Temporary? Insanity

Warning: This post will probably be boring, but I’m writing it anyway because it’s slowly burning a hole in my brain. That is all.

As I’ve been bragging/whining, I recently spent several days away from home, husband, and kids, enjoying the mad fabulous chaos that is the life of the weary traveler. It was wonderful, in oh so many ways. There is no way to pay proper tribute to those I would like to, or to express every feeling that chased its way through me.

But naturally, I’m going to attempt to anyway. I’m stubborn and unrealistic like that. This? Is going to be a long post.

Eowyn. Hours of laughter and chat. Up till insane hours yawning like mad but not wanting it to end. Gmail chat windows just can’t compete with the reality of spending hours with your best friend. She is one of my greatest delights in this life. There was also the joy of the fact that I actually like her husband and the three of us talking till midnight one night. Their four children who alternately delighted me and helped me miss my own. I nearly cried when I saw them waiting for me in the airport, and cried in earnest when I left (got me great service at the airline check-in, let me tell you).

Charrette. The first word that comes to mind is warmth. She is a soft blanket that envelops all who meet her. Despite her sorrows she freely gives sweetness and laughter and hugs. She is not only enjoyable but inspiring. She makes me want to be better, and somehow communicates that she already believes I am. I feel enriched to have been able to spend as much time with her as I did.

Next was the conference, and time was…lacking. So was courage. I continually sat myself at empty tables rather that seek people out and while not completely regressing into the quiet little mouse status of years gone by, I felt socially awkward. My camera never once left its bag and now I feel foolish and regretful for not capturing any of those memories in a more secure medium than the flimsy and often fluctuating contents of my cranium.

Regardless, I was able to briefly hug many friends who prior to that were only virtual apparitions. Annette sought me out my first day there and I’m eternally grateful to her for inviting me to sit at her table the next morning when I was running late, because I was feeling a bit lost at that point. Such a thoughtful person! James Dashner joined our table at lunch the first day and when I introduced myself as Canada Kim he leapt up and insisted on a hug. Such a fun and funny guy, both.

Tristi was a delight. Such a sense of humour! And a kind heart to boot. She’ll be co-chairing the conference next year and while I feel for her, I’m excited that she’ll have a hand in it.

Melanie was just as fabulous as her blog posts would lead you to suspect. Funny, fashionable, and beautiful. But I’ve elected to like her anyway.

L.T. Elliot and I met under what I thought to be hilarious circumstances, as I was scanning the crowd looking for her name on a nametag when she spotted mine. Man that girl gives great hugs! And she’s got the biggest heart to go along with. So warm and genuine – I just adored her from the first instant. And you should have heard me clap and holler when she won a prize in the First Chapter contest. Congrats, love!

Josi was about ten times prettier in person that in her pictures, and gave a very enlightening class about building and being part of a writing community. I loved her advice to play nice because it’s a small sandbox.

Julie made me cry. Twice. But in a good way that made me adore her all the more. She’s just as funny and inspiring in person, and the class she taught was the only class that swept me up to the point that I didn’t nervously check the time throughout. She was captivating and compelling and I think I want to be her when I grow up. I also met her husband and her daughter who were working in the bookstore, and apparently that whole family has got it going on. What sweet, genuine people!

Janette Rallison gave a class that changed my life. No, I’m not indulging in my flair for the melodramatic, I’m quite serious. She taught concepts that sparked like lightning in my wee little brain and finally made a few important things clear. I’ll be forever grateful because while I don’t know that I’m now going to go write the best book ever, I know that she’s helped equip me to write a better book than I could have hoped to before. Thank you Janette!

Luisa. Such a gift to be able to meet her, and she was as beautiful and clever as I’ve long known her to be. As I arrived late the day she came, I hadn’t had a chance to meet her before things started. Tristi knew this and pointed us out to each other. Next thing I knew we were hugging in front of the whole room. I confess. I got teary.

There were a few bloggers I don’t know terribly well but would like to. Karlene. Don. Some new potential friends as well. It was a bit of a whirlwind, and I look forward to attending next year (and dragging as many of you along as I possibly can manage). Brillig? Sarah? Rebecca? I’m talking about you gals.

Heidi? I am so sorry Eowyn and I kept you up so late talking your ear off like that, but you are just so sweet and easy to talk to! Really, Heidi is as sweet as she is on her blog and her book? Hilarious! I read it on the plane and I swear the muffled laughter and ooo’s and ahh’s annoyed my fellow passengers mightily. Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind is the most refreshingly original book I’ve read in a long time, but I’ll save further details and give it a post of its own.

Leaving for home yesterday was so bittersweet. I’d drunk in so much warmth and laughter, learned at the feet of so many inspiring teachers, and had to accept that time and social awkwardness prevented me from getting to know everyone I would like to have. But I missed my girls desperately, from day one even, and I’m missing them now as I write this. I could say more (and probably will in coming days – name dropping like mad, no doubt), but the keyboard isn’t half so enticing as the little girls who squealed my name this morning and who I’ve been snuggling and playing with inbetween writing this.

These aren’t the right words. I don’t see how they possibly could be to communicate all I felt and experienced this weekend. But they’ll do. For now.