Part I
Well, here are the LoCs. I split them into three sections, partially because standard Hot Dog
can only take up to a 32k file and secondly because I didn't know if you really wanted to
see that long of a web page. Comments on lengths of the page (shorter/longer) would be
appreciated.
Also I had this internal mental debate about whether or not I should include people's snail
mail addresses on the web page. I figured that e-mail addresses should be
okay. I finally decided that I would leave in people's city, state, and country(if foreign), but drop
the street/box address. In the future if you want your full address posted, or no part of your
snail mail address, or not even your e-mail address, tell me.
Lastly, I seriously considered putting in links to the appropriate sections
in Skug 11 when mentioned in the LoCs. Then I started looking at the number
of links I would have to put in, thought about how people would get back
to where they started (Does everyone out there who does not use Netscape
have a "BACK" button to get to the last page read?), and finally considered
the headache I've had all day long. Nope, sorry, not gonna do it. It's
8 PM, Sunday, March 10, and I want to get this on-line. I will put in a
button at the end of each section of the LoCs to get to Skug 11. I think
I will also put in a button to get to the index page of Skug 12 on every
page of Skug 11. This will take me a little while, but is far more easily
done.
Good night Gracie. Good night George. Sorry to hear of your passing.
John Berry - 10/16/95 - (3144.2206@compuserve.com)
Just got Skug and started browsing through it. I haven't even had time to read the whole
thing yet, but you know as well as I do that if I wait until I'm finished, I'll never send you a
word about it.
I've had fun with the parts I've read so far, and I expect to have more fun with the rest. I love the image
of Dave Rike filmed as a dirty old man in a porn film. And I cracked up at Jay's "Olde Calcutta" label,
which I hadn't seen before.
Keep up the lightning-fast publishing schedule. You'll be an inspiration to me.
John Berry
Seattle WA
David Thayer - 11/10/95 - (eushar@exu.ericsson.se)
Skug #11 arrived safely, its fluorescent Blade Runneresque covers nearly blinding me.
I am working for a company, Ericsson, which has international connections. Most employees eventually visit the headquarters in Stockholm. I am studying Spanish to give myself
opportunities in their Latin American operations. Your German trip sounded fascinating.
Mismanagement last year drove me from the company I had worked for almost 13 years. It is
now owned by an investment firm known for selling pieces here and there to create profit, not
product. I am better off in my new environs.
Diana Thayer and I have been adding an eclectic mix to our CD collection: Andean, East Indian,
Australian Aboriginal rock, German rock, Mexican pop, Caribbean steel drum. As comforting as
sameness can be sometimes, it quickly bores me.
David Thayer
Hurst, TX
Teddy Harvia - 11/10/95
My favorite line in your fanzine is "Electra loves armadillos and words that rhyme with orange." What
poetic nonsense!
Jay Kinney's spoofs of beer art transcend the subject, just as the real things have a life of their own.
(It's not a spoof! We really did brew those bheers. - GSM)
Do I ever really want to attend a Corflu? Conversational SMOFing reminds me too much of
pseudo-war stories.
Teddy Harvia
Hurst, TX
Chester D. Cuthbert - 11/12/95:
Many thanks for sending me a copy of SKUG 11 for October, 1995. You and your contributors write
entertainingly and many of your activities amaze this 83 year old book collector who seldom ventures
far from his armchair. Of all the famous names mentioned I know personally only Garth Danielson and
Joe Wesson, though others have favored me with fanzines and correspondence. I had hoped to learn
whether Joe has found a teaching position. Garth visited me a little over a year ago with some other fans and he seems to be still the unique personality he was when I first knew him as a schoolboy.
Your expertise with computers enables you to present your readers with superior production values, and your trip to Europe saves me the trouble of a journey. I dislike the routine which travelling
entails, so do not leave Winnipeg unless compelled to do so.
Although I have read fantasy and science fiction since I was a child, I have never attended a convention, so reports by you and others enlighten me. Garth has probably told you of our local
club, but this no longer functions, so, except for visits from former members, most of my fan
contacts are by letter.
Bruce Townley's notes on films are the first I have read about festivals, at least in such interesting detail.
