There are certain dangers to working in a large, well-stocked research library. Today on my lunch break I went up to the tenth floor of the Research Collections and back into the PS's, in search of Rachel Zucker's new book. I found it, but by the time I made it back to the elevator I had seven other books in my arms as well. I currently have, um, 59 books checked out -- a handful of which I have finished and just haven't gotten around to returning yet.
Really, there is no excuse for me to do anything in my non-working waking hours but read. Right?
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I ordered a pair of strappy, casual, black sandals (which I have been needing for like two years) and they arrived today. That means summer is just around the corner. Right?
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I am so going to AWP next year. Despite the fact that I live only a couple hundred miles away, I really don't know Chicago at all -- but I know enough people who are familiar with the city that hopefully I can get tips on where to stay that will be cheaper than the Hilton but close enough to walk back and forth safely. I may even try to tack on an extra day for museum-going; it's been years since I've been to the Chicago museums and I remember really loving both the Field and the Museum of Science & Industry. Oh, and Shedd Aquarium! And the Adler Planetarium! I may have to pick one or two, if I'm only going to give myself one extra day. Anyway, you heard it here first: I'm going somehow, some way. And I'll see all y'all there. Right?
Right.
6 comments:
The Chicago Art Institute too. And the architecture, oh the architecture.
I've only been to AWP once, in 1992 when it came to Minneapolis, and it was so small then that the whole event fit into something like three event rooms in the hotel.
The local chapter of the National Writers Union (in which I was somewhat active at the time) paid for a literature table at the conference, and the table fee included conference admission for two people, and I volunteered to be one of them. It meant I spent a lot of time tethered to the lit table (the other Writers Union volunteer and I took turns staffing the table), but it worked out. I will say it was a somewhat strange sensation to be such an intense schmoozathon all day long and then walk outside to the bus stop and catch a bus home.
I'm thinking of going to AWP in Chicago next year, mainly because Chicago is close enough that I could take Amtrak or Greyhound there and avoid O'Hare airport. I've been in Chicago a few times over the years, and each time was an adventure, but it's been a long time and I'd like to go there again. Will see.
Word verification is "qgbthfwk," which pretty much sums up things these days, it seems to me... :)
It is my mission to go next year too :) Even if I have to stay with my sister (by commuter train an hour each way), I'm still going.
I hope to be sitting right next to you at some point at that AWP. :)
Lyle, Jessie, Collin: You should all go! If I can overcome my hermit tendencies and brave the crowd, y'all can definitely make it to Chicago. :)
Collin - we are *so* doing a reading or at least a signing, even if it has to be a guerrilla thing in the hotel lobby at midnight!
I'm going next year, too. (Just found out!) Anne, I will buy you a non-virtual margarita.
Pamela: Excellent! I'll see you there.
Although, given February in Chicago, we may want to make that a hot toddy instead of a margarita. ;)
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