NEW YORK!

In New York, Michelle, Rob, and I went to the Backspace Writer's Conference for Scott and Justine's workshop segment thing and then we went and actually had lunch with these two amazing people!

Before any of this happened I woke up at about 5:45 and took a bus around 6:55. I really must say that Greyhoud kicks all other buses asses. We were flying back Peter Pan and NJ Transit and whatnot. They suck to the power of the gray doggy. So Yeah. I arrive in NY around 8:45-8:50, get to the hotel at 9, travel around the hotel all confused, and then end up waiting in the lobby. Which is where I was supposed to be. Anyhow, Michelle and Rob meet up at around 9:30, which was awkward at first, but after a little while it wasn't.

As you can see I am red-eyed and slightly nervous. But it was all good fun. Michelle was short. It made me happy. Rob was tall. Normal stuff. I actually imagined their voices in my head before I met them, and was surprised that I was spot on. I had no idea what to think about Scott or Justine though.
We met, talked, shook hands, took pictures, you know. We went up to the writer's conference, which was very enjoyable and informative, and then went into the hall and conversated some more. I have learned more Australian history just by talking to Justine than I have ever learned before in my life. It really does suck that American schooling really doesn't include Aussie history at all. It's all very chill and intriguing. So after some laughs and awkward pauses and high fives, we all left to go on our way to Hell's Kitchen.
Rob and Scott walked ahead and talked, while Michelle, Justine, and I trailed behind. We talked about Uglies, living in Sydney, Zane vs. David, and how Justine and Scott met. Eventually we made it to the restaurant and sat down to eat.

This is where all the goodness happened. Food. Friends. Fans. Sketchbook. Spoilers. Writers. I really really really love writers. A lot. Even if I meet an estranged writer somehwere, I think that this experience has made me love them anyways. We talked a lot a lot. Around 3-4 hours. The possible ending to Specials, possible epilogue to Midnighters, Justine is responsible for Rex becoming a halfling (!!!Yay Justine!!! Rex is my favorite Midnighter), other midnighter powers, Michelle explanied some of her theories with Midnighters (like about dying and then being resurrected at 12 am) and Uglies (like about Zane), heard some spoilers about Leviathan (which I pronounced incorrectly as Lev-ee-a-than instead of the correct Lev-igh-a-than), the cast lists of the different movies he'd been optioned for, how Michelle and Rob were brought together by Scott's books, the Midnighters TV series, Scott and Justine's early writings from when they were about 9 or something, I showed my sketchbook (AND FORGOT MY PAINTING AUUUGH), and had books signed and whatnot. There was more that we talked about, but that's a lot of it. I was too poor to go and buy Justine's book, but I wanted her to autograph something because I adore her and her work, and so she signed my sketchbook. So I have Specials, Blue Noon, and Kate's Sketchbook all signed :D. Exciting exciting. After all was said and done, Scott flagged down a taxi for us so that we could go to the Mett Museum. After running through a frickin VEIL of rain, We chilled there for like, an hour. had some teary moments with stained glass, discussion about Rob and religion, why a tapestry was flat (painting-wise) and what could be better about it (Michelle understood :D), we looked at some furniture and statues and then had to get out of there because Michelle's mom wanted to pick them up. After walking around in circles lost for a bit, we finally left, gave hugs goodbye, and went our seperate ways. I flagged down a taxi (I felt proud of myself, yay) I went back to Port authority and then went home.

AND HERE I AM. AND HERE ARE SOME PICTURES AND SOME SKETCHES. I told you all I'd have it for you :D.



I took a quick picture here just to try and capture the moment without any poses. D: I missed Scott though.

Here he is looking all smarmy-like.

Here's Justine. She blinked. But doesn't she look at peace? As should Australians. They are chill.




Huzzah!