Report on Minneapolis Convention

[Katy]

"Looking forward to seeing our younger selves." Yes, aren't we all! I keep telling myself that my hair is getting lighter, but there's no avoiding the truth as Allen's video confirms, that ain't blond that's white! Oh well...the video also shows how much fun we were all having. Thank you for posting Allen.

[Lynn]

I have to agree with Sherry. Allen's "stealth mode" certainly provided a lot of shots of backsides! Next time I need motivation to stay on my diet I'll just play the video :)

[Barbara]

Thank you, Allen! It reminded me of how much I've laughed at the conventions I've attended. I sat here grinning idiotically at the screen tonight.

[Allen]

Ruth, the jumpiness in the park video is just result of walking and shooting movies at the same time. These tiny digital cameras are technological marvels but proper camcorders are far better adapted for this purpose.

The one that I know I'll cherish most of all - our first meeting with Sarah -- was partly a mistake. I'd intended to shoot stills but then realized I was in video mode.

It was my pleasure to bring you these glances into past gatherings (the ones from Santa Fe and Portland are live in the Salon now). If I wasn't such a technological laggard (only got cable TV when the digital shift came in) I could have done so a couple of years ago. Promise to be more timely in the future!

[Lynn]

Thanks, Allen!

[Dottie]

Allen -- lagging behind technology or not -- you jumped onto the early wave when you put this group together and that could not possibly have been more of a blessing for all of us bookaddicts who have hung about constant Reader on its web journey ever since. I personally want to thank you once again for all the pleasures I've had talking books with this group over those years. CR was an anchor when reading all my English language books in Belgie as well as all the great discussion bookending those years. the videos are wonderful and we are glad you are catching up but thank goodness you formed this group on that new place called Prodigy BBs.

[Allen]

Thanks very much for the kind words, Dottie. However, I'm not being overly modest, just stating a fact, by emphasizing that I just put in a foundation that the rest of the good folk here built into CR as it is today. In particular, the loudest shout-out possible must go to our long-absent friend Tonya Presley, who provided a new home for the group when the Prodigy BBs dissolved and put in WAY more time and effort, I promise you, than I ever did into assuring long-term survival.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, let me again say that we hope very much to see you or anyone else reading this who has found value in CR at a future get-together. A guarantee: after a very short time in the presence of your online friends you will have to make a decided effort to remind yourself that you've only just met. Back me up here, comrades -- do I speak not the truth?

[Ruth]

Absolutely, Allen. I never melted into a group so well as I did when I met the CRs in person. What a smart, friendly, unpretentious group. I felt right at home.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

Oh, definitely, Allen. The first time Ruth and I met you couldn't shut either of us up! Whether that's a good thing or not is debatable, but it sure was fun.

[Ruth]

Heehee, Sherry. I met my match when I met you!

[Lynn]

I agree, Allen. When I attended my first convention I found everyone to be very open and accepting, even though most of the others had known each other for years before I joined CR. I felt like we knew each other well, even on our first meeting.

[Barbara]

When I tell people about the Constant Reader get-togethers, the point I always emphasize is my astonishment at how much we all have in common, in addition to books. I just love the in-person conversation and sharing experiences with these people.

[Jane]

Allen,
I was in France when you posted those videos, and I just found them. What fun! I see nothing unusual about talking to statues. I have been talking to a blue rabbit for years!