A night after crashing catatonic in bed without changing positions for seven hours straight, I'm happy to report that a more alert Me presented at Day Two of the WLMA / OASL Conference in Portland, Oregon.My audience was skeptical when I told them that I get inspiration for my novels from so many places: travel. Eavesdropping. Daily humiliations.
Case in point: Lorie Ann Grover informed me post-presentation that my shirt rode up everytime I gestured, leaving a big old two inch swath of bare, stretch-marked belly for all in the ballroom to see. *sigh* So reminder to self: before ANY presentation, move in front of a full-length mirror with my outfit to ensure no undue belly baring or otherwise. (Or perhaps an amendment is in order: check outfit before appearing in public. Anywhere. Why? Oh, like the time when I met a certain bigwig's sister AND found out to my horror later that I had bared half my breast in front of her. And people wonder why I am so connected to my inner teen?)
I'm happy to report that I've made a full recovery of today's humiliation. First, I had a great conversation with Liz Gallagher. Then, my brother, Dave Chen, and sister-in-law, Jill, took Lorie Ann and I out to dinner at Biwa, a fantastic little Japanese restaurant with yummy skewers and homemade noodles. Homemade chubby udon noodles--the sumo wrestler of noodles. I will be dreaming about them...
And then Lorie Ann and I whooped it up (okay, looked bleary-eyed at each) in a swanky boutique hotel in Portland.
I am a princess. And I know it. (Live it up, I'm telling myself. In 24 hours, I return to the land o' squat toilets.)
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4 comments:
So great to see you and Lorie Ann, along with Jone in your previous post (still can't believe she worked on both conferences so close together).
I'm sure you'll eat it all up (the time with friends and family as well as the food--your description of those udon noodles has me hankerin').
I'm howling, Justina. Thanks for the awesome chance to hang with you! I HAD SO MUCH FUN!
But I have to admit. It wasn't every time you gestured. IT WAS FOR A SOLID 1/2 HOUR! You just give all of yourself when you speak, Justina. :~)
Let's just face it, Jolie: Jone is a wonderwoman. Don't you love her new haircut? AND Lorie Ann, did you have to tell me that I was half-naked for half of my presentation?! ACK.
~justina
I'm so glad I got to hang with you and Lorie Ann for a while, you world traveler, you!
Let's both gather up the ghostie inspiration this season, so our trend can happen.
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