Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Cartwheeling Maniac Spotted in NYC

"I wonder what it is in the New York air that enables me to sit up till all hours of the night in an atmosphere which in London would make a horse dizzy, but here merely clears the brain." ~ James Agate



I am flying into NYC this Saturday, arriving at the ungodly hour of 7:00am. It isn’t so much the 7:00am that’s ungodly as the 3:30am wake up to get to the airport to catch the 6:15am flight to arrive at 7am that’s ungodly. But it’s for a worthy cause, so I’m willing.

I’ve already made up my packing list, printed off my event invites, worked up my workshop agenda around my agent/editor appointments and purchased all my little travel sized toiletries. I have a brand spanking new iPad 2 to take with me to stay wired in (thanks to J for the early wedding gift!) and I am ready to rumble.

This is the first conference I’ve attended as a published author and I have to admit, it has a different feel to it for me. I’m not sure exactly why that is – I’m still doing all the same things. Editor and agent appointments, workshops, getting lost in the labyrinth of hotel hallways… Maybe the difference is that my goal was by the time the NYC conference arrived I would go as a published author. I’ve vaulted over one hurdle (only 1,486, 234 to go) and it feels good. I mean goooooood.

FYI – if you see someone doing cartwheels through the hotel lobby shouting “I did it! I did it!!”, it’s not me. I don’t care how much she may look like me. Also, if that individual is doing these cartwheels while wearing a skirt, please tell her to stop. She’ll thank you for it later.

But NYC isn’t all about the conference for me. I’ve wanted to see the City That Never Sleeps for eons and going down a few days before conference gets underway will be a great opportunity to do that. I’ve also tried to book out a little time each day for myself, even if that means just getting out and walking around Times Square or somewhere else. And given my horrendous sense of direction, there is no telling where ‘somewhere else’ may be.

FYI#2 – if you see someone who looks a lot like the cartwheeling maniac from the hotel lobby wandering around Times Square trying to find the hotel, please send her back in the right direction. You may also want to watch for a minute to ensure she heads in the direction you indicated. Yes, her sense of direction is that bad.

FYI#3 – if she starts up with the cartwheels again on her way back to the hotel, just let her go. You’ve done all you can.

8 comments:

Donna Alward said...

You're going to have your first sale ribbon, right?

It is going to be a blast. You are getting there a whole day and a half before me! But you're far more prepared. I don't have ANYTHING ready. I'll be in a mad rush on Saturday, guaranteed.

Annette Gallant said...

No worries, I won't let you get lost or do cartwheels. :D

(Hey, just noticed that my word verification to post this comment is drool. You trying to tell me something??)

Bev Pettersen said...

Have a great time, and do at least one cartwheel. You deserve it, Kelly. Pretty ribbon too! Have fun at the Harlequin party.

Julia Phillips Smith said...

if that individual is doing these cartwheels while wearing a skirt, please tell her to stop. She’ll thank you for it later.

LOL!!

SO exciting, Kelly! You're beyond awesome to head for this conference with your personal goal checked off. You ROCK.

Unknown said...

Hope you have a blast in New York. Hope to see you there - I'll be the one in the corner taking pictures of the lady doing cart wheels in a skirt.

Deborah Hale said...

I am green with envy of your organization, Kelly. I feel like this conference is coming at me like a freight train.

I'll try to stop the cartwheel lady if you'll keep an eye out for the one having a panic attack in the glass elevators that shoot up and down 37 stories.

Oops! Starting to hyperventilate ...

Melissa Amateis said...

Oooh, fun! You're going to have terrific time! And I'm sure there will be plenty of people to help you find your way if you get lost. ;-)

Enjoy!!!

Alexa said...

Have a WONDERFUL time!