Wednesday, 6 May 2009. The alarm came much to soon on a chilly and cloudy morning. As I put my laundry in my new laundry bag I realized I would soon need to visit a washer and dryer. Recycling clothes not a good idea. 
I only started up the road about 15 minutes after I wanted. It was a pretty easy drive under partly cloudy skies as first Rockford. From Rockford to the Wisconsin border there was construction. Traffic moved fairly smoothly but there was the occasional tie up. The rest is a trip up to Madison went smoothly. The sun peeked in and out of the clouds. I had good maps to get me to the restaurant and actually found a parking spot just around the corner.
As I walked up to the Japanese restaurant there was Tim McCloud waiting me for me outside the door. This was rather practical as the restaurant did not open for another 10 minutes. Also the propeller beanie he was wearing sort of gave him away.
We sat down and chatted for about 20 minutes before the third party arrived, Kristin Thompson. She was the author of the book “The Frodo Franchise.” I had reviewed the book for online science fiction site and really liked it. Kirsten had brought a copy for me as my review copy had been left in Richmond and was being sent to me at home. Kristin was kind enough to sign the book to me.
We a delightful launch and great conversation. I even ran over the time at my parking meter but I was told not to really worry.
I found my way back to the interstate, and where there wasn’t construction, but the pedal to the middle and headed up I-94 to my Menomonie. I got there little later than I expected as I was tired and pulled off the road to rest for a few minutes. When I got to my Menomonie, I realize they knew someone else there. Mike Levy, who is associated with the SFRA, is head of the English department at the University of Wisconsin’s branch there. Once I got into my room I gave him a call, and we had a nice chat. Circumstances were such that we wouldn’t be able to get together.
I then headed over to Mills Farm where my friend, Robin Crickman, was attending a demonstration concerning horses. As she runs a horse farm, this is quite appropriate. After the demonstration was over we headed over to Applebee’s for dinner. Unfortunately, she is a problem with garlic so the choice of entrée was rather limited. However this did not prevent us from having a long and very enjoyable conversation allowing us to catch up for a couple decades worth of news. I also opened the eyes of our waiter to a couple opportunities for his future. He was graduating in culinary arts.
When I got back to the room, I was able to get online and clean up a little bit of e-mail.
