Scarlett Letters

Started the day early, with the TEC Board of Directors meeting. Attended mainly to get a glimpse at the business end of the club, as it has been suggested by more than one person that I ought to run next year for a board position. Still haven't decided how I feel about that. The agenda was large and very full, but OP, who ran the meeting, ran it pretty tightly and got through a lot of business very quickly. I sensed a little tension about board members (including the club president) who weren't attending the show, and I know that there are in fact some tensions about other issues with those folks, so it was interesting to see how that dynamic played itself out with those who were there. In all, I think five of the eight board members were present. Five or six general members were also attending. Educational hour.

( The meetings, the shopping, the aquarium, and reflections on my bout of Blue )

Spent three hours at TEC meetings this morning, between the Board of Directors meeting and the General Membership meeting. I've since been splitting my time between the TEC booth and roaming the bourse floor in search of ancient coins on behalf of e_bourne. I feel, I admit, a little overwhelmed and most definitely in over my head--this isn't a category I know much about at all. My one trusted contact in the ancients field sent me to find two dealers in ancients whom I haven't been able to locate. I've talked to a couple of other dealers and may have found some items, but I need to speak to Madame before I spend her money. In the meanwhile, I'm going to go spend some time with the budget dealers, where I don't feel quite so out of my league.

And man, I'm tired. More detailed report to come. Gotta go rest my feets.

There will, by the way, be photographic evidence of some of my adventures within a couple of days of my return....

Got into BWI at 7:15 PM local time -- easy flights and no problems connecting -- and here I am all settled into my room. My cab driver was from Nigeria, so we chatted about Africa all the way to the hotel.

I worked so hard to be economical about what I brought that, experienced traveler that I am, I decided not to bring shampoo or conditioner, knowing that hotels usually provide such things. I arrived in my room to discover that no conditioner had been supplied. I called Guest Services, and they told me that there wasn't a bottle to be had in the whole hotel; they're totally out, and the local CVS closed ... five minutes before I called Guest Services. It's a little thing, but it's a pain in the butt. Current plan is to call Guest Services in the morning to see if any has arrived and, if not, away I go to CVS, pre-shower. I'm sure they'll be delighted. Can't do without conditioner, especially in this humidity. I'm such a princess.

Now that I've unpacked, it looks like I brought everything else I needed. (ETA: No, I didn't--I forgot to bring all my Women In Numismatics stuff. Damn!) I even have print-outs of my want lists, and I remembered to bring both cleaned copper for smashing and extra smashed pennies for trading. Now, I'm scouting local locations for entertainment outside the convention and for smashing opportunities.

A whole 3.5 days to be a numismatist and nothing else that I don't want to be. This should be interesting ... and fun.

My Programming, such as it is
Oh, and since it's what we do for science fiction conventions, I'll do it for the World's Fair of Money. I'm not on programming (and, frankly, don't ever expect to be), so I'll list the things I want to attend instead. As will become clear, it's not only at SF conventions where programming offers timing conflicts. Most of the programming I'm interested in is actually club meetings, though there are some speakers I want to see, too, but ... it's different in numismatics. There's a "Numismatic Theater" where all presentations are given, and I see no evidence of panel discussions. Throughout the weekend workshops are given that required pre-registration and payment, but my travel plans didn't permit signing up and, anyway, nothing really caught my attention.

( Here's my tentative schedule )

I expect to spend the rest of the time filling my World Mints Passport, scouring the bourse (i.e., the dealer's room), volunteering some time at the TEC booth, and attending presentations in the Numismatic Theater. I don't have my camera with me -- too bulky to carry -- though I may buy a disposal film rig so I can give folks a glimpse into this other world.

Okay, I'm excited again. It's good to be here, with or without conditioner.

Shout-out to davidlevine and kateyule: How many words to do you want?

(This first item comes care of grubb_street.) Today is the 100th anniversary of the Tunguska Event, an enormous explosion that occurred near the Tunguska River in Russia, cause unknown. Pictures of the Tunguska Event appeared in many of the books about unexplained phenomena that I read as a kid. At that time, it was the pictures that entranced me, and I didn't really bother to read about the actual event overmuch. Present day theories suggest that the explosion was the shattering of a meteor or asteroid in the atmosphere over the spot. I don't know if any conclusive solution will ever resolve itself, but I like the meteor explanation. It's another reminder that we're still part of an active, changing universe.

