Constant Reader discussion

Let's talk about other cities that would be good for conventions here. There has already been a lot of talk about Portland for 2009.

Ok Sherry, I'm C&P down here as requested.

I believe a few years ago y'all spoke of having scheduled the 2005 convention in New Orleans. Obviously that was canceled by Hurricane Katrina. I wondered if a rescheduling was being considered on any level? I live about 50 miles north of N.O. and the region is returning full force.

I thought I'd include a link for your perusal.

[url=http://www.neworleanscvb.com/]Official Site of Greater New Orleans[/url]

Sorry the link looks weird, but it works anyhow, I'm afraid to mess with it again!

We had a wonderful convention in New Orleans in 1995. We were planning on a 10-year return visit, but obviously THAT didn't work. I'd love to return.

I would vote for Portland because I have been to New Orleans a number of times. I would love to see all the things that everyone has been talking about in Portland.

Jane

I think I'd prefer Portland, too. Somehow the idea of NO doesn't charm me.

Ruth, NO is wonderful, or at least it was in 1995. It seems like Portland has a lot of interest building. Anyone else have any other ideas?

I've loved my several visits to N'Orlans and would like to return some day. But I've never had a chance to do more than change planes in Portland (Oregon) and so from my perspective that sounds preferable to do first.

That's a good idea, Steve. I was in Toronto when Eric was four months old. Now he is about to turn 32. It's high time I went back.

We were in Victoria/Vancouver the year CR was in Seattle. Nice places.

R

Portland or Vancouver I could manage. I spend all of my vacation money visiting relatives in LA or Las Vegas.

Otherwise, fabulous locations are out of my reach for the next few years.

Las Vegas. Now there's a thought. I have heard a lot about the books there, particularly the sports books.

I'd rather be boiled than go to LV.

R

Yes Ruth- I don't gamble and never in a million years would I go if three of my cousins had not moved there, then had the audacity to procreate in such a place. I'm going the last week of August to meet the additions to the family. They actually all grew up in LA and Orange County, have strong connections there- but couldn't afford to buy a house when the time came. I wonder if they will be able to move back now that the real estate market is changing. I hope so because I'd much rather go to the beach. :)

If it's still up for debate, I'd love to meet everyone in Vancouver. I've never been, but have heard so many good things about it and have always intended to visit.

It's still up for debate, Yulia. I'd love to go to Vancouver myself. I've been to Vancouver Island when we had the convention in Seattle.

Be sure to check out the polls I created.

Sherry,
It's ironic you created above poll on the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and now today we face another one [Gustav] just as bad if not worse. Guess I'd have to vote no, might be safer. :)

I know what you mean, Pontalba. I hope you're safe. In 2005 we were supposed to come back to New Orleans, we were there in 1995. But of course, we didn't make it. In 2001 our Milwaukee convention was interrupted my 9/11. I was almost afraid to have it in San Francisco in 2006--thought that might be when the big one hit.

I suggested Philadelphia in the original poll but did not volunteer to organize the convention. I'd help if anyone in the area is up to the job!

I would love to go to Philadelphia one year, Renee. It's looking like Portland will be our destination this year, but it's always nice to have someplace in reserve.

I would love to go to Portland (I wanted to go to Santa Fe too)! Is the convention always held in September?

Yes, traditionally the convention has been the third weekend in September.

Before you rashly consider Portland you may want to check out Sweetheart or Heartsick by Portland author Chelsea Cain. Ms. Cain is famous in local writing circles for having been the first author since Jean Auel to really strike it rich writing books. According to the reviewer at the Washington Post, she writes a variation on Silence of the Lambs with a female serial killer stalking Portland. Some of the murders take place in Forest Park, our wonderful downtown wilderness, where you would all be encouraged to take a walk.

Unfortunately, Ms. Cain will have to be satisfied with wealth since she did not win the Post's reviewer's unqualified admiration:

For the most part, "Sweetheart" is well written, with sharp dialogue, nice descriptions and moments of offbeat humor. I particularly admired Cain's portraits of rainy Portland and of a forest fire that figures in the novel's ending. But there's some deplorable writing, too. If Cain likes a word or phrase she won't let it go. To show her scorn for a stuffy hotel, she describes its walls as an unprintable shade of yellow, then proceeds to repeat the same unpleasant term three more times. We are reminded 20 or 30 times that Susan's hair is dyed turquoise. Ditto a detective's bald/shaved/bristly noggin, endlessly referenced. In one scene, Susan notices that her cigarette "needed ashing" and so she "ashed" it and soon "ashed" another one. As a reviewer of thrillers, I can accept it when Gretchen cuts a man's heart out, slices it in half and sends the pieces to Archie's two children, or when she forces a 10-year-old to drink drain cleaner "and then skinned him with a scalpel." That goes with the serial-killer territory. But all the ashing (is that really a word?) and Susan's constant fiddling with her turquoise hair make me crazy. "

For the full review see [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...]


