Sometimes it is hard to share things because if they don't happen it is even more of a let down when people keep asking about it.
Thus was the case of "Pat Watch 2011." For those who haven't studied and memorized my list from front to back let me explain. Back in 2005 I finished Graduate School on the Plains of Auburn and I was pretty sure I would never want to read again. Once I started working with the State of Alabama it was all paperwork and (I know this may come as a shock to some of you) I was complaining that I was just a smidge bored with life. My wonderful mother suggested that I start reading again. I just didn't even know where to start or any authors I would like to read. She told me that I would LOVE this book called Beach Music, by Pat Conroy. Being the beach bum I was raised to be I, of course, liked the title and told her, "Ok I'll try it."
I finished the book in 2 days flat. I was engrossed with the writing and the plot and even the places being as I had recently been to Italy. I liked that Mr. Conroy (Mr. C) wasn't afraid to show the dark side of life or the struggles that many have at one point or another. Well, this was all I needed. Immediately I went to the book store and bought every book he had written. And then one day I found out there was a book he had written early on in his career that wasn't in print anymore. AS IF! I had to have it and got it for Christmas one year! Nerdy right?! But then again this is why most of you like me so much!
I tell you all of that,,,to get to the 30 in 30 part of the story. Mom called me a few weeks ago and stated that Cassandra King (Mr. C's wife who is also a phenomenal writer-check out The Same Sweet Girls and The Sunday Wife) would be speaking at the annual Social Work Conference in Orange Beach...on the same weekend as my Mardi Gras Ball. I felt the fates aligning as I packed everything up to head to Mardi Gras. "Pat Watch 2011" had been in full swing for at least a week, getting tid-bits of information from the planning committee. As the time grew closer I travelled down to Daphne to prepare for my weekend of wildness with visions of autographs dancing in my head. Finally, we got the word, it was only the guest speaker herself attending. But alas I thought, the wife of Mr. C and such a great writer, I wasn't going to miss her speaking. As I gussied up to head down there, I was informed of a gigantically small problem...a float for the parade was stranded on the causeway! For most of the AML girls this was no concern-for CA and I it was huge because we were the girls who fueled up the trucks to pull the floats! We flew into emergency overdrive and I didn't get to hear Mrs. King speak.
(Man this is getting lengthy) Everything was fixed and the parade was a great success! The ball was equally amazing and the weekend was as much wild fun as expected. I came home and while coming down off my weekend high I decided to do some recon work on Mr. C. I check both his and his wife's websites for possible book signings. Being as my goal is only to "Meet Pat Conroy," not shake hands, get an autograph, or have an in depth discussion. So I started with his website. Ugh...no updated book signing or anything. There was a place to get on his e-mail list so of course I signed up. I thought to myself, "Hey Cassandra's website could be a possibility, after all they are married." (Yes she autographed a book for me so we are now on a first name basis in my mind!) And because she is in the process of writing a new book (YEAH!!!) she didn't have any updated speaking/signing dates either. But she had a place to write her a note. I thought why not I can thank her for the autograph and if she does read it let her know how much fun we had semi-stalking her and her husband. I NEVER in a million years thought she would read it...non-the-less respond! <<<insert giddiness here>>>
Thus was the case of "Pat Watch 2011." For those who haven't studied and memorized my list from front to back let me explain. Back in 2005 I finished Graduate School on the Plains of Auburn and I was pretty sure I would never want to read again. Once I started working with the State of Alabama it was all paperwork and (I know this may come as a shock to some of you) I was complaining that I was just a smidge bored with life. My wonderful mother suggested that I start reading again. I just didn't even know where to start or any authors I would like to read. She told me that I would LOVE this book called Beach Music, by Pat Conroy. Being the beach bum I was raised to be I, of course, liked the title and told her, "Ok I'll try it."
I finished the book in 2 days flat. I was engrossed with the writing and the plot and even the places being as I had recently been to Italy. I liked that Mr. Conroy (Mr. C) wasn't afraid to show the dark side of life or the struggles that many have at one point or another. Well, this was all I needed. Immediately I went to the book store and bought every book he had written. And then one day I found out there was a book he had written early on in his career that wasn't in print anymore. AS IF! I had to have it and got it for Christmas one year! Nerdy right?! But then again this is why most of you like me so much!
I tell you all of that,,,to get to the 30 in 30 part of the story. Mom called me a few weeks ago and stated that Cassandra King (Mr. C's wife who is also a phenomenal writer-check out The Same Sweet Girls and The Sunday Wife) would be speaking at the annual Social Work Conference in Orange Beach...on the same weekend as my Mardi Gras Ball. I felt the fates aligning as I packed everything up to head to Mardi Gras. "Pat Watch 2011" had been in full swing for at least a week, getting tid-bits of information from the planning committee. As the time grew closer I travelled down to Daphne to prepare for my weekend of wildness with visions of autographs dancing in my head. Finally, we got the word, it was only the guest speaker herself attending. But alas I thought, the wife of Mr. C and such a great writer, I wasn't going to miss her speaking. As I gussied up to head down there, I was informed of a gigantically small problem...a float for the parade was stranded on the causeway! For most of the AML girls this was no concern-for CA and I it was huge because we were the girls who fueled up the trucks to pull the floats! We flew into emergency overdrive and I didn't get to hear Mrs. King speak.
(Man this is getting lengthy) Everything was fixed and the parade was a great success! The ball was equally amazing and the weekend was as much wild fun as expected. I came home and while coming down off my weekend high I decided to do some recon work on Mr. C. I check both his and his wife's websites for possible book signings. Being as my goal is only to "Meet Pat Conroy," not shake hands, get an autograph, or have an in depth discussion. So I started with his website. Ugh...no updated book signing or anything. There was a place to get on his e-mail list so of course I signed up. I thought to myself, "Hey Cassandra's website could be a possibility, after all they are married." (Yes she autographed a book for me so we are now on a first name basis in my mind!) And because she is in the process of writing a new book (YEAH!!!) she didn't have any updated speaking/signing dates either. But she had a place to write her a note. I thought why not I can thank her for the autograph and if she does read it let her know how much fun we had semi-stalking her and her husband. I NEVER in a million years thought she would read it...non-the-less respond! <<<insert giddiness here>>>
SHE RESPONDED!!!!
Yes that is right ladies and gentlemen! I got a response from the writer herself! So I took a day to calm down before I posted this. Because she sail that she could make my meeting Mr. C HAPPEN!! I want to say that no matter what comes from this...this is really cool! Plus there is a chance that I will get to meet "Mr. C"!!!
I'll keep you posted! For those wondering I tried to link both of their websites to their pictures. I'm still learning the ins and outs of this so please bear with me!
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