And Rich Coad's article reveals information I cannot acquire from my armchair; many thanks.
William Breiding makes camping sound fascinating; more so than my one experience as a boy which was enough to discourage me from adventuring again.
I know that Garth will treasure this issue for the beer illustrations in addition to all else. Garth writes
well about any subject he likes, and beer, for which I never acquired a taste, is a favorite of his
.
Chester D. Cuthbert
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada
Terry Jeeves - 11/12/95
In view of the above (notes on having broken his ankle on September 28th appear above
Terry's actual LoC, explaining surgery, pins, and reasons for late LoCcing - GSM), I hope
you'll bear with me for a meagre response to your zine. The 'pot' (Um, that's what it looks
like in the LoC - GSM) came off yesterday, but my ankle is frozen solid so I'll be on
crutches (and physiotherapy) for another 3 weeks.
A really striking cover to Skug 11 - and card cover too - oh the expense! Not much interior art
apart from those fascinating 'beer' labels - I must have a go at doing some myself. Meanwhile
I enclose a few fillos by way of thank you. -- Hope you can use 'em. (Many thanks. You
should see them throughout this issue. - GSM)
Con report was interesting, sadly anno domino and expense have kept me away from recent conventions. One upon a time, I never missed one.
Also enjoyed your European trip but sympathized over the strike/wrong airport snafu. In 1957,
we were due to welcome Dave Kyle and party to Schiphol airport. They arrived early so
instead of waiting, they all went into Amsterdam and waited in the KLM lounge. Meanwhile
we got to Schiphol and waited three hours for their arrival before an official found they had
already landed and moved into the city.
Terry Jeeves
Scarborough
W. Yorkshire UK
Jeanne Bowman - 11/13/95 (on a very interesting post card from the SF Suicide Club - GSM)
Hey,
Just when I thought it was safe to gafiate -- the Skug issue. Damn. But I am not over in Rohnert Park
for Spacecon 5, even tho I thought I might 6 months ago. No more con organizing. Help me St. Jude
just say no. Nada. Nope. No way. But here's Skug with attractive Tiki automotive motif. In the same
week as Townley's masterpiece. Can something from Glen Ellen be far behind? You bet your sweet ass!
Uh, is this enough?
Jeanne Bowman
Glen Ellen, CA
Dave Haugh - ~11/13/95 - (Haugh4520@aol.com)
Just received SKUG 11, thank you very much. It was a good read, with some really excellent supporting illustrations. Your trip to Europe sounds like fun in a tiring sort of way. Hopefully the
next SKUG won't take so long. Now I just have to do an ODD!
Dave Haugh
Salem, OR
Walt Willis - 11/14/95
Many thanks for sending me SKUG 11. I was very pleased and impressed by it.
All the editorial stuff was interesting, sometimes as much for what is not said as for what is. I get the
impression for instance that you are not impressed by your mother's choice of a new husband.
(Um, well, he's okay . . . - GSM)
I was fascinated by your musings on determinism, death and free will. I have not myself worried about
determinism, ever since I was convinced by chaos theory that the future is inherently unpredictable. As
for death, Kingsley Amis in a passage in his novel Jake's Thing convinced me that my fears were illusory. Either you believe in an afterlife, or you don't. If you do, there's nothing to fear. If you don't
there is literally nothing to fear either. One's fear arises from confusion between the two concepts.
What is worrying me is DNA. For about fifty years I have been a devout materialist, regarding
with contempt all religions. But the discovery of DNA has given me cause to worry. It is difficult for
me to accept that something as complex and sophisticated as DNA came into existence by the process of natural selection. I shall have to read again that book about evolution, the one about
the Watchmaker.
Your report of your trip to Europe was full of interest, especially for the way in which I find myself
leaping intellectually to the defense of Europe, although it is just as foreign to me as it was to you.
I surmise that I would be equally defensive of the USA in the case of a similar trip report by a
European of a visit to the States. For instance it seems as difficult to hire a stick shift car in the
States as to hire an automatic gear shift in Europe. You may argue that it's easier to adjust to
the automatic from the shift than the other way round and I agree, but it's not as simple as that.
