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Monday, August 11, 2008:
SFO: last of the sightseeing
It's Saturday, our last day in San Francisco. It's been gorgeous for the entire time, and we couldn't leave without checking out more of the sights. Go Cars! Now this was a total and complete awesome thing to do. Beth was our fearless driver while I was in charge of picture duty. These things only go about 40 mph, but for the most part that wasn't a problem. It was such a cool way to tour part of the city - you really felt like a part of the whole experience. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who gets the chance. Well worth the price. The bridge from our Go Car tour. China Beach - no nudists today...thank God. Beth got a picture of me standing with my feet touching the ocean. I was wearing my helmet at the time so you can imagine who totally "cool" I looked...not. It sure gave us something to giggle about later, that's for sure. Beth at the Japanese tea garden - she fits right in. The gardens were lovely, and I especially liked this colorful flower, which just happened to match the "fire" in Beth's hair. the Go Car down Lombard Street, the crookest street the woman who started it all for me - Carole Mortimer I was so mad at myself for not getting a picture of her at the Literacy signing, but Beth, BadBarb and I hung out near the ballroom to watch all the authors in their finery, and eagle-eye Barb spotted Carole and brought her over, where I then squeed like a crazed fangrrl. Not my finest moment, but Carole was so gracious and posed for several pictures, especially when I told her she was the first romance author I'd ever read. I was thrilled. Patti! Toni Blake looking just gorgeous OMG I just love her dress. The color is wonderful, and she looked amazing, much like a princess on the way to the ball. Lindsey Faber Lindsey runs Toni's yahoo group, and I believe she also works for Samhain. She's so nice and friendly, and I had to get a picture of her looking so glamorous. Thanx Lindsey, for humoring me. Roxanne St. Claire Another glam author who came over to talk to us, and a friend of the Bellas. She was another super nice lady and we enjoyed talking to her. Oh la de da it's Mary F. So there you have it - the end of my time in San Francisco. If ever you get the chance to go, I highly recommend it. I would go back in a heartbeat. It's a beautiful, incredible city, and there was so much I didn't get a chance to see. What's your favorite city? Labels: San Francisco
posted by Stacy~ at 8/11/2008 07:27:00 AM
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Sunday, August 10, 2008:
SFO: sightseeing again...
Alcatraz Island We didn't actually get on the island as the tickets were sold out through the 8th, and we would be long gone by then, but the cruise around the island was amazing, and very informative. Still, it was too bad we never got that picture of BadBarb behind bars... Golden Gate bridge from our boat Unlike those clever girls Beth and LeeAnn, I did not a get a picture of our yummy captain (I know - what's wrong with ME???) but I did get this picture of us going under the Golden Gate bridge. It's so amazing... Mary F It's a good look for her, don't you think? I think this was the day we caught up with another online friend, Diana...but it could have been Thursday. I'm so bad at remembering stuff like this. But we had a great time, and it was lovely meeting her. I also caught up with Lindsay and met Manda, which was wonderful. (Yeah, the more I think of it, the more I think it was Thursday night...) Labels: San Francisco, sightseeing
posted by Stacy~ at 8/10/2008 04:17:00 PM
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Saturday, August 09, 2008:
On Thursday, Beth, LeeAnn, BadBarb and I did some sight-seeing. LeeAnn lives not too far away, but some of the things we did she hadn't done before, so that was cool to have her hang out with us. Pier 39 - what a gorgeous day! Barb trying out a new wardrobe...which looks surprisingly good on her *g* Beth (LadyB), LeeAnn, BadBarb at the pier in front of Alcatraz aka Barb's home away from home Sea Lions! Oh, this is the life.... Fairyland: this was a totally cool store. We got fairydust stars put on our faces and the pictures and paintings were just gorgeous. I got a beautiful print of a purple fairy with the phrase "Go Away" on the bottom - totally appropriate for this introvert. Right afterwards we went to lunch at The Crab House, so Beth & I were a sight in our bibs with purple stars on our faces. Ghirardelli - gotta love the chocolate :) After our fun day, we headed back to the Marriott and hung out for a short while. Beth got the picture of LeeAnn sitting in La Nora's chair. And I briefly met up with Katiebabs, KristieJ, Ciara and Lisabea. I wish I would have had more time to stop and chat since I visit all their blogs, and they are such cool ladies. That was another of my disappointments: not having enough time to talk with online friends. Beth I only usually see once a year in Cincy, and LeeAnn I was lucky enough to meet up with in D.C. this past May. I don't think this Marriott was as good as the one in Atlanta for meeting up with people other than in the lobby/bar area. The one in Atlanta had spacious seating on all the floors so readers not registered could stalk, er, lounge and talk while watching their favorite authors breezed by. Later that night Beth & I were so tired we just decided to go to Burger King for dinner, where they do not have crunchy tacos like they do here in Chicago. What is that all about? Oh well, there's always the Whopper Jr and onion rings. Back to the hotel for some reading and a good night's rest.... Labels: San Francisco, sightseeing
