Bride Promo"

THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THIS LASER RANGER'S SPECIAL BLU-RAY HIGH DEFINITION SCREENING!

IMAGE CREDITS: The illuminated letters come from Background Pictures. The "Reyne Rebellion" image is © HBO/George R.R. Martin and are used here from the reference found at A Wiki of Ice and Fire. "Game of Thrones Season 3 - "Princess Bride Promo" is © HBO, CinestirTV & 20th Century Fox via YouTube.
 
The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!

Plan NOW for the Game of Thrones Marathon

View the entire First Season!

See all 10 episodes of HBO's Emmy-winning fantasy series Game of Thrones for FREE on a 51" Plasma HDTV in 1080p and in 5.1 Surround Sound, 6 months before they'll be available on Blu-ray and DVD (mid-March 2012)!

You have two chances this weekend!

The first complete viewing is set for Saturday, November 5th. The entire season will be repeated the next day, Sunday, November 6th (see schedule further below).

Videos to get you in the mood:
View the terrific Emmy Award-winning title sequence that won for "Best Main Title Design" at this year's ceremony (Actor Peter Dinklage also wonfor "Best Suppporting Actor in a Drama Series").

Enjoy a stirring (non-spoiler) preview of HBO's Season One.

Enjoy an optimal viewing experience!
We have ample seating in a Home Theatre environment.  View the entire season on a 51" Plasma HDTV in 1080p and in 5.1 Surround SoundOff-street parking will be available for both complete screenings.

Please drop Ken Keller an e-mail note and let me know if you'll be attending.

Please call David Sooby at 913-721-2106 for specific directions.

Game of Thrones Marathon show times:
Saturday, November 5:
Noon - 2:00 pm, Episodes 1 & 2
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm (Late Lunch Break)
2:45 pm - 4:45 pm, Episodes 3 & 4
4:45 pm - 5:00 pm (Intermission)
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Episodes 5 & 6
7:00 pm - 7:45 pm (Dinner Break)
7:45 pm - 9:45 pm, Episodes 7 & 8
9:45 pm - 10:00 pm (Intermission)
10:00 pm - Midnight, Episodes 9 & 10

Sunday, November 6:
10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Episodes 1, 2, & 3
1::00 pm - 1:45 pm (Lunch Break)
1:45 pm - 3:45 pm, Episodes 4 & 5
3:45 pm - 4:00 pm (Intermission)
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Episodes 6 & 7
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm (Dinner Break)
6:45 pm - 9:45 pm, Episodes 8, 9, & 10

Suggestions to Enhance Your Viewing Enjoyment of the HBO series:
Game of Thrones is packed with plot and complex characters. To enhance
your viewing pleasure (and so you don't get entirely lost), it is strongly
recommended that you read this spoiler-free pdf of the HBO Viewer's Guide
before you come to the Marathon.

Lunch and Dinner:
Unfortunately, due to its length, the Marathon can only allow 45 minutes each for the Lunch and Dinner breaks. We're suggesting a shared Pot Luck among everyone attending. So it's best to bring your food pre-cooked,  ready to warm up in our microwaves, or ready to eat--we'll have at least two microwave ovens (plus a regular stove available, if needed).

A lavish website, The Inn at the Crossroads, is devoted to the foods of Westeros (the world of Game of Thrones, and also Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series). Especially note their Individual Dishes page.

Other medieval/renaissance-themed dishes would also be appropriate. However, it's not required that you bring these specific types of dishes; the above is strictly offered as a suggestion. You may bring your own lunch and dinner--or contribute to the Marathon's Pot Luck.

But please let Ken know if you'll be contributing to this Pot Luck so we can gauge response. Thanks!

"Game of Thrones" Marathon POSTPONED!

Laser Ranger Ken Keller just made the following announcement:

Might be a good weekend to read the book?

"For [a] tech reason beyond our control, the double-marathon screening of HBO's Emmy-winning Game of Thrones Season One is being *briefly* postponed to a later weekend this month.

"The Game of Thrones marathon *will not* be happening this coming Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th!

"But it *will* still be happening in October, either on the 3rd or 4th weekend--we must first check on a real schedule conflict with another event.

"More details will follow, immediately, as we get this sorted out; we apologize for this postponement.

"Be assured that the 'Game of Thrones Marathon' will be happening, only a little later this month, and with the exact same weekend show times as previously announced.

--Ken"

IMAGE CREDIT: The book cover photo is courtesy of Amazon. 

Programs Announced for SF&F Literati and Laser Rangers

A full weekend of entertainment.
Months of reading pleasure!  
What's not to like?


Laser Rangers host Game of Thrones First Season!
Flush with enthusiasm over the new 51-inch plasma HDTV in the Laser Rangers Home Theater and the success of friend George R. R. Martin's HBO blockbuster hit, the Laser Rangers have planned back-to-back "GoT" marathon viewings of the entire first season.

Here is a preview!

