Archive for November, 2008:
Thanksgiving
Hence the smack talk.
When you add in that we inherited my father-in-law’s sniper rifle, things get fun. I decided last year that I wanted to shoot my own turkey for thanksgiving. I’ve been told that wild turkeys have the best flavor, too. I can’t wait.
BEA or bust – Part 7
The trip to Book Expo 2008Day 6 – the way home – 4pm
Do not attempt to drive in LA between the hours of four and . . . well, ever. We were packed up and back on the road. The bumper to bumper traffic of the millions who had wised up that weekend and were also fleeing LA (or just commuting home?) clogged the road like a stick of butter in an artery. We weren’t going anywhere soon.
Luckily, we only had to get to Phoenix and we each had an Ice Blended in hand. We had made that the number one priority getting out the door. We also had the GPS programmed for the Coffee Bean that was furthest out from LA and had a cooler of ice waiting for the spare each of us would get.
BEA or bust – Part 6
The trip to Book Expo 2008Day 5 – the Expo – 5 am
Eli and I have gotten into the swing of things. We are friends with the folks in the neighboring booth. We are talking to everybody – Expo-style. And we have a plan for dinner that does not involve French accents or overpriced peas.
The frogs are living it up, front and center on our table. It appears that they, not I, are they stars of this little dog and pony show. Booth visitors want to know if they can win a frog, touch a frog, or just stay and gaze longingly at them. Occasionally, someone speaks to me or to Eli.
BEA or bust – Part 5
The trip to Book Expo 2008Day 4 – the Expo – 9 am
We have arrived, and it is HUGE. Our banner is lost, so currently the booth is recognized only by a small sign with the publisher’s logo. At ten minutes until the doors open we are entirely set up – except for the missing banner. The shipping company has us on hold while they try to figure out if they even mailed anything. Apparently, they are confused. And we are concerned.
But just then, a nice person shows up from another booth. The box he is holding has his booth number on it, but it is definitely our banner. Eli tells the woman on the phone, who thanks us and reminds us of the $42 shipping charge that is still owed – as the banner did arrive at the LA Convention Center.
Seriously? The Center covers about four blocks. No where else is it acceptable to get a package within half a mile of the right place and say that it was delivered. On top of this, there are no hooks to hang it. Three minutes until doors open.
BEA or bust – Part 4
The trip to Book Expo 2008Day 3 – Phoenix to LA – 3:56 am
We crawled out of bed less than four hours after we crawled in. We sacrifice four crickets to the gods – frogs – and pack quickly. The sky is a deep shade just shy enough of black to let you know that it’s a dome over you, even though the hotel lights block out any stars. None of this matters. We are wide awake, because we are a mere 349 miles from the nearest Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.
We set the GPS and tell her: Lead on, Maggie!
BEA or bust – Part 3
The trip to Book Expo 2008Day 2 – Dallas to Phoenix – 2:26pm
Yesterday we raided a roadside convenience store. The place had to know it was in the middle of nowhere, because it offered an assortment of audio books. Clearly, no one visiting this store could have anything better to do.
Eli and I were excited. There had been a webinar earlier in the day, but apparently you shouldn’t try to attend webinars while in the car using a cell phone based internet system and passing through the middle of the forsaken land. And there was another eight hours to go.
BEA or bust – Part 2
The trip to Book Expo 2008Day 2 – Dallas to Phoenix – 4:03 am
I started the second day of my trip half an hour late due to a faulty alarm clock. Or perhaps a faulty alarm clock setter? Eli? Really, though, thank you Eli. This gave me four and a half hours of sleep instead of just four. I re-packed my bags (oh joy!) and graciously allowed someone else to load them into the trunk.
Eli and I hit the road, but we didn’t go far. My mother, stepfather and brother live a mile down the street so we had to stop in for me to say ‘hi’. Eli, being their nearby adult child, has a key, and popped open the front door yelling “Pants! Pants!” at full volume.
BEA or bust – Part 1
The trip to Book Expo 2008Day -1 – Nashville to Dallas
Brace yourselves frogs, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Though we are just getting into the car, already – for me – the trip is nineteen hours old. After being dropped at the airport two hours early (an absolute UNnecessity in Nashville) my flight was bumped, bumped again, and finally cancelled. All due to weather.
