WHAT a week it has been. You cannot even begin to imagine. Some good, lots bad, but I’ve been getting a lot of writing done. I do have to sigh a bit, though, when I consider that this time last week I was in Ft. Lauderdale at the Broward County Literary Feast, an event to end all events. The fun began in the Author Hospitality Room, when Lauren Groff, Brendan Halpin, and I were the only over-eager people to show up for wine and cheese (and boy did we eat a lot of cheese; the wine was tricky until we located a corkscrew) before the opening cocktail party.
Now. As you all know, I’m a fan of the cocktail party. And if the cocktail party can be in a spectacular penthouse condominium with views of both the ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway, so much the better. I got to meet the Sun-Sentinel’s fabulous Oline Cogdill, who said such kind things I’m still more than a little convinced that my mother is paying her, ate the best dolomades I’ve had outside of Greece, and came to the painful realization that I completely misinterpreted the phrase “tropical casual.”
The next day, the authors visited high schools. It’s always energizing to talk to students, and I was blown away by the enthusiasm and fantastic questions asked by the groups I saw at McArthur High. I also got to announce the winners of a short story contest run in conjunction with the festival–and the first place winner at the school was also the grand prize winner in the district. Happy day when you’re a freshman and leave school $1100 richer. I just hope she keeps writing!
Friday night was Literary Feast time. Each author is taken to a private home for a dinner party to raise money for the county library system. The menus are inspired by the books, and I was blown away by the effort of my hosts: Diana Wasserman-Rubin, Richard Rubin, and Michael Feinstein. Michael’s house could not be more welcoming, and his wine cellar was more than a little impressive. And don’t get me started on his boat. Dinner was served in a tent in the back yard, the table set in finest Victorian fashion. Emily would have been pleased, and I was actually dressed appropriately this time.
An after party formed spontaneously, and I met more fantastic people, plotted all kinds of trouble, and learned horrifying things about the election problems in Florida. You thought I’d finally gotten over those hanging chads, didn’t you? Wrong. Wow. Now I know just how bad it really was. Trust me when I say you’d rather not know.
Saturday was filled with panel discussions open to the public, and I was fortunate enough to be assigned to appear with Stephen Hunter and James Hall, with Sun-Sentinel Book Editor Chauncey Mabe keeping us in line and peppering us with great questions.
What a weekend! Pictures here.
But it didn’t stop there. Because the Rubins, you see, were hosting a little shindig for someone you might have heard of. Bill Clinton? Sound familiar? They invited me to stay an extra day so that I could meet the former President. I was tired enough that I said No, no, I couldn’t; I’d have to change my plane ticket before coming to my senses and, well, changing my plane ticket. Extending my stay not only enabled me to meet Bill, but gave me a lot more time on my balcony, which was a great spot to sit and write.
Not, you know, that meeting Bill wasn’t enough. Let me tell you, he is every bit as charming as you’d want him to be…See me trying to look presidential (or not) here. They’re just the proofs, but better than nothing.
Michael drove me back from the party and we stopped for dinner on the way. I ate the most sublime crab cakes that ever have been or ever will be cooked, and went to bed a happy, happy girl.
And did I mention I got to meet Bill?????? : )
xo
Tasha
UPDATE: Ack! I forgot questions. Forgive me:
1. If you could, realistically, move to a different city, where would you go?
2. Would you rather be lost at sea or trapped in the mountains?
3. Hemingway or Faulkner?
4. Stoppard or Mamet?
5. What do you want for dinner tonight?
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Sounds wonderful, Tasha. I bet having all those people at a dinner just for you (with food inspired by your book) was an amazing feeling!
I’m glad it went so well. Now keep writing…
{{{Hugs}}}
by Laura on March 21st, 2008 at 9:22 am
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Thanks, Laura! It was an amazing weekend. Highly recommend the event to anyone who can go…..
by Tasha Alexander on March 21st, 2008 at 9:25 am
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LBD #2 is even more stunning than #1. 
1. If you could, realistically, move to a different city, where would you go?
St. John’s, Antigua.
2. Would you rather be lost at sea or trapped in the mountains?
Lost at sea, I guess.
3. Hemingway or Faulkner?
Hmmm…tough one. I love them both, but I’ll have to go with Hemingway.
4. Stoppard or Mamet?
Mamet.
5. What do you want for dinner tonight?
Shrimp. Boiled. With melted butter on the side.
by J.D. Rhoades on March 21st, 2008 at 9:51 am
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Wow, do I look like a dork in that picture. The food looks good, though.
Not sure if I need to answer the questions when commenting or not, but here goes.
1.Edinburgh, Scotland.
2.Mountains
3.Feh
4.Mamet
5.A bigass margarita
by Brendan Halpin on March 21st, 2008 at 10:02 am
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questions:
city: Nutley NJ…
mountains,
hemingway, mamet, pizza.
by Dave White on March 21st, 2008 at 10:04 am
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Dusty, you should see LBD #3….
Brendan, you do not look like a dork! Wasn’t that food good? I want that rare beef thing right now. Is that bad this early in the morning? I should have posted the picture of you and Lauren with that giant bottle of wine we couldn’t open in the hospitality room…..
Dave, Nutley, eh? I’ll have to check it out.
by Tasha Alexander on March 21st, 2008 at 10:12 am
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Had to throw in the questions late, didn’t you? 
1. New York
2. As much as I love the ocean, I’d need to walk around after a while so I’m going mountains. Unless I can be on an island while lost at sea–then I prefer that. 
