Julia Park Tracey

And…scene! It’s over. For this year, at least, and not counting the accounting, where I find out if my mini-fund matches my worksheet and see how much I personally paid for, ka-CHING! Not counting the many, many thank-yous I need to write and send. Not counting the sleep I’m still catching up on. And so forth. Literati 2005 is past. It was really fun, not without some glitches, and not without some sublime moments. Moments like: Ben Fong-Torres brought to tears by a question from my dear longtime friend Charley Thompson during the one-on-one interview. Moments like: Bobby Sharp, in the songwriters’ studio, playing a cassette of Sarah Vaughn singing…

…that’s fit to blog. Catching up in between massive to-do lists, the reality is that Alameda Literati is just two weeks away (less, now) and I still have so much to do. Still sending how-to emails to the vendors, participants, panelists and authors. Speakers drop out, others agree and pop into the schedule. It’s a regular musical chairs going on — and publicity keeps going out the door. I’m behind on a number of key assignments for Al-Lit because you see, I have this day job that requires actual work from 8:30 to 5-ish and that makes my weekends and evenings a veritable Death March of Literati PR and other…

Actually, it’s impossible this time of year. Alameda Literati is a mere three weeks away (check it out at www.alamedaliterati.org — it changes up every few days) and I’ve been chasing down the details every spare hour. That means a couple of hours every night and lots of weekend time. I was sick twice in three weeks, each for 3-4 days, so that really put a cramp in my style. But back at it. Details, you ask? Like what? Like ordering the bounce house, like soliciting donations for the goodie bags and raffle table, like scheduling the speakers, like remembering to borrow the microphones, like asking for volunteers and getting…

Hello friends, sorry for long delay but the crazy last days of summer, first days of school, and then a week from hell followed by a weekend from heaven and an illness equal no time to blog. I hope to remedy that soon. Exhaustion: it’s a real danger. In the meantime, I’m resting a lot, hoping to regain strength to take on all the stuff coming down the pike. Back in the saddle soon. I promise. Advice to Aspiring Writers: Even cowgirls get tired. Or: Drink plenty of fluids.

Ack. Ack. I know that’s the Bill the Cat sound but I can’t believe it’s Sunday night and I am whupped. And the weekend is gone. And there’s so much to do. Ack. ACK! Just wanted to include a picture of my handsome stud-man who swam/rode/ran a triathlon this weekend with injuries and did extremely well regardless. He’s my hero. A few more words — been worried over my Great-Aunt Doris, who is 95 and who has been an inspiration and a cheerleader of mine for literally my whole life. She has been having some health issues and just had a pacemaker put in last Thursday night, so it’s been…