Lessons I've learned on my way to Taos...

#1 - When taking your dinosaur laptop that weighs about 10 pounds on a trip, don't trash your husbands rolling laptop case on insist on buying the more chic "over-the-shoulder" case! You will end up with a pulled shoulder muscle and a bruised hip bone where the computer kept slamming against you as you cross an entire airport to catch a connecting flight. You will realize that all the other people pulling their laptops along look pretty chic, while you look pretty stupid!
#2- Wear socks on the airplane! Yeah, sure, flip flops are much easier when it comes to getting through security, but the plane is COLD!
#3- When you choose your own seat, make sure to NOT choose the one right in front of the exit row...they don't recline!
#4- When you land in Albequrque, RENT A CAR! Yes, it sounds nice to let someone else drive the shuttle for 2 hours while you sleep...however, there is only ONE choice when it comes to a shuttle to Taos...and they know it. The shuttle was 2 hours late and had NO air conditioning. The driver (who did have a Bill Murray in 'What About Bob?' kind of charm, right down to the swim trunks, sandals andt-shirt!) didn't inform us of the 2 hour delay or lack of AC until after we paid...and NO REFUNDS!! He did tell us we'd received a discount, but strangely the price I paid is the same price listed on the internet. When I questioned him about this he walked away!! Hmmm...I see a call the BBB in their future, and I'm sure it will help! **sarcasm** The driver literally dropped one girl and her luggage off across the street from her hotel...she was just so glad to be out of the shuttle I'm not sure she cared. The lady who had had a stroke (before the trip!) did get curb side service, but since she struggled to breathe with the wind blowing in on her for 2 hours it was the least he could do! I was wondering why her family didn't pick her up from the airport...so...
#5- If I ever am partially paralyzed by a stroke, I will make sure my family PICKS ME UP from the airport and doesn't stick me on some rattle-trap of a shuttle for 2 hours!

Anyway, now I'm here foro the Taos Summer Writer's Conference and it's going to be awesome. We listened to Wally Lamb read last night and he was incredible! I loved every minute of it and learned so much and can't wait to start classes today. I'll keep ya posted!

Well, so much for the first round of agent-hunting! I'm not even that upset really, it just feels nice to feel like a real author now, what, with the rejection and everything! I've only sent it to one person and he didn't like it (or whatever) so I'll keep going. In the meantime I've written a different story and as much as I love the first, I'm thinking maybe the second is The Story! I just sent it to an agent last night (a different agent) and shall eagerly await his response...if there is one. The auto responder says if I haven't heard back in 4 weeks to assume they're going to pass. Wow! It's a strange new world out there!

Query's in the (E)mail!

I have officially done it!! I sent my first manuscript to an agent for query!! Aggghhh! It's only been a week and a half and he promises a 30 day turnaround, so we shall see. He also requests an exclusive which normally I wouldn't be thrilled about, but since I'm starting at the VERY top and I really want him as an agent, I'm willing to do the exclusive thing once. I told myself I wasn't going to check my email every day, but alas, I have...OF COURSE!! No news yet. I have entirely too many ideas running through this brain of mine, but it's better than the alternative. Whew!

Sit down and watch the show!

So why do they even go? These people who pay good money for concert tickets, sporting events and the theater, only to leave before they end?? If it's so important to be the first one out of the parking lot, how about just not entering it in the first place? I wanted to literally strangle a couple that climbed over me as I was watching the finale' of Wicked! Not only is it rude to the performers, it's also rude to those who have paid money to see the entire show! Recently my husband and I attended a Rascal Flatts concert in Irvine, California. It was a GREAT show! It was aptly named the 'Bob your head tour.' Guess when they sang 'Bob your head?'...for the ENCORE! So all of those numb-nuts that "excused me'd" through the last two songs missed the best part of the concert in my opinion. The entrance was a blast and the songs were a riot. Do me a favor people please...sit down and watch the show!
P.S. To my good Mormon friends, I really don't think it's okay to leave Stake or General Conference early!! Yikes!!