As I mentioned yesterday, I’m not attending the RWA National convention this year in New York.  If I were, I’d probably be leaving right…about…now.  Which makes me—as the photo reflects—sad. :crying

I AM SAD I won’t be seeing my wonderful agent & editors—all of whom treat me to delicious meals when we get together.  Not that I’m in it solely for the food.  Or the drinks.  But those things are a definite plus. :eats

I AM SAD I’ll miss seeing & chatting with so many of my writer friends.  One of the very best things about conferences is seeing & chatting with writer friends.  And making new writer friends, too!

I AM SAD I won’t run into readers who think I’m the best thing since sliced bread.  You know that scene in Soapdish where Sally Fields goes to the mall incognito, then makes Whoopi Goldberg “recognize” her until a crowd of fans gathers around  begging for autographs?  Yeah, it’s kind of like that.  And sometimes, those of us  who spend so much time at home, indoors, in our deadline caves… feeling overworked, underpaid, & underappreciated… well, sometimes we really needs that tiny little ego boost.

I AM SAD I’ll miss attending the Golden Heart/RITA ceremony when a couple of friends are finalists this year.  But I’m betting they come home with the awards, & having me there would probably only act as a bad luck charm, anyway. :spikey

I AM SAD I won’t get to visit New York.  I mean, it’s (in the tone of the Pace Thick & Chunky Salsa commerical) New York City! I could have gone to a show (Wicked, perhaps? :mistress )…witnessed the Gay Pride Parade scheduled for this week…visited by agent’s & publishers’ offices…spotted the Naked Cowboy in Times Square (I’ve actually seen him before; in fact, I was there & witnessed him in all his half-naked, guitar-toting goodness before folks started to really notice him & make a big deal about his presence.  That’s right, I practically discovered the Naked Cowboy. Well, I noticed him, anyway. What red-blooded American gal wouldn’t? :eyelashes )…or pressed my nose against the Today Show Window (I’ve done that, too…from both sides. *g*)…

I AM SAD—really, really sad—I’m going to miss the Black & White party Harlequin is throwing at the Waldorf.  I’ve never been there…nor have I been to one of their Black & White parties, which I hear are exceptional.  Not to mention the St. Martin’s Press & Kensington parties.  And the publisher sponsored book signings…which are way more fun (for me, anyway) than the giant Literacy Signing.  Uh-oh, I’z hazing a major sad again… :crying

And I AM SAD I will not be there to hear all the latest business buzz firsthand.  Oh, that really is a blast.  Some of it’s gossip, sure, but some of it’s really important industry information you just don’t hear anywhere else.

Yeah, I’m starting to feel badly that I’m not going…or perhaps more to the point, won’t be there.  (And, yes, there is a difference.)  But I’ll be all right.  Lots to keep me busy here.  And hopefully all those friends who are attending will share detailed reports the minute they get back.

So…