Archive for the ‘The Real Wombat’ Category

Whence Wombat

May 3, 2013

I found the t-shirt that started it all. The story behind it is in the first comment.

tshirt_that_started_it_backtshirt_that_started_it_front

Combat Wombat

April 28, 2013
Combat Wombat and his Saturn ~Lin Daniel

Combat Wombat
and his Saturn
~Lin Daniel

The things I find…

April 15, 2013

Archeology At jan’s House continues. On jan’s dresser I found a sample of Nyquil in New Cherry Flavor, an unopened small bottle of Irish Mist, some really old chocolate on a stick with the label “I had a HOT time at Nadia’s Bachelorette party!” and the image below. jan was fan guest of honor at Arisia 2001, and Ben Bova wrote the appreciation.
~Lin Daniel

jan howard finder, Arisia Fan Guest of Honor, 2001. Appreciation by Ben Bova.

Picture Identified!

April 8, 2013

The original picture posted on Facebook, followed by a copy of the plaque I finally unearthed.

Archeology at jan’s house has found a true puzzle. What is this a picture of? What event, award, celebration…or not, is this? They all look so solemn. All have their plaques at just the right angle so the reflection of the light blocks the name of the group.

And here is the solution to the puzzle.

And here is the award, unearthed from where it was stacked with several other framed awards.

Continuing Archeology – very early pics of jan

April 7, 2013

These are items I would not have found in my normal straightening of jan’s place. These were in a box on the shelf in his closet, with bits and badges from cons, assortedĀ correspondence and magazinesĀ from the late 80s and early 90s.

very youn jan

Black and white, possibly a very young jan.

jan and his parents

jan and his parents

jan skiing

I believe this is jan skiing, with an early version of his beard.

WOMBATCON – jan howard finder Memorial and Irish Wake!

March 27, 2013

WOMBATCON! It’s FREE! Bring your best Wombat stories and be prepared to share!

WEBSITE: http://wombatcon.lindaniel.com/

DATE: 1 June 2013
TIME: Noon until

PLACE: Holiday Inn Wolf Road, Albany, NY
Room Rate: $99/night, Friday/Saturday

See WEBSITE for details and contact info

Oy…Just oy

March 26, 2013

Archeology At Jan’s House just turned up three old AutoClub cards from 2007, ’08, 09, a credit card with an expiration date of 12/03, and *drum*roll*please* jan’s grade school report cards.
With things like “needs improvement in self control” and under “promptness” the note “stalls”. All I can say is the man was consistent.

Update: corrected original post from “2207” to “2007”. I wish he’d lived until 2207.

Some fun comments on this to be found on jan’s Facebook page.

Like: Grade 2A: “Initiative: Needs improvement in finding of worthwhile things to do.” Really? I guess they had a different idea of worthwhile than jan did.

and

Wait! What? An “unsatisfactory” in science? Grade 6A, first period (the structure of these makes me thing “first period” is the first weeks of that semester), science: “U”. I guess jan had a falling out with his instructor over something, or it was taught boringly. However, the grade improved to an “E-Excellent Achievement” by the end.

There was some debate on Facebook as to whether it was boredom (my usual reason for bad grades) or failing to turn in his homework (several other people’s reasons for bad grades).

Quote for jan

March 23, 2013

The person who has lived the most is not the one with the most years but the one with the richest experiences
~ Rousseau

Found on jan’s dresser

March 22, 2013

Found in the clutter on jan’s dresser. Given that the man bears a remarkable resemblance to jan, I’m guessing these are his parents.

Comments on this can be found on jan’s Facebook page.

UPDATE:
It’s been confirmed by Joan, one of jan’s cousins, that this is indeed jan’s parents.

The man never ceases to amaze me.

March 20, 2013

There’s a pile of books on a shelf in the library on how to get your real estate license. But I never knew he’d gotten one until I found this card. I have no clue when, or what he did when he had it.

Comments on this can be found on jan’s Facebook page.