(I wish!)

Well, after spending most of the weekend doing nothing but sleeping; seriously - I went to bed at 7:45 on Friday night and did a lot more all weekend, I finally feel like I'm getting back in my groove. As you can see, I didn't get around to recaping the rest of the week. I had plans to, but the need for zzzzzz's trumped the desire to recap.

One of the few things I did manage to get done was cataloging the books I brought back. I still haven't really unpacked yet, but the books are now up-to-date in LibraryThing, Shelfari, Goodreads and the spread sheet. It's all about priorities.

But I did want to mention a couple more workshops I made it too. I've pretty much decided that I need to get an ereader so when I saw a workshop that Jane of DA, Sarah of SB and Angie of Carina Press were putting on, I thought I'd get some good info. The only trouble was I think I was the only one in the room that didn't already have one and the conversation was over my head for a lot of it. But I did get enough by osmosis to realize that there isn't a devise that has everything I want.

S0.....

I've decided to go with the Kobo. I like the price!!! $149.00 is pretty hard to turn your nose up at. Unlike the Kindle, you aren't limited to buying books just from Chapters, the store that supports it in Canada. It doesn't have WiFi like the Kindle and Nook do, but then that will also allow me to shop at some of the smaller epresses which is what I wanted. I think I'll order one in the next couple of days. I can only hope that it isn't too hard to download from the computer to the reader. I shall be crossing my fingers that day let me tell you!!

There are so many great things about going to conventions/conferences. And one of them is the books one can get. After spending so much time cataloguing them, now I just have to share the books I got

Author	Title
Aguirre, Ann	Blue Diablo
Aguirre, Ann	DoubleBlind
Bond, Stephanie	Finding Your Mojo
Byrd, Rhyannon	Touch Of Seduction
Carlyle, Liz	Wicked All Day
Cooke, Lisa	A Midwife Crisis
Crane, Carolyn	Mind Games
Dahl, Victoria	Lead Me On
Dare, Lydia	A Certain Wolfish Charm
Dare, Lydia	Tall, Dark And Wolfish
Day, Alyssa	Atlantis Redeemed
Day, Zuri	Lessons From A Younger Lover
Dow, Candice	Feelin' The Vibe
Duran, Meredith	Wicked Becomes You
Eisler, Barry	Fault Line
Fennell, Judi	In Over Her Head
Gibson, Rachel	Nothing But Trouble
Grainger, Jess	Beyond The Shadows
Hendricks, Elysa	Star Raiders
Hieber, Leanna Renee	TheDarkly Luminous Fight For Persephone Parker
Howard, Linda	MacKenzie's Heroe's
Jackson, Brenda	Hot Westmoreland Nights
Jeffries, Sabrina	The Truth About Lord Stoneville
Lee, Jade	Dragonborn
Low, Genita	Virtually His
MacLean, Julianne	Nine Rules To Break When Romancing A Rake
Madison, Tracy	A Breath Of Magic
Maverick, Liz	Crimson And Steam
McCoy, Judi	Making Over Mr. Right
Medeiros, Teresa	Some Like It Wild
Pineiro, Caridad	Sins Of The Flesh
Quinn, Tara Taylor	In Plain Sight
Reece, Christy	Second Chance
Robards, Karen	Scandalous
Rush, Jamie	Touching Darkness
Rush, Jamie	Out Of The Darkness
Thomas, Sherry	His At Night
Walker, Shiloh	Hunter's Need
Wilds, Elissa	Darkness Rising
York, Rebecca	Dragon Moon

I probably would have got even more at the book signing but alas, I wimped out. But still, I think I did rather fine. They were all from the conference. Nath and I made a run to a bookstore and then we went to another one along with Mollie. With the price being so different in the US as opposed to Canada and the dollar being almost par and Nath having coupons, well it just didn't make sense for us not to go!

I wish I hadn't pooped out as there was so much other stuff going on that kept us going almost non stop. But enough to say it was such a wonderful time and I can hardly wait until my next one!!

More on RT

Now that I'm on the laptop where the pictures are, this is one of the delicious potato 'martinis'.

Wednesday
So - I said I'd go into more detail of the weeks happenings. Looking back at the program, Wednesday starts out more as what I didn't do! There was a workshop that I'm kicking myself that I didn't attend.