This month's issue of The Numismatist includes some really cool stuff. Like every magazine, it has its waves and troughs. This month's issue is definitely a high spot. Among other stories, it includes an article showing a variety of souvenirs of American political conventions (some of these things are works of art). It also includes a large article about the new Arizona quarter. I gotta say: This is the first time I've seen the design and, with apologies to friends in Arizona, this design is a godawful mess. It's such a hodgepodge of imagery and it makes no sense. It includes a scene of the Grand Canyon, a large saguaro and other cacti, and a banner saying "Grand Canyon State". It comes together in no coherent way. I'm disappointed, especially in the wake of the simple, beautiful New Mexico state quarter. The canyon vista all by itself would have made a beautiful coin. I grumble. ::grumble::

This morning, on the way to work, I spied a large bird perching on one of the sculptures alongside the Evergreen Point Bridge. The closer I got, the more recognizable the bird's profile became. It was a bald eagle peering out across Lake Washington. If I have to go to work, that's not a bad way to start the week.

Movies seen in a theater: 2
1: Encounters at the End of the World (SIFF): Werner Herzog's documentary about his visit to McMurdough Station in Antarctica, the people he meets, the sights he sees, the things he learns. Good documentary if a bit long. It had more of a sense of humor about it than I expected. Herzog's darker perspective is certainly present but not overwhelming. The vistas, both above and below the ice, are breathtaking. Occasionally, I thought the camera lingered a little too long. I also though that occasionally the music was a little too intrusive. Still, the personalities interviewed were interesting and colorful, and the landscapes and creatures were fascinating. I admit a temptation, now, to head to the bottom of the world. I believe Earthwatch offers an opportunity.... (I should note that my taking such an excursion is unlikely. I have other places I really want to go first.)

2: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD) I loved it. Flat-out loved it. It gave me some of my favorite cookies: Area 51, aliens, the Nazca lines (!!!!), eeeeevil villains, clever dialog. Cate Blanchett chewed the scenery; she was delicious. Karen Allen was underutilized but lovely to see nevertheless. I think that ultimately John Hurt was underutilized as well, though he uses every on-screen moment to bring humanity to his character. Surprisingly, I didn't find Shia Lebeouf's character intrusive. oldmangrumpus, with whom I saw the film at 9 AM today, thought there were one too many people in the cast and perhaps one too many story threads. I can see his perspective. Didn't bother me. I can understand why the folks at Cannes, and many critiques, weren't bowled over by it. I don't care. I had a marvelous time.

Movies seen at home: 1
1. Ice Pirates: This 1984 science fiction spoof starring Robert Urich and Mary Crosby is a guilty pleasure of mine. I saw it at the supermarket on DVD for $9.99 and couldn't resist. It's about a universe where water is the rarest of all commodities. In the course of attempting to hijack an ice shipment, pirates Robert Urich and Michael D. Johnson rescue a princess who hires them to help her find her father, lost to the search for a legendary seventh world--a planet covered by water. In the course of this adventure, they attempt to send up the Mad Max films, Star Wars and any number of space operas. The look of the film rather reminds me of the original Battlestar Galactica. It's silly as hell and some people would probably describe it as dreadful. I rather detest the fight sequence at the end of the film and the ongoing robot jokes. In some ways the film is badly dated (all the jokes about herpes, for example). But I love watching the astonishingly hot Robert Urich. I also love seeing Ron Perlman and John Matuzak early in their acting careers. It's all mindless and, yes, kind of dreadful. But, um, Robert Urich: hello, the hot!

