Orangewillow

I just got back from San Francisco and I am soooo tired but I had a great time. I had some health issues towards the end of the trip but nothing that was life shattering and it passed soon enough. However tomorrow a call to the Doctor is in my future as well as a visit. I need to get 100% healthy so I can head back out to San Francisco Friday for Maker Faire. I am really excited about this as well since it will be my first craft fair with Zoe. Shes so young its hard to bring her but since I have been traveling so much it seemed a great opportunity for her and I to have some quality time.

San Francisco was AWESOME! The very first real meal I had there was all by myself at a sushi bar next to the hotel but that was ok. The owners were there and talked to me the entire time and made a special yummy roll just for me to honor my trip to San Francisco. They were so cute. The woman looked through my portfolio before my meeting with the publisher and kept ooohing awing over my illustrations. Her husband was the chef and just kept smiling and nodding his head to everything his wife said while he prepared his dishes. I was a little shy and overwhelmed at first but in hind site it actual gave me the confidence I needed to go to my meeting with my head up high.

So after the yummy sushi I headed to Union Square area for my meeting at The Cheesecake Factory. Yes, I know, a lot of food in my stories but I didn’t want to go to the meeting on an empty stomach and food distract me. Caroline was super nice and everything was so casual. I was very concerned I was out of my element but Caroline made me feel like a pro. She had wonderful things to say about my illustrations and was thrilled to see them done in watercolor. I was a bit nervous on the medium choice but now am glad I made it. She expressed the illustrations are very unique which is a plus. She also read several of my writing samples and gave me the blow by blow on how this book publishing bit works.

Since I am a new writer and illustrator she suggested I complete the book before seeking publishing and followed that up with asking if I felt I could finish it in a month. I do have a show coming up in San Mateo next weekend but after that I plan to dedicate myself to this project entirely so I expressed it wouldn’t be an issue and shes going to follow-up with me in a month’s time. Well after all the excitement of the meeting instead of seeing San Francisco I headed straight back to the hotel, gathered up my supplies, and found the nearest Star Bucks to work on my book.

On my second day there Adam’s girlfriend, Jenn, flew in and I got to meet her. She is a kindred spirit and we were instantly bosom friends. We had a wonderful time seeing all the city had to offer although towards the end with my health she became quite motherly but it was clear she only did things because she cared. I will say I have never been made to drink so much water and I have never had anyone check my fever the way she did, a little unsettling, lol. Just kidding, in all seriousness I felt at ease with her instantly which in my experiences is rare.

Out of all the things I did on the trip the most fun and beautiful was the Japanese Tea Garden. I liked SFMOMA and the Mission District was all right (not as many galleries as I expected) but the natural beauty of the garden was breathtaking. San Francisco is one of those places that when I was there it felt like home. I look forward to returning next week with Zoe.

The green tea hit the spot since it was a breezy day and the crackers satisfied my growling tummy. What a blissful trip and you can’t beat a possible book deal and making a new friend all in one week. Oh San Francisco, I will now consider you my home away from home.