Whodunit? He or She was put on by mystery writer Barry Eisler and Jennifer St. Giles. According to everyone who attended it was the hit of the conference. Mr. Eisler and Ms. Giles took turns reading scenes and it was up to the audience to determine whether the scene was written by a man or a woman. Apparently there was one particularly hawt scene that he read.
Though I didn't attend, I did pick up his latest book, Fault Line. I figured any guy willing to do that deserves to be read *g*

The first thing I did attend was the Trivia Pursuit game hosted by Jessica Anderson and Hannah Howell. I found that rather humbling since I figured with my many years of reading I'd know all the answers. Alas I didn't, though I did win a book so it was all good.

It's rather frightening as I don't remember what else we did that night. And it wasn't that long ago now - *gulp*. But whatever it was, I know I had fun.

Thursday
You know - I was too tired last night and put this in draft and I forget even more now!!
I know someone had a breakfast and I went to that. And then I went to the Read a Book, Save an Author workshop. And I know that I enjoyed it. It was hosted by authors Toni Blake, Dakota Cassidy who was a fill in for Julie Anne Long who couldn't make it and Tessa Dare was also there. It was quite an enjoyable. One of the points I made, though not sure if I speak for all reader bloggers, is what a thrill it is when an author 'drops in' - not to comment about a review, but just as a regular visitor. It was interesting as I got the impression that some authors are leery of commenting - thinking maybe they might not be welcome. But before they were authors, they were readers and I imagine they still are readers. I get a thrill when an author leaves a comment and when next in a bookstore, will check out their books for sure.

After that I'm not sure what I did *sigh* I know they had an ice cream social put on by Red Sage. But I didn't have any. Until I start using Sensodyne on a regular basis, sadly, ice cream is just to painful to eat anymore.

Then I did something else but - egads!! I don't remember what though!

Then it was time to meet Sarah for the wearing of the mullet - and finally some more pictures. You may notice I don't have a lot. I'm not much of a picture taking person and after almost losing my camera, I kind of sort of left it in the room. So Nath was kind enough to take pictures and upload them for me.

Now a few weeks before RT, I got an email from Susanna Kearsley, asking for my address. Very curious, I sent it to her. A couple of days before the conference a package arrived in the mail. When I opened it, I laughed and laughed and laughed. Inside, besides a copy of her latest rerelease of The Shadowy Horses, was something to go along with the Mullet. It was a T-shirt. A very, very funny T-shirt - to wear along with the mullet. Not only had Susanna sent one for me, she also sent one for Sarah too!







Then we did something else for a while - but again I'm drawing a blank. Oh - that's right!! It's coming back to me now - phew! RT had a launch for their new web site!! We hung around there for a while (where I picked up a couple more books) and then headed up to the room for the Fairy Ball. There are other bloggers with pictures of some really great costumes but I was keeping my camera still safe in the room!

I think I'll end the recap here. I'm still trying to recover. It takes much longer at my age. Plus I'm multitasking and adding the books I got into not one, not two, not three, but four different cataloguing places and that takes a while. But I'll be back with more. Before I sign up though - one more picture I stole from Nath. Here is a great picture of my roomies - Jill and Nath!

There's No Place Like Home

But if I'm not at home, there's no place better than being surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of like minded people who love romance of all types and genres!

I've been home about an hour and a half and debating between doing a post and having a nice long sleep. I want to blog about all the good times and excellent workshops I attended but I'm not sure I have the energy at the moment. I meant to do a post everyday but unlike the RWA conferences I've attended, I went to a lot of workshops and was on the go from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm every night and just didn't have the chance. And right about now I forgot what I did on Monday.

BUT

I still have the program and when I look at it, I'll remember all the stuff I did. So for now, I'll just do a few highlights - they will be random as I think of them.

