Hello from Oak Brook, IL. I am at the Marriott for the AASL Fall Forum and have a gorgeous view of the golf course. The trees are in their Autumn glory - what a sight to see. I almost (note, almost) wish I knew how to golf as I watched the golfers out on the course. Had to call Steve to rub it in that he isn't up golfing on this beautiful course and he rubbed right back by telling me that there were more race watchers out at Keeneland than he had ever seen. He was betting on the last race and I got to bet over the phone. I hope Sweet Relish and Grizzly Lady win us money. I pick horses by their names and rarely ever win anything but my $2 bet back, but it is fun.



Don't know what the deal was at O'Hare but what a fiasco getting into the terminal. We deplaned onto the tarmac and had to share the narrow walkway and stairwell with passengers headed to another plane. Almost got knocked down the stairs once and was not happy to be hauling my rolling carry on and heavy bag with my computer and "stuff" up those stairs. My back is not happy so I am sitting on the bed with the heating pad. Obviously, they weren't doing too well with their scheduling of smaller planes this afternoon. The ride out from the airport wasn't too bad other than being a bit nervous because the driver couldn't find the address on her GPS. But, the view from this room made up for all that. :-)



I finally finished Breaking Dawn, the last of the Twilight series early this morning. It sure dragged for what seemed like over 100 pages as they prepared for the Voltari to show up for a potential battle to the "death". For those of you who have not read it yet, read on with caution. I know this is the last in the series, but Meyer left things wide open for a future series based on Jacob and Renesmee. I think I may be more interested in reading about the future of their "kind" than I was angsty Bella who sure got on my nerves. Jacob and the rest of the shape-shifters kept my interest enough to finish the series. And, for those of you who just can't let Bella and Edward's story go, Meyer has one more tidbit for you - The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Twilight-Saga/Stephenie-Meyer/e/9780316043120/?itm=4 It will hit stores in December, just in time to give it as a present to all of the Twlight fans on your gift list. And, if you go to this Barnes and Noble link, you can also watch a video of Meyer talking about her books.



Now on to a really cool book! I started Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Graveyard-Book/Neil-Gaiman/e/9780060530921/?itm=1 Gaiman has taken a character from one of his short stories, Nobody Owen, and expanded the story of a boy growing up in graveyard into a middle school novel with some really cool line drawings to enhance the reading experience. I have just begun the book but I was actually irritated that my doctor was on time yesterday morning as I was quite content sitting in the waiting room reading it. Of course, it was the one time I didn't have to sit in the examing room for "hours" waiting once the nurse says the doctor will be right in. Normally that is a "yeah right!" and a good junk of reading time, but this time she walked in before I could find my place in the book again. Bod (Nobody's nickname) had just been rescued from a very scary encounter with the ghouls (one of whom was a past president!) who planned to kill him and let his body decay enough for good eating. I really wanted to keep reading.

I also loved Coraline http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Coraline/Neil-Gaiman/e/9780380807345/?itm=1 - Gaiman's first deliciously creepy MS/JH level horror novel. I can still close my eyes and see my version of the "other parents" with their button eyes. Gives me the shivers just thinking about them. I can already tell I will not be disappointed by his second MS/JS level novel. Now I am kicking myself that I forgot it on my nightstand when I packed for this trip. See what happens when you have a cat trying to get into your suitcase as you pack - you get distracted from the important stuff - books!


That's all for today. About time to go down to the opening reception and catch up with other school library media colleagues/friends who I only see at conferences.