Well, we’re here - on the other side of the world. “blinks*
I’m sitting in a hotel in San Francisco with one anxious eye on the clock for when my access runs out. And I’ve just been talking to DD via Skype, complete with video. Arthur C. Clarke said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” How true. There she was, my darling, and I even got to talk to the cat! (Being a feline, he wasn’t particularly impressed!)
SF is great! I’m totally charmed by the architecture and the different neighbourhoods and by how out there and sort of laid back everyone is. I don’t know if it’s a West Coast thing or possibly American, but people here are NOT backward in coming forward. They’re kinda loud. But in such a nice way you couldn’t possibly take offence. I’ve never been to such a multicultural town, the range of faces and accents is remarkable, but they’re all Californian.
Not only that, but the courtesy and charm of sales staff is simply extraordinary. They’re so polite, so enthusiastic, so helpful. Honestly, they’ve got it down to a fine art. I bought a pair of expensive jeans this morning and a top, but as the lady said, they do look good on me. 
We’ve driven over the Golden Gate Bridge, been to Muir Woods and seen redwoods, checked out Sausilito. I’ve never seen anywhere so damn foggy. It just rolls in off the bay and lies there like a blanket. Not my idea of California at all.
I realize this isn’t the most brilliant picture, but I borrowed DD’s camera and still haven’t read the instruction book. But I did take it with my own fair hands! Aren’t these houses gorgeous, they call them “Painted Ladies.” Must cost a small fortune - in every way!
There’s so much else, but don’t have room because I’m going to run out time.
But I wanted to thank you all. Why? you may well ask. As the plane lifted off I had what I can only call A Moment. I got all teary with pride and gratitude. Because this Great Adventure is something I gave to My Beloved and myself, I made possible with the stuff I made up out of my own imagination and wrote down. But then - you guys buy it and read it. You spend your hard-earned cash. I owe you a debt of gratitude. (And My Beloved kisses your hands and feet. Don’t giggle out loud now, he has whiskers.)
Thanks heaps.
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I’d love to go to San Francisco too! Thanks for the picture, I can dream I’m right there in front of all the lovely houses…Have a great time!
I’m so glad you made it to CA Denise. I hope you have a great time there at the RWA convention and the rest of your trip. I also hope that you win with TAILSPIN! I could only wish you were coming here to FL (hint: the RT convention is in FL this coming year *wink*). Don’t forget to take lots of pictures to post when you get home.
Hi there, Eva and welcome to Under and Over! I can only dream of having a house like that. Not only would I need to be a win a lottery big enough to buy it, I’d need enough money to employ other folk to maintain it for me on a permanent basis. Patience and persistence are not among my gifts.
I’d need a painter, a carpenter, a gardener, a plumber, an electrician - and a pool boy! *sigh* Oh, and a butler, and a maid, and a dog walker… I’m a sad case.
Thanks so much, Dani. As it happens, I do have TENTATIVE plans for RT on Orlando next year - with the emphasis on tentative! Among other things, it would give me the chance to meet Joey in the flesh. A thrilling and terrifying prospect - for both of us!
Love the pictures Denise and so glad you are having a great time wish I was there good luck in the contest.
Have Fun
Helen
The very cool thing about America is the culture and attitude is so different in each region (course, guess it may be like that in every country - I’m a very provincial soul). Which means you’ll have to plan a trip to check out the Midwest, New England, the South…ahem. But I’m of course EXTREMELY pleased your next trip will be to Florida for RT - yes, even if we terrify one another and run screaming in opposite directions! Aren’t those houses beautiful - we’re very envious, because I’ve always wanted to see San Francisco, all the sailboats, etc. Closest I’ve gotten is watching George of the Jungle (lol). And if you don’t win the award, I’ll of course think the judging was rigged (wink). It’s such a marvelous story… Keep us posted!
I’m happy you made it safe and welcome to the US alhtough CA is a quite a trip from where I’m located. I have been in the SF area 2x and loved. If you get a chance to trip to Yosimite valley can be really awesome. Had network card trouble that kept me off line
but after a lot of messing I got things going again. For some reason my machine won’t copy drivers and I have to figure out how to manually install them everytime. Oh well, its good to be back and hear what’s going on again.
Thanks, Helen, for all the good wishes. I’ll let everyone know about the contest, but I sure ain’t holding my breath!
Heya Joey. The US is so ginormous, I’m hoping writing rewards me well enough to take a trip every year or second year. I love it that conventions/conferences are always in different cities. I’ll have a cast-iron excuse to see everything! And even if we do run screaming, I’m sure we can hold still long enough to have machiato (or is a margarita or a machhitto???) together. I’m already confused. Or there’s always champagne.
Hi Jenny. We’re leaving for a 3 day trip to Yosemite on Sunday.
I’m sooo looking forward to it! Can’t wait, in fact!
Sorry to hear about your tech problems and so glad you got it sorted in the end. Funny, isn’t it? A few years ago, we would never ever have imagined how being offline could be so monumentally frustrating. Mucho sympathy.
I’d vote for a blackberry mojito if we can find one! Have fun, girl.
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