On my last trip to the states, for Magicon in 1992, I found myself cramming on the brake at every unexpected development in traffic instead of leaving the problem to the automatic transmission to
sort out. When smoke started to come from under the hood I assumed it was because of this and
gave up. I phoned Alamo and they came and towed the car away. After a couple of days I
phoned Alamo and said I wanted to cancel my agreement. They were surprisingly amenable
and I have often wondered what they would have said if I had enquired about the car. As it was
I was so relieved at getting out from the hiring agreement that I just gratefully accepted their offer.
Walt Willis
Donaghadee
N. Ireland
Ken Gammage - 11/14/95 - (KMBGammage@aol.com)
Speak of the devil! I was just going to write you . . . I loved the latest Skug -- just finished it tonight.
I'll send you something for the next one. I'm a home brewer too . . . I'm editing a mag called Slick Times:
check out www.slick.com if you get a chance.
Ken Gammage
San Diego, CA
Avedon Carol - 11/14/95 - (avedon@cix.compulink.co.uk)
Fortunately, it has also just popped through our door, which makes it much easier for us to read.
I am so pleased that you didn't neglect cereal reviews entirely, despite your condition.
I think it was cornchex I was missing. You can get something like wheatchex here (but they're
malted - that's okay, I like that). Oddly enough, what I actually do find myself missing is ordinary Cheerios, which were never a big thing for me but every great once in a while it would be nice to
find them. They only have the multi-ones here, with all different grains. Not the same.
The Corflu report - better late than never, but an hour later you're hungry again . . .
Avedon Carol
East Hamp, London
England
Geri Sullivan - 11/15/95 (gfs@toad-hall.com)
> If you're interested, Skug 11 can be seen here
> I think that will get you there.
I was. It did. Nice job!
I'm new to all this Web stuff, but a couple quick comments/questions/etc.
1) Why gifs? Jpeg files seem much smaller. I didn't try looking at the cover (as I have the hard copy),
but none of the photo tiff files we've done have been that big, and I thought gifs tended to be smaller
than tiffs.
(The size I initially noted for the cover was 10**3 off. I'm still working on the illustrations but overall
I like the way the gifs look much more than the jpegs. Plus I plan to switch to GIF 89a format next time
around. You'll see the difference. - GSM)
2) More importantly, I didn't find a quick-link way to loc the zine when I was in it -- no highlighted
response key, no email address. Did I just not see it? If it's not there, go add it -- right now!
(It was on the last page. - GSM)
Even though I've read most of the hard copy, I re-read your Minneapolis Corflu report. Your account
of the "Methods of Reproduction" panel was all the more poignant when read on the Web. I was again
reminded of how much has happened in the time that's passed since then -- especially Dana and Eric later losing their son who was born that weekend. And it's been a long time since anyone "accused" me of not saying much.
Sorry this isn't more of a real loc -- I don't have the paper or electronic copy at hand.
Geri Sullivan
Minneapolis, MN
Sheryl Birkhead - 11/15/95(started- postmark 12/15/95)
"Long time no see," but it's hard not to see the fluorescent bubblegum cover! I must admit
that the chronology leaps were interesting. I think I got most of them sorted out.
It has been quite a while since I've been in the research lab, but I seem to recall that Siemens
(then, at least) was a big name in equipment. Sounds as if, regardless of venue, you seem to
be putting in the hours.
I still haven't been to a Corflu - although the one which was almost in my back yard was tempting.
But when a budget is cast in iron it (unless heated) doesn't tend to give and remain intact (i.e.,
no $ for ANY frills). Then too, I keep trying to accept the fact that I just DON't do well in groups
of fans (professionals, etc. - no big deal - just fen) - so don't push it. I see that your readers
(e.g., Hope) are forgiving.
Hmm - sounds as if Puerto Rico might be (was the conversation current at that time) a budding
fan haven.
I'm not sure WHAT I'd call Garth's Smurf "art" - if it's what I recall, it's less than suitable viewing
for the VERY young or faint of heart.
