electric mist

rocking the house

We had our panel at the Tennessee Williams Festival in New Orleans. I noticed on the site's schedule that we were going to be opposite Elizabeth Berg, which meant exactly two people might might show up at our panel. And knowing this ahead of time, with tremendous confidence, I should add, meant that I was completely relaxed. I was so relaxed, that when I noticed the slight wobble in the heel of my brand new, very favorite boots, the ones broken in just right that are so cute, yet, so comfortable, I thought, no problem... I'll just put a dab of super glue on there... and didn't realize a little had run down the side... and from the angle I was holding the boot, the glue pooled in the zipper... sealing it open and unwearable. Still, I was relaxed, so I switched to the strappy sandals (and five blisters later, I am rethinking that choice)... and yet, no stress. I was zen. Completely calm. I was so completely relaxed that when I passed up the correct exit on the interstate and ended up going over the stupid toll bridge and had to circle back around, I only came mildly unglued and did not spiral into any sort of hamonic motion of fear and doom. (Hey, we take the successes where we get them.)

So, found the place very easily, found a parking space without a lot of effort, and even accidentally managed to park very near where our talk was to be (though I hadn't realized that at the time). I had time to find the place, go around the corner and sit and relax, watching the artists out on the square, drinking a cold water, sitting under the ceiling fan of a little store.

The Cabildo was gorgeous, and beautiful inside, though there were some quirks... like the elevator that opened upstairs directly into the conference room (with no way for you to realize that the very loud sliding doors were going to interrupt the conference in progress.) I thought I would be doing a good thing to get there early, which meant I traisped right into someone else's panel (oops), but they were apparently used to it, since no one seemed to notice. That's kinda like not noticing the 747 landing in your living room, it was that loud.

Anyway, their panel ended, and their people left, and our panel was sort of hovering around the back of the room, getting to know one another better. It was so great to see Ray there, and of course, the terrific publishers/editors, brothers Bruce and Dave Rutledge, as well as fellow panelist Sarah and moderator (and contributor to the Do You Know book), Jason Berry. So we were all standing around, thinking that maybe we'd actually have ten or so people, since a few people were milling around, when the elevator kept disgorging clusters of festival goers, one right after the other.

We ended up with a nicely packed room. And I hadn't had a chance to get nervous, so it all just ended up... fun. Really really fun. I tried not to answer too often (but Jason asked some interesting questions), and everyone participated well and I think we made some points that resonated with the audience (there was applause! and laughter! and much nodding of the heads in agreement!). Lots of people came up and said incredibly nice things afterward. And a few people offered to do some really important things when the Bobbie Faye books come out. That was extremely cool.

So overall:

Toll bridge fee = $ 1.00
Loss of super glued favorite boots = $ 60.00
Rocking the house on my first stint as a panelist?

Priceless.

Posted by toni at April 2, 2006 03:27 AM