About Me
- Pamela Clare
- I grew up in Colorado at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, then lived in Denmark and traveled throughout Europe before coming back to Colorado. I have two adult sons, whom I cherish. I started my writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor of two different papers. Along the way, my team and I won numerous state and several national awards, including the National Journalism Award for Public Service. In 2011, I was awarded the Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism. Now I write historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense.
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Sunday, June 17, 2007
Culinary orgasms and roses in Portland
I am back!
I spent the past three days in Porland, Ore., for the annual AAN conference and awards. AAN stand for Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, an organization that includes more than 100 weekly papers from across the nation. Journalists, including Jim Hightower and Arianna Huffington, met for three days of workshops, inspiring speeches and drinking — not necessarily in that order.
Portland is an amazingly beautiful city — urban without feeling dirty and frayed. The air was so lovely compared to Colorado's bone-dry air that makes it possible for people to mummify just by sitting on their front porches. Our hotel room had a view of the Willamette River in the foreground and Mt. Hood in the background — breathtaking! We slept with the hotel balcony door open all night just to enjoy the air.
My series about AIDS earned an honorable mention at the conference, which was nice.
In between workshops, lunches, dinners and trips to the bar, we journalist types were let loose on Portland — will it ever be the same? — to see the sights. Grace, the paper's managing editor, and I paid a visit to the Rose Gardens above the city and found ourselves in a state of rapture over the beautiful flowers. Acres of roses. I really don't know what to say beyond that. OMG! If you know me, you know I'm a rose whore. I loved this!!! I sniffed so much that I expect I altered weather patterns along the Pacific coast.
I also had the privilege of meeting with a couple of Left Coast RBLers — Linda T., with whom I had dinner one night at Andina, perhaps the best restaurant I've ever experienced, and Ronlyn and her DH and DS. Linda gave me a wee tour of the city, explaining the different districts with a bit of history. Lovely as always, she also suggested I try a drink called the "Secse Huamon." Now I'm not spelling that right — it's supposed to be a Spanish spelling of "Sexy Woman." And let me tell you, that was one amazing drink — jalapeño-infused vodka, passion fruit puree, sugar around the rim. Blew my mind! I understand Leiha and Lina and other traveling ReBeLs have enjoyed the drink, too. The dinner was to DIE for! I didn't have room for dessert, which was a shame, because I bet it would have sent me into a culinary orgasm.
I also got away briefly for a quick lunch with Ronlyn, who is expecting her second baby boy in a couple of weeks. She looked positively gorgeous. And her son was a doll! He counted in Spanish, told me lots of things about colors and a band called The Wiggles (a TV show perhaps?). Very sweet and polite. Ronlyn's DH is, I am happy to report, a real man in which he puts the needs of his wife and child foremost. He came all the way with her into Portland so she wouldn't have to face a three-hour drive alone. And he wasn't grumpy about it. In fact, he was very supportive and concerned for how she was feeling. He was also great with their son. It was precious to see.
Grace and I flew back, after attending many workshops and other AAN events, and had the flight from hell. First it was delayed due to mechanical issues (freaked me out). Then as soon as we lifted off, a baby started screaming — and he screamed all the way to the gate in Denver.
I'm editing the last 60 pages on my novel and will be shipping it to NY this week!
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6 comments:
Pamela, It was so nice to see you! Come back anytime! Maybe we can find some sexy men to go with the sexy woman!! Glad you got to see the Rose Gardens! Sorry about the rainy drizzle :( Glad you made it back OK!
Hey Pamela. I have been absent too.
Congrats on finishing up, good job hon! I am glad you got to meet up with Sparkle and Ronlyn who appears to be the poster girl for looking great in pregnancy!
I would be happy to send you any Wiggles stuff you would like.
My house is buried in it thanks to James!
I will try to be around more, I did get all your offline messages, thanks so much and you never know I may take Libby up on her invite to Co. She wants me to try out on a 'mountain man' for size. *snort!*
Take care precious one,
J xx
Hi, Pamela! Glad you got at least an Honorable Mention, should have been more. I bet it was fun getting to meet some fellow RBLrs. I'm with Joanie, I know who the Wiggles are due to the granddaughters.
July isn't that far away, whoo, hoo!
It was so wonderful getting to see you face to face. Thanks again for playing hookie with us for lunch. (And so sorry about getting so turned around. We did it again after dropping you off at the rose garden. I made 2 right turns backtracking to the freeway and wound up back at the rose garden again! LOL...I still can't figure out how I did that.)
And you were so gracious with Sammy, he's so not shy and ready to talk to everyone. His newest trick is the Spanish and he loves the Wiggles (as you found out.)
It was wonderful seeing you and we'll be sure to gtg again.
(((hugs)))
I'm totally bummed I couldn't make it! Jones, if you go to CO you have to come here first, then we can go there together LOL
I love the book Pamela, you did another freaking awesome job and I can't wait to get a print copy in my mits! I need to send you my hard-copy Hard Evidence so you can "John Henry" it for me!
MWAH!
Linda, I hope I do get to come back soon. I didn't even mind the drizzle because the city is so beautiful and the food is spectacular. I loved being able to spend time with you, so this is definitely a repeat!!!
Joanie, so wonderful to see you! And thanks. I'm an absolute WRECK tonight. The post-partum depression kicked in, and I can't quit bawling. Happens every time I finish a book. Hurts like hell.
That probably sounds silly, doesn't it?
And, yes, Ronlyn is a goddess of pregnancy. She looks beautiful, glows. Truly lovely. I'm so glad you got the messages. I'm thinking of you, my dear Aussie friend. Hang in there. And GET YOUR BUTT ON A PLANE! I would LOVE to have you visit Colorado. And if you come with Aimee, I'll even start prepaying on the bail. ROFL!
Debbie, dear, nope July isn't far away! Can't wait to give you a big hug. And thanks! I really enjoyed meeting Linda and Ronlyn in person -- both beautiful women inside and out.
Ronlyn, I'm LMAO at your getting turned around again. I'm not surprised. Portland is a city of one-way streets that end in construction zones -- with lots of trees. At least there's a Starbuck's on every corner. I'm so grateful you made the long drive and I hope it didn't cause you too much discomfort. I adored your kiddo and Scott, too. I had fun talking with them and hearing all about The Wiggles.
Aimee, I'm SO GLAD you finally got time to read the book! I tried calling but left a message that probably sounded like it came from a crazy person. SORRY! I just can't quit crying. Whatever. Authors are nuts. YES, send the book, or better yet, BRING IT when you and Jones arrive in Denver to launch our life of crime.
I am so sad I didn't get to meet you, but I'll hang on to the hug I've been waiting so many years to give you and then when I do see you, watch out! LOL!
Thanks everyone!