Countdown to Bouchercon-16 days

[Annette Dashofy]

Sixteen days until I leave for Baltimore, Maryland and Bouchercon.

Not that I’m counting or anything.

I spent one night away from home this weekend as my friend Lisa Curry and I drove to Rustic (with a capital “R”) Brookville, PA for a Pennwriters Board of Directors Meeting. We make this trip once a year. This will likely be Lisa’s last since she is stepping down from her role as treasurer soon. The motel in Brookville is even more Rustic than the town. But Pennwriters foots the bill, so I don’t complain. Much.

I suspect the room I’ve reserved at the Lord Baltimore Radisson will be a little less Rustic and a little more luxurious. Actually, I’m counting on it.

This time, my traveling buddy will be Joyce Tremel. We’re both starving artist types so we’re sharing expenses.

I’m beginning to get excited about the event. I’ve signed up for the Sisters in Crime luncheon as well as a Ghost Tour of Fells Point. There is a huge temptation to try to do EVERYTHING. To get as much bang for my buck as I can. This is my first Bouchercon and hopefully not my last, but who knows when I’ll get to my next one?

I’ve had enough experience with conferences to know I must pace myself. Easier said than done. I’m afraid I’ll run full tilt until I simply run out of gas and then crash. Not good.

So, I’m not signing up in advance for anything else. I want to leave time and energy to be spontaneous. I don’t want to turn down invitations to spend time with friends I rarely see because I need a nap.

Right now, with sixteen days to go, I’m already thinking about clothes. What to pack? Do I have enough clothes that fit? That aren’t dreadfully out-of-style? Is a trip to Bouchercon an excuse for a trip to Macy’s?

To be continued…

[Annette Dashofy]

Dana, I'm glad you enjoy Working Stiffs. We really enjoy doing it. And the second part of my ride-along adventure will be there this Wednesday for certain. I've already posted it so power outages won't play havoc with my plans again.

I haven't actually seen much of Brookville. I make it as far as the Golden Eagle Inn and that's about it. Really good food. Absolutely no heat in the motel rooms. Brrrrrr...

[Dana King]

You're going to a writers/readers conference and you're worried if your clothes will be out of style? Puh-leese.

I have family in Brookville. Really. Haven't been there in years, but I remember it as the jumping off point for I-80, after taking PA-28 up through Kittanning.

You got me hooked on your Working Stiffs blog; I'm a daily reader now. Hope to see you at Bouchercon.