I fairly flew to the Convention Center Monday morning. Apparently my happiness was evident because, After replying “Good morning” to the same greeting from I woman I passed on the street, she added, You are awfully jolly this morning.”
Of course I was: this was the day we handed out our awards, them met the honorees for lunch! This was the final event in a process that began over a year ago.
Sorry about that last photo – maybe I was a little excited and I couldn’t keep my hands from shaking!
It was amazing to get to finally meet everyone and we got to have some deeper conversations over lunch.
And then the good byes started. Most people left that afternoon, but a friend and I were not among them so we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening together.
Our first stop was the Odyssey Awards presentation for the best audio recordings. The most emotional moment of the event happened before the ceremony started. A buzz spread in the room as Angie Thomas, author of The Hate You Give, arrived. As she walked up to Bahni Turpin, the narrator of the audiobook, she burst into tears and hugged her. This was the first time they’d ever met!
From there we visited the Hotel Monteleone which featured a revolving, carousel bar, at which writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote and William Faulkner passed some time. We walked on for a seafood dinner at Trenasse, where I had a delicious Crawfish pie.
While in New Orleans, I managed to eat jambalaya, crawfish pie and gumbo. As you read this, I will probably be flying home. These two thoughts bring to mind that great Hank Williams song:
booksandbassets 
Sounds fantastic!!!! Being jolly is good!!
A wonderful evening, thank you for sharing 😊
Sounds like a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you for sharing it here!
One of these years, I will make it to ALA! I imagine it being like our TLA here in Texas, only on steroids. Glad you had a great time!
Nifty moment that you capture, author & voice artist meeting for first time, in tears. I enjoyed reading your eyewitness report — effective example of why first-person perspective (including your thoughts/feelings) should never be underrated.
Happiness in infectious. What a thrilling and exciting time you had.
I was there! Wish we could have met. How exciting!
Now that’s a perfect way to finish off your duties! I can only imagine the excitement.
Sounds like fun! (delicious fun!) I’ve never been to New Orleans.