Dallas

[lady_karelia]

It's been a great day. I finally got to meet rdholmantx, whom we missed last night. I also got to briefly meet subvers and sshg316 with much squeeing. Robbi showed us Uptown Dallas, which was lovely. The Starbucks is big and lovely. The freeway is pretty horrid, but thanks to Robbi, I didn't get lost. Until we dropped everyone back to the hotel and I bragged that I'd find my way back to the hotels. *Snicker* Promptly took the wrong turn.

blue_paris, shalimar1981, her little one, and I met up with southernwitch69, her son, and beaweasley2 late morning. We visited the Death Eaters' room where I met ellaselenelupin who gifted me not only with German chocolate *squeee* but also a magnet with a picture of the dome of the German Reichstag *squeeeeeeeee*.

Then we went for lunch at Denny's, which was great. We've not been to a Denny's in about nine years, and I was glad to see that nothing has changed. Later, soulbound8686 and towards the end, rdholmantx joined us, and we walked over to the Anatole where we saw a lot of wizards and witches, including Lucius Malfoy, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named with several Death Eaters, Madam Hooch, and others.





Shalimar



Shal, mini-Shal, and some unknown entity in the middle



southernwitch69 and blue_paris



rdholmantx



The glorious Lucius Malfoy. And a very nice one at that!



And just in case you doubted my words and thought I'd made it all up, here beez proof that Portus is happening.



Some of the gang in the Anatole Hilton



Shal and blue_paris



ZOMG! Normally, I don't talk because I have nothing to say. I was entirely lost for words—well, I guess I stuttered some—when I met my favourite author! Subversa is awesomeness pure! It was a true moment of squeefulness when Subversa, Shug, and Deemichelle turned up, and I hope I get a chance to see them again, with maybe more than a few seconds (and no tongue-tiedness) to talk.



Uptown Dallas. Sit-outside-on-the-pavement coffee-drinking culture. I like.



El Fenix, which was recently discussed and recommended on Potter Place. I fully second this recommendation now that I've sampled it. Wow, what great food! And reasonably priced, too!



beaweasley2 at El Fenix



rdholmantx



blue_paris and son of Sun at El Fenix

Comments

[mundungus42.livejournal.com]

Oh SQUEEEEEE!!!!! How WONDERFUL! Thank you so much for the picspam, and I hope you continue to have a marvelous marvelous time!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

Teehee, thanks! It's been an awesome day, and I'm sure tomorrow will be similar. And then ZOMG the sshg meet on Saturday! *flails*

[elise-wanderer.livejournal.com]

More pix! More pix! Envy is inspiring some wonderful writing and fabulous icons back here, but we are still very green with it (envy, that is, not food poisoning or Slytherin Fever or anything). More pix!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

I solemnly swear I'll take more pix tomorrow. :) I'm also quite sure there will be other picspam, from other people. I don't know what's keeping them; cameras were clicking like mad this afternoon at the Hilton. Where access to the internetz is had, apparently at no charge. They might, of course, be busy with other activities...

I really must go check out Portus Envy one of these days...

[miamadwyn.livejournal.com]

I was told that people had to pay extra for internet access at the Hilton, but whatever hotel is across the street from the Hilton offers free internet (at less than half the price per room). Go figure!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

Wow, really? I'm staying in a different hotel altogether, about 6 miles away, so I don't know about the Hilton. It is free at the Marriott, though. And at the Comfort Inn.

[pearle9240.livejournal.com]

Squee! How great to 'see' everyone. I'm more envious now then before...lol... Have a wonderful time!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

Thank you! There'll be more picspam, I have no doubt. :)

[miamadwyn.livejournal.com]

I'm the one that recced El Fenix so I'm VERY glad you liked it! A group of us went there for lunch; you must have been there last night?

Wonderful pics!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

Yes, we went for dinner. And stayed until they closed, lol. It was wonderful! I love Mexican/Tex Mex, and this was one of the best meals I've had in a long while. Unfortunately, Memphis isn't exactly known for its culinary skills, lol.

[miamadwyn.livejournal.com]

Why aren't you at the conference right now?

And you do have lovely barbecue in Memphis, you know!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

I'm only here to meet friends, not attending Portus.

Yes, I've been told about the barbecue in Memphis, but it's all meat, and I'm vegetarian, lol.

[miamadwyn.livejournal.com]

I had a blast "meeting people" yesterday so I know you will enjoy your weekend. As for being vegetarian... ooops. Well, there goes the barbecue!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

It's great fun so far, and I knew I wouldn't want to attend many of the presentations anyways; it's more fun just hanging out with friends.