I'll try (ha!) to remember to ask Richard Brandt who ended up buying the Carr zines. (Were they
from Terry's collection - or from a run of the zines he published?) (I do not recall. - GSM)
Curiosity - in China, since the average height is less than here, do you happen to know if room
ceilings are lower? Just wondered. (Don't know that one either. I should ask some people
from work. Many come from Taiwan, mainland China, Hong Kong, etc. - GSM)
(I'm sitting waiting for my car to be done a Grease 'n Go - it's Ladies' Day every Wednesday
but I'm here at lunch - so far they've come in and asked each (3) female 4 separate questions
for other services - there are 3 men waiting - and none of them has been asked ANYTHING.)
(- presto - now it's the 16th - car all well - except it has laryngitis (telling the mechanic at the
local garage that it lost its beep was probably not a technical evaluation - I'll need to get
that fixed - when there is $))
The "squatters" of "tomorrow" are pretty much here today and they, as an actual culture,
are probably not far away. It is only natural in a society that has throwaway people.
I think that everyone who learns how to drive formally (driver's ed, a company . . .) should
learn on a standard - so then they could drive whatever transmission they find (at least to
some degree).
12-3 - Car . . . had its beep replaced, then, the very next day . . . smoke serious problem.
I won't go into the details, but it isn't fatal as long as I cut off the engine at any stops as
soon as the heat indicator starts up. Sigh - in any snow this will be impossible - either
lose traction on icy hills or blow the engine. Will $ee.
I'm not certain about the elevator monitors . . . not sure I've seen any (my last con has
been more than a handful of years ago now) - or why they would make one feel threatened
(that's my interpretation of what Bruce says. I may be way off).
What are SKUG's future plans? I notice you, wisely avoid mentioning it. Just curious.
(Plans?? Well locally I told people Skug 12 would be out in December. Note the cover.
February/March is not too much past December. Well I hope to have another Skug out before
the end of the year. Hopefully that is nebulous enough and not too optimistic. Actually it is
easier for me to update this as a Web page but I know there are still many fans who either
do not have access to WWW pages or would prefer to receive a printed fmz. However I will
note that the Web page for Skug will continue and probably contain a bit more than the printed
format, solely because I don't want to pay for colored photocopying. That is to say there will
be photos and things in color on the web page. I will reproduce some photos in black and
white. - GSM)
Here's hoping you keep right on pubbing,
Sheryl Birkhead
Gaithersburg, MD
Harry Andruschak - 11/17/95
((And you really should find out and start publishing and using your 9-digit zip code.))
I received SKUG 11 sometime in the past, but not sure when. I was on vacation most of
September, and at another Post Office school in Norman during October. So I have a
huge pile of mail to answer, and since I am mostly gafia fanzines tend to be at the bottom
of my priority list.
Being gafia does not mean being idle, bored, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For starters, like you,
quite a few changes have been going on in my life since I received the last SKUG, whenever
that was. The most obvious is that I am sending this to you e-mail. Yup, last January I finally
broke down and bought my very first home computer system, an IBM clone 486/66.
So I nowadays waste a lot of time with internet user groups. Look for me in alt.recovery.aa
(I'm now 11+ years sober). My e-mail address is NOT valid after 1 December, which is when
the BBS I am using goes down permanently. I need to find a new internet/e-mail provider by
30 November.
I am still working for the Post Office, and still work Saturdays and Sundays, making it impossible
to attend any conventions, not even the local sci-fi cons put on by the local sci-fi club (LASFS).
In fact, my last convention was the 1993 CORFLU. I have Thursdays and Fridays off however,
and that makes it convenient when I go to the mountains or deserts for hiking and camping,
since they are mostly empty of other human beings and I prefer it that way. Weekends, of
course, are very crowded.
As for music, I am still mostly classical music, with a small and slowly growing collection of
classical CDs.
Like you, I have made trips to Europe and elsewhere. Africa in 1990, Chile in 1991, Scotland
in 1994, and I hope Italy in February 1996. (My mother, aged 71, just finished a vacation to
India and Nepal and is now planning on a trip to Antarctica.)
Not much else to say. Now that I am gafia most of my social life revolves around various
Scottish social groups. This time of year is very busy, what with Saint Andrews day, various
holiday parties, and Robert Burns birthday in January. Plus Scottish Country Dancing.
Anyhow, it is now bedtime, so I'll close this out and send it off. Thanks for the zine.
