Geez. Isn't the conference (or at least Dawn's ramblings on about ) over? No wonder I'm so tired. I was there forever!
So it's no wonder that I took things pretty easy on the last day of BEA. I wasn't the only one taking it easy. I had more, deeper conversations with people on Sunday than I did any other day. Vendors were tired and ready to go home. It wasn't unusual to see someone looking wan and sitting down at his or her booth. It was a great opportunity to strike up a conversation. "Oh, you look ready to go home! How's the show been for you?" and so on.
I picked up yet more books. Oh! I haven't even talked about the books! (Or have I?) Well, anyway, all these publishers are giving out ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies or galleys) of books that are coming out this fall. The idea is that book buyers pick up the books and figure out if they want to order any. There are just stacks and stacks and stacks of books free for the taking. I've shipped home SIX boxes of books. Once they arrive, it will be like Christmas!
I wandered around and stopped at some booths I didn't get to before. I said good-bye to my new friends as they all started scurrying back to their homes.
I'd given myself enough margin to spend time with some AssistU friends. Lovely Mia picked me up at my hotel and toured me around Venice Beach. I was starting to drag, and I worried that I'd be poor company for Mia (especially since I was faded when she picked me up from the airport on Tuesday). We got to Venice Beach, parked in the safest parking lot around (as told to us by the attendant), and I changed in the back of her car. For some reason, Mia thought that was quite hilarious. I still don't see the humor. :)
Hilarious or not, just changing out of business attire from the conference into a casual shirt and shorts completely shifted my energy. I wasn't tired any longer, and I was quite perky seeing what Venice Beach had to offer (and it offers quite a bit, I tell you. I haven't seen so much sun bathing, bikinis, and dancing roller bladers in, well, ever).
After our tour, we met up with some other AssistU VAs and had a 3 1/2-hour lunch. What a perfect ending! Another group of fabulous ladies, another experience of feeling supported and loved, and an all-around incredible trip. (Left to right: Lil ol' me - funny how I keep popping up in these pictures, Therese Hall, Laura Jo Richins, Rachael Davila, Mia Chambers, and Gillian Zali (she's working on a website!)
Then it was to the airport for my first red-eye trip back to Maryland. ::::cross-eyed::::: I don't recommend red-eyes.
Now that I'm home with my camera, and I can add some pictures from the beginning of my trip (so you don't have to put up with any more cell phone shots).
I told you the LA Convention Center was huge.
Another inside look at BEA.
The sweet and wonderful Laurie Perry with me.
Louise Hay and Dawn. (How cool is that?)
The minute I walked in the door, Anastasia forced me to find this picture of Jane Yolen on my camera.
(To catch up on my BEA adventure, see BEA and Me, BEA and Me Part Two, BEA and Me - Part Two and a Half, and BEA and Me - Part Three.)
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