Yeah, barbecues are one of the few foods that really don't hold much appeal for veggies, lol.

[cck-brit.livejournal.com]

Glad to see everyone having an awesome time. Great pics!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

[notsosaintly.livejournal.com]

Very nice pics! Looks like you all were having fun. It's strange because Maria looks exactly like I imagined her! I expect more pics of course... I'll be keeping my eye open.

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

Oh, we are having a blast. Even though it's really damn hot here!

Yes, I imagined Maria the same, too! LOL

There will be more pics, worry not. :)

[lady-rhian.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you're having a great time so far! Thank you so much for taking the time to put up PicSpam and Reports already -- bless you! Have a wonderful weekend! *throws chocolate at you*

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

We are having a great time, yup! I thoroughly enjoy putting up the picspam, too; shared joy is twice the joy and all that. :)

*catches the chocolate skilfully with one hand* Thanks!

[septentrion1970.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing with those of us who couldn't attend.

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

You are very welcome! I always find that sharing such great times increases the fun even more. :)

[ellaselenelupin.livejournal.com]

No problem. I'm sure the chocolate won't last long. LOL!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

You're right, of course! *grins* We actually managed to transport it without melting, woohoo! I'm eyeing it for breakfast right now. :))

[angrboda]

Here via the PP group

It's so nice to put faces on everybody. Thanks for sharing. :D

(I added you while I was here anyway... :)

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

I love putting faces to names, too; makes them all the more real, doesn't it?

Woohoo, new friend! I love making new friends! *goes to add you*

[angrboda]

It does, although sometimes people look all wrong! I'm still in denial about the pictures I've seen of ginny_weasley31. She's a pretty girl and all that, she just doesn't look like that in my head. At all. :p

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

LOL I know what you mean! Funny, because SW69 was saying the same thing about ginny_weasley31! Said she's pretty and all, but in her head she still imagines her to look like Ginny Weasley. I haven't met her yet, but hope to come across her today.

[angrboda]

Funny, I didn't imagine her looking like Ginny at all. I had/have this image of a tall blond woman, and she laughed at me when I told her that. :)

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

Hee, I'm really curious now!

[ofenjen.livejournal.com]

OMG, HP peeps! *dies from teh happy*

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

LOL! Enjoy your holiday! :)

[kribu.livejournal.com]

I'm only a lurker on the Potter Place list, but thanks so much for posting these! Looks like a lot of fun has been had by everyone.

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

I've seen your name around, must be on GS100? :) Oh, yes, we're having tremendous fun!

[kribu.livejournal.com]

Quite possibly GS100 (and perhaps the SSHG Exchange), yes.

And definitely envying everyone now who could go to the US / Dallas. I met a few SSHG people in London around the New Year's, so I can well imagine how much fun this is!

[celisnebula.livejournal.com]

*is jealous*

I saw some familiar faces, and some faces that I know only the names of online.

I know droxy is there somewhere, in full Snape regalia too - so definitely find her and Snape away!

I am so tempted to blow off work in two weeks to head to Chicago for Terminus (even if I really can't afford it), cause I miss all my convention friends!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

I so don't blame you if you go! I'm trying to figure out a way to justify driving another 1200 miles to Chicago and back... But damn, my hotel points are running low. :(

[charmedforce.livejournal.com]

Aw, it looks like you all are having so much fun!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

We are. It is amazing. I'm not a social person, but I managed to spend 10 hours+ each day so far in company of several friends, and it's simply awesome.

[irishredlass69.livejournal.com]

Oh serious envy! I wish you had labelled the picture with Subversa. I am dying to know what she looks like. I can understand being tongue tied. Hey if you meet up with Lariope I want a picture of the two of you together.

Thank you for sharing and continue to have a blast!
Irish

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

I hope to meet up with Lariope and Shellsnapeluvver and lulabelle and bambu tomorrow at the Granger Snape meet-up. Prepare for loads of picspam tomorrow. ;)

some unknown entity in the middle.....

[kelly-h80.livejournal.com]

Looks ready to kill the photographer XD

Re: some unknown entity in the middle.....

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

LOL damn. Got me sussed out there.

[kimberly-elf.livejournal.com]

PICSPAM!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much for sharing with those of us who could not be there!!!!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

I likes me some picspam, lol. You're very welcome. Shame you're not here :(

[closetravenclaw.livejournal.com]

YAY! Portus Pics. I see a lot of blue shirts and khaki pants. LOL. Keep up the fun!

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

Oh, I will. Tomorrow should be brilliant. All the SSHG shippers in one room, woohoo!

[writermerrin.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for posting these. Looks like y'all are having so much fun.

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome. Yes, we've been having an awesome time!