3.Hemingway
4. Mamet
5. I’m with Dave. Pizza!
by Laura on March 21st, 2008 at 10:52 am
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1. London
2. That’s a toughie. I suppose lost at sea, because I’ll eventually drift to land.
3. I don’t much like either of them.
4. AHHHH! Both! I love both!
5. My homemade mac and cheese with brocolli.
by Farin on March 21st, 2008 at 11:07 am
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Sounds like a marvelous time was had by all. You’ll tell me all about it, won’t you? (Hint. Hint.)
1. I live in Nashville, so I’d go practically anywhere. Edinburgh sounds good. So does Dublin. Copenhagen. St. Augustine. And I have an inexplicable fondness for Pittsburgh…
2. Mountains. Definitely mountains. Too much water the other way. And sun.
3. Hemingway, I guess. Probably.
4. Tough call. Too tough.
5. What do I want, or what am I going to get? Two totally different things, those. I’m going to be eating Mexican, and I’m happy with that. My dad’s fresh-caught mackerel, with salad and potato would be nice, though… Or some fresh shrimp purchased right off the boat. (Feeling a little homesick today. Making plane reservations.)
by JennieB on March 21st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
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1. Vancouver.
2. Mountains. I can survive in the mountains.
3. Hemingway. although it’s a tough call.
4. Stoppard or Mamet? I refuse to choose. I met my wife in a Stoppard play.
5. What do you want for dinner tonight? No deadlines.
by David Terrenoire on March 21st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
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Honolulu
Mountains, hands down.
Huh?
Huh?
An inch thick Porterhouse, but it’s Good Friday.
by Will Bereswill on March 21st, 2008 at 12:19 pm
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1. the Cote d’Azur in France
2. Mountains, any time. At least there’s fresh water!
3. Do I have to…??
4. Manet
5. Indian cuisine
by Michelle Moran on March 21st, 2008 at 12:46 pm
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Wow! Sounds like a fab time. It’ll be great to catch up with you next week in VA.
1. If you could, realistically, move to a different city, where would you go?
Paris.
2. Would you rather be lost at sea or trapped in the mountains?
Well, am I floating around in the sea or do I at least have a boat? With maybe a cabana boy?
3. Hemingway or Faulkner?
Faulkner. 100% Faulkner.
4. Stoppard or Mamet?
Probably Stoppard. But maybe Mamet. What about Sam Shepard? Or Arthur Miller? Can I choose Miller?
5. What do you want for dinner tonight?
A menu handed to me followed quickly by a good glass of Cabernet.
by judy larsen on March 21st, 2008 at 1:07 pm
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Ok, I’m very impressed that you got to meet Bill. The life of a novelist….
1. If you could, realistically, move to a different city, where would you go?
Seattle
2. Would you rather be lost at sea or trapped in the mountains?
Trapped in the Mountains
3. Hemingway or Faulkner?
Hemmingway.
4. Stoppard or Mamet?
Ok, I googled, Playwrights?
5. What do you want for dinner tonight?
I don’t know. Its shopping day so maybe I’ll whip up a shrimp scampi over pasta with a little fresh zuchini if it looks any good at all.
by Lynn on March 22nd, 2008 at 9:01 am
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I got to have pizza.
You know you wanted to know.
by Dave White on March 22nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
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Judy, you can absolutely choose Miller!
Laura, mmmmmmm, New York….
Farin, can I come over for mac & cheese?
Jennie, I’ll tell you all the details next week.
David, you met your wife in a Stoppard play? So romantic I can hardly stand it!!!
Michelle, Manet…. : )
Lynn, when I finish Farin’s mac & cheese I’m heading your way.
And, Dave, I woke up wondering, “Did Dave get his pizza? How am I going to concentrate all day not knowing? I won’t be able to write a single coherent word….”
Will, sorry to have made you think of steak on Good Friday. Today, maybe?
by Tasha Alexander on March 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 am
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1. If you could, realistically, move to a different city, where would you go?
** Chicago
2. Would you rather be lost at sea or trapped in the mountains?
** Mountains. I don’t do water.
3. Hemingway or Faulkner?
** Ummm…neither?
4. Stoppard or Mamet?
** Can’t say that I’m well-rounded enough to be familiar enough with either…I pass…
5. What do you want for dinner tonight?
** Whatever it is, I would like it to be delivered…and paid for by someone else…
by Carrie on March 22nd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
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Delivered sounds perfect, Carrie. I’m getting Thai; wanna come over? ; )
by Tasha Alexander on March 22nd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
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Man, am I late… I LOVE your pictures, sweetie! Especially that grin with the ex-prez…
1. If you could, realistically, move to a different city, where would you go?
Somewhere just south of Florence. Country House!
2. Would you rather be lost at sea or trapped in the mountains?
Trapped in the mountains. Fear of drowning.
3. Hemingway or Faulkner?
Hemingway, hands down.
4. Stoppard or Mamet?
I’m thinking Mamet. I love his approach top the craft.
5. What do you want for dinner tonight?
THAI! Preferably fed to me.
by JT Ellison on March 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 pm
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Heh. Glad you like the pics!!!
Had Thai tonight. No one fed it to me, but they almost made it spicy enough………..
by Tasha Alexander on March 22nd, 2008 at 11:36 pm
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Denver
Trapped in the Mountains.
Hemingway
Stoppard.
I had ravioli and meatballs.
cmr
by Chris Redding on March 23rd, 2008 at 6:15 pm
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