The good news is that I'll come back with all kinds of stories about TLA (Texas Library Association conference in San Antonio) and IRA (International Reading Association in Chicago). I mean, I'll be hanging out with the likes of Chris Crutcher and Kevin Henkes, for heaven's sake. That won't suck. And we have lovely new authors to our list that I can't wait to take out to dinner: Sophie Jordan and Tera Lynn Childs. And I'll get to be all fangirl on Henry Cole - I might have to recite Why Do Kittens Purr? to him...which, thanks to Bug, I know by heart.
So I'm getting ready to leave on Tuesday for San Antonio. This being my third conference since joining Harper, I'm making better and better choices about packing. For ALA Midwinter, I bought (splurged ridiculously is more like it...) on a 3-piece suit from J. Crew. So I have one skirt, one set of trousers, and a suit jacket. All I have to do is swap out different tops. It drastically reduced the amount of clothes I had to pack.
It's my Conference Care Package! Inspired by my colleague Kayleigh, I put together this kit. Conferences are murder on your body in every way and, in order to not reveal the magic that goes on behind the scenes, I'll avoid the dirty details. But my body truly suffers. This will help! Here's what's inside:
- Raw almonds (for protein)
- Breakfast bar (when I don't have time for breakfast)
- Ibuprofen
- Advil Cold and Sinus
- Echinacea
- Green tea (I swear by it)
- Band-Aids
- Tums
- Gas-X
- Muscle cream (odorless, of course)
- Heating pads
- Hand lotion
- Visine (how do convention centers manage to suck every ounce of moisture out of the air?!)
In addition, I also bought a waistband clip for my cell phone and my Blackberry so I'll have TWO phones attached to me at all times during the conference.
Between my Conference Care Package, my phones, and my J. Crew suit of armor, I am UNSTOPPABLE!
So I'll be back in a few weeks. If you're going to TLA, visit me in booth #2222 and, at IRA, come say hi at booth #2433. And I might actually have some free moments at each conference, so let me know if you have any recommendations for must-see things (or, more importantly, must-eat things) in San Antonio or Chicago.
Eat, drink, and learn survival skills!
P.S. Wonder what I'm taking to read en route? Firelight by Sophie Jordan, Sir Charlie by Sid Fleischman, The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller, Gastronomical Me by MFK Fisher (for a break), A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole, a Jane Austen (I haven't decided which one yet). Is it any wonder I throw out my back all the time?! If someone would just buy a damn iPad, this wouldn't be an issue...
6 comments:
I just finished The Eternal Ones, and am still digesting my thoughts on it....I'll be curious to know what you think of it!
Love J.Crew suits. Back in my lawyer days, my favorite in terms of fit, wear, styling. I'd buy one tomorrow but I just don't have the need at the momente.
question -- what about shoes? as you know I tend to do dansko or doc marten etc but i'm always on the lookout for shoes that look prettier but give the comfort/nonpain//support i need. so i wonder what you do for shoes, staning on your feet for so long.
have fun in TLA. and enjoy the food!!
Erin, I've heard it's very different from Kiki - do you agree?
Liz, I'm still working on the shoes. My first conference was awful - brought Aerosoles heels. They may have been Aerosoles but they were still heels nonetheless, and I was forced to go on an emergency shoe shopping trip for flats. I just discovered Dansko and I was going to order a pair for this conference - but it wouldn't get here in time. So I'm wearing some Aerosoles penny loafer-esque flats. Really, though, it doesn't matter - I'm gonna hurt no matter what.
Looks like you're all set to go!
I'll be at IRA and will make sure to stop by at booth #2433 to say hello and get some ARCs. :-)
I'm also looking forward to hearing Kevin Henkes! Will Henry Cole be signing copies of "A Nest for Celeste" at your booth?
Fab, Monica! I'm so glad you'll be there - it's always wonderful to see a friendly face!
Yes, Henry will be signing A Nest for Celeste - he is signing on Tuesday, 4.27 from 1:30-2:00. Yeah, I'm pretty psyched about meeting him!
Fantastic, I'll be there! :-)
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