Next year’s venue (drum roll . . .)
It’s after 11:00 here, I’m so so so so so tired, but I wanted to report that as with the Olympics, at the end of the evening here I announced the location for the Second Annual Kidlitosphere Conference: Portland! Hurray, Portland! You lobbied for it, you bribed the judges, you deserve it!
Here’s how the announcement went: I said, “For no particular reason I can explain, next year it’s in Seattle. Now on to the next item: Does anyone want to volunteer to run it?”
And bless her living days, Jone Rush MacCulloch shouted out, “If you have it in Portland, I’ll do it.”
Could there have been an easier decision in my life??? Portland it is!
So plant that seed in your brains, because the time will come when I’ll be asking you all about dates and plans and all of that.
But I’m telling you, you’ll want to come so badly because it was the most fun to be had in one incredibly long day, which is why we agreed we’ll be expanding it to two not-so-incredibly-long days. I feel like we all learned a lot this weekend about what we did and didn’t like, and what did and didn’t work, and so yes, next year there will be more prizes and longer restroom breaks, and no, you may still not go to Target to buy wine to smuggle back into the hotel without me knowing about it (or noticing it or thinking anything of it, which is really how it happened), and then I had to get Spoken To by someone from the hotel, and . . . anyway. Don’t do that, and you know who you are. I understand that the bartender went AWOL, but still. I just don’t like to be Spoken To.
Other than that, huge, huge success, so happy with how it turned out, and there’s still one more event to come. Esme Raji Codell is having us over for brunch tomorrow, so I’ve ordered the taxis and hope people will actually wake up in time to take them. But whatever. I’ve been Scout Leader all weekend long, and I’m about ready to let my troop handle things on their own. I say that now, but of course I’ll be in the lobby tomorrow hustling little sleepy-headed bloggers into yellow cars, promising them Aunt Esme will have coffee waiting. Sweet little things.
I’m putting myself to bed now. Trust me, all of you who are waiting for more thorough play-by-plays will get your fix soon, since almost everyone is heading home tomorrow. As for me, I’m on break for a day or two. Hope you’ll forgive me, but I am TIRED.
But HAPPY!
‘Night.
Technorati Tags: 1st Annual Kidlitosphere Conference, 2nd Annual Kidlitosphere Conference, Kidlit Conference, Kidlitosphere Conference
Robin, Seriously, this was The Best. I am going to have to figure out a way to afford Portland next year.
Maybe some year it could be in New York, closer to the US/Canadian border? I so wish I could be there, but the air fare and hotel got a bit too expensive for me. Any way–it sounds like you’re all having a wonderful time, and I’m glad.
Portland, Maine?
Portland? Darn. There’s no way that I can make it to Portland. Maybe 2009 can be on the East Coast? Oh well.
Robin — You deserve to be tired and happy, but also PROUD. You did this, sister. I hope you got lots and lots of lots of kudos all weekend long…
Robin,
The conference was fantastic. Thanks for everything.
Portland, Maine was my first thought, too. Might have been able to swing that one…
Portland sounds awesome!
Maybe Portland, OR in 08 and Portland, ME in 09? There’s some nice symmetry in that
In any case, beautiful job, Robin. It was wonderful.
Maybe Portland, OR in 08 and Portland, ME in 09? There’s some nice symmetry in that
Sounds good to me. It certainly should be somewhere here on the Right Coast in ‘09.
What an amazing weekend!
I’m wiped out…in a good way. Gold stars for you, coffee buddy. I mean that.
just got home from a wonderful weekend. seriously, everyone who missed it and feels bad about it and even those like certain space lords who probably don’t feel all that bad, should in fact feel really, really bad. thanks rb
Robin, this weekend was awesome! Thank you again for organizing it! I had a great time and can’t wait for next year!
what about uncertain space lords? do they feel bad?
they feel the worst of all! its so sad.
I am thrilled that the next conference will be in Portland, Oregon. Of course it should be on the East Coast following that. Then again, there’s probably a good reason why GenCon is in Indianpolis.
