Letter to God

[eredien]

2/18/05

Dear God,

I had a great time at the con today. I learned a lot about book marketing and took notes for my new novel ideas and saw authors whose books I'd loved since childhood.

I really like SF cons. People there are generally intelligent and well-read.

I would like to continue going to such functions without feeling paranoid, though. So, quit it with the creepy people already.

I thought the incident at Worldcon '01 was mildly disconcerting, but that was no one's fault. No one could've known he was a nudist.

But today's married guy with kids: "I don't want you to think I'm hitting on you. But what are you doing this evening?"

Not ok, God. Please stop.

If I am doing something to make people think I am an easy target for this kind of thing, help me figure out what it is.

If I am doing something to make halfway-sane, intelligent, kind people--the type with whom I would actually like to have a stable relationship--go out of their way to avoid me, help me figure out what that is, too.

I don't want to walk home again thinking I know how to use the keys that are in my hand. I will scream and go for the eyes.

Thank you.

- Eredien

Comments

[breimh.livejournal.com]

*snugs* There are a lot of strange people out there. Did the guy say he wanted to go have coffee, and talk with you about something you'd pointed out that was particularly interesting while at the con?

That's what I would have been asking someone at a con about, if they wouldn't be too uncomfortable to just go for a cup of coffee or something, and chat about some facinating idea they'd come up with.

Sorry you got scared, though. *snugs again for good measure*

[gwynbones.livejournal.com]

Cons, sadly, are full of people looking to pick other people up. I had no idea about this (I am no one's idea of a hot date) until I went to one accompanied by my very pretty girlfriend, who got hit on right and left. So it is probably more the con than anything you are doing.

[copperwolf.livejournal.com]

Note to self: if inclined to attend a con, bring a companion.

[baphnedia.livejournal.com]

A good measure to take. *snugs Eredien*

cons...sketchy people

[jadescarlet.livejournal.com]

One time at a SimuCon, a guy that I only sort of knew asked me to take his virginity. I don't think things get much sketchier than that (although that nudist from the world con sounds fairly sketchy, I don't think I've heard that story).
Of course I told him no, and he backed off, but said that if I ever changed my mind he'd be ready for me. Um sorry, no, isn't going to happen. We still sat at the same table at dinner with about 8 other mutual friends. He was kind of boring to talk to though. Even if he hadn't been sketchy about it, he still wouldn't be my type. And of course later, another friend who knew the story got very drunk and accidently started the rumor that I did steal his virginity, and wow did that rumor spread fast. I squashed it on my end, but I think the guy encouraged it a bit. I don't really care since all of my friends from the con know it didn't happen.
Its good to go to cons with other people, so you always have friends to retreat to when someone gets all weird.

[eredien]

Yes, it is good to go to cons with other people. I recommend it to other people, and I usually go with friends myself, but:

1.) Most of my friends were away for the weekend.
2.) I did meet trifles there, and talked with her for a little bit.
3.) I can't always go everywhere and do everything with my friends, nor is that always desirable or practical.
4.) I wasn't going to let theoretical con creeps, or the lack of friends to go with, stop me from having what I knew would be a fun and interesting time at the con.

[lotusbiosm.livejournal.com]

There are sketchy guys who may be jerks but will do you no harm, and then there are those who you pray don't get off at your stop on the subway/metro/T/public transit of your choice. I'm getting the feeling that this guy was the first kind.
You are not an easy target. There are just some people so bold they ignore the flashing neon sign that says "leave me alone" and act weird anyway.