• My roomies, Jill and Nath were delightful to share a room with. I've 'loved' Jill ever since I first discovered her blog, but meeting her in person, I loved her even more! She's such a bubbly, upbeat and friendly person - so friendly she can get old men to carry boxes for her, and bar tenders to give her bottle openers. And I've met Nath before of course, but she's also such fun to spend time with - even though I thought she over worried about getting through customs with the large amount of books she got *g*. (By the way Nath - I slipped through in less than two minutes - hope it went smooth for you to) And - by the way, it's her birthday today so be sure to wish her a happy one - she's spending most of it in airports :-(

• Meeting CJ and at the end of the week telling her I was so disappointed that I didn't get a chance to get Mind Games during the Author Signing but it was so packed and it wasn't very long before I got a huge case of claustrophobia and had to get out. She said her books sold out and I was so disappointed, but then through Nath, she slipped me a signed copy. Thank you CJ!!

• Picking up a copy of His At Night by Sherry Thomas in the Goodie Room. It's not even out yet people!! And guess what - I read it while I was there and it is EXCELLENT - review to come soon.

• Seeing fellow bloggers LisaBea and Carrie Lofty again and sitting with LisaBea and Kate Davies(who won for Best Indie Press Contemporary) in the bar.

• Picking up a copy of Beyond the Shadows by Jess Granger at the book signing. I've been looking forward to this one ever since I finished Beyond the Rain. Even though claustrophobia struck much earlier than I hoped it would, I did manage to get this one!

• Getting a chance to tell Joss Ware how much I LOVE her Envy Chronicles series.

• The potato bar at the Carina Press Launch Party. Man, was that ever good - and such an excellent idea!! You see, they had 3 different kinds of mashed potatoes, White Cheddar, GarlicWasibi that you put in a martini glass. Unlike my rather lumpy (or so my sons say) mashed potatoes, these were smooth and whipped. Then you had a number of things you could top them with - shredded cheese, bacon bits, beef tips with mushrooms and gravy, fried onions and sour cream. I think they had a few other choices, but these were the ones I went with. And were they ever GOOD!!! I had TWO helpings.

• Meeting up with Jane and Sarah again. I attended two workshops they gave as well as the interesting bingo game that Sarah ran.

• Seeing Angela James standing on stage introducing Carina Press. I've known Angie for a while now and have met her at the RWA conferences and she is such a great person. I was just so darned tickled at all that she has accomplished.

• And of course - the Wearing of the Mullet. This will take longer to blog about and I really do need a nap to go on. The

The brain is sinking fast so I think I'll be back after my well needed, five and a half hour drive home.

ETA

See!!! I knew the brain wasn't working at full capacity!!

• Getting a chance to meet fellow blogger Mollie. Although she didn't attend the convention, she lives in the Columbus area and went out to dinner with us - twice!! We went out the first night and then again last night. Last night I finally got to eat at The Cheesecake Factory - and I liked it. And after dinner was a trip to Barns and Noble where *cough* I picked up more books

Jack came Back and Day 2 highlights

The day started off early considering I'm on 'vacation'. There was a breakast this morning sponsored by RT. The breakfast wasn't much - but that was OK. There were a number of tributes to Kate Duffy. By far the most touching was given by Jacquelyn Frank about how Kate Duffy changed her life.

After that, while everyone else headed on to different workshops, I took a bit of a break. I met my roomies and a few others, including CJ for lunch. I also ran into Lisabea at the elevator. She and CJ are staying on the same floor. After that some of us headed for a workshop put on by a few UF authors including Sylvia Day, Keri Arthur and Jeaniene Frost.

After that we split up and I headed for a workshop on historicals set in different settings and locations. Following that was a fun time hosted by several SciFi/Futuristic authors.

And finally we returned to our rooms. Whereup I discovered I had lost yet another electronic device - my camera. Yep - I looked everywhere and it was nowhere to be found. So far I was up to a cell phone, Jack, the GPS and my camera. I was NOT a happy camper. This short term memory loss is not getting better!

After battling hard not to lose my temper and throw a fit in front of others, I headed downstairs and asked at the check in desk if anyone had turned in a camera and wonder of wonders, they had. Thank you to whoever it was. Nath and I headed out to Borders for a book run. Yes, in the middle of a book conference, Nath wanted to check out a bookstore. She had a reason though - a 30% off coupon that expired today and as there are no Borders in Canada, this would be the only time she could use it. Considering the fact that books are $2 or more cheaper here than in Canada, and she had a heck of a good coupon, it made sense to me. I congratulated Little Grasshoper that she was wonderful at justifying.

