(that's the sound of me worrying that everything will be ready for bicon). It will be, pretty much everything is in place, just a few more tweaks n stuff to do. Need to buy blutack for my workshop and tidy up my notes slightly, but it's looking ok.

In other news People can live long, happy lives without consuming large amounts of the Earth's resources, a survey suggests.

The 178-nation "Happy Planet Index" lists the south Pacific island of Vanuatu as the happiest nation on the planet, while the UK is ranked 108th.

Although I would note, in a slightly tongue in cheek way, that we don't live on a frigging tropical island.. - full report here.

(and the reason why we're 108th can be found in this paragraph : "It is important to recognise from the outsite that the HPI is not an indicator of the happiest country on the planet, or the best place to live. Nor does it indicate the most developed country in the traditional sense, or the most environmentally friendly. Instead, the HPI combines these notions, providing a method of comparing countries' progress towards the goal of providing long-term well-being for all without exceeding the limits of equitable resource consumption")

The point that we don't have the happiest levels of happiness, and that our life expectancy is no higher than many other 'less developed' countries is undoubtedly a good one. Whilst it might be interesting to throw 'contribution to science' into the mix, who fancies moving to Costa Rica (number 3 in the list) ?

I've avoided talking up my workshop so far, just finishing the final touches to it tonight..

However, it will include :

Scintillating talk (by me)
Lots of group discussion (by everyone else)
Interactive map goodness
and
Badgemaking

"There's as many terms for bisexuals as ways of being bisexual. What have you been called? What perception does this provide of bisexuals and can we reclaim any of the terms for our own use? We'll explore the history of queer language, different worldwide terms for bisexual and find your very own bi name! This session features plenty of group work, creativity and interactive discussion."

You know you want to. bicon. Saturday. 11:30-12:45.

After a little pondering on the train to yoga last night, a revised workshop proposal.. Title overhauled, session made more interactive and fluffy. Ideas pinched gathered from other sessions in the past.

Title : What's your bi name?

Short description (for the bicon website):

We've all been called bi slang - some kind, some not. Discussing the history of bi slang, the names we've been called and terms for bisexuals worldwide the possibility of reclaiming certain words will be explored, and you'll find your own bi name!

Long description (for the programme detail) : There's as many terms for bisexuals as ways of being bisexual. What have you been called? What perception does this provide of bisexuals and can we reclaim any of the terms for our own use? We'll explore the history of queer language, different worldwide terms for bisexual and find your very own bi name! This session features plenty of group work, creativity and interactive discussion.

Intended level : Beginner upwards. General tone is fluffy with serious bits.

Comments? Sufficiently fluffy yet informative now? I have cunning plans™ about how to conduct the session..

Oh yes, if you have any unusual slang words - please let me know (via email) including ideally the area you heard them in. I already have slang for Icelandic and Mexican bisexuals amongst others - more is definitely welcome.

I'm pondering repeating the bisexual language session I conducted at biphoria a while back, expanding it to include worldwide terms for bisexuals.

Title : Bisexuals and language

Short description (for the bicon website): History of bi/queer language and how it influences perception of bisexuals, bi language around the world, reclaiming terms for our own use. Talk and group work.

Long description (for the programme detail) : There's as many terms for bisexuals as ways of being bisexual. Where do these terms come from? How far do they go back? What perception do they provide of bisexuals and can we reclaim any of the terms for our own use? Charting the history of queer slang and exploring different worldwide terms for bisexual, this session features both presentations and group work.

Intended level : informative with lots of fluffy bits

Comments? Perhaps a slightly fluffier title (bi slang? 'On your byke : worldwide bi slang'?)

Oh yes, if you have any unusual slang words - please let me know (via email) including ideally the area you heard them in. I already have slang for Icelandic and Mexican bisexuals amongst others - more is definitely welcome.