Raleigh, what really great people
The talk at the North Carolina State University had probably about 300 or so people. It was lots of fun, the audience was great, and Scott had added some more new stuff to the talk, so that was fun as well. This event became a whole family event as I got to introduce the talk, Scott and Sky both did their things, and Winter helped pick people for Q&A. I think the talk lasted even longer than usual.
When it was over, we were left with the problem of trying to find food late at night. The night before when we arrived, we had eaten at Applebee's because they were open late, so we weren't interested in repeating that. Unfortunately, the places our hosts kept coming up with seemed to all be closed. After driving to several closed places, we finally went to a diner that we knew would be open, but didn't have the greatest vegetarian fare (Sky is a vegetarian, so this is an issue). The place closes at midnight, and we closed the place. The food was ok, the deserts great, and the company better. We were there with our host from Lulu, who had sponsored the event, Leah Riley and her husband Will. Also with us was Annie from Lulu and, I think, her husband. I had warned Annie that I would forget her name, but then she wound up sitting next to me and we shared a desert, so I remember her name, unfortunately I didn't get that connection with her husband who was sitting at the opposite end of things to me, so I sadly have forgotten his name, and I am making an assumption that he was her husband, as they were in the same car, I might even be wrong about that.* Though, he also seemed like someone I would like to spent more time with.
My children adore Leah, and their biggest disappointment was that we didn't get to see her on our last day. Scott had class visits and left fairly early. Leah/Lulu had gotten us separate rooms, so the girls were not woken up by Scott's departure. I tried to wake them, but failed, so at the last minute there was a mad dash to get our stuff to the car before checkout. Scott arrived as we were about to leave the second room for the last time, so as soon as we loaded the car, we were able to leave. We stopped for food first, then got on the road.
My friend Wayne, who lives in Atlanta, informed me that they were expecting ice storms late at night and the next day, so I drove longer than I might have otherwise. In the end, it was not cold enough for ice, so all we got was rain, but we are in our hotel and will be here for a few days, so that is nice. There is laundry here, so I will be doing that later today. We are also hoping to bring Sky's laptop in, to get her port fixed. This will be a several day repair, so she and I will be sharing a laptop during that time, so I might get way behind on things again. I bought some books (several we own but are in storage) so that I can read while she is on my laptop.
We got a call from the repair shop yesterday, and my car! should be done by today, so I am thinking of doing a day trip to retrieve it tomorrow. It is a six and a half hour trip each way, but I would like to do it in one day. If I leave early enough in the morning tomorrow, then I can make it there by early afternoon, and any night time driving, would be in MY car, and not the rental, which I still do not love. This room has a pretty full kitchen, in fact I wound up cooking dinner last night, because we couldn't find anything open (that seems to be a trend). We bought food for while I was gone as well as stuff to make for dinner, so the girls can eat while I am gone (Scott will be off teaching a seminar for much of the day).
Since Sky and I will probably be sharing a computer for the next several days, I might not be around as much. I will update as I can. Wishing warm thoughts to all those out there who are now cold.
Don't forget: Scott will be doing a Q&A and signing at GeorgiaTech's Barnes and Noble on Monday the 22nd.
ETA: * Thanks to Leah, I now know that the fellow joining us was not Annie's husband and his name is Matt Wood. (Hi, Matt, sorry about that)
When it was over, we were left with the problem of trying to find food late at night. The night before when we arrived, we had eaten at Applebee's because they were open late, so we weren't interested in repeating that. Unfortunately, the places our hosts kept coming up with seemed to all be closed. After driving to several closed places, we finally went to a diner that we knew would be open, but didn't have the greatest vegetarian fare (Sky is a vegetarian, so this is an issue). The place closes at midnight, and we closed the place. The food was ok, the deserts great, and the company better. We were there with our host from Lulu, who had sponsored the event, Leah Riley and her husband Will. Also with us was Annie from Lulu and, I think, her husband. I had warned Annie that I would forget her name, but then she wound up sitting next to me and we shared a desert, so I remember her name, unfortunately I didn't get that connection with her husband who was sitting at the opposite end of things to me, so I sadly have forgotten his name, and I am making an assumption that he was her husband, as they were in the same car, I might even be wrong about that.* Though, he also seemed like someone I would like to spent more time with.
My children adore Leah, and their biggest disappointment was that we didn't get to see her on our last day. Scott had class visits and left fairly early. Leah/Lulu had gotten us separate rooms, so the girls were not woken up by Scott's departure. I tried to wake them, but failed, so at the last minute there was a mad dash to get our stuff to the car before checkout. Scott arrived as we were about to leave the second room for the last time, so as soon as we loaded the car, we were able to leave. We stopped for food first, then got on the road.
My friend Wayne, who lives in Atlanta, informed me that they were expecting ice storms late at night and the next day, so I drove longer than I might have otherwise. In the end, it was not cold enough for ice, so all we got was rain, but we are in our hotel and will be here for a few days, so that is nice. There is laundry here, so I will be doing that later today. We are also hoping to bring Sky's laptop in, to get her port fixed. This will be a several day repair, so she and I will be sharing a laptop during that time, so I might get way behind on things again. I bought some books (several we own but are in storage) so that I can read while she is on my laptop.
We got a call from the repair shop yesterday, and my car! should be done by today, so I am thinking of doing a day trip to retrieve it tomorrow. It is a six and a half hour trip each way, but I would like to do it in one day. If I leave early enough in the morning tomorrow, then I can make it there by early afternoon, and any night time driving, would be in MY car, and not the rental, which I still do not love. This room has a pretty full kitchen, in fact I wound up cooking dinner last night, because we couldn't find anything open (that seems to be a trend). We bought food for while I was gone as well as stuff to make for dinner, so the girls can eat while I am gone (Scott will be off teaching a seminar for much of the day).
Since Sky and I will probably be sharing a computer for the next several days, I might not be around as much. I will update as I can. Wishing warm thoughts to all those out there who are now cold.
Don't forget: Scott will be doing a Q&A and signing at GeorgiaTech's Barnes and Noble on Monday the 22nd.
ETA: * Thanks to Leah, I now know that the fellow joining us was not Annie's husband and his name is Matt Wood. (Hi, Matt, sorry about that)