What a welcome!

[gerisullivan]

Kudos to SFContario! Not only were Alex, Merle, and Marah (SFContario Chair, Chair's wife, and Vice-chair) waiting for us in the lobby when we pulled into the Ramada at 12:15 am, there was a gorgeous and thoughtfully assembled gift basket waiting for me in the room. If we'd wanted the entire car emptied tonight, Alex, Merle, & Marah would have gladly pitched in to ease the process. (We didn't; we wanted whatever personal bags we could get to.)

I've known Alex & Marah for years; it was a total delight to finally meet Merle. It was a total delight to be so warmly and thoughtfully welcomed at such an hour. And, as Alex pointed out, it seemed quite possible that we might be hungry, having missed the dinner after Michael Swanwick's reading at the Merril hours earlier. He would have not just told us where the 24-hour diner was, he would have accompanied us there so we'd have company if we wanted it.

Tonight is for sleeping, which I truly am going to do soon, soon, soon. Thank you, SFContario, for doing such a fabulous job of looking after me right from the get-go. Wow.

P.S. Border crossing was totally smooth and easy. Nice. Many thanks also to fringefaan for doing most of the driving, and to Ron Drummond for the cd that is totally to my taste, and in interesting ways, too; for his fine company from the moment we arrived at his home on the river, through our a late lunch/early dinner in Troy, and to seeing us safely on the road again; and for walking us by the family home where Herman Melville wrote his first two books.

Okay, tired. Tired. I have no idea if that P.S. is coherent or not. I'm pulling my keyboard privileges until I've slept for at least 6 consecutive hours. Here's hoping for 8 or even 9.

Comments

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

PS totally coherent. Good night!