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avanta7Let's see the checklist: Good night's sleep, check. Snuggled with spouse, check. Loved on the kitties and the pooch, check. Glass of OJ, check. Morning coffee, check. Guess I'm ready to write!
Thursday
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madame_urushiol and I left Little Rock about two in the afternoon and made numerous "rest" stops along the way. I drive with a bottle of water in my hand. You figure it out. [grin] I released a book at the rest stop and visitor's center in Texarkana, just over the state line. We landed in Ft. Worth at roughly 8:00 p.m., checked into our rooms, tried unsuccessfully to reach shendoah and greedyreader, and went out for dinner. In the lobby, we ran into a couple of other BXers, sp4home and her husband, whose screen name escapes me for the moment, and they joined us for dinner. What an interesting couple! They have several of their own children, plus numerous special needs foster children. God bless them. We ate at La Cocina in Sundance Square. Excellent food, excellent service. I released a book there, too. In retrospect, it probably wasn't the best choice of books to leave at a restaurant, but it was the one on top of the pile as I left the hotel. On the walk to dinner, I realized the sneakers I bought in a hurry Wednesday afternoon were a half-size too large. They rubbed my feet and would cause blisters if I continued to wear them. Not good. But I had brought two pairs of sandals. No worries.
On the way to our rooms after dinner, we barged intowhytraven's and marina_wolf's room for a hug. They were wiped out, so we didn't stay but a minute.
Once back in my room, I couldn't find my other shoes. They weren't in my suitcase. Then I remembered something. The phone call to spouse went like this:
"Honey, is there a bag with two pairs of sandals in it sitting by the bed?"
"Let me look.....You mean this bag? The one with your shoes, and your hair stuff, and your toothbrush and toothpaste?"
"That's the one. Crud."
It doesn't much help to make a packing list if one forgets to bring the bag. Sheesh. *smacks hand to forehead* Back down to the lobby for a toothbrush. Then jammies and bed.
Friday
I never sleep well my first night away from home, so I was up extra early, dressed and breakfasted and ready for the day by 7:30. I read for a while, then headed back down to the lobby, where I spottedmojosmom having breakfast. (I recognized her from her bookshelf photo.) Madame-U was at another table, but she joined us, as did several other BXers, and we all had a nice chat.
Shortly after nine, the group organized itself into car loads for the trip to Archer City and Larry McMurtry's book mecca, Booked Up. Madame-U and I had to find a Target first. New shoes were imperative. We followed directions, apparently badly, because we never found Target, but we did find Famous Footwear. I got new sneakers, she got new sneakers, and some two hours behind everyone else we headed for Archer City.
Pretty drive, but by the time we got there, I was already ready to go back. Maybe it was the stress of getting lost and having to buy shoes so I wouldn't be miserable, plus the extra drive. The bookstores are overwhelming. So many books on so many shelves reaching all the way to the ceiling, room after room after room. I wandered up and down the streets, went in all four buildings, picked up a couple of books I had to have (a Kubrick retrospective and a Jean Genet play), saw many others I wouldn't mind owning, wandered the streets some more, met up with Madame-U again and finally left about, what, 3:30? 4:00? I don't recall exactly. I was suffering from sensory overload. I think I even dozed a little on the drive back to Ft. Worth. Maybe there is such a thing as too many books.
At the 7:00 mixer, I finally metshendoah, greedyreader, gorydetails and texaswren face to face. Shen I recognized from her Christmas card, Gory from her bookshelf photo, and Greedy couldn't have been anyone else. She looks just like herself.
T-W looks nothing like I pictured her in my head: a stereotypical grandmotherly woman, petite and sweet-faced and silver-haired and round and wise, perhaps a little delicate, smelling of talc and lavender. I should have known better from her journal entries. I had the sweet-faced and wise part right. But she's taller than I expected, and slender, with a shock of brown shoulder-length hair, nut-brown skin, quick and ready grin, easy laugh, capable hands. T-W, you are the epitome of the strong Texas woman. Who you are suits you much better than who I pictured.
Other BX LJers met face to face:jfroebe; tzurriz, who is just as cute as a button!; firstnoel; skyring; amberlee17 -- gosh, I'm probably missing a bunch. It's not intentional, I promise!
After the mixer -- Why wasn't there any food? Chips and salsa just didn't qualify! -- Shen, Greedy, Gory, Madame-U, MJM and I went out for dinner. Sundance Square was packed with NASCAR fans, live music played in the streets, and the restaurants we tried either wanted to charge us a cover for the privilege of eating there or had a wait of 30 minutes or longer. It was already after nine. We finally found The Chop House, a haven away from the noise. Quiet lighting, quiet music, wonderful service, fabulous menu. Gory found her Guinness here, after being unsuccessful at the hotel. We ordered and ate and talked and talked and talked. Dinner with these women was like dinner with my oldest girlfriends. I haven't had such a wonderful evening in years. This one dinner out was worth the whole trip.