Short programs: 2
1. The Family Picture Show (SIFF): A series of 12 family-oriented short subjects. I love short films. This was one of several programs I wanted to see. Of the 12 items on the program, my favorites included (in no particular order):
Zoologic: A zookeeper tries to put his zoo in order and finds himself foiled by a gorilla and a baby penguin. Animation was black line on white background and had enormous humor about it. Clever and unexpected.
The Watchman and the Little Girl: A museum watchman encounters a little girl in one of the galleries, and discovers a whole new perspective on the art he mostly ignores. Very imaginative.
Sleeping Betty: Princess Betty won't wake up, so her parents call the nearest prince to help out. The animation reminded me, in a way, of stuff you'd see in a Monty Python episode. The prince looked like the Prince of Wales. Betty's relatives and attendants included Queen Victoria and Henry VIII, plus a jester and a nine-eyed thing that looked weirdly familiar. The short played with every convention of the "Sleeping Beauty" story. Wonderful stuff.
Lavatory Love: A lonely lavatory attendant discovers a secret admirer. More black-and-white line art. A very sweet piece.
Inquisitive Snail: If short films can be said to have their version of flash fiction, this was it: a one-minute stop-motion animation about a man who purchases a curious snail, and the snail's startling fate. It made everyone in the theater burst into laughter--funny and a little bit horrifying, which just enhanced the effect.
Herzog and the Monsters: A little boy who can't read steals the letters from books in a library to write his own stories. I found it visually stunning but, as ironymaiden pointed out, paced a little too quickly for it to succeed in its intended overall effect.

People seen: 3
Had a lovely sunset dinner Friday evening with wanton_heat_jet. It had been much too long since we'd seen each other. The visit was a blessing.

Enjoyed the Family Picture Show Saturday with ironymaiden, followed by sharing lunch with her at Peso's, where the decor and food were exceptionally good. The company, as ever, was delightful.

Saw Indiana Jones with oldmangrumpus this AM, and had lunch with him at the Blue Onion Bistro. Glad he was able to take time away from his studies to catch the flick and the meal.

Spent the rest of today putting away elongated coins that I've accumulated over the last 6 months or so. I was short on storage supplies until a new shipment arrived a week or so ago in the mail. I have a lot more work to do to get them in order and put away, but I got a good start tonight, so I'm pleased. Also wrote one article for the smashed penny collector's newsletter and started researching another. (Said research will probably also allow me to write an article for the Women in Numismatics newsletter as well.)

Not ready for the work week, I admit. The lousy weather report does not encourage me to take mass transit to work, I admit, though my gas bill makes a convincing argument for same. We'll see how I feel in the morning.

I suspect that by now many people have heard about the historic error made by the US Mint in the minting of the new Washington dollar coins. For those who haven't, here's the scoop: The US Mint has issued the first in a series of new dollar coins bearing the likenesses of past presidents, the first being George Washington. The design of these coins moves the mottoes "In God We Trust" and "E Pluribus Unum" plus the year off the face of the coin and onto the edge. Many of the coins from the Philadelphia Mint, however, are missing the edge lettering. Another error reported at least on eBay (though not authoritatively confirmed) is that the edge inscriptions are appearing upside-down. (ETA: Not a mint error. See the comments thread here for more on this subject.) And this morning, CNN reports the discovery of at least one dollar coin that has the edge lettering but no image on the obverse or reverse. (Thanks to ladyjestocost for the tip!)

Minting errors are a whole separate area of coin collecting and it's huge fun because errors come in so many variations: double-stamped coins, partially stamped coins, the rare but occasional mismatched obverse and reverse, and so on. It's a pricey part of the hobby to get into, though, which is one of the reasons I haven't delved into it at all. I admit to a certain amount of yearning to have a couple of errors in my collection, but it's not a compelling desire.

I've been following the prices for the Godless Dollar on eBay as they develop and here's what I've seen so far. Completed auctions seem to be closing anywhere from $90-$150 for one coin. Some have gone for as low as $73.00. Some people are going to the bank in Florida (which is where these error coins seem to have all been shipped to), buying dollar coin rolls and just selling them unopened on eBay. (Can we all say "feeding frenzy"?) I'm sure I'll start to see these coins at coin shows very, very soon. I wonder what prices will be like on the bourse. (ETA: My local coin dealer thinks prices will settle down to around $50 in about 6 months.)

ironymaiden asked me via meme if I wanted a godless dollar and the answer is very much a yes. It is, however, a luxury I simply cannot afford. Once I find myself employed again in some fashion, however, I may indulge. Why? They're awfully pretty (or at least the reverse is; the portrait of Washington is homely); they're a historic error in both numbers and in clarity; they're on the first coin of a new series. And they're on a coin I protested in print! Some day . . . (ETA: I can wait.)

A couple of years ago there was a big flap in the numismatic press about the Mint creating a new dollar series. The announced plan was a series of Presidential commemoratives. I disliked this idea mainly because American money has been so ugly in the last forty years and I didn't see how this would be an improvement. I wrote a letter to Numismatic News that was published as an opinion piece, in which I took the position that the US has a tradition of beautiful coinage (the Liberty and Peace dollars, for example) and that we ought to look to that heritage for inspiration rather than creating more coins that feature portraits of dead white guys.

