stephbg | 'Nuff on Steph as NAFF riff raff *cough*

I have decided not to run for NAFF this year, which puts the final nail in the Aussiecon 4 coffin for me. Truth be told, the casket was already in the ground before the call for nominations came up, but it's been an interesting experience tapping into the whole universe of fan funds for the first time.

Firstly, everyone should totally support the fan funds. It's inevitable that con prices have to go up, and there just isn't the kind of media sponsorship available to defray the costs. So underfunded fans often miss out. Donate, partake in fund-raising actvities, vote! Mostly vote! Send someone young and poor and enthusiastic away. Far away.

I was a little surpised at the bloodthirsty appreciation of my potential involvement, but now I understand the benefits of having a real competition between multiple candidates. More interest = more votes = more money = more awareness = A Good Thing. I was deeply averse to the idea of competing against and eventually displacing

baby_elvis, but with a bit of education (and encouragement from the lady herself) I kind of recovered from that. Also, hello hubris? Who said I would win anyway? (Where's my Tin Duck? Oh, that's right, ain't got no TDs.)

One of the main steps in nominating involves finding three members of fandom to publicly support one. I've been around for a bit; I know quite a few people in fandom, but not everyone knows who I am (there's an understatement). I discovered that one of the main ways around this was to find influential people to nominate me. People the voters would recognise and trust, even if they didn't know me. This led to a strange process of working through my friends and contacts to identify the most politically suitable who would also agree to nominate me. That was unpleasant. I'm all for having a network (and I'm more than happy to use it for professional purposes), but assessing my friends felt a little cold for my liking.

At the other end of the scale were the famous people whose paths I've crossed. I wonder if Elizabeth Moon remembers me? We con-bonded only a few years ago. Maybe Tim Powers? I *was* his official stalker. A few years ago. Over the years I've corresponded with Sean Williams about a few Swancon panels and the joys of Adelaide. Would he remember or care? (actually I seriously considered dropping him a line). I know! John Scalzi has responded more than once to my comments on his blog! He even posted a comment on *my* blog! We're BFF! He'd *fight* for me to go to Worldcon!!!!!!

*snort*

Thinking about my fan credentials (my "pitch") was much more fun, and relatively straightforward. I'm a fan with many different lit and media interests, and I have friends amongst other fandoms who keep me marginally informed around the edges. I have an eye for detail and could write con reports as you've never seen them before. Unlike the usual blog entries my reports would be re-read prior to posting, and edited. Maybe even re-worked so that they made sense! I can talk to strangers, and famous people. Even strange famous people*. I'm capable of fangirliness, but more than capable of not squeeing inappropriately if called for. I'm apparently capable of making my presence felt if called upon (although there's a price to pay afterwards and I HATE being photographed). And I can't really afford the cash to go, so we're not looking at welfare fraud.

However.

I couldn't last the distance at the con. A couple of months out and my spoon calculator is throwing up the blue screen of death at the very idea. Even if I stayed at the nearest accommodation, it wouldn't be enough of a buffer. I'd never get the kind of rest I need to maintain some kind of momentum, never mind the catering difficulties. I'd have an awesome first day, a full-on second day, an exhausted third day, and at best a struggling fourth day, followed shortly by clinical death. It's one thing to pay for myself knowing I wouldn't last the distance, it's quite another to take money from someone else who might do it longer, higher, or faster than I.

I'd also be physically damaged by the flight home, and generally wiped out for weeks and possibly months after, which is something I can't ignore. Wish I could, but I can't.

New Zealand 2011, however...

So I'd like to thank everyone who expressed approval for the idea, but no cigar. But support NAFF and DUFF and the others funds. Vote. Even if there's only one candidate running, the funds raised from voting are needed urgently.

(*) With the caveat that I tend to give my honest opinion regardless of the status of the person I'm talking to. Just imagine the facepalming opportunities should I bump into Stephenie Meyer and actually open my mouth? (She's going, I checked.) I could hardly open with my usual "It's a pleasure to meet you. I enjoy your work." At best I'd escape with "Hello. Um. You're, er, taller than I was expecting. Excuse me." *trips over own feet*