Saturday
Breakfast in my room, and then down to the seminars. PJLareau talked about release techniques. The man made a map of his local area which shows all the laundromats and other prime release locations. He carries it with him and makes stops to drop off books wherever he goes. Such dedication! I'm usually so focused on getting from Point A to Point B that I don't think about stopping in between points to leave a book.
Our fearless leader, Ron, was up next to talk about the state of the union. I believe his phrase was "We're not bleeding money. Yet." Supply store sales are flat while membership keeps climbing. He's considering adding extra wings features to entice more members to buy wings. The bottom line is this: If you're a member of BookCrossing and haven't either purchased something from the supply store in recent days, or given someone wings, or got them for yourself, please please PLEASE do so, and do so regularly. Ron feels very strongly about keeping the site going -- he doesn't want all our wild books to be orphaned -- but bandwidth is expensive. He's got to make a living too.
GoryDetails was up next to lead a book discussion. Enjoyable and fun. Yay GoryD! Afterward, lunch catered by the hotel, and then out and about to see the sights and release the books.
Mojosmom, Madame-U, Greedy and I headed for the museum district. Greedy went on a long walk, while the rest of us hit the museums. At the Kimbell Art Museum, I released two books near the ticket counter to the special exhibition Palace And Mosque: Islamic Art From The Victoria And Albert Museum. We saw a woman and a young lady, probably her daughter, pick them up just as we walked away. We grinned at each other in conspiratorial amusement as we entered the exhibit. The exhibit is incredible, by the way. I'm always astonished by the detail and the ornamentation of Middle Eastern art. Even the most ordinary objects, such as serving bowls and urns, are embellished with designs: swirls and dots and tiny tiny flowers. I loved the rugs. And the tiles. And the glasswork. And the ceramic fireplace! I coveted that piece with all my heart. At the gift store, I found a beautiful red silk scarf which will eventually find a home on a table or dresser, a book on church architecture, and two sets of notecards, one with photos of Tiffany glasswork, and the other with William Morris designs.
After the Kimbell, MJM headed for the Amon Carter while Madame-U and I did The Modern. Their big exhibit right now is a Dan Flavin retrospective. Apparently I am not sophisticated enough to understand the artistic value of flourescent lighting with color gels mounted on a wall. One or two pieces were interesting enough to stop and examine for a while, but mostly my response was "this is art?" I enjoyed his concept sketches much more than the actual light sculptures.
My favorite piece seen at the Modern is part of their permanent collection: Book With Wings by Anselm Kiefer. Is there a more perfect place for a release? Still, display space is chosen so carefully, it becomes part of the artwork itself. Leaving a book would have disturbed the space. So it's just as well I didn't have another one with me. You can't tell from the photo how enormous this piece is. It's over six feet tall, and its wingspan is greater than the length of a Ford Expedition. It's displayed in a gray concrete cube that's at least 20X20, and lit indirectly so it seems to float. Stunning. Simply stunning.
At five, our little gang met up again and we trundled ourselves off to the Stockyards. Window shopping, dinner at a barbecue joint, more window shopping and a little purchasing. Who-da-thunk Madame-U had an armadillo fetish? She bought virtually every armadillo-embellished item she saw. I found fudge. And habanero jelly. And I fell in love with a pair of pale blue suede cowboy boots embroidered with sunflowers, but at $409, they were a tiny bit out of my budget. I released several books as we strolled along. Back at the car, I discovered a message from Shen on my cell phone telling us about a meeting at nine in Our Fearless Leader's room. We were back at the hotel about 8:30.
Reno & company were delayed and the meeting didn't actually start until close to ten. I'll let someone else describe it. I was too tired and too cranky to pay much attention and bailed out before 10:30. Jammies, phone call to spouse, bed.
For a book convention, I sure didn't get much reading done.
Sunday
The hotel catered breakfast, and I finally got a chance to have a decent conversation withwhytraven. She's been keeping us all updated on her solo motorcycle road trip in her ravensroads journal, but it was a pleasure to sit and chat face to face. After breakfast we discussed site selection for the 2007 convention (2006 is in Toronto) and I made my pitch for Little Rock. Charleston was the final selection. Oh well, there's always 2008! Next, author Lisa Wingate was interviewed by MJM and took questions from the group. Although choclaholic was up next with a session on making journal entries, the author talk was my last session. This little introvert was past tired of being around people and more than ready to go home.
I was on the road by 11:15 and home by 5:00. Spouse walked in the door less than ten minutes after I got home, and we had a quiet evening complete with snuggles, Chinese takeout and falling asleep on the couch.
