Con-fessions of a Nerd
On April 16, I'm so out of this world. I am leaving the life of cubicles, high heels and conferences behind. Oh, I suppose I'll miss my cat and the privacy of my sunshine-yellow bedroom, but when that glorious April day arrives, Elaine and I will hop into her Ford-Focus-of-a-time-machine and be on our way to Alpharetta, GA faster than you can say "Dragon Reborn."
Why, asks ye? For JordanCon, says I, the first convention dedicated solely to exploring Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series and all of the marvelous trappings associated with it.
Yep, it's a Con — not dissimilar to GenCon in Indy, although probably much smaller, and I'll wager that the attendees of JodanCon are more put together/less socially awkward. Still, we're thinking on a grand scale: costumes, jewelry, new identities for the weekend — you name it.
You must know this: It's my first Con, and the very first JordanCon ever, preceding by mere months the release of the twelfth and last book in The Wheel of Time series — arguably the most detailed, realistic and enthralling fantasy series there is. As a fantasy fan, bookworm, aspiring librarian and self-proclaimed geek, a Con of any kind is like a right of passage. It's like a reunion, albeit one full of strangers; you are filling a temporary home with a family of people who understand you and share your beliefs and love. Because, if I tell my best friend I'm an Aes Sedai, she'll be clueless, but the lady three people behind me in the registration line on April 17 — she'll probably reply that she is, too.
So, it is with this brief that I begin my series of articles leading up to and through JordanCon, because as always, there is much preparation that can be shared. For instance, which of the numerous nations in the world of The Wheel of Time do I want to be from? And what do women of that nation wear, usually? What will my name be for the weekend? Should I be an Aes Sedai or an Average Jane, or perhaps a Maiden of the Spear (because they kick some serious Darkfriend derriere)? And, seriously, will gas prices stay low for our trip?
All the while you're asking, what in the bloody hell is a Dragon Reborn, Aes Sedai, Maiden of the Spear, and a Darkfriend? Why travel all the way to Georgia to play dress- up with a bunch of bookworms?
Ah — fear not — these answers and more shall I share with you, as well as the trials and tribulations of shopping for fabric (with my mother! Curses!) to make my gown and the task of searching for dresses and jewelry that exist perfectly only in my imagination.
Kiley Kellermeyer works as a public relations professional at an advertising agency on Indy's northside. When she's not whiling away the hours at her day job, she is usually devouring fairy tales, epic fantasy, and young adult fantasy literature or attemping her life's dream, which is to write a novel. You can read one of Kiley's own fairy tales, Damselle in Distress — a tale of a young girl and her quirky companions on a perilous journey to change their fates — at mysoulisafairytale.blogspot.com
Aes Sedai, eh? ;)
i look forward to hear more, fair lass - and there had better be pics!
This was a fun read! ^^*
To be sure there will be Aes Sedai out the yahzoo, several amyrlin seats, asha'mans, you name it. Hope to meet you in a couple of weeks. Loved the article.
And don't forget the Seanchan, Forsaken, Myrddraal and other Shadowspawn. Ejoyed the artical and looking forward to more. Hope to see you in Alpharetta.
With so many Aes Sedai…I hope they all follow the Three Oaths.
One could never forget the Forsaken or the Seanchan, but how under the Light could I ever explain it to these Wetlanders?
I suppose they'll just have to read the books!
I am an Aes Sedai of The Brown Ajah!! We are the ULTIMATE bookworms!! Do you realize that the Tar Valon Library, which is 6 stories high and 6 basements deep has a stack of books 12 stories high? I would die to spen a few hundred years there! Then I could "retire" into the Kin and have a few hundred MORE years to travel and be everything else I've ever wanted to be: a merchant, weaver, blacksmith, inn owner, soldier……..
Another Indy native heading to Jordan Con is the best news I've heard all day! Have a safe drive down.
Great read! I'm looking forward to hearing everything!
Unfortunately couldn't make it all the way to GA, but maybe next time!
Found this while searching for Jordan Con stuff. I've been an avid WoT reader since High School. Hope you have a blast. I keep teasing my hubby about dragging our whole family to this (garbed in the characters I choose of course) someday!
Blessings,
KN
Kiley,
It was great meeting you and all the WOT fans in Alpharetta. The loving reception you gave my family will never be forgotten. We now truly feel that we are part of a much larger family. Thanks offered would fall far short. Overwhelmed.
Onward,
Wilson
Brother/Cousin
4th of 3
Once in a life time…but hope to repeat again next year!
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