TTP II Memories from Patti

i think i have a different perspective of ttp than many, as i came as a total newbie. i had only started frequenting the boards a month earlier, but the thought of meeting one of my favorite authors had me putting shyness aside. i asked my roommie to come along (alright, i begged... i can be pretty shy!) she couldn't. in hindsight, i'm glad she didn't go. being by myself forced me to reach out and talk to people, something i might not have done had she been there. it was so worth it. the first person i met, appropriately enough, was nancy d. she and jaci were salivating over the arc of the reef that nancy had won. (can anyone say FIX!! <g>) have to say she made me feel as welcome if i had been a bb/n from the very beginning.

it just escalated from there! met more bb/n that i dare try to name ( so i won't for fear of unintentionally hurting anyone i may have forgotten.) within a matter of minutes, we were all chattering away as if we'd known each other for eons. i got to meet nora. in a word, WOW! very down to earth and easy to talk to. had her sign some older books for me and bought three more. told her she owed me $10 for the concealer i had to buy. i was up til 5:30am finishing rising tides and had some serious bags under my eyes that morning. she laughed and said that was a true compliment. also met lisa scottoline, a fellow philadelphian. we talked a little about philly, was very cool. but, as i was holding up the line, i had to move along. had yet to learn of this repeat visits to the line - i'll be better prepared next year!!

had a nice lunch at some pizzeria. ('fraid i can't remember the name. too caught up in the sign for the place next door, crawford's. confectionery and ammo. ice cream and taxidermy. i kid you not! definitely not two concepts i would have thought of putting together!!) had a wonderful time talking and getting to know everyone. talking dogs with pam, movies with everyone, being threatened by tracey (i know, i know - ethan is off limits!!! now put down that knife!) it was great.

a few of us roadtripped to sheperdstown to see a photo exhibit by BW. very cool. two very talented people in one family. makes me ill! lol thought of buying a print. saw the price, thought again. <g> lots of great work by all of the artists. some really great b/w photos of washington. really impressive, made me realize many of my own limitations. suppose this is why i keep my day job!

took everyone back to the hotel to say goodbye. (was my bday wkend and had some prior plans. (will make damn sure that doesn't happen again! :)) nancy kept her promise about those cookies. YUM! was worth the 3 hr drive just for those!! we all talked some more and i said my goodbyes. spent the whole drive home thinking about the new friends i had made and planning the next visit down. can anyone say ROADTRIP?! i'm there!

patti