Hurricane Harlan
Posted By Kathleen David on April 5, 2008
Harlan Ellison is a writer who has been a writer for a very long time and he’ll be glad to tell you all about it. Listening to Harlan is listening to a bit of history with an edge. I never know what he is going to say but I know I’ll have some reaction to it. Harlan is a force of nature and he proved it yet again last night.
This weekend Harlan is one of the guests of honor at I-Con on Long Island. It is the first time I have seen Susan and him in about 5 years. I can time it down pretty well since Caroline was a little over 4 months last time they saw her which is the last time I saw them in person. One of Peter’s first panels at the convention was entitled “An Hour with Harlan and Peter” which is always fun to hear how the two of them play off of each other.
At one point Harlan was talking about the David family and he asked how big Caroline had gotten. Peter pointed to the back of the room where we were seated and Caroline ran down to the stage. Harlan stood up and held his arms open ready for a hug and Caroline, the Master of Comic Timing, ran right by him and into her father’s lap. She did, later that panel, give Harlan a big hug. She showed Harlan her precious pink blankie that Harlan and Susan had gotten her. Well worn is a kind way of describing the condition of this blanket. She and Harlan got on well with each other.
After the talk, Peter and Harlan went to sign books and other items for the fans. The set up had a nice nook for Caroline to play in while the signing was going on. She drew pictures and worked on her letters for quite a while. But the signing was pushing into its second hour and I could see the signs of Caroline starting to meltdown so I took her and a very tired Ariel home. I went back to pick up Peter and got to have some uninterrupted conversation with various adults I knew there which was nice.
Today I have my what is a Puppet demo and tomorrow I am making paper bag puppets with the kids. Caroline is looking forward to seeing her pal ‘Rina who is really Ariel’s bestest buddy. Peter has a couple of panels and he is driving Ariel to her bowling competition later this afternoon. I’m hoping to see some old friends this weekend too.
I am grateful for something Harlan said last night.
Having been entertained by Harlan’s talks to a degree that would make most multi million dollar Hollywood productions ashamed of their existence, I can just imagine how great that was. I can almost see the expression on his face as she ran by. If Ellison hadn’t been such a great writer he could have been a terrific actor. Or an amazing college professor. DREAMS WITH SHARP TEETH gives a good taste of it but everyone should get the chance to see him live.
The only time i’ve ever been able to see Harlan was when he used to do that late late Tom Snyder show. that was when i was back in the midwest and didn’t even know that things like ICon was.
The only chance i get to see anyone is at the NYCC…is there any chance Harlan might ever come there?
(In fact, i wish they would do something with puppets so I could watch you,Kathleen, as well;))
This year we’re getting Orson Scott Card…maybe next year Harlan Ellison? (or am i hoping too much?)
jeane
Well I’m confused. I don’t know what’s the problem here. What’s wrong. At first I thought it looked really smart, but I’m not sure any more