Conventions

[garretfw]

So, next week is not just ALA, but YALSA’s 50th anniversary celebration and I have been invited. I am absurdly excited -- this is my first time at ALA. The year My Heartbeat received a Printz honor, ALA was in SARS-ridden Toronto and my doctor took one look at my allergy-ridden medical records and said NO. This year, it will be in D.C., and I’

Comments

[girasole]

That's St Catherine with book and sword. That's ALA. Seriously, though, I have been going to ALA for -- gasp! -- about thirty years, and only missed maybe half a dozen. Sometimes I was a librarian. For a dozen years, I was a library journalist, and covered the conference for news and to find writers. Now I go as a teacher of children's and YA literature, and because I see dear folk there I only see at conference, and because it reminds me I belong to a community and don't just sit in front of the computer all day.

I am not shy (this is an understatement). But I am very short, and somewhat claustrophobic/agoraphobic, so crowds and new places become increasingly difficult for me as I get older. But I love ALA, because all the pieces of my professional life and many of those of my personal life converge there.

I hope to see you there!

[garretfw]

I am sharpening my sword! And I will try and think of it as my community. That might make it less scary. I don't remember you as very short, but maybe I was focused on the way you had your hair swept up -- held together at once firmly and precariously. I liked that -- has it changed? I know you must have a jammed schedule. . . . .are you going to the penguin party on Saturday or the Capitol Choice reception on Sunday from 3-5? Maybe I could stalk you down at one of those? btw, height does not help. I'm like giraffe and still have claustrophobia in crowds. I always keep an eye on the exits.

[girasole]

I have had long hair forever, the only thing that changes is its color. It used to be chestnut brown, but now it is, to quote Howl in the anime of Howl's Moving Castle the color of starlight. I almost always wear it up, with hairstix or something else that holds it "firmly and precariously." It always looks like it is going to come down, but it usually doesn't.

Our parties don't seem to be crossing, but I do hope we can track each other down.

I am, by the way, 4' 11" -- 59 inches tall. But my personality is so loud people think I am taller.

[sdn]

i love conventions, but they wear me out. i need to pace myself.

[arasay]

I haven't been to ALA for a few years; the cost of coming from the UK has been prohibitive. But we're moving back, and my new (US based) job will cover my conference expenses. I love ALA, for a few reasons

[garretfw]

This is a lovely description, making it sound like a very bookish and posh slumber party. I will carry this image with me. I hope you will post in your lj a list of all you're going to miss in the UK and all you can't wait to leave behind. That will make such interesting reading.

[britlitfantwin]

Isn't it interesting that, in a career where so many of the "employees" are solitary people, such a committment to appearing in public is nearly required? Fascinating, really.

Thank you, by the way, for friending me. It's a pleasure to "meet" you. :)

[garretfw]

It is a pleasure to meet you too -- I love your bio. It's very evocative.

[britlitfantwin]

Thank you! I had fun writing it. How did you happen upon it?

[garretfw]

My husband scans the web looking for my name misspelled (my publisher spelled Garret with two ts instead of one in an ad and I just haven't gotten over it!) and I think Stay With Me was on one of your reading lists with Garret spelled as Garrett. But, you know, i may have just found it poking around. I waste time poking around the web and watching law & order repeats. It's so stupid.