Sally's Journal

Sally's Journal

September 2004

LAS VEGAS last fall was where it all started.

I SPENT A LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND there last October and one of the highlights was cruising the Las Vegas Strip in a bus yellow Dodge Viper convertible with my hunky brother-in-law, Kim Person. With it's powerful V-10 engine, the car packed lots of power and garnered a lot of attention as we wheeled in and out of some fabulous hotels. Finally got the photo, so here it is:

ONE OF THE TRIP'S HIGHLIGHTS was going to a show featuring an Elvis impersonator with Shirley, my sister, who maintains the best Elvis impersonator is right in her home state of Washington. Months later, when Shirley had a big party at her Cle Elum ranch in June, she twisted my arm to attend. So I went, thinking "her" Elvis couldn't top the Las Vegas act. But Steve Sogura wowed a barnful of people, including myself, and I became a member of his fan club that night. Steve, who has won an Elvis competition in Las Vegas and performs around the Pacific Northwest, has been compared to a "young" Elvis and his measurements are exactly the same as Elvis in the early years. But he's got a magical audience presence and I laughed more that night than I have in a very long time. Pure, magical enjoyment. (See photo on left.)

OKAY, SO I'M HOOKED on Steve aka "Elvis." . I freely admit it. Keep reading this journal and you'll see what I mean . . .

In August, I'd just returned from attending the annual Romance Writers of America conference in Dallas, Texas. It was a lot of fun seeing so many friends like Cathy Maxwell, Mary Burton, Carla Neggers, Fiona Hood-Stewart, Heather Graham, Kresley Cole, Jasmine Cresswell and Joan Johnston to name but a few. Highlights were the MIRA Books cocktail party at the famous Mansion on Turtle Creek, tea with Fiona and Carla at the elegant Adolphus Hotel, enjoyable dinner with Cathy Maxwell and Mary Burton and breakfast with Heather and Dennis Pozzessere and Martha Keenan, Mira Books Senior Editor. Also meeting so many of the Avon authors at the Literacy Autographing.

THE TROUBLE WITH TRAVELING is the packing and unpacking—which I hate—and it seems recently I'm always scrambling to do both. For several years, my "baby" brother David Fairchild has been trying to get me to come for a visit and we finally pulled if off in mid-August. I love my sister-in-law Chris, who is so much fun, and David is one of the best brothers! (I've got four, so I have to be careful not to rave too much.) Anyway, David and another brother, Paul, kept me on a merry-go-round of activity over the long weekend. German food at the Public Market and I even sat in the same seat featured in the movie Sleepless in Seattle at the market! Great food and wonderful fresh produce and lots of fun remembering our parents and bonding even more with my two nephews, Andrew (a John Wayne type) and Eliot (with his Paul Newman lady-killer eyes), and nieces, Deborah (a sweetheart!) and Alison, the family's star athlete.

A FUN DAY WAS VISITING BAINBRIDGE ISLAND (above) with a college friend, Catherine Hall (r), and Chris (l). Weather was wonderful and Suzanne Macpherson (2nd from left), Avon author, picked us up as we arrived on the island for a quick tour and delightful lunch at a restaurant overlooking the harbor. Later, we visited the Eagle Harbor Book Store where we managed to buy Suzanne's last remaining copy of IN THE MOOD. Super day!

NOW, REMEMBER I SAID I WAS HOOKED? Well, my sister had yet another gig going with Steve! This time at a lovely restaurant in Issaquah. So, naturally, I had to be in the audience! Only this time Shirley and I had put our heads together and came up with a great promo item. (I'm not in the business for nothing!) Acrylic necklaces imprinted with Steve's name and, guess what? They blinked...three speeds and a choice of colors. We picked red, so imagine an audience wearing lighted blinking red necklaces. Everyone--even the men!--wanted one and they added just an extra touch of fun to what was already a great evening. This time I got lots of pictures. I think they actually say more than words...so take a look:

SHIRLEY AND KIM HAD JUST RETURNED from a week in the San Juan Islands on their boat and enjoying the Dungeness crab season.In the back of his loaded F-350 truck, Kim had coolers filled with cooked and cleaned crab which he freely shared with Steve and many delighted friends/fans afterwards. What an evening! But that day I'd hauled my suitcase from David's house in Kent, to Paul's house in Snoqualamie, then back to Shirley's home in North Bend, where I finally settled down for the night before heading back to Kent in the morning.

SEVERAL DAYS later Shirley, Chris and I lunched (a birthday celebration) and then hit Chico's. It was my first time in this clothing store—but not the last! What wonderful clothes! And, most of all, perfect for traveling. Mix 'n match, lovely, and non-crushable. Something to keep in mind now that I'm back in Florida and dodging hurricane's like crazy, not to mention going days without power. Tossing a few essentials in a suitcase and heading for the hills is beginning to have some appeal...although, I confess, I keep too busy to think too much about actually moving.

MORE LATER...

