Bouchercon, Day 1 -- Wednesday
Mood:
Excited / Exhausted
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Left Barstow by 7:26am, heading up 15-North toward Vegas after a breakfast of donuts and Code Red. Glad I took Chrystal's advice to make this drive during daylight hours. It wasn't a bad drive at all. And I found some good radio stations.
Made it to The Riviera Hotel at 9:42am. Found the check-in for Bouchercon and got my bag o' books. Made my way to the Writers Workshop. I knew some RAMmers were taking it, too, so I looked around for anyone who looked like a RAMmer. Turned out that the distinguished British gentleman sitting next to me was Mr. Ali S. Karim.
During the lunch break, I met some people I knew, checked into my room, and moved my car. I walked around for a while, trying to navigate the terrain of hotel.
Forgot to actually eat lunch...
By the time the conference ended, I was famished. Ran into Steve Hockensmith, who is from Petaluma, CA (almost a neighbor). We met during the conference when everyone got up to say where they were from. We decided to eat, and we ran into Joe Trigoboff (from New York). We all dined together at the buffet, which was expensive, but satisfying. Decent food -- two kinds of ribs, chicken, potatoes, prime rib, many other American delights.
By this time, I had met a few RAM folks -- Sarah Weinmann, Mark Allan Miller (who I had met in DC), Brigid Nuta (who I had also met in DC, though it took us a while to recall), Lady Thalia Proctor (who I knew from past Bouchercons), and John Purcell (who confirmed that he had purchased the Rick Riordan book for Melissa's friend).
After dinner, I went up to my room to rest a bit. I unpacked. Looked at the free books we got. Started watching the Cubs-Marlins game. The Red Sox had already defeated the Yankees to force a Game 7 tomorrow night.
I went down to the Bouchercon bar. We had our own bar, specially designated for Bouchercon. How nice! Though, it wasn't the best bar I've ever been in. More on that later.
I met many more RAMmers. Vicki Ball came over and got me and dragged me over to the "RAM" table. I finally met some of the wonderful people I know from RAM, including Woodstock, Carleen (who I saw once, and then didn't see again), Patricia & Soren, Donna, the Jordans, Sandi, Mary Regan (And her buddies Carmen & Johanna) Mitchy, and a lot of others. I know I risk forgetting someone by listing names, and if I have done so, I apologize.
I also ran into friends I've met before -- John Connolly, Meg Chittenden, Sandy Balzo. From my local mystery bookstore -- "M" is for Mystery in San Mateo, California -- Ed, Pam, and Britt.
The Cubs lost. Very sad. But everyone was hopeful that the Red Sox will pull it out tomorrow night. Drank with Brigid (who is a Red Sox fan) and Hal Rice (from Chicago). Walked around the bar. Walked around the hotel. I almost know my way around. Drank some more. Had a really nice converation with Gayle Lynds and Melody (from the workshop) about suspense novels.
The bar, the hallways, just about everywhere in The Riviera is very smoky. In Las Vegas, you can smoke wherever you stand. It's taking me a while to get used to this.
Went to be late, about 1am.
Novel Dare Update -- No writing. My laptop stayed locked in the vault. I will write tomorrow. I have to. So much inspiration around this place! I'm having a great time!
Made it to The Riviera Hotel at 9:42am. Found the check-in for Bouchercon and got my bag o' books. Made my way to the Writers Workshop. I knew some RAMmers were taking it, too, so I looked around for anyone who looked like a RAMmer. Turned out that the distinguished British gentleman sitting next to me was Mr. Ali S. Karim.
During the lunch break, I met some people I knew, checked into my room, and moved my car. I walked around for a while, trying to navigate the terrain of hotel.
Forgot to actually eat lunch...
By the time the conference ended, I was famished. Ran into Steve Hockensmith, who is from Petaluma, CA (almost a neighbor). We met during the conference when everyone got up to say where they were from. We decided to eat, and we ran into Joe Trigoboff (from New York). We all dined together at the buffet, which was expensive, but satisfying. Decent food -- two kinds of ribs, chicken, potatoes, prime rib, many other American delights.
By this time, I had met a few RAM folks -- Sarah Weinmann, Mark Allan Miller (who I had met in DC), Brigid Nuta (who I had also met in DC, though it took us a while to recall), Lady Thalia Proctor (who I knew from past Bouchercons), and John Purcell (who confirmed that he had purchased the Rick Riordan book for Melissa's friend).
After dinner, I went up to my room to rest a bit. I unpacked. Looked at the free books we got. Started watching the Cubs-Marlins game. The Red Sox had already defeated the Yankees to force a Game 7 tomorrow night.
I went down to the Bouchercon bar. We had our own bar, specially designated for Bouchercon. How nice! Though, it wasn't the best bar I've ever been in. More on that later.
I met many more RAMmers. Vicki Ball came over and got me and dragged me over to the "RAM" table. I finally met some of the wonderful people I know from RAM, including Woodstock, Carleen (who I saw once, and then didn't see again), Patricia & Soren, Donna, the Jordans, Sandi, Mary Regan (And her buddies Carmen & Johanna) Mitchy, and a lot of others. I know I risk forgetting someone by listing names, and if I have done so, I apologize.
I also ran into friends I've met before -- John Connolly, Meg Chittenden, Sandy Balzo. From my local mystery bookstore -- "M" is for Mystery in San Mateo, California -- Ed, Pam, and Britt.
The Cubs lost. Very sad. But everyone was hopeful that the Red Sox will pull it out tomorrow night. Drank with Brigid (who is a Red Sox fan) and Hal Rice (from Chicago). Walked around the bar. Walked around the hotel. I almost know my way around. Drank some more. Had a really nice converation with Gayle Lynds and Melody (from the workshop) about suspense novels.
The bar, the hallways, just about everywhere in The Riviera is very smoky. In Las Vegas, you can smoke wherever you stand. It's taking me a while to get used to this.
Went to be late, about 1am.
Novel Dare Update -- No writing. My laptop stayed locked in the vault. I will write tomorrow. I have to. So much inspiration around this place! I'm having a great time!
| PROGRESS REPORT: | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Words since last week: | 0000 | ||||||||
| Novel Dare Total: | 2648 | ||||||||
| Novel Total: | 8529 |
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