Newbie from NYC here

[Hpham]

Hi all,

I just joined a few days ago, having taken the final step after enjoying the Russell books for about 3 years and subscribing to Ms. King's blog for several months.

The fever pitch of the last few weeks of 15 Weeks was probably what did it, and happily so, for I've just come back from the LANG signing here in NYC and meeting with four (far more experienced) members from VBC, LaideeMarjorie among them...I'd tip my hat to the rest, except I haven't figured out your screen-names yet.

Well, a tip of the hat nonetheless to you lovely as-yet-unnamed ladies, and to the rest of you here on VBC. I'll be around.

HQ.

[Strawberry Curls]

HI and welcome, Hpham. I wasn't at the NY signing, but know many of the ladies who were there and they are a great bunch. Pull up your virtual chair and enjoy everything going on. All the treads are open and we enjoy new perspectives on all the books discussed past or present.

BTW It is not too late to read and vote in the Fan Fiction contest that is being run this week of the Fifteen Weeks of Bees.

You must join the Yahoo Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mary_russell_contest) to read the stories or vote, and you only have till midnight Thursday to cast your vote, so don't delay. :D

[KarenB]

The fever pitch of the last few weeks of 15 Weeks was probably what did it, and happily so, for I've just come back from the LANG signing here in NYC and meeting with four (far more experienced) members from VBC, LaideeMarjorie among them...I'd tip my hat to the rest, except I haven't figured out your screen-names yet.

Well, a tip of the hat nonetheless to you lovely as-yet-unnamed ladies, and to the rest of you here on VBC. I'll be around.

I was one of the (ahem, *blushing*) lovely as-yet-unnamed ladies and I want you all to know that actually Hpham was the loveliest at our table that evening and an excellent addition to the group. Welcome! It was a small-ish gathering at Borders but still enthusiastic and happy to hear the Laurie & Les show. Laurie was gracious enough to join us for a latte before the event as did Jenny Stirling who reads the audio books. She is as gracious, warm and lovely as her voice suggests and many kudos to Marjorie for organizing us and bringing us together.

[vicki]

Hi, Hpham and welcome to the VBC! :D That is so cool that you went to the Laurie and Les show last night and got to meet some of the gang--I so wish I could have been there to see the show and everybody! It sounds like it was a great time! But then, I'd probably have made an ass of myself by giggling excitedly every time the "voice of Russell" said something IRL. I'm so not cool about stuff like that. *Sigh* </dork>

What a cool thing to do for your birthday, Karen! :D :D :D :D :D Hope it was a great day from start to finish!

[Pat Floyd]

Welcome Hpham. We are glad to have you join in discussion of Laurie's books and look forward to hearing about other books you enjoy.

[Millie]

Hi Hpham, and welcome! I'm so jealous that you got to hear Laurie - glad you enjoyed it. All the previous discussions are still open so feel free to have your say there as well.

[Bachi]

Hi Hpham,
Extending you a warm welcome,
Wanda

[Roxanne]

Hi, HaQuyen:

I had an absolutely wonderful time in NYC. I was glad to see my roomie from Baltimore BoucherCon (waves to Lizanne). Lizanne, Marjorie and I met for a very tasty lunch and good conversation, then went to see Mary Stuart on Broadway, sitting two rows from the stage.

Aterward we headed to the cafe in Borders Bookstore. Jenny Sterlin was indeed lovely. And it was so great to meet HaQuyen. After the Laurie and Les Show, Marjorie, Lizanne, Karen B, HaQuyen and I went to a great Indian restaurant (Karen B's choice as it was her birthday). Wonderful food. Wonderful company. I was sorry to see HaQuyen, Karen B and Lizanne go. Marjorie and I stayed in NYC for the night, Marjorie having to leave very early to get back to work.

I spent Thursday alone, went to breakfast at a diner recommended by the hotel concierge. I sat at my little table across from 4 men and 1 woman, thinking all the while that they looked awfully familiar. Midway through my brunch, I was suddenly arrested by the woman's mention of BoucerCon. Of course--they were all authors that had been at Bouchercon in Baltimore. I will have to locate my program to see if I can find their photos; I can't remember their names.

It was so nice to see Laurie again. I can't believe her schedule. A latte (with non-fat milk) is the least we could do to help bolster her. I purchased a copy of LANG the moment I walked into Borders so that Laurie could sign it for me.

My thanks and appreciation to Marjorie for organizing the whole get-together.

Roxanne (who is half-way through LANG and already dreading finishing it as it will be The End :()

BTW: I am so jealous that Laurie got to go to dinner with Neil Gaiman afterward! "Perfect," indeed.

[Bachi]

Hi Roxanne,
Thanks for the recap, wish I could have joined you all!
and Happy B'day to my Jersey sista, Karen!!!:):

[KarenB]

Thanks Wanda! It was definitely a fun way to spend it. And may I suggest that anyone with a birthday spend it with one's fellow VBCers who then insist on buying one's dinner! Many thanks, y'all! Of course I have now promised them a dinner in San Francisco so . . . start making plans!

[Hpham]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! It really was a fun evening.

Though my copy of LANG is absolutely burning a hole on my shelf....still waiting for a sufficiently long uninterrupted period to lose myself in it.