Thrillerfest: Obama Style - Beyond Her Book

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Barbara Vey

Thrillerfest: Obama Style
July 10, 2008

Train pals: Barbara Spivak, Carol Belbresky and Jane Rose.

Did you ever feel like your life was just one big rollercoaster ride? You scream with excitement going up, you scream with terror going down and you scream with horror when you go upside down and all the stuff falls out of your pockets.

That's pretty much been my day. The 7:30 am flight was uneventful and I even managed to get the train from Newark to New York without too much trouble. I lucked out by sitting with 3 newly retired women who were taking the day to see a play. The time just flew by and I made it to the hotel.

Real reporters at Obama rally: Christopher Bateman of Vanity Fair and Lindsay Talbot of Teen Vogue

Dan Blank from Reed Business took me to a terrific restaurant and I ordered a Waldorf Salad. Obviously I didn't know what that was because I expected a salad (lettuce) with chicken, raisins, apples and walnuts. I got chicken salad rimmed with paper thin apples and a couple of green leaves on top. Very pretty, but not quite what I had in mind. Lesson learned...don't assume anything on a New York menu.

Then we were off to the PW offices and my first subway ride. Not as scary as I thought, but it does have a scent all its own. I got quick visits with editor Robin Lenz and Editor in Chief Sara Nelson, but Heidi, the comic book blogger wasn't feeling well, but I'll get to catch up with her at Comic Con. I tell you, I get the shakes at PW because of all the books all over the place. It's like hog heaven to me.

Carolyn Kennedy speaking to supporters.

Meanwhile, back at ThrillerFest, the day was dedicated to the craft with panels designed for new writers. The main activities will start on Thursday with all the special guests arriving. There was a cocktail party/mixer and when I went to the table that said "Press sign in," I didn't realize that I was signing in to attend the Barack Obama fund raiser. It was very exciting to be smashed together with all the other press in the back of the room with my Fuji digital camera while the others were handling cameras worth thousands of dollars. Then Caroline Kennedy came in and spoke. I flashed back to when I was 12 years old and President Kennedy came to town and was in a parade right down our street. I got goosebumps all over again.

Barack Obama - Photo courtesy of real professional photographer Lloyd Bishop

I ran back to the cocktail party/mixer, but it was pretty much broken up by then. I did run into Lee Child and CJ Lyons who run the Debut Author program. Also saw Heather Graham who did a NPR interview this morning along with Sheila Clover English of Circle of Seven Productions. There were a lot of new faces for me, so tomorrow morning I've got to get out there bright and early to match the names with the faces.

Finally got back to my room only to find out that my cell phone isn't working and then to top it off, the front desk called to say that my credit card was declined.

Bottom Line: I think my rollercoaster just ran out of tracks, maybe I need a fundraiser.

At the Obama event.

A tour of my hotel room... with a surprise!

Posted by Barbara Vey on July 10, 2008 | Comments (19)

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Marilyn AKA the Playground Monitor commented:

How neat you got to attend the rally. And you sly thing -- a man stashed away in your shower. ;-) Have a great time at ThrillerFest. I look forward to reading all about your further adventures.

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
mary s commented:

Barb--hope all is going well--what a time you're having!!

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
violet s commented:

Barbara, you look so good at the Obama rally! I couldn't get to see the other video (marked "No Longer Available"), but the one was great!

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
joysann commented:

Fun movies! You're really getting into it. Keep us all up to date!

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Jody Wallace commented:

I don't know if I should wish you on the "up" swing of a roller coaster for today (after which you have to come down)or on a "level" part -- at least on the level part nobody declines your credit card!

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Missy Taylor commented:

Ohhh... sounds like the best roller coaster ride ever! Never been one for roller coasters but I'm telling your version or roller coaster rides I'd take any day.

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Sarah commented:

I know EXACTLY what you mean by getting the shakes around all of those new books.

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Sheila commented:

How do I get Douglas Clegg to visit me?!! LOL Doug is such a good sport! And a great author too!

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Sheila commented:

How do I get Douglas Clegg to visit me?!! LOL Doug is such a good sport! And a great author too!

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
TarotByArwen commented:

As always such a fun blog! I love hearing about who you saw. And fun on the Obama thing!

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Monica Burns commented:

I'm with you on the unique scents of NYC, Times Square on a hot July night can only be experienced, not described. LOL How funny about the Obama fund raiser, but you were a member of the news media, not a bystander. You were with the in-crowd, and who doesn't like to be part of the in-crowd. LOL

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Jusy commented:

*LOL* I've never found a man in my room, less my shower. Like you, I like two beds in my room, so I can have a junk bed :)

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
writeroffthelake commented:

Me thinks finding a man in the shower is only fun if you know the man and want him there; otherwise, hope you come across him before you get undressed to hop into the shower - LOL

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Tori Carrington commented:

Oh, Barbara, we're so jealous! Your travel blogs always come alive with delicious detail, but this time you really outdid yourself. I wish we could hop on the next plane out to catch up with you.

Looking forward to what Day Two has in store...xoxo

Lori & Tony

www.toricarrington.net * www.myspace.com/toricarrington

July 10, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Tori Carrington commented:

Oh, Barbara, we're so jealous! Your travel blogs always come alive with delicious detail, but this time you really outdid yourself. I wish we could hop on the next plane out to catch up with you.

Looking forward to what Day Two has in store...xoxo

Lori & Tony

www.toricarrington.net * www.myspace.com/toricarrington

July 11, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
J L Wilson commented:

{snort with laughter} Yes, subways (and ELs and tubes) have a distinctive aroma, don't they? Enjoy your trip!

July 11, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
violet s commented:

How fun Barbara! The man in your shower! Maybe that's why we haven't heard from you today?! Your videos are great! Your commentary equally good!

July 11, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Leanna Renee Hieber commented:

Babs, You are unstoppable and amazing. You could talk your way into anything and I can't imagine anyone who would deny you :)

July 14, 2008
In response to: Thrillerfest: Obama Style
Edie Ramer commented:

Barbara, I was just going to skim your blog and catch up after my busy weekend, but, Wow! What a great time. First getting to hear the Obama speak by accident, and then Doug Clegg in your shower. You crack me up.