July 28, 2006
Hello, Atlanta!
Written by Shana in Jaunty PostAs some of you may know, we Jaunty Quills, as well as about 2000 other romance writers, are in Atlanta this week for the Romance Writers of America national conference. So far it’s been a total blast. We plan to take lots of pictures to share with you when we get back.
But like most trips, not everything has gone peachy. I woke up on Wednesday morning to the sound of pouring rain. A quick peek out my window confirmed that it was flooding on my street. Of course, every time it rains for more than five minutes my street floods, so this was nothing new. It was more like an omen.
On top of the driving rain, I was having technology issues. I got a new cell phone the night before and foolishly decided to go ahead and cancel my old service and switch my number over. Ultimate Sportsfan had done it the week before, and the switch only took two hours.
Well, my switch took considerably longer–like 12 hours longer. In fact, Wednesday morning when I was supposed to leave for the airport, the cell still wasn’t working. What’s the point of having a cell phone if it doesn’t work when you’re traveling halfway across the country and probably really need a cell phone for once?
So I left for the airport in pouring rain without cell phone service, and as you can probably guess, my flight was delayed.
For over an hour.
Which wouldn’t have been so bad except that I happened to be seated among about ten people who all knew each other and were clearly way over caffeinated for nine a.m. After sitting for an hour listening to them scream and laugh and the guy beside me sing “I’m in love with a stripper,” I was either going to hijack the plane and fly it myself or jump out one of those tiny windows.
I’m not stuck in an airplane or under arrest, so obviously the plane finally took off. Yay! I could turn on my iPod! No more off-key hip-hop!
I survived the flight, the baggage claim (I have way too much luggage), and the shuttle, and finally arrived at the hotel. I still had an hour and a half before I had to be down at the literacy signing. I was going to make it!
I think you know what’s coming next…
That’s right. The hotel didn’t have my reservation. They’d lost it or deleted it or — something. But for some reason, the hotel had both of my roommates’ names in the system. I’d tell you how we resolved this, but I think that might cause me or the hotel some liability, so suffice it to say that somehow I ended up in my room. I was tired and cranky and hungry. But I had a bed.
And now for the good part. I met the best people at the literacy signing. AndreaW and Crystal from the Avon authors’ board stopped by to say hi, and then we all met up after the signing and chatted more with a few other authors.
And that’s what makes it all worth it — all the travel and the hassle and the inconvenience. None of that matters when you meet great people who love reading and writing. That’s the awesome thing about being here in Atlanta. I’m surrounded by people who do what I do and love it as much as I do. So, hello, Atlanta!
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AndreaW Says:
Shana, I’m sorry that you had a bad day up until the signing. Despite your troubles, you looked great!! It was so wonderful to meet you!
I had so much fun chatting with you, Sophie, Jenna, Kate, Mary RM, Gayle and Crystal! And thanks again for signing my books…it means a lot to me. 
Y’all made my year!
Andrea (who is still starstruck!)
Haven Rich Says:
Shane, its all the things that go wrong before a huge trip that make you see all the GREAT things that happen during the trip. Plus on the brightside, they didn’t lose your luggage. So while bickering with the hotel staff you at least had clean close to wear the next day, even if it were to be on the nearest lobby couch lol.
Sorry, I’m a brightside gal, can’t help it.
Crystal Says:
Shana, I figured you all had had a long day, but I’m sorry yours was so aweful. I had so much fun getting to talk with all of you. Thank you for making that time to meet with us. It will take me a long time to top that night.
Crystal
Manuelita Says:
Shane - Sorry to hear things didn’t go so well at the beginning of the conference.
I hope everything will continue to improve for you during the rest of your stay in Atlanta. And like Haven said, at least your luggage with your RITA dress didn’t get lost.
Isabel Says:
Wishing you the best, Shane
Hope today is a better day for you.