Saturday, June 23, 2007

Are you going to Bouchercon?

Who's asking: Judy Clemens and others

Not unless I win the lottery, or a client pays my way.

Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention, happens in a different place every year. This year it's in Anchorage, Alaska, September 27-30. It's always a good time, and I would dearly like to go -- but it's too far, and it's too expensive.

ATA is now flying in and out of Portland, which lowers the price of airfare to Alaska considerably, but round trip tickets still start at $541. Add to that $200/day for room and board (conservatively speaking, and depending on my bar tab), and we're already over $1,500. Plus $30/day to board Dizzy ... plus parking at the airport ... plus, plus, plus ... and I can't justify it, as much as I'd like to go. My dog needs hip replacement surgery, and I probably ought to think about replacing my car before another winter. I don't have $2,000 for a vacation (much as I might like to justify it as professional development and networking).

This morning started with Dizzy rolling on a dead eel down by the Cobbosseecontee, so I'm off to give him a bath. He does not understand what I'm so upset about -- HE thinks he smells terrific.

One more bit of blatant self-promotion first, though. Auditions for Gaslight's next production, Crimes of the Heart, start tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at Hallowell City Hall. I'm directing, and looking for a cast of four women and two men to play roles between the ages of 20 and 30. I'll be asking actors to read from the script, and to participate in a few small-group improvisations; no preparation is necessary, and actors need not be able to speak with a Southern accent. For more information, drop me an e-mail at LambLetters -at- gmail.com.

6 comments:

JIM LAMB said...

Molly looks for food by rooting around in the seaweed clumps at the high tide line. If she finds a fish or an eel or even a crab of the right size she slurps it down before I can get to it. Then she tries to lick my face. UGH!

Not as good as the scraps the waitresses at the Green Parrot feed her out the back door, but she never was known for her discriminating taste.

If you feel caught up enough to take a vacation, I should have this place cleaned up by Septemper, at least to entertain relatives. I won't charge you $200 a night and your bar bill will be mostly on me.

The water in September is warm enough to swim, the long Indian Summer is going and all the tourists, students and teachers are gone. It's like having a private beach.

Love, Dad

Ellen Clair Lamb said...

Thanks, Dad! I may well take you up on that...

Anonymous said...

There are a lot of us out here that would take you up that offer :-)

Anonymous said...

There are other ways. Cheap plane seats to Seattle, Alaska coastal ferries to Alaska. I went to Ketchikan for 5 days for less than $900. I got the Gov't per-diem but it was the same rate as AAA. Ferry is a cool way to see the rugged coast.

Anonymous said...

Too bad. I probably won't make it either.

Wjat about LCC (Denver)?

Ellen Clair Lamb said...

Too far in advance for me to plan ... I'm thinking about NoirCon, though, and will probably be in Los Angeles for the Festival of Books.