Saturday Oct. 8 and Sunday Oct. 9 are the dates for Game of Thrones. 

Viewing begins on Saturday at noon and runs through midnight, with 45-minute breaks for lunch and dinner, and a 15-minute intermission.  The same schedule begins with Episode 1 at 10 a.m. Sunday, running through the end of Episode 10 at 9:45 p.m. 


The food theme for both days is medieval European food.  For ideas and Game of Thrones-aligned recipes, go to The Inn at The Crossroads website.  For a complete schedule and location information, check the official Laser Rangers website.

The previously-announced regular session, "Things that Go Bump in the Night," will take place October 15, from 4:15 p.m. till whenever in the wee hours. Look for more details in future posts or on the Laser Rangers website.


SF & F Literati Announce 
Autumn and Winter Book Selections!
SF&F Literati meet every fourth Monday of the month at the Barnes & Nobles Booksellers at Oak Park Mall in Overland Park.  

They have just announced the autumn-winter lineup of books.  All announced selections are listed here, so anyone who is interested may track down a copy.

October's featured book.

For discussion Oct. 24, 2011: 
A Matter of Time by Glen Cook
Overview from the Barnes & Nobles website:
     May 1975, St. Louis: In a snow-swept street, a cop finds the body of a man who died fifty years ago. It's still warm. 
     July 1866, Lidice, Bohemia: A teenage girl calmly watches her parents die as another being takes control of her body. 
     August 2058, Prague: Three political rebels flee in to the past, taking with them a terrible secret. 
     As past, present, and future collide, one man holds the key to the puzzle. And if he doesn't fit it together, the world he knows will fall to pieces. It's just A Matter of Time!

November's featured book.

For discussion Nov 28, 2011: 
Dragons Wild by Robert Asprin 
Overview from the Barnes & Nobles website:
     First in a brand new series from the New York Times bestselling creator of the Myth and Phule novels:
     A low-stakes con artist and killer poker player, Griffen "Grifter" McCandles graduated college fully expecting his wealthy family to have a job waiting for him. Instead, his mysterious uncle reveals a strange family secret: Griffen and his sister, Valerie, are actually dragons.
     Unwilling to let Uncle Mal take him under his wing, so to speak, Griffen heads to New Orleans with Valerie to make a living the only way he knows how. And even the criminal underworld of the French Quarter will heat up when Griffen lands in town.

There will be NO meeting in December.

January's featured book.

For discussion Jan 23, 2012: 
The Unincorporated Man by Dani  & Eytan Kollin
Overview from the Barnes & Nobles website:

     The incredible has happened.  A billionaire businessman from our time, frozen in secret in the early 21st century, is discovered in the far future and resurrected, given health and a vigorous younger body. 

     He awakens into a civilization in which every individual is formed into a legal corporation at birth, and spends many years trying to attain control over [his or her] own life by getting a majority of his or her own shares. Life extension has made life very long indeed.

     Justin Cord is the only unincorporated man in the world, a true stranger in this strange land. Justin survive[s] because he is tough and smart. He cannot accept only part ownership of himself, even if that places him in conflict with a civilization that extends outside the solar system to the Oort Cloud.

     The Unincorporated Man is a provocative social/political/economic novel that people will be arguing about for decades.

February's featured book.

For discussion Feb 27, 2012:
I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
Overview from the Barnes & Nobles website:
     Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.
     Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.
     But they know.
     They caught Number One in Malaysia.
     Number Two in England.
     And Number Three in Kenya.
     They killed them all.
     I am Number Four.
     I am next.

Where is the Barnes & Noble at Oak Park Mall?

View Larger Map

IMAGE CREDITS: (see links above)
The Game of Thrones video preview is from YouTube.
The four book images for the SF & F Literati selections are from the Barnes & Noble online store.
The map is from Google Maps.

Being my account of the Hastings midnight launch for "A Dance With Dragons"

(Posted with permission. Nothing has been altered. It begins nigh.)


was, of course, the first in line at my weighing and payment station. A crowd of the faithful had gathered for the event. Sleepiness and excitement co-mingled at such a late hour. I was not so inclined having prepared for the moment.


harply, at 12:01 AM, in the first minute of the twelfth day of the seventh month, the tower bell rang, signaling the start; I slid my House's wood and metal payment voucher through the magical "reader" quickly and with a flourish. (How else? I proudly serve House Keller, well-known for its mighty and varied collections of knowledge and things wondrous, and for its purposeful motto: "We Acquire.") I then wrote my name and title on the reader's ghostly green screen, always with the very strange "quill" provided; it was an ugly and blindly-made scrawl, looking like some blond lord of the fictional Lannister clan had likely forged it. Once again, its deformities passed muster without challenge; who understands such socerery, even in this day and age?

oth copies of Maester Martin's lengthy tale "A Dance With Dragons" were now the legal property of the House I dutifully served, a mere two minutes after the Witching Hour had begun. For good measure, having been granted discretion in all things Martin, I added to my purchase a perfect example, in all ways, of that lesser-known but still maesterly-scribed and illuminated tale called "Doorways," in the limited horse-hide bound edition, of course. I placed all three treasures very carefully in smooth, water-tight muslin bags and left the sale, shadowed by my traveling companion.

