Beth, 11-2

We came, we saw, we laughed.

We are the people your parents warned you about.

We are the people you don't want to sit near in the restaurant.

Oy, are we LOUD.

Okay, so RAMmers started gathering from near and far, meeting up mostly in the Lobbibar.

Jeff and I were in the bar when some cute blonde chick grabbed me and hugged me. D'oh. Turns out it was Judi, but I didn't know that until she was already kissing my husband. A little bit later, we met up with Eileeeeeeeeeeeen and Ellen and KS and Carleen and M'Lou and Ann from Canada and Jon and Ruth and Jim Barker (who practically doesn't exist he's so skinny) and Brigid and hell I know I'm missing someone....We sat in the bar for a long time laughing and trading books and laughing some more. There were so many conversations started and abandoned, I'm not sure anyone got a full sentence out. What energy we all have! What a bar tab!!

Jeff and Jeff (Judi's and mine) hit it off like gangbusters and they went on a liquor store run and grocery run for us while we commenced to begin to start to get ready to think about dinner eventually. Good thing I had the clipboard -- we'd never have gotten anywhere!!

We ended up going to restaurant row nearby for dinner, and finding a table for 16 or however many we were was unfortunately no problem (not much business, even on Halloween night). Much food was consumed and even more alcohol.

Came back from dinner and ended up (big surprise!) in the bar. More laughter and merriment ensued. At one point, we were drowning out Dana Stabenow, Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and various other authors. Uh-oh, when we're louder than alcohol-soaked authors, we are in SUCH trouble.

This morning, Judi, Eileen, Ellen, M'Lou and Carleen had breakfast, curiously surrounded by empty tables. 3 tables over we spotted Jon and Ruth and Jim Barker (did I mention he's practically a skeleton?). Others may have been having breakfast too, but they were a ways from our really loud table.

Jeff and Jeff and author Sara Sage and her husband sat nearby too. They were not so loud. Or, if they were, we didn't notice.

Rumor has it that official B'con stuff starts today. Oh lord I hope we remember to do some of that at some point.

More about the books and freebies later -- but I wanted to give y'all a quick report. I called it the "Official Report" because.... well, I wanted to, dammit. We miss you all madly.

KS says "Send pictures!"

Eileen says "Who knew I'd get in trouble for kicking a squirrel on The Mall? Nasty rodents."

Carleen says "Here, take the damn clipboard back, Beth! I can 't get these goofballs to listen to me!"

Ellen says "More vodka please!" Judi says, "I'm in!!!"

M'Lou is happy to report that we had an A-RWaitress this morning, so she can relax some of her duties while on vacation.

Jon and Ruth say, "Watch out world, the book dealers are opening this morning!!"

I say, "Peace, out, check in with y'all later!"

Beth (proud owner of 2 new Miracle Whip frisbees, compliments of Jon!!!!)