Monday, July 15, 2013

Here Comes the Conference!

I wasn't sure what to write about today, so I'm making a toast to all the conference goers.


A Toast to the RWA Atlanta Conference Goers



May you never run out of hot water;
May your lack of sleep not show.
May laughter ring from every corner;
May it be only happy tears that flow.

Debutantes, may your books sell out;
And Old Hats, may you be stalked and screamed.
And newbies and wanna be’s that fill the seats,
May you achieve every one of your dreams.

May the chicken on your plate be edible,
May the chocolate at dessert always flow,
May you not get a stain on your best blouse,
And may a stall be open when you have to go.

May your words to a prospective editor,
Not be littered with hmmm’s and eerrr’s
May you be, if you’re in an elevator,
As winning as a smooth barrister.

But don’t worry if you’re not as contained
As a Miss America about to be crowned.
If nerves be tight and you might die of fright,
There’s always another drink to go down.

Once you’re into the groove of the conference,
You’ll be as fevered as a hunter after a buck.
You’ll be here next year, never you fear,
And you’ll be wishing the newbies good luck.




What do you wish for the conference goers this week? Do you wish you were going? (Or are you like me, rather terrified by the prospect?)

18 comments:

Maureen said...

I wish for them no blisters on their toes, nor heels, no balls of their feet.
Short lines at the Starbucks, a well stocked convenience store. Fresh towels aplenty and a bed to dream in.

Yeah, I wish I were going. But at the same time, somewhat relieved I'm not. I have so much to do this week!

Go, Terri! And conquer the world!

Marnee Bailey said...

Good luck Ter! She's going to do great! I wish I was going (again) this year, but I know I'll go soon. I'm sure of it. It'll be back in NY in 2 years. No plane ticket required. :)

Great poem, Hells!! :) Too funny.

Terri Osburn said...

"And may a stall be open when you have to go."

This is the most perfect line. With 2200 women in one place, even the men's room becomes fair game.

I'll be offline today taking kiddo up to DC to fly out, then I get on a plane (closer to home) tomorrow. The good new is... I'm packed! Yes, I'm shocked, too. For once, I didn't put it off until the night before.

I'll send back updates as often as I can!

Hellie Sinclair said...

Mo, good one! I forgot about the blisters! And I'm always getting one! (Part of the reason why I wear flip flops all the time.)

The other stuff is absolute too! :)

Hellie Sinclair said...

Marn, I'll have to see when the next ones are...not sure I'm up for New York, ever again, in my lifetime. But we'll see.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Terri, I was kinda kidding about bathroom stalls...but yeah, 2200 women...and probably bathroom cycles around the same time, that can be problematic.

Congrats on packing, though I'm sure that's more to do with the fact you had so much going on today you didn't want to chance it more than anti-procrastinating. :) Do send updates.

Anonymous said...

I, as well, am a bit relieved not to be going to a conference that large and crowded. But I'm sure it's going to be a fabulous experience!!!

Awesome poem, Hellie. I especially love the line about words not being littered with 'hmms' and 'errs'.

I wish you workshops so wonderful you never accidental fall asleep in one!

Hellie Sinclair said...

"Never accidentally fall asleep in one"--GREAT one, Hal! Considering the lack of sleep going on at these things.

P. Kirby said...

I'd love to go to RWA. But then, I'm sitting here at the suck-ass job, waiting for it to die (they're running of of money, at some point they just gotta lay me off -- I hope), and anything looks awesome.

Oddly, even though I'm timid and an introvert, big crowds don't bother me that much. I think because I can get lost in them and be anonymous.

Hubby made Comic Con San Diego noises last week. *Fingers crossed* Either next year or the one that follows -- geek heaven.

Have fun, Terri. You'll do great!

Janga said...

I love the poem, Hellie, and I'm envious that you rhymed "errs' and "barristers." Brilliant!

I wish long lines for Terri and Manda at their first signing and a million perfect pics for PJ's camera and a great time for everyone. I have some RITA wishes too, but I'll keep silent about those for a variety of reasons.

I'm ambivalent about the conference. I don't like crowds or Atlanta traffic, but I would like to see all my friends and to hear Kristan Higgins's speech. But mobility problems make conferences unlikely for me for the foreseeable future.

Quantum said...

I've never heard a toast that long before!
Perhaps we should all raise our glasses after each verse?

Yes, then we all finish drunk after the final "Bottoms up and down the hatch"
I like it. More verses Hellie
More verses! LOL

Hellie Sinclair said...

Pat, right now I can say from my desk, just about any conference sounds awesome sauce right about now. I hear Comic Cons--or at least the pictures and blogs associated with them--seem WONDERFUL! Lots of fun! I do like some geek heaven! *LOL*

Hellie Sinclair said...

Janga, thank you, I admit that was one of my favorites as well. *LOL* And I second your wishes for Terri and Manda! I assume you'll share your RITA wishes in a future blog on your site??

Oooh, I forgot Kristan Higgins was giving the speech. That WOULD be wonderful. *sighs*

Hellie Sinclair said...

Q, you're right. Toasts are supposed to be short so the drinkers don't go dry, aren't they? Next time I'll insert some "drinking line" so we know we're drinking between each verse so we don't have to wait so long!

Maureen said...

Aren't we supposed to take a drink at the end of each stanza?

Di R said...

Great toast, Cap'n!

I'm headed to Atlanta tomorrow!
I am so not ready! I just got my suitcase out, and haven't begun to pack. *sigh*
I'm looking forward to finding Terri and Manda at the signing. And I have a date to meet PJ as well.
And two of my chapter mates are up for the Golden Heart (one is a double finalist!)So I'll be cheering loudly.

Di
(off to pack)

Hellie Sinclair said...

Mo, I think it should be a drink at the end of each line, but I roll hard core that way.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Thank you, Di! I always pack at the last minute. It always turns out okay. :) Yay to your chapter mates who have gotten their own posse cheering section! That's awesome! Yell loud enough for me too. Sounds like you're going to be in right fine company and will have a great time!