ALA roundup (only a month late)
ALA 2011 (or the year I purchased no books). Yes, you read that correctly. I didn't buy a single book at ALA. I haven't done my book count yet but its close to 40. (Update - 35) Many are advance reader copies but not all. I was disappointed that some authors weren't signing their new books. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Traveling to New Orleans is always an adventure. Traveling in June in the south is another layer of adventure. We've been having violent thunderstorms daily across the southeastern region so having delayed flights is never surprising. However, just because it isn't surprising doesn't mean it's any less of a pain. I knew my flight to New Orleans (from Memphis) was delayed but my flight to Memphis from Birmingham wasn't. Until it was. I was lucky. I was still going to make my connection but most people on this regional jet decided to rebook. So by the time my plane boarded, we had gone from needing volunteers to take the next flight to having about 7 people (This fact will be important in about 2 paragraphs).
I watched an air-rage (though more like air-stupidity or air-entitlement) incident on my plane. On many of the small regional jets your luggage is valet tagged. You drop your bag at the door and it's returned to you on the jetway. This woman, in her 30s, possibly buzzed, refused to get on the plane before her luggage was put on the plane. But safety regulations require that people are not standing by the luggage when the airline comes to collect it. Once she was eventually forced on the plane, her alcohol was taken away and she got nasty with the flight attendant. Eventually, everyone became surfacely civil and we got on with the flight. We were nearly there, on our descent, I'm guessing about 5000 feet. Long past the time that all electronics, which includes anything with an on/off switch, should be in the off position. She decided it was a good time to use her Blackberry. I thought the flight attendant was going to have a cow. I was thrilled in that the woman deserved heaps of scorn for her entitled behavior. But it makes me want to write to Delta's CEO and say that if the rule is important, enforce it. If it isn't, stop doing it. On my next flight, in first class, my seatmate never turned off his Kindle. Again, if its important, enforce the rule. If it isn't, change it.
Arriving in New Orleans at midnight was almost a joy. Baggage arrived at baggage claim impressively quickly. I had already checked in with the shuttle service so I just needed to pick up my bag. Or not. I just sighed. For some reason I was still in pretty good humor. I went over to the baggage office, filled out the claim. She confirmed that my bag had made it to Memphis. Remember those 7 people? I suspect they never unloaded the bags from that flight. There weren't enough of us on there to be remembered.
They gave me a toiletry kit and I headed to the shuttle. Although it was already Saturday morning and there was no traffic getting near to the French Quarter, once we got to the French Quarter, all bets were off. I didn't get to my room before 1am. Jodi was still up. She had a t-shirt for me but it turned out the toiletry kit came with one. At least I had something to sleep in. I was wearing a t-shirt that would not have been my first choice on the conference floor but I had no interest in spending time shopping. They knew where my bag was, they just had to get it to me.
Jodi and I hung out until about 2 which would give me 4 hours before I had to get up, shower and dress in Friday's clothes again. I admit that as soon as we got onto the conference floor I forgot what I was wearing. The exhibit hall was huge but the exhibits were not. The days of multi level booths are over, apparently. There were some exhibitors I needed to thank and others who had books I wanted. Some exhibitors were good about dividing their stock so they wouldn't give it all away in the first 10 minutes. Others weren't so smart. Jodi and I hit a lot of booths together. I think well get t-shirts that say something like "she's the other one". We kept bringing signed books back for the other.
At 10 I met my friend Bob. I've known Bob since 1992. My years at Faxon still constitute the best time of my life. I am still in touch with nearly everyone I worked with during that period. Some are just holiday card friends but people like Bob I get to see when I attend ALA. His job has changed so he was able to spend a whole hour with me. We just hung out and drank ice tea but it was quiet and gave us a chance to catch up. Seeing Bob always makes me happy.
By 2 I had had enough. The longer I stayed on the floor, the more likely I'd pick up more books. So Jodi and I went shopping. I dragged her to the Riverwalk rather than Jackson Square. I was looking for something specific but it turned out the store wasn't there anymore. I got pralines for the team and Jodi bought socks so I can't say it was a loss. When we got back to the hotel my luggage had just arrived. I cannot tell you how exciting it was to change clothes for dinner.
I wasn't worried about changing clothes for Jacques Imos. This was Jodi's choice and we needed a group to get a reservation so she got us a group. ALA has a group of quilters who make quilts that ALA auctions off for charity. There were supposed to be 12 of us but I knew people would back out at the last moment so we ended up with 9. Perfect number. The restaurant is known for their alligator and sausage cheesecake (a savory appetizer not a sweet dessert.) It's extremely loud and boisterous. On the upper range of moderate. I had the grouper, my latest fish obsession. It was delicious but I wouldn't rush back.
We caught a cab to Antoine's, the site of the Library Journal Reviewers reception. Its the first reception they've done in years and I didn't want to miss it. After twenty years I am no longer surprised when the editors know me. I wish my new audiobook editor had been there but I'm sure he'll be fine. I have a review due next week so I guess I'll find out. There was also a beautiful little baby girl at the reception so I was content. I even got to hold her for a while. Despite the late hour she was alert and vibrant and had the best baby smile. It made for a fun reception.
Sunday was harder. I couldn't get up. I really wasn't interested on being on the exhibit floor. Of course, I eventually got there and picked up more books. It was great to meet authors like Gail Carriger and Leanne Renee Heiber. I had met Leanne at RT in Columbus. She was just as lovely and gracious this time. I picked up more mysteries this year than I have in the past. A good thing. I like mysteries. It still comes down to finding the time to read. I read a chapter last night. Ive been listening to a book but it's different from reading.
I left the exhibit hall mid-day and tried to see if I could catch an earlier flight. It wouldn't have mattered, I wouldn't have gotten home sooner. Weather delays. So instead, I went walking Royal St. Went into all the little galleries, most of which were selling the same prints. I didn't buy anything but that wasn't bad thing.
Got to the airport in record time to begin the long wait for the delayed flights. The one positive note in Sundays delays was that my bags were waiting for me when I arrived in Birmingham. The second positive note was there wasn't a car on the road when I drove home.
Despite the fact that I was only gone for far less than 72 hours, it felt like a full week. If I sound slightly less than enthusiastic, it isn't how I feel. Getting books signed with Jodi is hilarious. The number of times we explained that we were the Jodis was pretty amusing. At least when she gets me books or vice versa, our names are spelled correctly.
I don't think I'll do ALA again until 2013. Theoretically, that should give me a chance to read some books but Jodi is trying to convince me to go to RT in Chicago in 2012. I'm going to try to resist. I really don't need more books.