All in all, a fabulous if exhausting weekend filled with meeting old friends for the first time. I'm soooo glad I went. And I'm soooo glad to be home.
Thursday
madame_urushiol and I left Little Rock about two in the afternoon and made numerous "rest" stops along the way. I drive with a bottle of water in my hand. You figure it out. [grin] I released a book at the rest stop and visitor's center in Texarkana, just over the state line. We landed in Ft. Worth at roughly 8:00 p.m., checked into our rooms, tried unsuccessfully to reach shendoah and greedyreader, and went out for dinner. In the lobby, we ran into a couple of other BXers, sp4home and her husband, whose screen name escapes me for the moment, and they joined us for dinner. What an interesting couple! They have several of their own children, plus numerous special needs foster children. God bless them. We ate at La Cocina in Sundance Square. Excellent food, excellent service. I released a book there, too. In retrospect, it probably wasn't the best choice of books to leave at a restaurant, but it was the one on top of the pile as I left the hotel. On the walk to dinner, I realized the sneakers I bought in a hurry Wednesday afternoon were a half-size too large. They rubbed my feet and would cause blisters if I continued to wear them. Not good. But I had brought two pairs of sandals. No worries.On the way to our rooms after dinner, we barged into
whytraven's and marina_wolf's room for a hug. They were wiped out, so we didn't stay but a minute.Once back in my room, I couldn't find my other shoes. They weren't in my suitcase. Then I remembered something. The phone call to spouse went like this:
"Honey, is there a bag with two pairs of sandals in it sitting by the bed?"
"Let me look.....You mean this bag? The one with your shoes, and your hair stuff, and your toothbrush and toothpaste?"
"That's the one. Crud."
It doesn't much help to make a packing list if one forgets to bring the bag. Sheesh. *smacks hand to forehead* Back down to the lobby for a toothbrush. Then jammies and bed.
Friday
I never sleep well my first night away from home, so I was up extra early, dressed and breakfasted and ready for the day by 7:30. I read for a while, then headed back down to the lobby, where I spotted
mojosmom having breakfast. (I recognized her from her bookshelf photo.) Madame-U was at another table, but she joined us, as did several other BXers, and we all had a nice chat.Shortly after nine, the group organized itself into car loads for the trip to Archer City and Larry McMurtry's book mecca, Booked Up. Madame-U and I had to find a Target first. New shoes were imperative. We followed directions, apparently badly, because we never found Target, but we did find Famous Footwear. I got new sneakers, she got new sneakers, and some two hours behind everyone else we headed for Archer City.
Pretty drive, but by the time we got there, I was already ready to go back. Maybe it was the stress of getting lost and having to buy shoes so I wouldn't be miserable, plus the extra drive. The bookstores are overwhelming. So many books on so many shelves reaching all the way to the ceiling, room after room after room. I wandered up and down the streets, went in all four buildings, picked up a couple of books I had to have (a Kubrick retrospective and a Jean Genet play), saw many others I wouldn't mind owning, wandered the streets some more, met up with Madame-U again and finally left about, what, 3:30? 4:00? I don't recall exactly. I was suffering from sensory overload. I think I even dozed a little on the drive back to Ft. Worth. Maybe there is such a thing as too many books.
At the 7:00 mixer, I finally met
shendoah, greedyreader, gorydetails and texaswren face to face. Shen I recognized from her Christmas card, Gory from her bookshelf photo, and Greedy couldn't have been anyone else. She looks just like herself.T-W looks nothing like I pictured her in my head: a stereotypical grandmotherly woman, petite and sweet-faced and silver-haired and round and wise, perhaps a little delicate, smelling of talc and lavender. I should have known better from her journal entries. I had the sweet-faced and wise part right. But she's taller than I expected, and slender, with a shock of brown shoulder-length hair, nut-brown skin, quick and ready grin, easy laugh, capable hands. T-W, you are the epitome of the strong Texas woman. Who you are suits you much better than who I pictured.
Other BX LJers met face to face:
jfroebe; tzurriz, who is just as cute as a button!; firstnoel; skyring; amberlee17 -- gosh, I'm probably missing a bunch. It's not intentional, I promise!After the mixer -- Why wasn't there any food? Chips and salsa just didn't qualify! -- Shen, Greedy, Gory, Madame-U, MJM and I went out for dinner. Sundance Square was packed with NASCAR fans, live music played in the streets, and the restaurants we tried either wanted to charge us a cover for the privilege of eating there or had a wait of 30 minutes or longer. It was already after nine. We finally found The Chop House, a haven away from the noise. Quiet lighting, quiet music, wonderful service, fabulous menu. Gory found her Guinness here, after being unsuccessful at the hotel. We ordered and ate and talked and talked and talked. Dinner with these women was like dinner with my oldest girlfriends. I haven't had such a wonderful evening in years. This one dinner out was worth the whole trip.
