Wednesday, January 20, 2010

I'll Be Back



I should probably get a Twitter account or something instead of using my blog for announcements, but I just don't want to be any more connected than I am. This is a quick blog to explain why I may not have answered or responded to something you sent me.

First, I'll tell you that Boston was really fun. Philly was great, too. I went there the night before the train because it made life easier, and I am all for easier. The kids came, but not to the hotel - I had forgotten what it was like not to have to bring juice and fruit snacks to a hotel room. It was a little weird that no one jumped on the bed or kept begging to order room service. We did get to see a lot of stuff about Ben Franklin, his house and some of the things he did.

And I found out that I really, really like being on a train. I sat in the cafe car by random chance and I got a whole table to myself and with no one around, I was able to write without anybody interrupting. I think I might just go around and buy train tickets and ride to nowhere so I can hang out and write while watching New England go by. (Of course, they also serve beer on Amtrak which I had not realized, and by Providence, there was singing...)

Ben Franklin was in Boston, too. He had a house there also and did wonderful, patriotic things like he had done in Philly. In fact, I crossed the Ben Franklin Bridge to get to my hotel in Philly, and it was on Ben Franklin Boulevard.

But I am really behind -- I have a ton of emails in my mailbox that I haven't gotten to. I will get to them. I had to write a new curriculum when I got back, then there was a full day of work, and I just got home from jury duty about an hour ago. I was selected as a juror, which surprised me because I told them that I don't really watch tv and I read teen fiction in my spare time. I figured they would think I was way to weird to make an informed decision, but no...so I spent most of the day in the suspended animation of a courthouse, but at least the trial is done and I am back.

Tomorrow, Thursday, is another full day of work, so I promise Friday I will be back to write back and come visit your blog.

8 comments:

Jemi Fraser said...

Wow - you have been BUSY!!

Relax - take your time. Everything will still be there.

Sounds like a great trip - also sounds like it's time to take a train trip :)

storyqueen said...

Welcome back.

What?? No bed jumping? Not having to shut down the requests for room service? What kind of hotel trip is that?

Probably a great one.

Shelley

Unknown said...

Thanks, Anne! Take your time. Meanwhile I posted my review of your last book AND I have just recieved Light Beneath Ferns, which shocked me because I thought it was due out Feb 1. Sorry about the jury duty!

Here's a link to the review.

http://lisa-amowitzya.blogspot.com/2010/01/while-im-waiting-to-interview-anne.html

Mary Witzl said...

Traıns are great places for writing or just staring out the window and thinking! I've done lots of writing on trains. And hundreds of hours of reading, for that matter.

Sounds like a great trip, especially the no-kids part. I still carry crackers and sweet snacks in my bag; I can't help myself.

Anne Spollen said...

I know, Jemi, everything is still there - it's sort of like the laundry. It never goes away.

I know, Shelley - I sort of didn't know what to do with myself. I actually went outside and looked out at the view from the terrace - and I NEVER let them open doors to a terrace. And I read about local attractions and kept the tv off. It was surreal.

Thanks, Lisa - I hope the review is a good one! I'll get over there next. (And yes, you are one of the folks I will be emailing tomorrow)

I couldn't read, Mary. I guess I can read sometimes at home when the kids are falling asleep, and I've been having a time crunch since before the holidays, so the chance to write was wonderful. I didn't even mind the singing.

Bish Denham said...

Glad you had a good time. But take your time getting those things done that need to be done. We'll be here, waiting.

K.C. Shaw said...

That sounds like so much fun! And I love the idea of writing on a train.

Take your time getting caught up--we'll be here waiting. :)

Anne Spollen said...

Thanks Bish and K.C. I only have the rest of the curriculum left to work on. Ugh.

But yeah, the train and writing. An amazing setting to work in; who knew?