It's no secret I turned 60 last December. My BFF did the same in May. But since we're 90 minutes apart with busy lives, I celebrated at home with family (that's what you do when your birthday is a week before a major holiday!) while she went to Pigeon Forge with her family (her special day happened to fall on a BLACKOUT weekend for me, so I couldn't even go up the day before!)
So what do you do? "Hey, come to Louisville with me in July. We'll party our a$$es off!"
Fortunately, two weeks before the event (and the discounted ticket were almost gone!), she agreed. Her ticket bought; she agreed to be at my house by 8am Friday the 17th. All was good!
Hiccup #1: I couldn't sleep Thursday night. Finally at 3am, I got up and trolled around the internet for an hour, going back to bed at 4. My alarm was set for 7am.
I did get up on time, drank a cup of coffee, and finished packing. Erica arrived; I was still in my jammies.
Slight Hiccup #2: Our new kitten crawled into my suitcase and took up residence while I was getting dressed. No problem; I'll make sure other things are packed while Miku aka Scrappie Do aka Monster aka Squirt aka Peanut decides to move or I pick her up and reloacate her (that's what I ended up doing, earning me a glare from a nearly 9-week old. Her mother has taught her well, ha ha!)
8:30 am: We're on the road! We stop at Walmart in Princeton to top off the tank (a mere $36), run into Walmart for a 6-pack of Blue Berry Kool-Aid, then hit up Burger King for breakfast. We're back on the highway by 10:15-30-ish.
About 90 minutes later, I pulled off at the Leavenworth exit (I still call it Tell City!) and purchased two footlong sandwiches from Subway, both ham and cheese. They don't need refrigerated, since we can't check into our room until 3.
Around noon, we arrive and unload the van. My Con Mom, Marian Allen, greets me immediately, as does Jen Selinsky at the check in counter. Whoo hoo, I have 'my' spot again! Erica helps me unload, then I return to the van for load #2 and discover she has paid NO ATTENTION to my table displays on FB from last week. Not to worry; it's a simple fix. I get everything organized, return the wagon to the van, and go park. I also gave her the tiara I'd bought and put on my own.
I come back in and am making some minor adjustments when Jayson William Allen grabs me in a hug...."So good to see you darlin'..." I introduced him to Erica:)
Then I took her on a tour. We started around the corner and introduced her to Jeri Maynard, Barbara Evers ("Don't Get Caught With Your Eyes Closed!"), which earned us both a giraff pendant, and Marian Allen and T.Lee Harris. Then it was on to the vendor hall.....then the 2nd half of the hallway......greeting Stephanie Lanham (Jayson's g/f), Ava Cuvey and Ariella Talix, Santiago Cirillo (he always greeted us with a bow and 'your majesties'!), Troy Maynard (The Very Vocal Viking) and a whole lot more!
I sold one book Friday, to fellow author Sianyn (Shannon in Welsh), who bought Playing With Time. I'm interested in her Twisted Fairies.
Checked in at 3; we were in Rm 674, a nice hike from the elevators, but a NICE corner room with it's own hallway! The shower was walk-in, and we had a king bed. Put the sandwiches in the fridge and went back downstairs.
Around 5:30, I was beginning to be hungry, so we went back up and grabbed half our food. I had a panel at 7, and with the entertainment starting at 8, I knew we weren't going to have time to go get food. Scarfed down my sandwich and at 6:45, covered my table and used the facilities before my panel. Discovered some yellow streaks on my white tee, then was horrified to discover I'd dripped mustard all down the front of my badge and tee! Oh well, the badge covered most of it.
Panel was good! 'Building Chemistry' had a good audience, and since we'd not received any prep for it, a few of the questions I just echoed another panelist! Marilyn Barr attended and expressed her exasperation we were 'too clean' in our descriptions! "It's after hours....where are the f**ks?"
Afterward, went back to the room to change my shirt and to soak my other one. Fixed our cocktails (vodka/Kool-Aid) and returned to the ballroom to discover we'd missed the belly dancing, and settled in for Jayson's concert. Around 11:30, headed back upstairs to decompress and go to sleep. I did go back downstairs to get another washcloth, and without thinking, hugged Troy Maynard and told him I was going to bed.