The Home of Harry S. Truman 

deposited them in the back of my purposely plain conveyance; its powerful horses had been trained to be perfectly silent until called upon for action. Out of sight of anyone, I then wrapped the precious within several of my wife's own hand-knitted winter shawls, finally covering all in a layer of straw for concealment. This to keep prying and envious eyes away while on the return journey to the Kingdom of Western Missouri--home to King Truman-the-Obstinate's white keep, and nearby, the very tall and twisted ram's horn ground spire next to the imposing castle of Independence Temple, with its massive dome.

At left: Community of Christ International Headquarters.
At right: Community of Christ Auditorium 

can barely believe it now; it seems like a dream. Mere minutes before, I carefully began sorting through a baker's dozen copies of the heavy and much anticipated "Dragons" tome-- each weighing more than 2-and-one-half-stone!--carefully looking for only the most perfect copies in dust jacket alignment and without printing and binding flaws of any kind. My steady, focused Virgoian eyes quickly discarded those that didn't pass muster; those wouldbe for lesser men, lesser Houses.

had been on a quest: To be among the very first of Maester Martin's many devoted followers to acquire two hallowed First Edition, First Printings of this long-awaited, continuing tale of the lands and people of mythic Westeros, already in a *sixth* printing before it had been looked upon by the eyes of Man. Now I had two copies in my possession: Huzzah!

hile I was about it, I selected a third for good William McCullough, the renowned Western Missouri Brewmaester and my traveling companion. And if truth-be-told, secret sellsword when so commissioned by your scribe. He smiled ever so slightly as I passed a copy of the heavy tome to him, part payment for services in my journey here; excitement showed in his hooded eyes for just a brief, unguarded moment. He stood directly behind me at the weighing and payment station, his attention sharply focused.

s is his wont, he fingered the hilt of the exotic short-sword and sheath at his waste, its swirled-patterned blade always at the ready for anyone even thinking of cutting the queue for a quicker purchase and exit...or other mischief. He had received such a fine, rare weapon years before as a reward for his valiant service in commanding, without regard for pity, the three day Conquest of Kansas City, while captain of bannermen for House KaCSFFS, before his later retirement from their service. Such a rare weapon suited him: I had seen him use it with great speed and skill on past occasions, when so required. He was always a welcome traveling companion.

hose around me, also hoping to purchase (or steal) a copy of the latest of Maester Martin's lifework, watched me warily and with suspicion. They could little understand my careful, measured actions in pre-selecting so many of the heavy tomes from which to choose. But they respected the growing stack in front of me, likely thinking me some moneyed and frivolous foreigner, rather than a noble-house's trusted acquisition agent; wisely they selected their single copies from other, nearby stacks.

he red-haired merchantman in charge of this Witching Hour sale looked on in boredom at my labors; his red eyes showed he preferred to be home asleep at such a late hour, stretched out on his inviting mattress of duck down.



he transaction completed and my quest fulfilled, William and your scribe began to head east toward the eventual rising sun, all the while yearning to see the boundaries of more familiar lands and places. Several thrilling (and quite profitable!) adventures were had on that fateful journey home...but therein my friends lies another tale..."

--from the journals of Kennos, Maester Collector and Docent for House
Keller


Replies to Kennos's Story:

> I can barely believe it now; it seems like a dream. Mere minutes before, I
> carefully began sorting through a baker's dozen copies of the heavy and
> much anticipated "Dragons" tome-- each weighing more than
> 2-and-one-half-stone!

Be these mighty tomes of vast size, printed on vellum? Four such would
be near as massive as a man in his prime! More belike, milord dost
improve the tale a mite.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
David the Lensman
House Sooby

---------------
Perhaps just a smidgen, dear observer: I am revealed! My longtime readers know I doth love to practice a bit of word-jappery, from time-to-time, to add a bit of spice to the tale at hand. Maester Martin's works be mighty and important tomes, indeed, and my intent was for the mental enhancement of their dramatis personae in the mind of the reader during said Witching Hour unveiling: of overstating their physical weight by way of the scribe's tool of poetic exaggeration; no, not to mock or diminish, but to show their weighty literary importance, a technique, dear observer, the legendary Bard of Avon was known to practice, as you may recall. I hoped to follow humbly in the Bard's mighty footsteps, even if poorly, but only for that purpose, and always with humility.

--Kennos of House Keller

PHOTO CREDITS:
Truman's house (an old postcard image) was taken from Card Cow.com. The Community of Christ spire photo was taken from their website's page. The photo is by Jim Doty. And the auditorium photo was taken by John Hamer, and found on the auditorium's Wikipedia page. The illuminated initial letters are from Stencil Kingdom.