And best of all, when we got in the car, she found Jack!! Somehow in his attempt to get away from me, he only made it underneath the passenger side in the front of the car.

After all those workshops, losing and finding my camera and Jack coming back, I'm ready to call it a day. Plus, I'm up at Readers Gab tomorrow!

First Day Highlights

Well - I made it. It took a bit longer than I figured it would. The trip across the border was a bit slow. I had to chuckle - I think the customs guy checked very closely in every other car. Thankfully, the car ahead of me was the one he checked. He looked in their back seat, had them open the trunk, took a bag of apples. When it was my time, he asked me where I was headed and I answered Columbus Ohio. When he asked what for, now that I'm totally out about my reading, I rather proudly anwered 'a romance lovers convention!'
But I don't think he heard the first word, looked at me sceptically and said 'Lover's convention?!?!?!?'
At which point I said romance BOOK lovers. He let me across.

Highways in Michigan are nasty. Real nasty. I could have sworn by the sounds that one of my tires was flat and was freaking out for quite some time. Add to the fact that I got somewhat "twisted" shall we say, going through Detroit. I swear Garmin Guy Jack said left, but apparently he said right. A few times. Until I thought to look at the GPS and follow it rather than listen to 'Jack".
So here I am, twisted in Detroit, with what I was sure was a flat tire and then I hit Ohio and the difference in the highways was like night and day.

The rest of the trip went fine - that is until I got to the hotel. Somehow "Jack" and I were on different wave lengths and rather than 'recalculating', he let me drive way out of my way. I finally pulled over when I saw empty store fronts and insect killing stores - figured the hotel wasn't in that neck of the woods. When I turned 'Jack' off and back on, he got with the program and directed me to the hotel.

Unfortunately 'Jack' seems to be missing. I was so glad to finally get to the hotel, I can't remember if I took him out of his little holder on the dashboard. Later on I had got myself so disorganized, I thought I'd better look for 'Jack'. He wasn't in my purse, he wasn't in my luggage, I can't find him anywhere. I decided to go for valet parking and even had them bring my car back so I could look in it again, but no 'Jack'. I didn't look to hard in the back seat though. Maybe he's hiding in the same place as my wallet hid from me a few weeks ago. I figure I'll look again on Friday - I don't want to have them keep bringing my car back to look.

And I can't find my cell phone either. I know I took it out of my purse this morning after letting it charge all last night. I wanted to leave my cell phone on the list I left for Brent and I'm betting I left it on the kitchen counter - I had to look up my number as I've no idea what it is.

Either that or Cell Phone and Jack have both decided to bail on me and produce little baby electronic gadgets that will make my life a living hell.

Jill is great. Again that instant rapport that all romance book lovers share. And it's great seeing Nath again. We went out for dinner with a few other romance readers and author Delilah Marville. It was a great dinner with great conversation.

The last interesting thing that happened is oddly enough, there is also another convention going on here at the hotel, of funeral directors of all things - what a fascinating mix. A bunch of us were sitting around in the bar and someone asked if anyone had a cigarette to give this guy. I turned around and this really cute guy was standing there. I could have sworn he was one of the models - but nope, he was funeral director. Who'd have thought!!

Anyway, it's late, I'm tired and I'm worried about missing 'Jack'. I don't how I'm going to get home without him. I'll probably end up driving in circles for a few hours in Detroit!!

So!! Today is the big day!!

Actually it's not - it's tomorrow. But since I'm going to set this to post tomorrow, as you read it, tomorrow will be today!

The plan is to leave between 8 and 9. As of right now, which to those reading is last night, I'm only about 30% packed. It will be a mad scramble tomorrow morning - or this morning, for those reading.

Other than not being packed, I think I'm set. I have my camera all ready, my cell phone charged up, my laptop ready - those are the most important *g*. My Garmin is updated with the most recent maps, I have my Trip Tik and one of my coworkers showed me how to avoid having to drive through Detroit. It's a bit longer to go around, but less scary for someone driving and relying on their directionally challenged self for driving. Ah those electronic devices that scare me.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Now for the fun part!!

I'm looking forward to all kinds of events in Columbus, meeting roomies Jill (for the first time), and Nath again, meeting up with Mollie, meeting fellow romance readers and all the workshops - all will be so much much to see and do.

