Getting there was adventure enough.
See, I was wearing my new boots, which haven't yet deformed to fit my feet. So they pinch. The idea was to wear them to work because it I wouldn't be walking enough outside to make them uncomfortable, so they would break in.
First. Get the train. The subway I was heading towards is three long blocks away from where I work. There is a bus that goes in that direction, but it's slow. And I *just* missed it. So. Three long blocks (fortunately downhill.) And that was a mistake - I should have walked one fewer block and taken a bus to an IRT station. But, no. I decided I wanted the M train. Which was waiting in the station. And waiting. And waiting.
Why? Because there was a disabled train ahead. This was cleared up before too long,though, and I even got a seat eventually. And then I got off one stop too soon. And got lost around lower Manhattan. So I called Jonathan and he gave me directions to walk to the museum.
8 blocks. In those boots. But they were good directions and I found the place. And it turned out I was an hour early, but that was okay. I had the foresight to make a peanut butter sandwich (I keep peanut butter and rye bread in the office) before leaving work, so I had something to eat before the blood sugar dropped. They did have free juice, cookies and pretzels, which was lovely, but the sandwich was a better choice for me. Instead, I just worked on my swatch for my first sweater.
The readings themselves were...well, I've heard Ellen read before. She's marvelous, as befits someone who is also a radio host. She read from her latest, The Privilege of the Sword , in a non-traditional manner - instead of reading one scene, she read bits along the main storyline to show how her protagnonist changed. It was very effective. She also read another part showing teen-age girls reacting to the dramatization of their favorite novel, which was hilarious.
Naomi read a selection from her as yet untitled 4th book, which will be out in October or so. Her fifth book, btw, will be out a few months after - in hardcover. This selection was a dinner party in the covert, and was an amusing description of a young female character among people not of her milieu (those who know the books know who she is.) Even Naomi laughed. Then, as a change of pace, she read something Completely Different - a novel she's currently working on. This was a raw and powerful piece set in a prison, using a telepath as a viewpoint character. When I say powerful - I found myself holding my knitting instead of working on it because I didn't want to miss a word. I am now anxious for this book to be sold.
There was a brief Q&A session and then everyone adjourned to a local bar. Except that it was nearly 9PM, and I needed a real dinner. So I caught a cab to a restaurant near my home instead.
Leaving my handknit, months-in-progress Ravenclaw scarf in the museum. Which I didn't realize until I put my coat on to go home after I ate.
I called the museum this morning. They have the scarf. I'll get it tomorrow.