Archives:
May 2004 - Las Vegas update
Aug 2003 - RWA conference
May 2003 | August 2002
Spiderman & BEA - Spring 2002
Holidays and New Year 2002
Hood Canal: November 2001
Empty Nest: July 2001 | February Journal 2000 |
September Journal 1999 | May Journal 1999 |
July Journal 1998 | May Journal 1998 |
Lisa's Wedding | January Journal 1998


Steve Sogura "Elvis" Sisters Shirley & Sally Steve with me at Shirley's Cle Elum ranch party in June. Ethan Goletz (Sally's grandson!) One Year Old! Cathy, Sally & Chris on Bainbridge Island ferry Sally, Steve & Shirley Sally & Steve	Sally's Journal September 2004 LAS VEGAS last fall was where it all started. I SPENT A LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND there last October and one of the highlights was cruising the Las Vegas Strip in a bus yellow Dodge Viper convertible with my hunky brother-in-law, Kim Person. With it's powerful V-10 engine, the car packed lots of power and garnered a lot of attention as we wheeled in and out of some fabulous hotels. Finally got the photo, so here it is: ONE OF THE TRIP'S HIGHLIGHTS was going to a show featuring an Elvis impersonator with Shirley, my sister, who maintains the best Elvis impersonator is right in her home state of Washington. Months later, when Shirley had a big party at her Cle Elum ranch in June, she twisted my arm to attend. So I went, thinking "her" Elvis couldn't top the Las Vegas act. But Steve Sogura wowed a barnful of people, including myself, and I became a member of his fan club that night. Steve, who has won an Elvis competition in Las Vegas and performs around the Pacific Northwest, has been compared to a "young" Elvis and his measurements are exactly the same as Elvis in the early years. But he's got a magical audience presence and I laughed more that night than I have in a very long time. Pure, magical enjoyment. (See photo on left.) OKAY, SO I'M HOOKED on Steve aka "Elvis." . I freely admit it. Keep reading this journal and you'll see what I mean . . . In August, I'd just returned from attending the annual Romance Writers of America conference in Dallas, Texas. It was a lot of fun seeing so many friends like Cathy Maxwell, Mary Burton, Carla Neggers, Fiona Hood-Stewart, Heather Graham, Kresley Cole, Jasmine Cresswell and Joan Johnston to name but a few. Highlights were the MIRA Books cocktail party at the famous Mansion on Turtle Creek, tea with Fiona and Carla at the elegant Adolphus Hotel, enjoyable dinner with Cathy Maxwell and Mary Burton and breakfast with Heather and Dennis Pozzessere and Martha Keenan, Mira Books Senior Editor. Also meeting so many of the Avon authors at the Literacy Autographing. THE TROUBLE WITH TRAVELING is the packing and unpacking—which I hate—and it seems recently I'm always scrambling to do both. For several years, my "baby" brother David Fairchild has been trying to get me to come for a visit and we finally pulled if off in mid-August. I love my sister-in-law Chris, who is so much fun, and David is one of the best brothers! (I've got four, so I have to be careful not to rave too much.) Anyway, David and another brother, Paul, kept me on a merry-go-round of activity over the long weekend. German food at the Public Market and I even sat in the same seat featured in the movie Sleepless in Seattle at the market! Great food and wonderful fresh produce and lots of fun remembering our parents and bonding even more with my two nephews, Andrew (a John Wayne type) and Eliot (with his Paul Newman lady-killer eyes), and nieces, Deborah (a sweetheart!) and Alison, the family's star athlete. A FUN DAY WAS VISITING BAINBRIDGE ISLAND (above) with a college friend, Catherine Hall (r), and Chris (l). Weather was wonderful and Suzanne Macpherson (2nd from left), Avon author, picked us up as we arrived on the island for a quick tour and delightful lunch at a restaurant overlooking the harbor. Later, we visited the Eagle Harbor Book Store where we managed to buy Suzanne's last remaining copy of IN THE MOOD. Super day! NOW, REMEMBER I SAID I WAS HOOKED? Well, my sister had yet another gig going with Steve! This time at a lovely restaurant in Issaquah. So, naturally, I had to be in the audience! Only this time Shirley and I had put our heads together and came up with a great promo item. (I'm not in the business for nothing!) Acrylic necklaces imprinted with Steve's name and, guess what? They blinked...three speeds and a choice of colors. We picked red, so imagine an audience wearing lighted blinking red necklaces. Everyone--even the men!--wanted one and they added just an extra touch of fun to what was already a great evening. This time I got lots of pictures. I think they actually say more than words...so take a look: SHIRLEY AND KIM HAD JUST RETURNED from a week in the San Juan Islands on their boat and enjoying the Dungeness crab season.In the back of his loaded F-350 truck, Kim had coolers filled with cooked and cleaned crab which he freely shared with Steve and many delighted friends/fans afterwards. What an evening! But that day I'd hauled my suitcase from David's house in Kent, to Paul's house in Snoqualamie, then back to Shirley's home in North Bend, where I finally settled down for the night before heading back to Kent in the morning. SEVERAL DAYS later Shirley, Chris and I lunched (a birthday celebration) and then hit Chico's. It was my first time in this clothing store—but not the last! What wonderful clothes! And, most of all, perfect for traveling. Mix 'n match, lovely, and non-crushable. Something to keep in mind now that I'm back in Florida and dodging hurricane's like crazy, not to mention going days without power. Tossing a few essentials in a suitcase and heading for the hills is beginning to have some appeal...although, I confess, I keep too busy to think too much about actually moving. MORE LATER... Archives: May 2004 - Las Vegas update Aug 2003 - RWA conference May 2003 \| August 2002 Spiderman & BEA - Spring 2002 Holidays and New Year 2002 Hood Canal: November 2001 Empty Nest: July 2001 \| February Journal 2000 \| September Journal 1999 \| May Journal 1999 \| July Journal 1998 \| May Journal 1998 \| Lisa's Wedding \| January Journal 1998