Er, since when are you not allowed to bring wine into a hotel where you are staying? Not that I was part of that, heh heh, I’m just saying!
And — yay, Portland!
YES to Portland (but really, after this one I’d follow you anywhere, Robin). YES to two days instead of one. A BIG YES to longer bathroom breaks. And maybe more time to just sit around and chat?
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Robin for one of the top five best weekends of my life. And everyone else – c’mon! You’ve got a year to plan it. You can be there!
Yes to Portland and Powell’s and Jone. Way to go!
And, of course, another big, hearty thanks to Robin.
Well, let’s face it: the Bathroom Problem was more a problem with the hotel, than the time we had. Two stalls! And they hold meetings? With coffee and water? Weird.
Great weekend. Thanks, Robin! Woot! Woot!
Thanks again, Robin! The conference was everything I hoped it would be. Plus it’s inspired me to maybe, possibly start a public blog myself!
Yeah for Portland, OR. Now I can come and won’t sit around lurking.
Definite field trip to Powells and think of all the coffee places in town. I might have to move into a hotel room for the weekend.
Yea!!!!
Portland? Portland?! I can DRIVE to Portland! Yippee!!
I’m SO there.
Portland sounds great! There will be a Regional IRA meeting that Columbus Day weekend in Seattle, so I’m hoping the two don’t overlap.
October 9–11, 2008
19th West, Seattle, Washington
http://www.reading.org/association/meetings/regional.html
(Yom Kippur begins on the 8th.)
Robin!!! You put on such a great conference & we’re hoping we can do you proud here in Portland! We were thinking our first 3 sessions could be about Robin and how cool she is. What do you think?
All best,
Jim
Sure, Jim. What were you thinking–30-second sessions apiece?
I’m so happy to read all this happiness about Portland. Miri and others who weren’t so pleased, I’m sorry it’s not in your part of the world this year, but maybe we should have a policy of moving it to all four corners (sort of) as the years progress: Portland, Atlanta, Phoenix, New York, etc. Just something to kick around.
And thanks to everyone who came this year! You’re the ones who made it rock!! (Or as I saw Alkelda spell it today, “rawk.” I like that a lot.)
P.S. Anastasia, thanks for that info. Jone, Jim, and Laini, do you copy?
Jim: Sign me up to lead a session on Robin’s greatness. 30 minutes might not be enough, but if I use a powerpoint, I might be able to get through her greatness in time!
Uh, that was 30-SECOND slots, Kelly. Let’s not get carried away.
I’ve never known powerpoint to speed a presentation…
Now, Atlanta. That’s a place I could do! (: I’m sure we’ll all get a chance to attend at least one conference eventually. Can’t cater to everyone all at the same time.
I had a blast, even though I wasn’t there for most of the conference itself. For next year, I think I’ll bone up on my kidlitosphere knowledge so I can be there for the whole shebang.
Thanks so much for everything!
And may I note that Bill didn’t just have a blast because he bought an iPhone – though it certainly didn’t hurt.
Meeting all those people in person – and having none of them turn out to be nutjobs – counts among one of my best experiences ever.
I didn’t know Robin before last weekend, but count me in as a believer! I could do at least 30 seconds. What a great crash course in blogging. I hope to make it to Portland next year. Thanks, Robin!
Pam, I’ve never seen a man happier than when Bill held his iPhone that first night. Almost like watching someone with their first child. Awwww.
Barbara, it was great meeting you, too! And everyone at that conference! I’m still trying to recover from the overstimulation and nonstop talking. How can we sleep when there are so many more people to get to know?
Hi Robin, it’s Wednesday, and I just woke up. Just kidding! If anyone deserves a rest, it’s you…you did a Herculean job of organizing an amazing conference. Thank you just doesn’t cover it, but please accept it as a start. You are an amazing woman!
Portland?? YAY!!! I can drive there in a day. I am so there. Unless I’m somewhere else. Hopefully not.