MY TRIP TO SEE THE QUEEN

National Lampoon Style!

Hi. You may not know me. My name is CeeCe. And this is my story.

Weeks ago, I discovered my favorite author, our Queen, was doing a book tour. I, being a loyal and faithful fan, was determined to go and see the Queen. Now, while she would be in Kansas on the 21st, a Saturday, I would be at work. However, since she would be in Omaha on the 20th when I didn't have to work, I made the decision to take a drive.

I awoke to a bright and sunny Spring day. The first in several weeks. Good Omen? I thought so! I left at 8am for my 4 hour drive to Omaha, hoping to make sure that I had plenty of time to get to the signing by 1pm. The roads were clear and visibility was for miles. This of course meant that the bears were out foraging for their next meal. I passed a two mile stretch, and counted 7 bears! This of course meant, SLOW DOWN. But I passed through all of this without a speeding ticket, and considering that I was speeding, I thought it was another Good Omen. Right? Wrong!

Things started to go awry when I decided to get off the interstate to avoid the Council Bluff metro area. I instead took the state two-lane highway. Bad, bad move. I got stuck behind trucks pulling tractors and tractors pulling wagons. Looking at the clock, I realized I was going to be late. So I poured on more speed.

I got into the Omaha Metro area a little after one, and called the bookstore for directions. I was in a totally unfamiliar town, with no idea where I was going, and panicked that I would never get there in time, and the trip would be have been wasted. The person who answered the phone told me to go east. I finally figured out what direction was east, and quickly found myself in a construction zone. Snow is piled on the sides of the roads, orange cones are everywhere, I couldn't see the road for all the sand. I was just slightly tense. I then noticed that the street numbers were going down, instead of up, and suddenly realized that the person on the telephone was a complete and total moron! I notice a side street to my left, clear traffic ahead, and quickly check behind me to make a left. As I start to make my turn, I see a car come up along side of me, it had been in my blind spot, and what I had thought to be the only lane, was really two lanes and I was in the wrong lane making a left turn! Horns honk, tires slip on sand, and CRASH!!!!!

My poor car! And of course, I got the ticket! The other driver walks away with no damage to his car, and my car door is definitely not opening properly! And of course, the other driver just had to take this opportunity to hit on me!!!!! Please!!!! Get real!!!!

So here I am, pacing up and down, waiting for the cops to finish writing up the ticket and insurance information, as the clock continues to tick. Now it is 1:45pm. I'm just sure I've missed the Queen. Driving carefully (let me tell you, I wouldn't send my worst enemy to drive in Omaha!), navigating one after another twisting streets in various stages of construction, and totally unfamiliar traffic signals, I finally found the book store. Rushing in, I discover that the person on the phone neglecting to tell me that Nora's plane would be late and she wasn't there yet! Whew! Relief!!!!

Finally, I saw her come in. The red hair, the black suit, and the really cool sunglasses. She is frazzled, but completely gracious. I wait at the back of the line, with my bookbag and bags of books and gifts for the Queen. Finally, it is my turn. I start handing a bottle of DP to her, and then a card, then a bag of M&M;'s. She looks at me somewhat puzzled, with light dawning in her eyes. I say, "You might know me. I 'm CeeCe"! She jumps up and hugs me! It was the greatest moment of my life! LOL For a few moments, I could swear I'd swallowed my tongue. But I quickly found it, and proceeded to chat her ears off! She signed piles of the books I brought with me, plus a second copy of Homeport for my sister. We chatted on and off, between customers and interviews for over an hour and a half. It was so totally worth the entire trip and everything I went through!

Nora truly is a grand lady. Those who have already met her, know the truth of what I say. She had only good things to say about the BB/N's. LOL

All in all, I'd say the trip was a success. Success doesn't come without a price!

CeeCe

If I'm not thinking of Roarke, I must be Dead!

ADWOFF: Now, this type of post usually creates lots & lots of responses ... the following are additional comments from our CeeCe!

>Um, does this mean that Nora hit some dreaded SNOW?

Trace....

There was still some snow on the ground and the road were wet with run-off, but it was sunny and in the 40's. Nora even commented on how happy she was with the weather, since it was forecasted for more snow yesterday. I told her I prayed for great weather, and we got it! LOL She laughed, and said how so far the weather has behaved well. It snowed in Colorado AFTER she left, and the weather in CA cleared up just before she got there, and it didn't snow in Nebraska or Kansas.

Ladies....I urge you to keep the weather nice for the Queen! I think it keeps her in a better frame of mind! LOLOLOL

CeeCe

If I'm not thinking of Roarke, I must be Dead!

Phyllis...

No estimate yet, I will have to wait till Monday to get it to the shop. I'd say less than $500. I was truly lucky!

And I agree....The survival kits were a great idea. I think Wym suggested it, and she deserves a R.O.A.R.K.E.

CeeCe

If I'm not thinking of Roarke, I must be Dead!

 

Sue...

My dissertation wasn't enough?! LOLOLOLOL

Thank you for the compliment, I think you are totally awesome, also! (our little mutual admiration society?)

As to what Nora and I talked about? Gosh. It seems like a day dream, but some things stick out. I told Nora that Di said Hi...and Nora was pleased. We talked about Jenn. I was teasing Nora about getting drunk with Jenn, but Nora denied any such activity, claiming a 6am flight was why she didn't tie one on. Nora said Jenn was really sweet (or something like that , and we now know how good of a storyteller Nora is ) and she met Tom, Jenn's sweetheart. Nora thought he was cute and very nice. We talked about you and Jaci, and about Jaci being able to go to the signing while you slave away at the store. You know you are still her #1 stalker.

Nora said that the BB/N's survival kits and sunny faces at the signings are great. That it is helping her to get through the tour knowing that she will be seeing or meeting familiar people (BB/N's). We talked about choclate and Nora believes that choclate is appropriate for any occasion, at any time, for anything .

Then we discussed Homeport. The book is wonderful for those who haven't read it yet. Gripping, imaginative, sensual. We discussed the In Death books, and whether some of the things in the book are from her own personal view point, such as the lc's. Nora commented, and I agree, that sex and prostitution has been around since man dragged his knuckles over a cave floor, (this is ad lib ) and so if it was regulated, maybe a few problems would be solved?

I listened in as Nora gave a marvelous interview to a reporter. I certainly hope the reporter does her credit. Her responses were right on target and very savvy. I won't speak on that, since it was part of an interview, without permission from the source (Nora) .

Geez...we talked about a lot of things...I can't remember them all! I hope the above gives you an idea of some of the conversation.

I was going to take Nora to dinner, but discovered that she still had two more events to attend that evening. One with the Omaha Romance Writers. So I wished her well on the rest of the tour and came on home. Poor Nora had not really eaten all day. She did admit that her entire body hurt from the pace of the tour. She needs plenty of TLC.

Is that enough detail? LOL

CeeCe

If I'm not thinking of Roarke, I must be Dead!