Saturday at the Festival of Words

Didn't sleep much, woke up achy and slow for my 10:15 a.m. reading. That's not a problem, though. When I'm in front of an audience, adrenaline takes over. I read an excerpt from The New Moon's Arms, my short story Riding the Red, and an excerpt from Blackheart Man. Interesting questions from the audience, then I was done.

That evening there was a concert by the Cuban group Eleye de Cuba. Most of the audience was sitting still in its seats. I knew I was going to dance, and I had an accomplice for courage and company. Still, I was waiting and gathering my resolve. A few other brave souls started the dancing off. The two of us joined them, and we pretty much didn't sit down for the rest of the concert. Eleye de Cuba put on a great show. The audio on the singers' mikes could have been stronger, though. Thanks to one of the band members coming down off stage and leading an impromptu dance class with those of us on our feet, I think I've finally learned a basic cha-cha-cha. So long as I don't think too much about what my feet are doing.

Took my achy knees back to my hotel, (com)packed, managed to get to bed at a reasonable hour, and now I'm at the Regina airport, waiting for my plane home.

I wrote yesterday, too; over dinner before the concert. It was by hand in my notebook and I haven't transcribed it yet, so I don't have a word count for you.

They're calling my plane to board. Great festival!