For those who persist in thinking about Portland, I would admit that turquoise hair really isn't very common nor have we had a good serial killer for a while.

Jim,

I read HEARTSICK and enjoyed the story even if the writing wasn't great. I will probably will read SWEETHEART as well.

We can travel around in groups and try not to be lured away from our friends by serial killers!

Jane

Maybe we could form an alligator by all walking along holding onto a rope.

The next convention will be in Portland (hear that Jim and Theresa?) When we have our "business meeting" that's one of the things we talk about. So make plans. It's never too early to start thinking about it.

Yay, free hotel. Well, unless younger daughter is out of town that weekend.

This time around I almost made it -- was at the stage of making travel plans but Jim's emergency eye surgery on our return from the Oshkosh/Chicago?Ohio trip put the damper on things and so I once again changed plans!

His comment when I told him the Portland announcement was -- finally, a practical location. He's really funny!

A thought I had -- Portland has an abundance of great photo spots!

I've been anxious to meet you, Dottie. I'm glad we finally picked a practical location!

Hee-hee. ;)

Good to hear Portland was chosen. I'll look forward to it. Save room for the Voodoo Doughnuts.

Jim, we went to Voodoo Donuts last time I was in Portland - their donuts are very inventive.

Maybe I should bring some Top Pot donuts (Seattle faves) so we can do a taste comparison at the convention.

Theresa

Wow, this is an exciting location for me. I am already formulating a plan. I am going to aim to be on west coast for about a month. Go see my family in Vancouver, go to Seattle for a couple days (Theresa...my spanish is worse than ever...will we still meet for a coffee?) and then go to the meeting in Portland. This will be my boyfriend Stagg's first trip to pacific west coast...and I think I am so excited about the location. Portland is super cool and sexy location! Lots of art and subcultures. Very awesome!

Por supuesto, podemos tomar un cafecito. Pero, como es que tenemos hablar espanol?

It would be grand to have a coffee with you in Seattle, Candy, but why do we have to speak Spanish? I'm very rusty, I'd do better in French than in Spanish at this point!

Theresa

Heh heh Theresa, I thought we had said...well about ten years ago, (Im weird, I really remember details of discussions and things from CR...) we would have a glass of red wine and speak Spanish...I believe it was in the discussion of Atlantic Article...we were high flying in discussions ansd said it would be fun to see what we were like in person together...as the heated topic of Myers article might be warping our common interest or something along those lines.

I just told my sister about Portland get together and that we'd like to be in Vancouver for a month...so plans are at least hatching heh!

(I'm weird, I really remember details of discussions and things from CR...)

You are not alone, Candy. And it isn't just around CR, is it? I've been that way since I was a child and to some degree believe it's sent me to where I am at this moment. Think about it, don't you agree there's an underlying definition to life as a result of your consciousness retaining the minutiae?

And, for what it's worth, I think your version of how the coffee and Spanish concept came about sounds reasonable -- and it might be interesting to be a fly on the wall when you and Theresa ever do meet up. You are both CR contributors of great interest and valued as such.

I remember getting a message several moths ago about the possibility of a CR convention in Canada -- Toronto, to be exact. if you ever decide on such a choice, I would be happy to organize it at this end.

Thanks so much, Lee. When it comes time to think of a site for 2010 (boy, doesn't that sound futuristic), we'll certainly consider it.

Sherry, any chance of have the next (or future) convention in Asheville? I definitely would come to it there!

It was here in 2008, but I'd certainly be willing to host it again, if that's what people want.

Asheville sounds good to me!

Even more great restaurants have opened up since we had the convention here in 2008. I'd be hard-pressed to figure out which ones to choose!

Sherry wrote: "Even more great restaurants have opened up since we had the convention here in 2008. I'd be hard-pressed to figure out which ones to choose!"

Sherry, I've been reading about all those great new restaurants!

We try to space out our conventions in different parts of the country to accommodate as many people as possible. It's been a long time since we had it in the West. Jane has volunteered to host in San Diego in 2016, and I will host in Asheville in 2017. There's nothing better than planning ahead. Just remember that there are planes! Traditionally we have had the convention the third week in September, but a few times we had it in October, and that turned out well. So which month is better for people who might attend?

San Diego, how nice. There is a ton of stuff to see. The weather is usually nice for both months.

Hmmm. October would be my preference in both cases, if I can rustle up the necessities. Would love to be at both!

September can be our hottest month in SoCal.

So it sounds like October would be best so far. I think that also best for Lynn. Are you out there Lynn? When is your school break?

From another Lyn (one "n"): I vote for whatever may be least hot; I really dislike heat. (Don't know if it applies, but the kids down there have odd school schedules, so if traffic would be better in a week where they are in school...) I have an aunt and cousin in El Cajon and would love a reason to travel down there and spend some time with them, so would be interested in coming to my first Constant Reader convention!

I would love to meet you, Lyn. Meeting new people is the best part of these conventions. It ties with seeing old friends!