I have the fabulous Liv Rancourt sitting down in the kasbah today reminiscing about our recent meet-up in Portland this past weekend. Liv and I met through an online class taught by Kristen Lamb and decided it was high time to meet each other in person. So, without further ado, I present to you Liv’s take on…
The Pedicure That Wasn’t…
A while ago my new friend Tami made a comment on Facebook about weather in the Northwest. Hmm. I was also in the Northwest, and, not coincidentally, was having the same weather. “Where are you?” I asked her.
“Southern Oregon,” she said.
“Wow, we should totally meet in the middle someday.”
Just that easily, we started planning, and rather miraculously, came up with a date that worked for both of us. We picked Powell’s, I mean, Portland, as our destination, exchanged cell phone numbers in case any wires got crossed, and, on the appointed date, headed out.
While I was driving south, I started to wonder what we would do when we got there. I mean, we’d talked about visiting Powell’s Bookstore (which was very near our hotel and takes up an entire city block) and I figured we’d go out to dinner. But what else? I didn’t have to think too long before it hit me. I am, after all, a good citizen of my time (and a sometime chick-lit writer) so it was a pretty obvious answer.
Pedicures.
Pedicures are only THE most popular girl-bonding activity, at least in my circle. Tami agreed pretty readily when I suggested it, too, so I think it’s a universal thing. Any activity that involves bubbly warm water , soaking, buffing, massaging and lotion has to be good, right? As soon as you walk through the door they tell you to pick your color, and if you’re lucky, the woman who does your nails will have a deft hand and she’ll paint on some flowers. Pretty toes! With friends! What could be better?
Of course, we both hit traffic and got to the hotel later than we’d expected. And then there was a complimentary wine pouring in the lobby. And a stop at Powell’s. By then it was after 7pm, and we were starving. So we put the pedicure idea off till the next day.
In the morning we hit the lobby for the continental breakfast, and again talked about finding a nail salon. That idea died when we accidentally stumbled over Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, Part 1. I’ve only seen the movie once, and so instead of going out, we sat in the hotel room and watched it. Because we’re writers. And probably geeks.
It was a sunny day and all of downtown Portland was available to us. Didn’t matter. We watched and talked and analyzed plot points and character development. Like I said, geek writers. My schedule had a snarl in it, so I had to head back to Seattle sooner than I wanted to, leaving right after the movie ended. Tami took more time to explore, but I doubt she even looked for a nail salon. Solo-pedicuring isn’t nearly as much fun.
As I left, we promised to plan another getaway, and I so hope we do, if for no other reason than I totally owe you a pedicure, Tami! Maybe the Willamette Writer’s Conference in August? In the meantime, thanks for a great adventure.
Peace,
Liv
Liv Rancourt is a writer of speculative fiction and romance. She lives with her husband, two teenagers, two cats and one wayward puppy. She likes to create stories that have happy endings, and finds it is a good way to balance her other job in the neonatal intensive care unit. Liv can be found on-line at her website (www.livrancourt.com), her blog (www.liv-rancourt.blogspot.com), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/liv.rancourt), or on Twitter (www.twitter.com/LivRancourt).
Thanks for coming by the kasbah, Liv! And you are so right – we were total writer geeks that morning as we sat there watching, commenting, (sniffling), and analyzing the Harry Potter movie. (And I know we aren’t the only ones who shed a tear or two when poor Dobby died, right?)
It was great spending time getting to know one another better while perusing in Powell’s, sipping a pint, and hanging out in Portland. I’m already looking forward to those pedicures in the future.
And you, lovely readers – have you ever met up with someone you only knew online? Were they as lovely as Liv? Or was it a total nightmare? What about a time when your best-laid plans and intentions on a trip didn’t quite materialize. What got in the way? Serendipitous events? Something even better? Something not so great? A Harry Potter movie? Have a seat in the kasbah and spill the beans. I’d love to hear all about it.
