I haven't been around much for the last two weeks because I was in San Francisco visiting my Kiddo. I stayed in a lovely and relatively inexpensive AirBandB in the Berkeley Hills, which was really great. We traveled all around San Francisco, up to Napa and down to Carmel and Monterey. In Carmel, we visited the old Mission there and on the door was this sign:
And I thought to myself what are the chances of that happening. Apparently, the chances were great. That night, which was my last night, I was staying in a hotel and when I woke up in the middle of the night because my bed was shaking, I knew that shaking meant earthquake! Time to go home!
But my visit was fun and I loved Northern California.
While I was there, I told my Kiddo about the upcoming KidLitCon 2014 that will take place in Sacramento, CA October 10-11, 2014. I can't go because I already spent my travel budget, but if you can make it, it looks to be a wonderful conference. This year, attendees will be considering what we as book bloggers can do "to make a meaningful difference in increasing diversity in children's and young adult literature."
When I told my Kiddo that Zetta Elliott was going to be there, she was pretty excited. She knows Elliott from her student days at Bard High School Early College and Mount Holyoke College, where she took Elliott's classes. But all the guest speakers are well known and loved favorites - Mitali Perkins will be the keynote speaker, and Shannon Hale, Mike Jung, Ian Lendler, Stephanie Kuehn, Karen Sandler, and Jewell Parker Rhodes, all authors I would love to meet.
You have until September 19, 2014 to register and can find everything you need to know plus a registration form HERE
But, wait! There's more:
I always love seeing my Kiddo, but now it is time to get back to the business of reading (and she'll be home for Christmas).
Glad you had such a good time Alex. We experienced an earthquake on one of the Greek Islands several years ago. It was absolutely terrifying, although the first we knew about it was when the sliding wardrobe door in our hotel bedroom began to slide backwards and forwards, then bits of plaster started falling off the walls. By the time we rushed down eight flights of stairs there were huge lumps falling around us. We were unable to get a flight home as there was damage everywhere so we spent that night outside. The next morning builders moved into the hotel and patched it all up! We stayed for the rest of the holiday, experiencing several after shocks but nothing like the original one. The trip back to the airport was "interesting" as large sections of the road had opened up and many buildings were flattened. There were (only) seven deaths, which was amazing considering the amount of damage. We were very glad to get home to dear old England that year!
ReplyDeleteLucky you having your Kiddo home for Christmas, we are saving hard and hoping to go to see our son in Australia next Christmas.
WOW, Barbara, your earthquake was so much worse that the one we had in California. I would have been absolutely terrified, too. But I am glad you made it home safely.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel about Christmas. When my Kiddo was in China for a few Christmas' I wanted her home, but there were always money and visa issues. I hope all goes well and you make it to Australia - I know how much you love your grands.