Friday, June 11, 2004

Putting your best breast forward

Spent today at the La Leche League state conference in San Antonio. Will spend Saturday and Sunday there as well. For the uninitiated, La Leche League is a breast-feeding advocacy group, which is really needed because the corporations that manufacture formula are scum of the earth. Seriously. Their tactics mirror Big Tobacco, and in some cases, put Big Tobacco to shame. My wife's a Leader, recently promoted to the position of district advisor for other Leaders. She's also helping run a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff at the conference.

The similarities between this breast-feeding conference and science fiction conventions are eerie. 1) The person with the key to the hospitality suite is never around when they're needed; 2) the dealer's room (in this instance, the dealer's lobby) is chok full of all sorts of oddball stuff you never even knew existed; 3) they speak a different language than "normal" folks, and geek out about issues they're passionate about; 4) programming panels are pretty much like what you get at SF cons, tho instead of Farscape and "erotica in science fiction" they discuss "organic nutrition" and really, really take joy in reaming Ezzo and his wretched Babywise book (which, incidentally, Lisa was instrumental in getting removed from Sam's Club stores nationwide a few years back...).

There are striking differences, too: 1) There are lots of kids. Lots of 'em; 2) there are lots of women. Seriously. Lots and lots of them. Many of whom are breast-feeding (which isn't titilating as the uninitiated might think); 3) there are a number of men around, looking befuddled and/or bemused while chasing after children. These guys are filling the role the wives usually play at SF conventions; 4) on the whole, La Leche Leaguers are in far better physical shape, and have far better fasion sense than what you'll get at your average SF con.

Now Playing: Ray Charles Ultimate Hits Collection

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