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Julie Farrar said:
Sometimes amid all the crap on the internet something good can be found. If you recall in a few of my posts I admitted a love for singer Keith Urban. Through online conversations I’ve made good friends with people all over this country and in Europe (Scotland and France). We’ve had so much fun meeting up for concerts all over the globe. In fact, I have a good friend outside of Portland I’m overdue to visit. If I get out to see her I’ll let you know and maybe we can meet at Powell’s, too (although I’m more a hiking than pedicure kind of gal).
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Tami Clayton said:
If you make it out west, we definitely have to plan to meet up and talk Liv into joining us as well. Hiking, Powell’s, pedicures – it’s all good. 🙂
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livrancourt said:
I don’t know, Julie…you might find you LIKE pedicures.
😉
Thanks so much for the chance to hang out in the Kasbah, Tami. This weekend was so much fun. I hope we do it again soon.
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Tami Clayton said:
Me, too!
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Gloria Richard Author said:
The story of how you two met made me smile. It mirrors how I met my BFF, confidante, writing buddy, and critique partner — Sherry Isaac. She and I took a Margie Lawson course together. During the course, we often posted
nonsensicalsnark-riddled comments. I don’t remember the day (come on I’m not Dr. Sheldon Cooper), but I remember the glee I felt when the class neared its end and Sherry emailed off-loop to ask if we could stay in touch after.Sherry lives near Toronto. I live near Ft Worth, TX. Our meet-in-the-middle was nine months later, at an Immersion Master Class with Margie Lawson in the mountains near Boulder, Colorado. She was with Margie when I entered the terminal. It felt like we’d known each other forever. No awkward first-meet getting-to-know-you
crapbanter.I love the history of how the two of you met. My glee meter hit the high mark early today.
Pedicures? A whole ‘nother story, since my ingrown toe nails were “cured” when a tipsy podiatrist completely removed them and killed the roots. It took decades to work up the courage to sink ten tootsies and eight nails into that tub of bubbly water. I wish now I’d taped the reaction of the cosmetologist and every one of her cohorts as they rapidly spoke in a foreign language while pretending not to look at my naked big toes.
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Tami Clayton said:
I find it fascinating how people meet and end up friends, especially when those friendships begin as though the two people have always known each other. Glad we could get that glee meter of yours up to the high mark today. 🙂
Your toes sound like they deserve some pampering after what happened to them! I say let those ladies at the salon talk – and bring your camera next time!
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Sherry Isaac said:
Soooo fabulous when Gloria and I met in Colorado. And then again in Dallas, and then again in Atlanta. Soon, Toronto. Must get the guest room ready and stock up on Starbucks green tea!
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Tami Clayton said:
How fantastic that the two of you have had the chance to meet up so many times! Liv and I have some catching up to do, especially since we don’t live as far apart as you and Gloria.
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Sherry Isaac said:
We’ll all meet in Oregon, how’s that?
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Tami Clayton said:
Sounds perfect!
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Adriana Ryan said:
Okay, I’m really, really jealous! That sounds like a fabulous girl/writer weekend, regardless of the pedicures that weren’t! 🙂 Wish I lived in Oregon, too!!! *sniff*
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Tami Clayton said:
The WANA’s need to have a central meet-up location/event, don’t we? How fun would that be?!? 🙂
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livrancourt said:
I try real hard not to imagine what the lovely cosmetologists are saying when they work on my toes, Gloria! They’re probably talking about what they’re going to buy at the grocery store, but I’m always convinced they’re scolding me for not taking better care of myself or for making a bad color choice.
😉
And I wished you lived in Oregon too, Ariana!
And Tami, I hope we’ll have the chance to get together as often as Gloria & Sherry have!
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Ellen Gregory said:
Oh, so extremely envious! That sounds like so much fun. (waves from Australia.) I have faith that one day I’ll meet at least one or two of all you WANA friends. My guess is we’ll meet in . . . Paris, or something – lol!
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Tami Clayton said:
Hi, Ellen! *waves back from US*
A gathering of WANA friends in Paris sounds wonderful. Or Australia. Or NYC. Or London. Or…. ??? *sigh* Someday….