Father's Day

© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com | 6:00 P.M.

My father died aged 66 from a recurrence of cancer in May 2001. At Mass today, a visiting priest's homily combined Father's Day with a reflection on death, as in the gospel reading, Jesus tells the Apostles his coming death will fulfill his purpose, opening the way to the next life for his followers.

I've never been as sad as I was at my dad's death, but at the same time, it was a good death. We'd had five-and-a-half more years with him than we expected. My mother, aunt, brother, and I all got to be with him when he died.

I have trouble imagining the next life. No one may be capable of grasping it. I take solace, though, knowing my father no longer suffers from cancer, that he didn't have to witness 9/11 or any evils since then.

He did good when he had the chance. Who could ask for anything more?

Forty Rocks

© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com | 3:00 P.M.

Thanks to an unexpected, much appreciated ride with my friend Deshant Paul, his wife Tracy, and their sons Anando and Kian, I attended a surprise birthday party at Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve for our friend John Ricotta.

Like me, John is lucky to have a large extended family, many of whom I've gotten to know over our twenty-year friendship. It was great to see them all again.

(L to R: Deshant, John, and me)

The Road to Bouchercon 2016

© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com |

With just over three months until Bouchercon 2016 in New Orleans, I'm booked Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at the con hotel, wishfully thinking of my ideal travel scenario from New York, a twenty-one hour road trip. Here's the thing: I can't drive myself.

I have no qualms about flying except that the morning flights out of JFK and LaGuardia would mean getting to the airport by five A.M. If I flew out a day before the con, I'd need a place to stay the night before the con. Similarly, Amtrak from Penn Station to New Orleans would leave Tuesday afternoon and arrive Wednesday night.

Second, baggage limits normally aren't a problem for me, but this being a book convention, I'd like the freedom to bring a box of books home. So, a road trip with fellow attendee friends would be ideal. If you're considering driving, I could arrange transportation to you, and we could go from there. Though I can't drive, I'm happy to share expenses and comic relief.

I realize this is asking a lot. I did say it was my ideal scenario. If you love this plan and are excited to be a part of it, email G_SO at YAHOO dot COM.

At Mystery Playground

© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com | 2:00 P.M.

My friend Deb Lacy interviewed me about The Five-Two for her blog, Mystery Playground.

Making Certain It Goes On (after Richard Hugo)

© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com | 9:00 A.M.

In 2008, I ran for and was elected president of the Short Mystery Fiction Society. I had an agenda of improving access to Society policy and modernizing our polling method, both of which upset members accustomed to "how things have always been".

Holding office meant often sublimating my feelings in favor of what best served the majority of members and the group's highest purpose: to increase publication and regard for mystery & crime stories.

Having served my presidential term, a vice presidential term (2012–14), and as blog admin 2014–16, I entered the 2016–18 presidential race only because the incumbent wasn't up to a second term due to health concerns. I aimed to ensure continuity and attract new candidates, but my run kept others from feeling the need to run. Recognizing this with one day left in the nomination period, I dropped out.

The president-elect asked to retain me as blog admin, but again I had to decline, to nudge the group away from complacency, because I want it to outlive me.