Starting to hyperventilate a smidgeon
Updated: The Romance Junkies contest has started this week. If you happen to see a historical that you like (Hint, hint), you can go vote for it. I can’t say which one is mine but it “might” be up this week. 
So it occurred to me yesterday that I do not have 2 weeks before Atlanta and 3 weeks before Ireland. I have one week. Why? Because I’m going down to Macon to visit my grandparents the week before. Which, I’m very excited about since I haven’t seen them in a few years. But at the same time, I’m mildly panicked. Because I haven’t finalized my Ireland itinerary.
I discovered that Ashland Castle would not let us have dinner there. For whatever reason, when the castle is filled, they won’t open the restaurant to anyone else. :loser: Which leads me to wonder why we should go visit?? Maybe we’d be better off taking a day on the Dingle Peninsula.
You know, it occurs to me that I’m the strangest dichotomy of organized and disorganized. I have a binder subdivided by each date with printouts of every B&B we’re staying in with detailed directions. But then, when it comes down to it, I often like to make my plans and then let the wind pull me where it will. I like having a bed to sleep in at night, but there are some places in Ireland where I truly don’t want to have plans. I’d like to just drive around (okay, scratch that–I’d like my HUSBAND to drive me around), stop when I feel like it, and in general have a good time.
I’d like to go horseback riding and fishing. I’d like to wander through shops and maybe buy a sweater that is too hot to wear in Virginia. I’d like to listen to a 90-year-old man tell me stories about the war in a pub.
Maybe we’ll run into a herd of sheep, caught in a road somewhere. Hopefully they won’t become mutton. 
I will try my best to hunt down a few Internet cafes, if possible, and blog about my travels. Now I’m just down to finding B&Bs in Sligo, Trim, Mayo, and possibly Dingle if we change our plans. I started packing my suitcase for RWA Nationals next week because I will forget things otherwise. Like, oh, I don’t know…maybe the books I’m planning to pitch! Agh.
If you’re going to Nationals and would like to meet up with me at some point, e-mail me! I’ll pass along some contact info and maybe we can get some folks together for a Blog Party (aka the Gathering of Imaginary Friends). 
Who here is going to Nationals?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 7:25 pm | Viewed 2322 times
Crystal* Says:
I oft times wear that dichotomy dress. *sigh* Such as it is.
I think you’ll have a GREAT time! I want pictures. And details. And I’m living vicariously through you. You, um, got that. Right?
Good luck at NATIONALS!!!
I’ve got the best wishes for you.
Grins*
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
I’m familiar with that dichotomy as well :confused2:
beth Says:
Michelle - if Tim would let me, I would have that same dichotomy. As it is, when we vacation he says “I don’t set alarm clocks on vacation” and, well, we’ll just leave it at trying to get him out of bed early when on vacation isn’t doable, so…we wander as the winds take us simply because I can’t plan with any kind of clarity other than “I’d like to see these things” and we try to work them into our route the night before. You know what though? I’ve learned to love it.
Now, if you want to see sheep wandering along the road (along with shepherd and requisite dogs) — definitely do Dingle. Dingle has more sheep than people. (Seriously, check your guidebook.) However, Dingle also has small roads by Irish standards…so I would do it after you’ve been driving around a bit and hubs is feeling confident. Cause they’ve got 2-way “main” roads on Dingle that barely fit one car - and one side of the road is a cliff with a really pretty view of the ocean.
Stacy Says:
I wish I were going but not this year. Your vacation sounds like its going to be a dream!
Kelly Says:
Ooohhhhh I wish I was going to Nationals this year!! I’m trying not to think about it because the more I do the more I realize how badly I’m going to miss not going. But next year. I was trying to decide between London and Dallas, but I think I need another year to dave for London, so it looks like Dallas will win out and I’m okay with that. It’ll push my goal of trying to get to Dallas as a pub’d author.
Good luck with your Ireland itinerary. Hope everything works out the way you want!
Melissa Says:
I’m going!!! I can’t wait!!!
:crazyjumping:
Chris Keach Says:
I’m like Kelly- not going to Nationals and desperately trying to think about other things so I don’t question why I’m not going. I’ve got big vacation plans for next summer including Nationals in Dallas (where I also hope to be a new PAN member) and so I’m trying to save some cash. If I look at it that way I don’t feel so bad about missing.
Leslie Dicken Says:
Hey Michelle. I’ll be in Atlanta! I hope we can meet in person there! Oh, and I invited you to be one of my buddies on mySpace under my pseudonym name (Jordanna Kay). Your trip to Ireland sounds fabulous. We did on to England and Wales a few years ago. I can’t *wait* to go back!!!
Fiona Lowe Says:
Dingle! I remember Dingle! I adored all of Ireland in ‘85..went for a week stayed two. I gather you’re not taking the kids on this trip. I remember gazing at the awe inspiring view of Lake Louise in the canadian Rockies and all the 3 year old wanted to do was watch the bob cat dig up a new garden bed in the grouds on the Chateau I admired the view from nearby the bobcat!
You sound like you have a frantic summer planned.
Enjoy
MaryF Says:
Um, you have 10 days till Atlanta! You are a busy lady!