Saturday
Breakfast in my room, and then down to the seminars. PJLareau talked about release techniques. The man made a map of his local area which shows all the laundromats and other prime release locations. He carries it with him and makes stops to drop off books wherever he goes. Such dedication! I'm usually so focused on getting from Point A to Point B that I don't think about stopping in between points to leave a book.
Our fearless leader, Ron, was up next to talk about the state of the union. I believe his phrase was "We're not bleeding money. Yet." Supply store sales are flat while membership keeps climbing. He's considering adding extra wings features to entice more members to buy wings. The bottom line is this: If you're a member of BookCrossing and haven't either purchased something from the supply store in recent days, or given someone wings, or got them for yourself, please please PLEASE do so, and do so regularly. Ron feels very strongly about keeping the site going -- he doesn't want all our wild books to be orphaned -- but bandwidth is expensive. He's got to make a living too.
GoryDetails was up next to lead a book discussion. Enjoyable and fun. Yay GoryD! Afterward, lunch catered by the hotel, and then out and about to see the sights and release the books.
Mojosmom, Madame-U, Greedy and I headed for the museum district. Greedy went on a long walk, while the rest of us hit the museums. At the Kimbell Art Museum, I released two books near the ticket counter to the special exhibition Palace And Mosque: Islamic Art From The Victoria And Albert Museum. We saw a woman and a young lady, probably her daughter, pick them up just as we walked away. We grinned at each other in conspiratorial amusement as we entered the exhibit. The exhibit is incredible, by the way. I'm always astonished by the detail and the ornamentation of Middle Eastern art. Even the most ordinary objects, such as serving bowls and urns, are embellished with designs: swirls and dots and tiny tiny flowers. I loved the rugs. And the tiles. And the glasswork. And the ceramic fireplace! I coveted that piece with all my heart. At the gift store, I found a beautiful red silk scarf which will eventually find a home on a table or dresser, a book on church architecture, and two sets of notecards, one with photos of Tiffany glasswork, and the other with William Morris designs.
After the Kimbell, MJM headed for the Amon Carter while Madame-U and I did The Modern. Their big exhibit right now is a Dan Flavin retrospective. Apparently I am not sophisticated enough to understand the artistic value of flourescent lighting with color gels mounted on a wall. One or two pieces were interesting enough to stop and examine for a while, but mostly my response was "this is art?" I enjoyed his concept sketches much more than the actual light sculptures.
My favorite piece seen at the Modern is part of their permanent collection: Book With Wings by Anselm Kiefer. Is there a more perfect place for a release? Still, display space is chosen so carefully, it becomes part of the artwork itself. Leaving a book would have disturbed the space. So it's just as well I didn't have another one with me. You can't tell from the photo how enormous this piece is. It's over six feet tall, and its wingspan is greater than the length of a Ford Expedition. It's displayed in a gray concrete cube that's at least 20X20, and lit indirectly so it seems to float. Stunning. Simply stunning.
At five, our little gang met up again and we trundled ourselves off to the Stockyards. Window shopping, dinner at a barbecue joint, more window shopping and a little purchasing. Who-da-thunk Madame-U had an armadillo fetish? She bought virtually every armadillo-embellished item she saw. I found fudge. And habanero jelly. And I fell in love with a pair of pale blue suede cowboy boots embroidered with sunflowers, but at $409, they were a tiny bit out of my budget. I released several books as we strolled along. Back at the car, I discovered a message from Shen on my cell phone telling us about a meeting at nine in Our Fearless Leader's room. We were back at the hotel about 8:30.
Reno & company were delayed and the meeting didn't actually start until close to ten. I'll let someone else describe it. I was too tired and too cranky to pay much attention and bailed out before 10:30. Jammies, phone call to spouse, bed.
For a book convention, I sure didn't get much reading done.
Sunday
The hotel catered breakfast, and I finally got a chance to have a decent conversation with
whytraven. She's been keeping us all updated on her solo motorcycle road trip in her ravensroads journal, but it was a pleasure to sit and chat face to face. After breakfast we discussed site selection for the 2007 convention (2006 is in Toronto) and I made my pitch for Little Rock. Charleston was the final selection. Oh well, there's always 2008! Next, author Lisa Wingate was interviewed by MJM and took questions from the group. Although choclaholic was up next with a session on making journal entries, the author talk was my last session. This little introvert was past tired of being around people and more than ready to go home.I was on the road by 11:15 and home by 5:00. Spouse walked in the door less than ten minutes after I got home, and we had a quiet evening complete with snuggles, Chinese takeout and falling asleep on the couch.
All in all, a fabulous if exhausting weekend filled with meeting old friends for the first time. I'm soooo glad I went. And I'm soooo glad to be home.