This morning I received e-mail from phgellis telling me that the Presidential dollars were coming. The US Mint Web site is featuring the series, including a nice flash piece demonstrating the new coins' distinctive features. While I'm still unhappy with the Presidential portraits (who really wants portraits of the Bushes on coins?), I admit that I'm pleased with the lettering on the coin edge and the new Statue of Liberty design.

Will I collect the series? I don't know. The state quarter series has the virtue of offering some real variety. This new series is, well, portraits of dead white guys. We'll see.

Missed the showing of Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion on SciFi last night, so when I got home from the office (9:45 PM), I popped in my DVD of the Children In Need special (care of drewshi, bless him), and then my DVD of Christmas Invasion (care of twilight2000, bless her) and indulged. So much fun. We were all correct to be excited about Tennant as the Doctor. It's got me excited about the second season of Doctor Who all over again, even though I know things about second season. I need to get me a VCR that works, though, for that and for my other shows for this season. I want less of my evening time scheduled around TV shows and more scheduled around creative endeavors. And because I'm a geek, I had to use this icon one more time before retiring it. I rarely succumb to super-cute, but I couldn't resist this one.

Is it really September 30? Is tomorrow really October 1? Wow.

Here I was thinking of going to Portland the second weekend of October for a big coin show sponsored by my coin club (not the pennysmashers; the PNNA), but then I realized that's the same weekend I volunteered for a 4-hour shift on the telephones for KUOW (our local NPR affiliate). No coin show for me. Just as well, I suppose. There's more virtue in helping to raise money than in spending it. (Sorry, davidlevine and kateyule! No visit after all.) On the other hand, there's another coin show the following weekend in Lynnwood. There's also one in Kirkland the first weekend of November. Hey, the_monkey_king, wanna hit a coin show?

That's it for me this morning.

As it's probably become clear, I'm going to WorldCon in Anaheim, slated to leave in just a few days. While other friends are choosing the stories they will read on programming or confirming their business lunch dates, I myself am preparing somewhat differently. Certainly I have meal engagements planned and programs I want to attend (I specifically declined being on programming this year), but I, madwoman that I am, have another priority to attend to.

This morning, I went to http://www.parkpennies.com and printed down a location list of all the coin press machines at Disneyland and California Adventure. I then systematically reviewed my inventory of Disney elongated coins to see which I had and which I wanted. (To my delight, I discovered that a number of coins I acquired as recently as 2004 are now retired.) I highlighted those on the list that were my priorities to get and, in a different color, those that I will get only once those priorities are first attended to.

I then hauled out the coffee can of pre-1982 pennies from my closet. I scooped out a big handful. I went to the kitchen and prepared a bowl of water, lemon juice and salt, and dumped the handful of pennies into it. The mixture of lemon juice and salt acts as a mild stripping agent, cleaning dirt and residue off a penny. (NOTE: This is not a recommended course of action to take if you have old, valuable or collectible coins to clean! Such coins should never be cleaned. This is only for coins you intend to smash!) Once the pennies were a pretty sort of brownie-pink, I rinsed them off and stacked them into tubes.

I now have 100 pennies cleaned and ready for smashing at Disneyland on Thursday. Based on the list I prepared, I probably won't need 100 pennies to smash, but it never hurts to have extra in case of short rolls, jammed machines, or the need of trading fodder. I also have several rolls of quarters ready to go, and now must prepare a roll of nickels. I also dug out the zip-locked baggie of brass and copper slugs a collector sent me way back when I was editing the smashed-penny club newsletter. I reserve them for particularly favorite or collectible designs. They make extra-pretty presses.

This has all taken me about an hour. In my own, peculiar way, I feel remarkably satisfied by all this activity. I also know that—as usual—I'll be stopped at airport security to explain all this prepared money. I'll have a smashed coin in my wallet for illustrative purposes.

This is the very depth of collecting madness. We shall not speak of it again.

News from my smashed penny e-mail list:

The front page of the May 29, 2006 issue of Coin World says Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz is going to introduce legislation before the end of May that would eliminate the cent as a circulation denomination. Since tomorrow is the end of May, watch your news for what happens.