April 12, 2010

Photo of a Friend Fully Clothed

We gathered in an upstairs room of an old brewery, a building more than 100 years old. The room still held big copper kettles, which some of us could not resist drumming on. Between the old walls, a huge window gave us a night view of Mile High City while we listened to both poetry and prose. The event was Wild Lives, Raucous Pens, a reading sponsored by Hawk & Handsaw and Terrain.org.

That was only one of many amazing events at Big Creative Writing Conference. I heard readings by some of my favorite writers, and I attended panels that raised thought-provoking ideas. At the bookfair, I wandered from table to table, talking to editors and writers, buying books, and eating free chocolate.

I love readings and panels and the intellectual stimulation of a conference, but the best part is always getting a chance to spend time with my conference friends. At this huge conference, I found myself mostly seeking out Friendly Green Folks, whom I know from the much smaller Friendly Green Conference. Conversation and laughter accompanied every meal -- whether it was a veggie wrap ripped in two pieces and shared with my roommate, a dinner with friends on the sunny rooftop of a Mexican restaurant, or breakfast on a metal table warmed by the sun. On the very last morning of the conference, I walked to breakfast with Artist Friend, who kept stopping to admire buildings and point out interesting details; I snapped our photo in a revolving door.

Self-portrait with Artist Friend

10 comments:

Unknown said...

This brings back fond memories of the day you were here and we took the dogs all over town. When are you coming back?

jo(e) said...

Songbird: I have such fond memories of that wonderful afternoon. I hope a conference brings me your way again.

I'm home now, but exhausted and jetlagged. I didn't have access to the internet while I was gone.

heidi said...

Wow, he's tall.

Rana said...

I laughed when I saw your post title in my feed.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

It made me laugh too. I miss you Friendly Green folk.

YourFireAnt said...

What a chicken, that Artist Friend guy.

;-)

Anonymous said...

So Artist Friend still refuses to get naked for you? Lame.

I hope you found a more accommodating friend.

AF said...

It's just that nobody needs to see me naked. Sorry.

Sincerely,

Lame Chicken

YourFireAnt said...

Well, we don't 'need' birthday cake either, but does that mean we don't WANT it??

Nels P. Highberg said...

I'm thinking more and more of going next year.