Flexible Planet Blog

2009 Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show

Sorry for the short notice, but if any of you happen to be in the LA area this weekend, check out the 2009 Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show. As always, there will be exhibitors aplenty, prizes to be won, and discounted travel-related items.

But the reason I go is to attend the panels and fawn over travel writers old and new (not a remark on age but merely a comment on people I have or haven’t met). In attendance this year will be:

• Jen Leo and Rolf Potts, the first two travel writers I met when I decided to enter the field (haven’t seen them at the same time since we met)

• Pauline Frommer, who I’ve met several times before, and her father Arthur (one of those guys who started it all), who I haven’t yet but am excited to

• Rick Steves, a guy and a travel empire who I hope to corner at some point

• Samantha Brown, a Travel Channel veteran with numerous shows under her belt who might offer tips on getting one’s own show

• Catherine Hamm, travel editor for the LA Times (took a class with her—very nice woman)

and several others as well. There will be several panels to attend, and I’m looking forward to picking some brains, getting free stuff, and blowing money on travel books I don’t need. Old habits die hard. If you go, look for the loud obnoxious guy asking all the questions. That will most likely be me.

Further Proof that the World is Tiny

Before I delve into exactly why this, except for perhaps three or four people. And now anyone reading this blog. So…three or four people know about my Morocco plans.

The idea was prompted by my friend and travel addict Alma who, after several attempts to get me to travel somewhere cool and exotic with her, got me to commit to an extended weekend in Marrakech. The more we talked, the more we planned, and the more I actually grew to accept that I could (and should) pull this off. I don’t have my ticket yet, but I’m planning to buy it by the end of next month. (I’m going to sell my kidneys for travel money, but I understand they do grow back rather quickly. Cha-ching!)

Writing about Travel, Winning Books on Blogs

Alrighty…Since I somewhat committed myself to getting back into travel writing, I suppose there are worse ways to get back into the swing of things and getting my name out there than by winning a book from the Perceptive Travel blog.

I think this makes my 3^rd travel book won via a random online contest. (And my 17^th return to travel writing.)At this rate, I may not ever be famous, but at least I’ll have an impressive library.

In any case, I’m back!

(Thanks to Sheepstone for the kick in the ass.)