Life, the Universe & Everything

There's a lot of science fiction being written along the I-15 in Utah (otherwise known as "The Corridor"). In 1983, a group of members of the science-fiction club at Brigham Young University (which is actually quite isolated and insular as a community goes) came up with the idea of bringing in science fiction writers of note and having them explain to the students there about how to write science fiction/etc., and how to sell it. As the years went on, it seemed to grow to where in 1999, the symposium celebrated its Junior Prom at the ripe old age of 17.

I was first invited in 1993 to be the filk guest. However, when the people who were doing the posters for the symposium did the work, a 16-year-old male child couldn't tell the difference between the letters K and M, so instead of being the FILK guest, I was the FILM guest. Now, considering the fact I wasn't a film expert, that made for a lot of laughs. However, little did anyone realize that I was going to be more than merely a FILM guest.

There was one panel I was on called "Religion in Science Fiction." I, being the only Jew at the symposium in a guest capacity, was up on the podium with 5 Mormons, most of whom were major writers of note (including Orson Scott "Call Me Scott" Card, Chris Heimerdinger and M. Shayne Bell) while I was a book reader. Being brave, and having practiced the line enough, I chimed in and asked Scott Card if I should read his triolgy based upon the Book of Mormon or the Book of Mormon first, admitting that I hadn't read the Book of Mormon, but also admitting to have not done much light reading recently. About 3 second later, the nearly 400 people in the audience started laughing (something, I hear, which is against Mormon doctrine, at least from what I've been told by my Mormon friends). At that point, I knew I was in, and my irreverance at reverance became something which endeared me to the attendees.

The following year, I was invited back (they LIKED me!). This time, just like in the 1960's, a bunch of anarchists took over the ROTC building at BYU, but instead of protesting or having a be-in, we had a filk-in, every night.

That was the year Roger Zelazny and Katherine Kurtz were there. Mr. Zelazny was very distant to most of us, but then he explained that was the way he was, that it wasn't us particularly. I was very much saddened when I found out that he had died not too much later on.

Katherine Kurtz is an amazing woman. She had helped train officers in the L.A. Police Department when she lived in LA, and since I was from LA, we spent some time talking about what had been happening in LA - the riots, the Rodney King incident, etc. Also, since it was only about a month since the Great Northridge Earthquake of 1994, she wanted to know all I could tell her about what had happened. You see, Ms. Kurtz had moved to Ireland, where she was living in a haunted castle. She talked about it at her main address. Have you ever seen nearly 500 people entranced by stories about ghosties in an Irish castle in the COLD winter, with snow on the ground?

There was the time I sat in the step-down lounge at the Wilkerson Center (where the symposium is held) and started singing one of Cynthia McQuillin's vampire songs. A young student (no more than 22 or 23) stopped, listened, gave a look like "I don't want MY consciousness expanded!" turned and hastened away.

In 1996, the main guests were Patricia McKillip and Lois McMaster Bujold. One of the people on the symposium committee suggested I change my name to McLiebmann so that we'd have an all-"Mc" convention. I kaboshed that quite quickly.

Leonard Parkin, a wonderful artist who lives in the corridor area, asked me at one convention if I'd allow him to take pictures of me because he wanted to put me into a picture. He asked more questions while I was fiddling around on Seagull 2 (my left-handed 12-string), and supposedly he's working on a painting where I'm dressed as Alan-a-dale, sitting on the back of the shuttle orbiter, singing to media science-fiction figures. When I went up this year, he told me the work has begun. Now I've gotta wait and see how it comes out. I checked at the West Jordan gallery recently, only to find that he had moved to St. George, at the bottom of the state!

On a serious note, the people who work the symposium (which, by the way, means "drinking party" [as in booze] - this, in a totally dry state!) are absolutely fantastic when it comes to how they treat their guests. The first year I went, the night before the symposium, Pat Birkedahl cooked dinner for the entire staff and guests. It was something like an 8-course meal. It was wonderful. Gave me the impetus to do it the following year, except I made a 9-course Chinese dinner (with some help) for the committee. They ate enough for nearly 30 people, and there were half that many people. For 1999, I promised to make chicken soup in order to keep everyone healthy.

The people kept asking "do you need any help? Can I carry something? Can I get you something?" The one person I remember the most is Paul Tuck, who couldn't do enough for me. I almost guessed he was a groupie of some sort. I honestly don't know. These people will do anything to please their guests, and you know something? There are a lot of people out there who could learn from their hospitality.

The 1998 symposium was really different than the others. First of all, it was the first time my friend and 3-time host, Joseph Ficklin, was not there. After doing the requisite Olympic and pewter shopping, I found myself put up in the dormitories (Deseret Hall), which was a whole lot more convenient than staying at Joe's house, although Joe's house is a wonderful place to stay. So homey, you know?

