I attended the Austin Romance Writers of America new members tea even though I’ve been a member for nearly a year. Apparently, there hasn’t been a new members’ tea in four years. Not that this chapter has been dragging its feet. I think it’s a very active chapter and time has just slipped by. At least that’s from my newbie perspective.
I arrived thirty minutes late, but I came bearing a glass vase with three beautiful, showy pale green hydrangeas that accented my dress. I don’t know why it was important for my gift of flowers to go well with the dress I was wearing, but that was among the deciding factors for my flower selection. Moreover, I proudly sported my “I Voted” sticker, which reminded some Austinite members that they could participate in early voting as well.
As soon as the hostess saw the flowers, she exclaimed that hydrangeas were one of her favorite flowers. I announced that if those flowers could talk, they’d scream after the way I had driven to get there. We shared a laugh and other members claimed that they could still smell the fragrant flowers even after the hostess had taken them to another room.
The best thing about arriving half an hour late is that there was no waiting for the spread of food, which consisted of a sinful assortment of delicious sweets and a few savory finger foods to balance out one’s palate. I made myself a mimosa and after foraging from the food table four times (hey, I’d swam 21 laps before coming out!), I poured myself a glass of sweetned tea.
In between trips to the food table, I managed to talk with some members. I had an interesting one-on-one conversation with a member who used to be an avid ballerina until her inner critic obsessed so much that she no longer found dancing ballet enjoyable. I was happy to hear that after a 5-year hiatus, she’s resumed taking ballet classes in a less competitive place and with a better headspace.
Our dance conversation had taken place in the kitchen and gradually most members had migrated to the kitchen as well, bringing the lively, loud energy that a group of female writers carry around with them. I slipped out of the kitchen and joined three members in the living room–after hitting the food table again.
I learned a lot about the pitfalls of publishers, contracts, agents and writing contests. Two of the three women had been college professors and they sympathized with my complaint about the dumbing down of education. I confessed that the current educational system was so counterproductive to educating students that I wished to become a better business person in order to generate income.
Both former college professors told me that I’d be swapping one set of problems for another and yet they did admit that I’d be more empowered to get things done as my own boss than as a classroom teacher. Something I already figured out, but it was good to hear from the voices of experience.
Also, I’m trying not to fall into the pit of “the grass is always greener on the other side.” Yet, I think I’m on the right track since, despite the insomnia-producing challenges I’ve faced this past week, I’m still motivated to figure things out and move forward. I’m learning so much and it’s just exciting to see what all is available to me.
After the tea, I dashed home and changed into my first edition “Tribe of One” T-shirts. (I already know the changes I’d like to see made for the second edition!) Took a nap and headed to the hotel where the salsa congress was taking place. I’d agreed to volunteer for four hours in order to attend the salsa show and dance. I already knew that my allergies and medium energy level would prevent me from staying out too late.
The selfish reason for volunteering is to attend a cool event for free, but I had such an enjoyable time talking with the organizers and my fellow volunteers. I met people who I normally would not have, I picked the organizers’ brains with my small business questions and saw salsero friends who I had not seen in a while.
The salsa show was entertaining as usual, but I saved myself some grief by watching it while standing up against the wall. That way, I wasn’t bothered by all the arms in the air, holding technology to record the show.
During the down time after the show and before the dance, I felt my energy fading. I figured I’d dance as much as I could in about thirty minutes. It took about that long for the live band to start playing. Until then, I danced with several guys from Houston and San Antonio with a few guys from Austin mixed in. I only stayed long enough to dance one song played by the live band and then I went home.
I figure it’s always better to leave on a good note instead of letting the night become stale. Even so, I kind of dragged in yoga class this morning. The studio felt a bit hotter than normal too, but I was surrounded by some strong yogis and that truly helped in the beginning. As a matter of fact, that could be a reoccurring theme in my life: surrounding myself with strong, positive people. If anything is going to make my new endeavor successful, it be with the help of like-minded people.