Carl Moore's eyes widened and says, "Ohhhh.....I just put it together!"
Troy and I looked at each other. "Put what to-Oh no, we're not TOGETHER!"
Troy puts his arm back around me. "But we are together."
Carl laughed and put his arm around me, sandwiching me between them.
"Ooooh, a Molly Sandwich!" We had a good laugh, then I went back upstairs and passed out! My three hours of sleep was definitely catching up with me!
Day 2: (I promise I won't get so detailed!)
After some confusion as to how the shower handle controlled the water temp (It was in an UP position, and very scalding water kept coming out), plus one trip downstairs to find out what I was doing wrong, Erica figured it out. Whomever had the room before us left it in the wrong position; it was supposed to be DOWN), we each got our showers and headed downstairs.
Jayson showed up and bought my Aiden Kross book!
Spent the rest of the time talking to a LOT of people, giving directions to rooms (Calumet was BEHIND a row of vendors, and you had to go under the stairway to get to it), and selling my banquet ticket to Marian Gosling (and apologizing for the mustard stains!). At 6, we covered the table, nearly had to evacuate due to the fire alarm going off, then went to Chipotle for dinner. Came back, dressed in our sparkly shirts, fixed another cocktail for each, and went down to the party.
I'd put in Independence Day before figuring out the app, and put in my others. So when I was called up, I was surprised it was Edge of 17 instead. Was complimented, then Erica and I were called up for Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, but my mic was off for the 1st verse! E and I shared hers until they got mine turned on and we had a lot of dancers! Then waited.....and waited....danced, laughed, sang....and waited. Finally at 11:30, I was able to belt out Independence Day, receiving cheers! We even got Santiago up to do I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys:) Returned to the room at midnight and passed out!
Day 3:
This is normally the day I'm away from my booth, taking pics of everyone. But instead, I shanghied everyone over to the Imaginarium banner, and we took pics there. I also sold an UNPRECEDENTED 5 more books! Normally, my weekend sales are 0 on Friday, 2-4 on Saturday, and maybe one on Sunday. So this was AMAZING!!!! Broke down the table at 5, and went to the Troll Pub with Aubrey and Baron, like last year. Had a delicious meal of a Mushroom/Swiss burger and Caesar side salad, then took pics in front of the Troll before heading back to the hotel. Holly had invited us up to their room, and it turned out they were in 774, right above us! After changing into PJs, we fixed our final cocktails and walked up the stairs. I'll admit, we did more observing than actual interaction. The men were around the table, drinking while the women were doing Tarot readings on each other. When Aubrey arrived and set hers up, I almost suggested leaving (we'd been there almost 30 mins by that time), but decided to just watch. I was trying to keep my feelings neutral; I don't believe in that stuff. But when Aubrey flicked over the final card and it was the Sexuality one, then admitted she'd NEVER had that card turn up before, we all lost it!
At one point, I leaned forward, patted Isa on the shoulder (she was getting the reading) and asked, "Is this a sign she needs to read my books?", which brought MORE laughter from the group!
Then Baron arrived and did one on Aubrey, which nearly had me rolling my eyes at her response to what was shown. After she was done, I asked Erica if she was ready to go back downstairs, so we said goodbye to everyone and left.
Monday:
Intended to sleep in, but was awake by 8, then got moving around 9am. Packed up; I went down to retrieve my wagon and move the van closer to the front door. Saw Carma, Aubrey, Baron, Wayne, Cassandra, and Miss Ruby in the lobby/restaurant, so hugged each one once more. Hauled everything down to the van and checked out. Stopped at the Arby's in Evansville for lunch, then came on home.
Back to reality......had a fun-filled weekend with my BFF, and she said she wouldn't mind a return trip next year! And there are still people who didn't make it this year I need to introduce her too (Brian K Morris, John Pyka, Demetrious Witherspoon, Steven Shrewsbury, Sandy Lender) So Note To Self: Get hotel reservations in BEFORE the double queen rooms are booked up!
Esp if Sara decides to come with the kids. We're gonna need more room.
Also, this convention MIGHT be held elsewhere next year; the convention has somewhat outgrown the Holiday Inn.