posted by Stacy~ at 8/09/2008 06:30:00 PM
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Tuesday, August 05, 2008:
(This head cold I've got has really taken it's toll on me, otherwise I would have posted this days ago. Right now my head wants to defect from the rest of my body, so I'll apologize for any gibberish now). Wednesday morning came and before I knew it, I was on a 777 plane (very comfortable, I might add) heading to San Francisco. My flight arrived around 12:30, same as Beth's (aka LadyB) and we finally met up in Terminal One, where I saw she'd been a little adventurous with haircolor - she had "fire" in her hair - and with her fun personality, it totally suited her. I knew right away this was going to be a great trip. We headed out to the Powell Hotel, a cute little place hich wasn't that far from the Marriott where RWA was being held, and also conveniently located right near BART. First on the agenda was food, so we walked a bit and came across Lori's Diner, which seems to be a popular 50's diner in San Fran. It suited our needs, and before too long, we were ready to get to the main event - the literacy signing. First person we run into at the hotel is LeeAnn, which was cool, and the three of us walked around a bit looking for more familiar faces before heading downstairs to the signing. The line was already loooong, but we didn't mind as we chatted and observed fan grrls and finally spotted BadBarb and MaryF (who had also experimented with haircolor) ahead of us in line. Finally! The doors were open and the line soon got shorter as we got closer to reader nirvana. I didn't really have a plan but decided to do things alphabetically and stopped to say "hi" to the lovely and talented Ann Aguirre but forgot to get a picture of her. Not off to a good start here. But she was so nice and friendly, and I really can't wait for her next book, seriously. Toni Blake/Lacey Alexander I kept going and finally saw Toni Blake, who was up for an award (but sadly didn't win) and we chatted a bit. She is one of the genuinely nicest and sweetest people I've ever met, so it's always a pleasure to talk to her, and this time I finally remembered to take a picture! Joanna Bourne Next up was Joanna Bourne, who wrote the amazing "The Spymaster's Lady". And she knew right away who I was, which was so cool. Not only did we talk about the interview she did for me, but also about my initial reaction to a scene in the book. I was so impressed that out of all the fans she's inevitably talked to, she still remembered who I was. I felt so special LOL. Anna Campbell Look at that smile, you know she's got a bit of a devil in her. Yep, this is Anna Campbell, who wrote the much talked about "Claiming the Courtesan", as well as"Untouched", both books I enjoyed very much. She was a delight to meet, with that lovely Australian accent of hers. I liked her a lot. Portia Da Costa Look at how sweet Portia looks. You'd never think she'd write such naughty books, but she does, bless her heart. Just a dear lady, with a wicked imagination. And a Bella! What a pleasure it was to meet her. Kathleen Dante Are you sensing a theme here? Yes, I don't do pictures well, which is why all these wonderful authors, like Kathleen Dante here, are the only ones in them. I've known Kathleen for awhile as she is one of Lori Foster's BookJunkys, and she also did an interview with me a few years ago. Sweet lady, all the way from the Philippines. Sylvia Day Poor Sylvia is always so nice to me, event though I practically stalk her. She's been gracious enough to do an interview with me, and listen to me babble whenever I see her in person (last time was at RWA 2006). Sigh. What authors must put up with *g* I can't wait to read her SJ Day series. Janelle Denison My first Plotmonkey! I really like Janelle, and it's always nice to stop and chat with her. It's funny how someone you've only met a few times seems like a long-time friend when you know them online. I've been a fan for years - she was probably one of the first authors whose books started to really get hot years ago and I remember how much I loved that. Still do. HelenKay Dimon Another blog I stalk. I just like the way HelenKay thinks, and her books are a lot of fun too, very sexy. She's smart, funny, and she writes for Brava. What's not to like? Jenny Gardiner Another online friend, Jenny just seems to enjoy writing and having fun, and she's so sweet in person. I really enjoyed meeting her. ***Well, I'm going to stop here, as I have to head off to work, but I hope to work on more posts and pictures tonight*** Which authors would you love to meet? Labels: 2008, RWA, San Francisco
posted by Stacy~ at 8/05/2008 07:04:00 PM
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