16 Comments
User's avatar
JR Hampton's avatar

OMG as a former Angelino about everything on Olympic is dodgy. Good grief! I picture you at the Marina, Ritz Carlton vibes.

Expand full comment
Charlotte Rains Dixon, MFA's avatar

I'm really glad I don't give off Olympic Blvd. vibes. And I'm really glad you picture me at those ritzy hotels. And of course, there's always the Goring in London!

Expand full comment
Jeni Hankins's avatar

I laughed so many times while reading this which was exactly what I needed. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to go to AWP. I’ve known people who’ve gone and had a blast. And the fact that you could see the greatness in it despite the plane, the Lyft, and the motel shows how much you believe in stories. You’re the best!

Expand full comment
Charlotte Rains Dixon, MFA's avatar

Next year AWP is in Baltimore. That's a little bit closer to your family homes, right? It is one of the most amazing conferences, if only in sheer numbers! But to see all those small presses and journals and publishers trucking along is always a bit of a miracle.

Expand full comment
Jeni Hankins's avatar

Baltimore is one of my favourite cities in America! I used to go to the American Crafts Council’s show there every year. Also it’s home to the American Visionary Arts Museum which is one of the best museums on the planet. That’s so cool. Hmmm, maybe it’s AWP time for me?

Expand full comment
Charlotte Rains Dixon, MFA's avatar

I'll meet you there! I've never been to that museum. Let's do it! We've got a whole year to plan.

Expand full comment
Marna Jones Hopkins's avatar

"The lobby is locked so you yell through a window to talk to a motel employee, the elevator is broken and the swimming pool is full of concrete." It's not funny but it made me laugh out loud. I am picturing every hotel I have seen in all the crime shows on TV. I'm glad you survived, found joy in your exhaustion, and made it back home in one piece. And here's to every new name on that email list. May it bring in so much business that you have to start screening applications!

Expand full comment
Charlotte Rains Dixon, MFA's avatar

Well, we laughed out loud when we got there! Okay, maybe it was just exchanging funny looks but later we were definitely laughing! Love you, my friend.

Expand full comment
Sandra Pawula's avatar

Charlotte, Wow, I don't think I could handle those types of traveling challenges anymore nor face the crowds. Bravo?

Expand full comment
Charlotte Rains Dixon, MFA's avatar

Even though I'm pretty much an extrovert, I was happy to return alone to my motel room after dinner to recharge! And it took awhile when I got home.

Expand full comment
Deidre Woollard's avatar

The convention center is in the worst location! I'm glad you had fun and made the best of it.

Expand full comment
Charlotte Rains Dixon, MFA's avatar

Truth. There's this weird half-finished high-rise covered with graffiti across the street from it. Very strange. But at least we didn't walk from the motel to the conference. Thank god for Lyfts.

Expand full comment
Patricia Sands's avatar

Impressive... except for the motel.LOL Otherwise, it sounds like an amazing, exhausting adventure.

Expand full comment
Charlotte Rains Dixon, MFA's avatar

You described it exactly! And at least the motel makes for a good story!

Expand full comment
Jenni Gainsborough's avatar

You describe it perfectly. So much creative energy flowing around us. It was inspiring!

Expand full comment
Charlotte Rains Dixon, MFA's avatar

Aw, thank you, Jenni. It was so great to have you with us!

Expand full comment