We got back to the motel on Sunday and I was far too wound-up to sleep, so spent an hour or so sitting out on the deck just thinking about the whole weekend. I've been doing a lot of that since as well. Monday we were up and on our way to Ashara's around 10am, feeling pretty subdued. The mood when we arrived was much the same, with everyone sitting quietly on the deck, quietly reliving a few key moments. The activities of the night before were relayed to those that missed them, with quite a few regrets expressed. Personally the only thing I was regretting was not being able to be in every place at once for the three days I was there, and not being able to talk to everyone for at least a day each. There were some more emotional goodbyes as people were slowly removed to the airport and various other destinations. I managed to keep my composure (for the most part) when saying goodbye - helped by the fact that I'd already decided to return next year. God knows how, but I'll be there. Lori, Willy the Shake and I were on the road about 1pm, heading back to DC, via NYC to drop Willy off in Manhattan. Given the events of the last two days, I'm very glad I was able to see the city before these monstrous attacks. Something I won't forget for a while. I won't go into the details of the return trip, except to say that it was fairly emotional. People tell you what a wonderful time you'll have at Jonifest. What they neglect to tell you is how hard it is to leave. I've never had a harder time saying goodbye than I did that day. Now for the people. I'm not going to mention everyone, because it would take too long, and I'd be echoing things that others have said - probably more eloquently. I will, however, briefly mention a few people that were extra-special (in no special order): Victor - thank you for the Amy Ray stuff. Rose - thank you for the beer run - I've been thinking of you this week, and hope that things work out. I know they will. Kakki - what can I say about Kakki! What an amazing hostess. She went out of her way to make my stay in LA an absolute thrill. Driving me all over the city looking at Joni-related sites, and all this while her father was ill, and she was not 100% herself. I can't thank you enough for your incredible hospitality. Paz - great to talk to you post-fest, made me feel part of it again Lori (and Mary) - again, great hosts, and I was NOT a great house-guest post-fest! I was miserable, and despite their efforts, not really interested in anything. Thanks again for driving me to Topsfield, and showing me the sites - you know there's always a bed here, see you in 2003! Alison - thanks for making me laugh. It's always great to meet someone who love AbFab as much as I do (not to mention a love of beer - something close to my heart!) Maggie - thank you for organising the food, and sorry we didn't get to talk more Steve Polifka - thank you for my cheese-head hat (I think) and the CD Bob Muller - thanks for being you (and note that no babies were harmed by dingos in the typing of this post) Anne - wonderful to meet you at last (and I hope my gift works) Les I - the man! Didn't get to talk to you much, but thank you for starting all this. Mags and Brian - we didn't get to talk like I'd hoped, but then we didn't need to. Next year, maybe! Jimmy - the man I'd marry if he wasn't....or I wasn't.....anyway, I hope you're enjoying the Marmite! John and Claud - wonderful to meet both of you, and John, for the kitchen conversation (and the chocolates). I wish we'd had time for more. Claudia, you're not allowed to talk to me - just sing. Willy - sorry we didn't talk more, even though we had a long time in the car to do it! I know you understand my head was reeling. Susan - great meeting you, and hanging out at Atty May's Sharon - thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your wise words these last few days. Donna - almost as mad as me! The Boston trip will have me giggling for some time to come. Ashara - what a woman! Inviting 60 or 70 absolutely mad jmdlers into her home for 4 years running takes something special. You are a saint (and so is Sal)! Kerry - what can I say about Kerry. My Milwaukee kindred spirit. Laverne to my Shirley. Or probably the Shirley to my Laverne (I think I'm the madder one). Friends forever. I'm sure I've forgotten someone absolutely vital, and they're probably never going to speak to me again, but if anyone has actually read this entire monologue then I'll be very surprised! Thank you to everyone who greeted me with a smile and a hug, and who shared a conversation. That's it. My adventures in Topsfield. Obviously the story is not over - the relationships you build by meeting people face to face endure much longer than words on a computer screen, and I'll be friends with these people for a very long time. If you have read this far, and you've never been to a Jonifest, take my advice. Go. Start saving now. Sell something. Do whatever you need to, but don't let another Jonifest pass you by. You will NOT regret it. It might even change your life. Hell ____________________________ "To have great poets, there must be great audiences too." - Walt Whitman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hell's Personal Photo Page: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~hell/main/personal.htm Visit the NBLs (Natural Born Losers) at: http://www.nbls.co.nz