AND

For those who will be attending - and for those waiting at home, the Mullet Wig night is Thursday at 4:30. That is when I will be donning the wig as the loser *sigh* in The US vs Canada Mullet Challenge. The challenge that I lost to Sarah of Smart Bitches and her Billy Ray Cyrus. Perhaps I can buy her a Mullet Drink. It looks rather tasty - and I do look forward to the rousing cry after. Perhaps a number will try it. I can only giggle at the thought of a group of women ordering a Mullet Drink as I 'don the Mullet'. I don't have a red plaid shirt - I think mine is blue - but I'm not sure and it's one of the few things that's packed.
And now, I must head to bed so I'm nice and wide awake for the journey that I'll probably be just starting as you read this post.

So - why am I up at 2:00 am on a Friday Night?

It's not because I had a hot date.

It's not because I'm watching "those" movies :-0

It's not because I drank coffee to late in the evening.

Part of it is because tomorrow is Saturday and I can sleep in.

But the MAIN reason is I've been doing some heavy duty thinking the past day or two. And here is what I've been pondering.

I'm pondering on going to BOTH the RT Convention in Columbus Ohio and the RWA Conference in Nashville next year!!

For those who don't know, I went to an RT Convention a number of years ago and it was a good time/bad time experience. I went by myself and didn't know a soul. In order to save money, I signed up to share a room with 3 other people and while I'm compatible with just about everyone under the sun, that particular weekend I think I got matched with 3 other totally imcompatable room mates. Although we were all at a romance convention, amazingly enough we didn't have anything in common and I spent the majority of the convention on my own - which was a bit lonely at times. On top of that, for some peculiar reason, I didn't budget for food so I was a bit on the hungry side for a good deal of the time - not to mention I didn't have anyone to eat with anyway.

But there were enough good times that I'm very glad I went even though parts of it - the cover model contest - made me a bit squirmy for some reason. I like good looking men as much as the next red blooded woman - but I dunno - maybe there was too much focus on it or a group of women get a bit to undignified when faced with half naked hunks or something.

Fast forward a number of years. By this time I 'knew' fellow romance readers who were going to the RWA conference in Dallas. I had The Best Roomies in the world in Wendy, Sybil and Jane and the whole conference was probably one of the best times I'd ever had.
It was the same in San Francisco and in Washington DC.

So when it came down to choosing which one to go to, choosing the RWA Conference was a given.
But I was talking to Ryan at Thanksgiving and his attitude was 'if you want to go to both - then go to both!!' That got me to thinking 'hmmmmm'. But the real clincher is I got an email at work that I still have five days left of my 2009 vacation. We are supposed to use it up by the end of March but with permission, we can carry over up to 35 hours. That means I can carry 5 days over until April 28, if I take an early flight to Columbus on the Wednesday, take a later flight out on Sunday, this is the way I figure I can work it - Tuesday off to get ready, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday for the convention, take a later flight home on Sunday and then take Monday off to 'recuperate'. That way I still have all my 2010 vacation time left!

And the more I think about it - the more interesting I think it would be to compare the two. If I go to the RT convention, I will already 'know' some people. I know Jill has made it official that she's going.

Jane, Sarah and Angela are putting on a workshop.

READER: DEMYSITIFYING E-BOOKS & E-READERS

FRIDAY: Discuss e-readers, trends and where to buy the best e-book.
Hosted by: Angela James (Quartet Press) and bloggers Jane Litte from Dear Author and Sarah Wendell for Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

So they will be there. If I get lonely, I can throw myself on their mercy.

And there is a Trivia Pursuit event. Do you know how much I enjoy Trivia Pursuit???

READER: TRIVIAL PURSUIT

WEDNESDAY: Join us in a jumping Trivial Pursuit game and prizes
Hosted by: Jessica Andersen, Patricia Grasso and Hannah Howell

So I have a lot to think about. The money it costs terrifies me. My sisters tell me when I open my wallet, moths fly out of it.

But then again - the thought of going to both is almost irresistable!!

But it will cost so much!!

But to get to meet more readers in person!!

But it will cost so much!!

But think how interesting it would be to compare the two .

But it costs so much!!

But I can take my laptop to both.

So the thinking - that's what's keeping me up so late.