Ketchup

But the whirlwind wasn’t done yet. We finally shook hands with Carsten, who had another meeting, and went off to another meeting of our own, hooking up with Ace editor Jessica Wade, who joined us on an open fifth-story rooftop for virgin daiquiris, city views, and shop talk. Like most of the other pros we’ve met, Jessica clearly enjoys what she does and was energetic, articulate, and great fun.

It was also fantastic to be outside after most of the day inside hotels or the convention center. There was a fresh breeze curling through the skyscrapers of downtown Denver, and, far above, the evening sky was loaded with puffy white clouds that were darkening in the west.

After an hour, in fact, it began to sprinkle. I suggested waiting it out, but the ladies were more rational... and as we walked inside, the sky opened up. Rain hammered down in sheets and the clouds rippled with blue-white lightning strikes that echoed and rolled throughout the city. Holy shikes! The next morning, the news said Denver received two inches in a single hour. There were flash floods in some neighborhoods. So don’t listen to me when I suggest that we just hang out and enjoy the rain.

Diana and I said goodbye to Jessica and retreated to our room, where we sprawled on our giant bed and watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, decompressing from the nonstop day as we ate surprisingly good room service food: a Mediterranean salad, french fries, and a tasty club sandwich. Then sleep.

Labels: Ace, editors, WorldCon report

# posted by Jeff Carlson @ 11:02 AM