I have gotten the nicest emails from friends and associates going to ALA Annual Conference next month — all excitedly planning for plane tickets and meeting for drinks and figuring out hotels. Poet Sara has even put together a “things to do in D.C.” kind of blog post, which leaves me kind of breathless – there’s a lot to do, and I won’t be there for longer than a week!
At this point, I’m merely hoping that we’ll be able to fly out from one of our local airports — ! The volcano has rerouted friends from Glasgow to Edinburgh for recent trips to the U.S.; we know one guy who had to take a train all the way into Madrid in order to leave this side of the world.
I have a feeling it might be tricky getting out of here.
While everyone else is abuzz with anticipation, I’m still trying to figure out what to wear. I have bought a grand total of ONE pair of shoes for the whole conference, despite the multiple meet-ups I’m Officially Scheduled to take part in, not to mention the casual times with friends. One pair of shoes — and I have no idea when or where I’ll be wearing them, but it seemed like a good idea to buy them at the time.
Now that I have the shoes, I have no idea what else to buy… and those who know me know how much I loathe shopping… which is why I started this “I need clothes for this” odyssey in, oh, February, and still have only the single pair of shoes to show for myself. *SIGH*
Much to my jealous mutterings, it’s been in the eighties in D.C. — here, today, at this moment, it is FORTY-NINE degrees – yes, that’s 49°F. In spite of the slow warming, there are leaves on the trees, and flowers blooming, but all of us are to the point of being obvious about checking our watches and asking, “Um, Spring? Anytime now…”
Maybe it’s just as well that all I have are shoes. I’m going to die of heat exhaustion when I get to Washington; shoes may be all I can stand to wear…!
Meanwhile, enjoy the scene in Glasgow, as we watch the clouds roll by.
Hot damn, those are cute shoes. I don’t think there’s a thing wrong with starting at your feet and building an outfit up from there.
By the way, currently in DC, it’s 44! Freaky May. June should be warmer.
Okay – then I’m mollified that the weather THERE is about the same as HERE. We’re having to turn on the heat more, when we’d cut back to just a few hours in the dead of night!! Can’t believe this!
Those are some FABULOUS shoes. But you’ll probably want some ballet flats as well. Walking around all day in hot weather is not pleasant.
I’m so excited for you and wish I could be there. Those shoes are beautiful. I’m proud of you, ’cause I’m the same way about shopping. I know what a feat that was. For real.
Jules
Jules, I wish you were coming too!! 🙁
You’ll laugh – I now have bought two more pair of shoes… of course, they were £6.50 each… Yeah, that’s my kind of shopping – cheap, and doesn’t take much thought.
But, hey — three pair now. Things are looking up.
I love your shoes, Tanita! But they have such personality, I can imagine them not wanting any competition…
I’m going to try to at least make it to the kid lit drink night; I’ll be down in DC visiting my mother. And I do hope I’ll get to meet you!
Charlotte, I am RIDICULOUSLY excited at the chance to meet you!!!! I was going to just pop in to the drink night for five minutes – now I will be sure and at least make it ten!
If you have to have just one item of clothing, it might as well be those shoes: with a skirt and blouse, then a shift dress, or jeans and T. Would you hire me as your shopper?
I’d hire you! I’ve been trying to finagle you into being my very-young-before-teen mother for quite some time now!
Those shoes are so amazing you can wear whatever with them, although you’re definitely going to want a second pair because you do a LOT of time on your feet at conference.
I only bought them because I was trying to out-cute YOUR shoes. You know that, right?