Take Me Back Thursday

Elvis!

| Melia Alexander

This Take Me Back Thursday comes courtesy of NOLA.

Several years ago, while I was slaving away at a day job conference in New Orleans *cue violins*, Mr. A took a swamp tour where he met Elvis.

a004_14While we visited historic plantations, ate at some awesome restaurants, and enjoyed Bourbon Street, holding Elvis-the-baby-alligator was a highlight for Mr. A! Still makes me smile. Which is why this pic ranks right up there as one of my faves.

Have you visited some place and walked away with an unexpected favorite experience? Please share!

Happy travels,
Melia

Going Bananas!

| Melia Alexander

And today’s Take Me Back Thursday comes from NOLA – New Orleans, Louisiana.

Once upon a time, I traveled to NOLA for a day job conference. Mr. A came along for a bit of R and R while I attended workshops. But when night came, NOLA was ours to explore!

We had dinner one night at Brennan’s, the restaurant that gave birth to Bananas Foster. So what a great surprise when our server offered to have us help make one of our fave deserts. No way were we turning that one down!

The Bananas Foster was wonderfully rich and creamy, not too sweet, and with the right amount of warm and cold elements that made it so special! NOM!

Do you have a desert that’s a must-eat when you’re out? Please share!

~Melia

Take Me Back Thursday: Talking Like a Sea Lion

| Melia Alexander

One of the things I most adore about Mr. Alexander is his kooky sense of humor. And, really, with as intense as life can get, a great sense of humor goes far, yes?

This photo was taken several years ago at a pier in San Francisco where sea lions piled on each other and entertained the crowds gathered on the dock. And this is Mr. A imitating them:

a022_22 (2)Whenever I see this pic, it takes me back there. Back to the smell of seafood and baked bread, the throngs of tourists elbow to elbow for photos on the pier, and the barking noises of the sea lions that made Mr. A mimic them and eventually pushed me towards hysterical laughter.

In that specific moment of time, I knew life was perfect.

I love memories those kinds of memories! Do you have particularly fond memories that, when triggered, make you believe all is right with the world?

~Melia

Take Me Back Thursday: RWA 2009

| Melia Alexander

I sooo have conference envy! See, Romance Writers of America members are in San Antonio, Texas this week for the annual conference. I’m not there. But I didn’t realize until recently that it’s been five years since I’ve been to one. I think I’m gonna need to change that. 🙂

At any rate, here are some pics from the Washington, D.C. conference back in 2009:

Ruth Kaufman, Leah Vale, Melia Alexander, Elaine Rogoza, Terri Reed
With Elaine Rogoza
Betty Booher, Kristina McMorris, Melia Alexander, Joey Berube

The pics make it look like all we did was party, huh? In reality there was an awesome literacy signing (wish I’d taken a picture of that for you!), a whole lot of great workshops, tons of editors and agents to pitch to, and even more writers willing to help with questions ranging from craft to social media and everything in between.

While it’s easy to feel out-of-place at such a huge conference (I believe there were 2,000 writers at this one), there were two authors who made me feel welcomed: Donna Alward and Eve Silver. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd of conference greats like Susan Elizabeth Phillips or Nora Roberts, but both Donna and Eve went out of their way to assure me that as a writer, I did belong. Their encouragement and flat-out kindness will always be remembered. They’re part of the reason that I want to be the kind of author whom you can tap on the shoulder for anything, even if it’s just to chat. Seriously!

So, while it’s still a long ways away, I plan to be at RWA 2015. That it’s in New York next year? BONUS!

If you’re there, come find me. I’m wiping the dust off my piggy bank and plan to plug pennies in it so I can go. 🙂 And if you want to touch base any time, I’m on Facebook and Twitter. I promise I’ll be happy to share what I know. And there’s a pretty good chance I’ll pick your brain, too, so watch out!

For those fortunate enough to be at RWA 2014, happy conferencing.

What are your best conference memories?

~Melia

Take Me Back Thursday: Gone Fishin’

| Melia Alexander

Nothing says summer more than outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and fishing, right? I love to hike. Camping (my version) is a lot of fun. But fishing? That was the LAST thing on my list of things to do over the summer.

But, several years ago, I’m not sure what bug bit me in the butt (say THAT five times fast!), but I decided I wanted to try my hand at fishing. Why not? After all, bears fished all the time, lived off their catch. Logic dictated I could do it, too. Heh. Besides, have you seen the price of fish at the grocery store? I figured I could stock my freezer for the price of a fishing license.

With that in mind, I talked one of my best dude friends at The Male Observation Lab into taking me. The morning was sunny gorgeous, and the temperature was just right – not too hot, not too cold – the way Goldilocks would’ve ordered it! And after a couple of hours of throwing my line in (is that even appropriate lingo?) I caught my very first fish ever! Check it out:

IMG_0733-editedOkay, so it wasn’t very impressive, but I was still thrilled! And, no, I didn’t catch enough to justify the cost of the fishing license. As a matter of fact, that was the only fish I’d caught that morning – and I had to throw it back. Something about it not being very edible.

Ah, well. At least it was an experience. . ..

Have you fished? Do you remember your first time? Please share!

~Melia

Take Me Back Thursday: Princess Curtsy

| Melia Alexander

I think of all the blog posts I do, I love Thursdays best! IMG_2608It’s a chance for me to look back, to reflect. And I love reflecting about my family most of all, especially my adorable nieces and nephews.

See, I figure that since they’re the next generation, it’s up to me to pass on what I know. Right? And what more vital piece of knowledge to pass on than the proper way to perform a curtsy. Cuz, hey, you never know when it’ll come in handy! 🙂

The foot sliding part was a little tricky, but Youngest Niece finally got it. And now she can’t say I didn’t teach her anything!

What memorable piece of knowledge have you passed on to the kids in your life?

~Melia