Oh, Oh, Oh!  I’ve spent the last three hours or so planning my trip to the Seattle area for a writing conference where one of my favorite authors Erica Bauermeister will be presenting about writing memoir.

She’s also reading at a charity event the night before at the swanky Fairmont Olympic Hotel which yours truly just booked for at least half price for two nights.  :::happydance:::

I’m the Queen of traveling like a Queen with the budget of a pauper.

Thanks to Priceline and Hotwire and the conference discount, I got my whole 5 day trip, flight/hotels/car/workshop for around $1200 including two nights at the 5 star Fairmont Olympic!  I’m so psyched.  I just hope the charity event doesn’t cost the same amount per plate as the entire tirp because I really really really want to go to it.

Doesn’t this just look so fantastic?

Bedtime Stories

I just hope I don’t need some sort of ball gown for it.  : /

I’m also totally psyched about the main conference but….I just can’t believe Erica’s talk is sold out already!!!  NOOOO!

I just wrote them an email basically begging to get on a wait list as I’m flying in for it specifically for her!  I mean I have to get in, right?  Please send good vibes!

***UPDATE***

Right after I launched this post I went back to my email and found this:

Hi Katie,

We had someone cancel their registration last night, so you are in luck! I transferred you into Erica’s workshop. She is fabulous! We look forward to having you join us for this year’s conference.

Thank you for the fairy dust whoever sprinkled it!  😀

I also found an incredible Happy Hour at the hotel where I’m staying.  Check this out:

I do think I will be sampling that glacier blue martini for half off, whatever it is, I want it

Yes I will be eating and drinking and coffeeing and walking my way around Seattle and Edmonds.  Any suggestions welcomed.  What do I absolutely need to see?  I think I’m in walking distance to Pike Place.  Coffee!  Seafood!  City walking!  Ocean!  Do I need to go up in the Needle?  Take some kind of ferry somewhere?

I love planning an adventure almost as much as going on it.  This Fall will be filled with a few for me now that I’m freeing up some time and focusing on things that I love to refuel along the way.  I think it’s important to have things to look forward to.

Oh and part of the reason I’m feeling so elated this morning is I got a very optimistic phone message from Alfonse yesterday, saying he was “amazed” at how well his new medication seems to be working.  I’ll go see him tonite and see for myself.  We could really use a miracle.  He really did sound so much better.

Steve’s on the road today headed back to CA for some medical testing…please think a good thought for my dear Stevie.

Now I’m headed back to waking up and smelling the Seattle coffee from afar….ahhhhh

Walnut Street Coffee, I’ve got my eye on you!