This time, I tried doing some different things than just filk, so my main panels were on Jewish music, music in general, and "Meet the non-Gentile Gentile" - a way to try to explain some of the myths and misconceptions about Jews in general. Matter of fact, I'm going to try to do a treatise on myths and misconceptions about Judaism for the "Proceedings," which is the annual scholarly-works magazine which is put out at the time of the symposium. That is, when Steve Setzer (a man of honour, a dear friend, a virulent anti-bigot and someone who looks like he was born with chicken soup in his mouth!) get them done.

For my hour on Harmony, three members of the BYU men's chorus joined me as we did Kathy Mar's "When Giants Walked," which ended up in 4-1/2 part harmony. THAT was an experience in itself, especially if you consider it was "insta-banded" in about 30 minutes.

The main guests of honor were Elizabeth Moon, Sherwood Smith and Dave Woolverton.

Elizabeth Moon is a wonderful person who loves talking about her horses (I'm not a horse person, but her enthusiasm is contagious). When I wanted to buy one of her books, she asked what sort of reading I enjoyed, I told her, and she recommended one (which is now in my queue of 30+ books to read). She also loved doing Frank Hayes' "Never Set the Cat on Fire."

I can't really tell you a lot about Ms. Smith, save she was a very quiet person, and that she doesn't like to travel on aircraft (like Leslie Fish), so she took a bus from Minnesota (I think).

I didn't see Dave Woolverton at all, save about 2 minutes. For the big things, he wasn't around. Later, I was told he had familial obligations.

While originally I had committed to going in 2000 and 2001 as well, because I feel I more than might have overstayed my welcome, I recently withdrew that part of the offer. Part of the reason is that the powers that be felt I more than overstepped my bounds in inviting the president of the LDS Church, as well as challenging the Osmond family, to make an appearance at the symposium. The 1999 symposium chair should be pleased to know that I received a letter from the secretary to the president of the church, telling me the president wouldn't be able to make it due to committments. The Osmonds, on the other hand, after electronically debating it amongst some of themselves, and wondering if I was for real (they know now - I am, and I am not), had Alan contact me, saying I should listen to the missionaries who I do comedic routines on (see my take on the Mormons) when I run into them on the street, in the MARTA trains, wherever . . . in Flushing, New York . . . and then he tried quoting TANAKH on me. Click on the link you just passed - that's where I'll put the story, although it's as applicable to put it here as there.

Lastly, and definitely not leastly, there's one writer of note I'd like to mention: Michaelene Pendleton. I am so sad she was unable to make it to Provo in 1998. She's the sort of a person everyone likes to know - funny, serious, what can I say? She even calls me her "favorite Jew." I threatened her with chicken soup. She might just take me up on it next year.

I'll be adding more pictures as soon as I get them in. They're FINALLY at the developers.

The main guests for the 1999 symposium were Kevin J. Anderson and his wife Rebecca Moesta Anderson. Kevin wrote a series of Star Wars books, along with several really good books with US Air Force Colonel Doug Beason, two more of which I picked up this year. Rebecca writes Star Wars books for children.

Also, Marty Brenneis, who was supposed to come in 1998 but was unable to due to a back injury, was able to make it this year. He's a funny guy.

One unusual item I add now: in 1998, with the help of now-TSGT Joseph Ficklin (a Mormon, a filker and a great friend), I wrote a dogmatically-correct, pro-Mormon filksong called "CelestialCon," named for the highest level of Mormon heaven. The response to it in You-tah was laughter and cheers. For the 1999 symposium, I've written one a little more tongue-in-cheek, only about 90% dogmatically-correct, still pro-Mormon, but a lot funnier (I think) called "Mormon Con." To be sure that the powers that be in Utah were ready for this new one, I sent a note to them, saying only "Beware. Be VERY VERY WARE." I've got the people out there wondering, "what's he gonna do NOW?" They'll have to wait and see, but Joe Ficklin's already heard it and he couldn't stop laughing, so I figure it's got to be pretty good (he's a hard one to please, and he never smiles). We shall see.

Ah, the 1999 symposium. The main guests were a lot nicer towards me, especially Rebecca Moesta (pronounced "Mesta," like the great Pearl of DC fame). Maybe 6 years of growth, on all our parts, is a good thing.

The chicken soup got made and tasted pretty good, from what I gather. I had only a little bit, and it BURNED me (recalcitrant soup!).

The weirdest thing for me was the fact that while I sat for a while at the registration desk, the muse hit me (not Paranomasia, thank goodness!). All of a sudden, I had an inspiration for a song. Too out the paper and pen and starting writing. In something like 25 minutes, I had written what I've tentatively titled "Calm Down - Mormons." This one is truly tongue-in-cheek and silly. Premiered it the same night. People couldn't stop laughing, especially after I'd done "HeavenCon," "CelestialCon" and "MormonCon." Heaven forfend!, they laughed. They couldn't stand it! It was so funny!!

According to what I've been told, I should officially be invited back as a guest for LTUE 42, which should happen in 2023 or 2024. If I'm around, and I'm planning on it, I'll be there, believe you me.

Go back to my front door.

This will take you to my take on Mormons.

Links to other sites on the Web

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© 1998, 1999, 2003, 2007 sffilk@bellsouth.net

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