---
SLMR 2.1a . . . Nightmare: Cats with opposable thumbs.
Harry Andruschak
Torrance, CA
Lloyd Penney - 11/20/95
Yes, it has been a while, but here's the newest Skug after all, and it's good to see it. This is
issue 11 . . . can't remember when issue 10 was, but comments are needed for this issue.
Life has a tendency to get in the way of your commitments. So do BBSs and the Internet. For
all its wonders, I've never seen anything else better for eating up available time. I can't afford
to get on the net, even with most of fandom being on it.
Ah, Ditto 1 . . . the only fanzine con I've been able to get to. Dittos and Corflus beckon, and
now, there looks to be a third fanzine con on the go, with Arnie Katz staging something in
Las Vegas called Toner. Yvonne and I have tried to make up for that lack by running the
fanzine lounge at the Winnipeg Worldcon, and it looks like we will be working the fanzine
lounges in Los Angeles and San Antonio.
All this fannish activity is a welcome and needed break from what seems the eternal job hunt.
I'm unemployed again, and have been so for just over five months. The unemployment
insurance runs out at the new year, so prayer wouldn't be out of the question soon.
(I hope something turned up. - GSM)
The Saturday Toronto Star runs The News of the Weird each issue, and it's great fun.
Just recently, a fellow named Clifford Olsen won second prize in a major American poetry
contest. The prize was not awarded, though . . . turns out this guy is the Clifford Olsen who
is serving life in prison for serial child murders in British Columbia. Oops . . ..
Northern Exposure . . . I never watched that show. However, I certainly heard enough
about it. Just the other day in the paper, the town where the series was shot, Cicely,
Oregon (?), has fallen upon tough times because their short-lived industry is gone.
Looks like they were so busy basking in the klieg lights, they failed to set up contingency
plans.
Ah, European travel . . . I'm sure the pilsener plant in Pilsen, or Plzen must have had
collectibles. (Yes indeed, we picked up a couple of T-shirts and pilsen glasses.
- GSM) When Yvonne and I were in Holland in 1990 for the Worldcon, we took
the morning tour of the old Heineken plant in Amsterdam. It was a guilder to get in . . .
they took us around, showed up how they make their beers, and then took us to the
sampling room. We had the morning tour recommended to us because this tour serves
the most beer of all the tours of the day, nine rounds. I'm not a beer drinker, so I sipped a
few glasses of Pepsi, but Yvonne had her nine rounds. After the sampling, we were taken
to the souvenir shop. For some people there, only 1 guilder to get in, but upwards of 800
guilders to get out. Fortunately, I was sober, so we only left 100 guilders behind for coasters,
lighters, steins and towels. By the way, we had pizza in The Hague. Strange, indeed.
On our local con committee, there is the position of Brewmaster. Each year, the con appoints
a local fannish brewmaster to produce good, strong brew for the con suite at a greatly
reduced cost. Maybe a California con could appoint you to that same position so you can
further your brewing skills, and still provide a con suite with your finest efforts. (Jay
and I have already supplied several conventions, parties, etc. with beer. - GSM)
There are a couple of film festivals in Toronto, and one of them is world-level (better than
Cannes, say a few), but those of us who do like to see the odd movie are smart . . . when
those film festivals hit town, we hit the video store, and get out of the way. The snob factor
is appalling, and it's best to ignore them.
It's nearly midnight, and my eyes are falling together, so I will fold up here, thank you for
getting back and Pubbing your ish again, and say my good night. Good night. Zzzzzzzz . . .
Lloyd Penney
Brampton, ON
CANADA
Sarah Prince - 11/23/95 - (ssprince@world.std.com)
The very first [this time around] personally-addressed mail to me at my "new" KV address.
Reading it [with mentions of music, if not music I'd expect to search out] inspired me to
remember to go outside & splice the break I'd found [fortunately ground-level accessible]
in the lead from the ancient TV antenna to my FM tuner. Reception improved noticeably,
except when it drops out completely . . . inspiration fizzled before I hooked up the CD
player I'd brought up, with only a handful of Xmas CDs [but then it seemed a little early
to play those].
Sarah S. Prince
Arlington, MA
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