3 S.R. Johannes: I'm here!

Thursday, August 06, 2009

I'm here!

Just got into LA!

Whew my plane did not go down so I have to send a shout out to my guardian angel :)

Left this morning about 8am. Got here at noon. Who loves a time change! (I do! At least today I do!)

Luckily it was after my kids left with hubby for camp so the goodbye was not traumatic (for me that is). All the kids care about is if I am bringing them back anything. Daughter's request: ice cream sandwich (uh not going to happen) and son's - same as usual (truck. Oops A big truck!) My hubby always brings back great gifts for kids when he travels so I'll have to upstage him (not that it is a competition :) Since my hubby always seems to bring me either airport chocolate or free shampoo - who knows what he will get. ;)

Now that I am here - i've realized the following: I forgot my sunglasses so I had to buy 15$ pair. (how is that possible when going to LA?), forgot my camera! (again, how is that possible) and forgot my iPod (no music for 5 days?). I guess I was too busy packing 10 pairs of shoes (dont' ask. I will say I blame Katie at Plot this!) and 10 outfits (yes for 5 days. Again Katie's fault). hey if Delta is going to make me pay 15$ for a bag - I might as well take all I can. I think my bag weighed in at 51 lbs (*sigh*) so I had to throw out my contact saline solution to get it under the weight limit. (another sacrifice for fashion) Sad I know but at least I'll have wardrobe choices (I don't know if I said this but it is KATIE's fault! ;) Besides, for those who know me, I am forever spilling stuff on my shirt - coffee, salsa, or ketchub. It's true. So this is safer.

Flight was uneventful except the normal stuff - screaming baby, man in front leaning too far back threatening to kill my new MAC (yeah you heard me and no I refrained from taking him out), and 3.5 peanuts. No wonder I'm full.

BTW - why is it when you travel you feel hungrier than normal? Is it the altitude?

I think I saw the Grand Canyon from the window but its hard to tell at 30,000 feet up. I know it was a mountain though :)

Got here in the allotted time of 4 hours and 2 minutes (could they not just round up?).

So what have I seen so far? no agents to befriend, no editors clamoring for my book, and certainly no stars. *sigh*. I did see one of my regional advisors!!!! woot woot!! (Hey Donna!)

Now, I am sitting outside in shaded deck, overlooking pool, pretending to work (on free wireless!!!) so I don't look like a loser, and waiting for someone/anyone to recognize me from my blog photo or college mug shot - whichever comes first - beggars can't be choosers right? (Just kidding people! :)

I'm excited to get started and waiting for Kimberly to arrive in a couple hours. Ready to bask in brilliance, Ready to enjoy some time away from hustle and bustle of kids/schedules. Ready to meet new friends.

18 comments:

Kelly H-Y said...

I am so excited for you ... and everyone's who's going! It's going to be a great conference! Have a blast!

Robin Mellom said...

There are some vendors at the mall across the street that have cute kids gifts! I always have to get a gift for my kid, too. :-)
And I'm sure you can find sunglasses there, too.
Wish I could be there. Have fun!!!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Only ten pairs of shoes? Believe me I totally get it. Half my luggage is always shoes.
I hope you have a glorious time. I wanted to come but just can't, so I'll be a watching your blog for nuggets. Enjoy!

Marty said...

Good luck in L.A.

But dang me I was sure that you said "bloggers can't be choosers..."

Susan R. Mills said...

Can I just say that I'm sooooooo jealous right now! Have a great time! I can't wait to hear all about it.

JESSJORDAN said...

I remembered my sunglasses, my husband brought the camera, and I'm stealing free wireless. ($10 a day? Not for me!)

Now, I'm off to shower away the lovely plane aroma and 3 mile walk that we just took to get Lebanese food (yum, btw), and hopefully end the evening with some kind of celebratory drink.

Hope you and Kimberly are having a blast!

Little Ms J said...

I love that you're blogging from LA! I'll be tuning in!

lisa and laura said...

Yay! Have fun! Tell Kimberly we say hi!

Lauren said...

No sunglasses and no camera! Oh no! I don't know about you, but I feel hungry when I travel because I am bored and get the munchies.

Kelly Polark said...

What? You forgot your camera AND ipod?! Still you are there.
Lucky you to be in LA!
Have a great weekend!

Sherrie Petersen said...

I'll be looking for you tomorrow!

I forgot my notebook that I always take to writerly events and my business cards. How lame is that?

Irene Latham said...

Yay, glad the important stuff made it. :) Have a BLAST!!

Stephanie said...

Awesome! Can't wait to hear more!! O spent 3 days in LA in April....stayed at the Hollywood Roosevelt...very cool! Had a fantastic time!!

Kimbra Kasch said...

Can't wait to "read all about it"!

Cathy C. Hall said...

So, yeah, I'm jealous. And I'm left with attending the conference vicariously through your blogging. Please do something SCBWI-awesome so I can jump and down and get some exercise :-)

Oh, and when you get back, check out Cathy C's Hall of Fame for your well-deserved AWARD. That's right. You got to go to the conference AND win an award. Now, I'm even more jealous.

Anonymous said...

Enjoy! So glad you got to LA safe and sound. Can't wait to hear all about it. And send us some fashion pics:)

Martha Flynn said...

The picture inspired me to look out my window here in LA and I see I have a balcony, too! So thanks!!

I forgot my toothbrush yet brought four vials of perfume so I can sympathize with you on the random packing thing.

Hope to bump into you at some point.

storyqueen said...

Sooo cool that you are keeping us in the loop.

Thanks, Shelli!