11-5-09 At the Libraries Unlimited booth

Friends:

On Tuesday, November 3, 2009, I went to see the Michael Jackson movie, This Is It, and fell down the dark movie theater stairwell, spraining my left ankle. I didn’t even get to see the movie! I was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

11-5-09 Charlotte from inside the cab

Two days later, I had to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina for the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) conference for a book signing at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited and to present my Story Fest story theater workshop on Saturday, November 7.

It wasn’t easy but I did it! Fortunately, airports and airlines are so accommodating to people with injuries or disabilities. I received nothing but kindness and assistance my entire trip. A special thank you to these librarians: Bridget Kratt from Nebraska for her help from the airport to the Hilton hotel and throughout the conference; Nancy Dickinson, Allison Roberts & Diane Chen from Tennessee for all their help wheeling me to and fro and bringing me to the closing party; and Lisa Upper from North Carolina for helping me throughout my Story Fest Session. You gals totally ROCK!

The Hilton Hotel was so accommodating and everyone there treated me like royalty! Edward Walter, the manager when I checked in, helped me to my room and even prepared an ice bag for my foot! Throughout my stay, I was met with nothing but kindness and compassion and a fresh bag of ice each day from Mirjana, the 6th floor housekeeper. What superb service!

11-6-09 Dianne de Las Casas & Edward Walter, Hilton Manager

After my book signing on Friday, I went to dinner at McCormick & Schmick’s with my team from Libraries Unlimited: Sally, Kristina, and Debby Laboon, the author services manager.

11-6-09 Dinner with Sally, Kristina & Debby from Libraries Unlimited

I love this picture of Debby Laboon!

11-5-09 Is that a lobster crawling up Debby's shirt?

On Saturday, I had my workshop at the convention center. Bridget Kratt wheeled me there and Nancy Dickinson helped me set up. I presented “Story Fest: Reading Comprehension through Revved-Up Story Theater.”

11-7-09 Participants depicting Baby Bear sitting in a chair

It was wonderful to see the librarians loosen their inhibitions and really get into the story theater mode, warming up with individual, partner and group role playing activities.

11-7-09 So this is what librarians do at AASL

The workshop culminated in two performances. One half of the room performed “The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking” while the other half of the room performed “The Frog and the Ox.” Each group was able to enjoy the other group’s performance.

Lisa Upper from Caldwell Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina was my “official” photographer and volunteer room attendant. Thank you, Lisa, for all your help! I ended with the story, “The Viper,” from my newest book, Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill, and I raffled away nearly ALL my books to the librarians, which they LOVED.

On Saturday night, my friends, Nancy Dickinson, Allison Roberts, and Diane Chen, picked me up and helped me get to the Imaginon for the AASL 2009 closing party. What a party it was!! I had a FABULOUS time, dancing in and on my wheelchair! No stopping this diva! LOL

11-7-09 Leopard Diva on crutches

It was a successful conference and I enjoyed being with old friends and making new friends. I hope to be a part of AASL 2011 in Minneapolis, next time on TWO FEET!

11-8-09 Dianne and a school librarian on departure date

Thank you to everyone who lent a helping hand and thank you to all the school librarians who attended my session on Saturday!! Keep it REVVED-UP!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne