National Book Club Conference - Day 1

When I arrived yesterday, I was sure to register early so I could kinda sleep in. So around and down two escalators I stood in line and of course, bless Curtis Bunn's heart, because I had registered early, my name wasn't on the list or rather wasn't were it needed to be. However, if anyone knows my history with Curtis, they know he and I have had a run in before, but we have mutual respect for each other. I didn't even get distressed. His words to me were, "Cashana, you always come alone." I told him my members were going to surprise him next year. LOL!

The conference started early. We had breakfast at 8:30 am. So after I scoured the coffee shop for my usual cafe mocha and went to the ballroom to begin my day. It was quite nice to meet some new people as well as old. Marc Lacy, author and poet from Huntsville, AL of course put me on the spot about doing another author event in Montgomery. I smiled each and every time he tried to corner me into doing it again. He said he would even return to the place he got lost trying to find. I couldn't break his heart at the table, but it will take a whole lot of changes and a calmness in my life in order for me to even consider doing another event. I can't.

During breakfast there was a tribute to E. Lynn Harris with his personal assistant, his aunt and one of his mentees. Very nice and touching. Karen Hunter of Karen Hunter Publishing sponsored the breakfast and talked about E. Lynn and Bebe Campbell Moore. The breakfast honors Moore with an award to a novelists and this year's honoree was none other than Pearl Cleage. I love this woman for so many reasons. She is just honest, eloquent and she always gives these wonderful speeches that make the hair on your arms stand up and a small tear to form. She talked about her friendship with Moore and their last meeting and the last message she left on her answering machine prior to her death. "Thank you for honoring me, by honoring her." Beautiful.

At the Terrie Williams Inspiration Award presentation, they honored the inspiring and reclusive Ntozake Shange of the fame play, "for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf". Ms. Shange came in with this draping dress, with the entire back out, which showcased the most beautiful back art/tattoo I have ever seen. She also came in with a cane and slurred speech. You see, Ms. Shange has suffered several strokes which initially kept her from walking and talking, but to see her standing before us and thanking us for loving and reading black books I just was full. She epitomizes so much and she was my defining moment so far of the conference. When asked about how she felt when Tyler Perry called her about making "for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf", she said, "I told him Mother Dear will not be in it." Enough said! Woot, Woot!

I went to a session or two and went to the bookstore. Didn't buy anything, but will tomorrow. Today I just wanted to take it easy. And you know my ass took a nap. LOL! I also walked/jogged 2.65 miles so I did get my exercise on. Now I am going to take a shower and read until I fall asleep. Nice.

Georgia On My Mind...



Well, I have safely made it to Atlanta even after I left a little later than I wanted to.



Why did the folks at Enter.prise try to rent me an HHR or VW Bug? I was like I am not driving a hearse type car or that bug which would make me conspicuous. No way, it is hard enough to drive in Georgia without a bullseye on me.



Why did I see one of my male cousins who was getting ready to head to New Orleans? I wanted to go...bad. But I know I'd probably return home with no real recollection of what the hell we had done for 3 days except leaving and coming back. One can only dream...


Georgia? Seriously, Georgia? I am going to need you to get that stretch of Interstate 85 finished now. That mess had me frustrated beyond control. Seriously, if there had been a ledge and I was standing near it, temptation would have had me step over it. Driving 50 MPH on the Interstate is like walking. And the drivers going around me, I don't care! I refuse on everything beautiful and glorious to even consider driving over the speed limit after my cousin was facing a $1400 ticket for speeding through the area, even though she was going with the flow of traffic. Fix that Shyte and soon!


Check in at this hotel was quick and easy. I originally registered for a double bed room and I asked at check in for a King room. The clerk said they didn't have any, but they had a queen room. I looked at her with the side-eye and asked where and she said the Radius tower. I said oh no. She was like have you stayed here before? Um, no but I heard the rooms were claustrophobic and I can't do small spaces. She laughed and stated they were based on the "European" model of rooms. Go somewhere with that. We are from the south and we believe in bigger is better. LOL!


I was scared to come to my room because of all the reviews. However, the room isn't so bad. I have a balcony I can walk out on. The room has been updated, somewhat. They started on the bathroom, but I think they decided to do a fcuk effort. The counter and sink area has the granite top, but the toilet and tub/shower? I'll just let you see the pictures.


More updates to come. The one good thing about the conference this year, was the Internet is free for all us attending the conference. Oh yeah!

Blogger on that...

I have been trying to post for weeks now and couldn't do jack! Until, I went to the help area and saw that several folks are dealing with the same problems. Geez, all because I wanted to use the updated editor so I could position my pictures where the hell I wanted them to.

Anyway, I have some updates and pictures to post and will try to in the next week. Anyone in Atlanta? I will be there next week July 29 - August 1st for the National Book Club Conference. I am sure I'll have something to say about that little adventure. This will be the next to last one I plan to attend, next year when several of the book club members attend with me, will be my last. Hell, most of my book club members are reading there books on Kin.dles. Author's can't sign those. Plus, I only want to meet Colin Channer and he is never on the list of authors even though I request him every year. You hear me Colin, I am dying for a new book and to meet you. (I may have to find the funds to make it to Calabash next year). I'll have a lot of down time since they have cut out of half the meals for the conference although the price for the conference hasn't gone down. So I'll either be napping or eating. Or, even reading.

The hotel he chose for this year has reviews that are iffy. Anyone who knows me, knows I am funny about where I lay my head. I am a hotel snob and I admit it. I like fluffy pillows and beds and updated furniture and fantastic shower heads since I am forced to shower. And this particular hotel has lousy reviews about the shabbiness of the bathrooms, lackluster room updates and the sound that permeates the walls making for a less than glorious sleep. Not to mention the high cost of parking and expensive azz Internet. I'll take pictures.

Oh well, didn't plan to talk or rather type this much. Dang gone blogger. Anyway look for updates this week. I have plenty of them.