Tomorrow I’m off for the Romance Writers of Australia Annual Conference. Not that I have to go far this year, it’s in my home town, just a short drive to a swanky hotel in the city centre. I’m on the Conference Committee, though I’m still not certain how it happened. One minute I said I was terribly, terribly busy, but I might find a few minutes to help stuff envelopes, the next - WHOOSH! - on the Committee. Aaargh!
We had our early meetings in this extraordinary room in the new city library. It’s kind of suspended over the escalators. It made me feel very much like a tropical fish. You know the sort, the ones in a tank in a dentist’s waiting room.
Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to do a smart side-step when the Registrar’s job came up, because fine detail is Not My Thing. I can do it if I have too, but it drives me insane. I’m always terrified I’ll miss some small, but crucial factor and 
the whole thing will come crashing down. As it is, I am simply amazed at the other women on the Committee. They should be running the country, no joke. Talk about AWESOME! Nothing forgotten, every detail covered, right down to the most minute things.
Volunteers are wonderful people, IMO. Not only the Committee members, but an army of willing folk who simply pitch in and damn well DO it!
I always enjoy these conferences to the max. Generally, I come home sounding like I’ve been on a smoke and whiskey binge, but it’s just too much talking. Yeah, I know, unbelievable. *cough, cough*I love catching up with old friends and meeting people I’ve only known as email addresses.
But this time, I’m totally looking forward to Sunday night, when it’s all over and we can all relax and have a drink - or several!
I’ll see if I can find time to draw a breath and post some pics for you over the weekend - but no promises!
Are you good at detail? Or do you always forget something like me? Every time we travel, I leave something behind. I know I’m going to do it, so generally I just pray it won’t be anything vital. *sigh*
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Denise,
So envious that you’re going to be at the conference! I wish I could go, but Australia was a bit too far for my resources to get me there… plus taking the time off from work would be quite hard. You’ll have to take lots of pictures, notes and other stuff for me!
Also, are you aware of IASPR’s new forums? I moderate them, so I feel the need to plug them, but you should join. Even if you’re not a member of IASPR, we welcome everyone (and I’m sure you’d bring in a unique perspective). Enjoy yourself!
Looks rather like a fishbowl too; wonder what wonderful design prize it won
And yes I forget stuff. The worst was prescriptions that within 24-hours of not taking I get nauseated. It was over the weekend so I tried to go 48-hours. A very, very long drive home.
Also, just think how far romance has come. When I was very young
romances were something the library had a few of but one was made to feel a bit 
to check out on a regular basis. The youngsters probably don’t even remember what a bodice ripper is.
How many emoticons can one put in a post?
And thankyou very much for being on said conference committee. I had a wonderful time; you worker bees that ran the conference were brilliant.
JC, I would have loved to have met you! I did have a brief, but most interesting conversation with Dr Sarah. Wasn’t easy though, because we were at the Arabian Nights cocktail party and the place was packed with harem girls and belly dancers and sheiks. Was fun, but noisy!
Would you be a love and post the details of the IASPR forum? Please? I’m sure most of the readers of this blog would be interested. Ta muchly!
Oh Jenny, I can just imagine how felt when you realised you’d forgotten your medications - let alone later, when you really were sick. Mucho sympathies.
And you’re right about how far romance has come. For one thing, the academic interest shows that very clearly. Check out IASPR. Hopefully, JC will post details for us.
Ah, Malvina, it’s always lovely to see you.
Shame I was so busy being a worker bee, I hardly had time to chat. *sigh* Glad you enjoyed yourself. I actually think it was a real triumph. So pleased. 
Denise, the conference committee did such a fabulous job at the conference. I had a great time, learned so much, and talked to so many people. Thank you to you and all the volunteers for all that hard work.
Eleni, it was our pleasure! Well, after it was all over, it was!
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