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Sand In My Bra6 January 2004

Yahooo, Thanks Again NATJA

I got the Chicago trip! Full details to come, but I'm very pleased. EVERYONE I know wanted me to get the Maldives trip but it was such a romantic getaway, I might've stressed all year about a date. No offense, Susan. Or Heather, who was the only one who emailed me asking to be my #2. Two other requests were voiced in person. Both female, so I ignored them. What am I talking about? The North American Travel Journalists Association gave me a Grand Prize for Sand in My Bra in their 2003 awards. It was quite the shock and a definite thrill. So, now the question is when? June for the Book Expo of America. Or In October when I'm promoting Whose Panties Are These? Here's what I get: GRAND PRIZE 3. Windy City Windfall (4 nights). Chicago not only wins big prizes but also donates them. This $4,000 package includes a four-night stay in the Fairmont Chicago, with views of the city and lakefront, plus dinner for two in Aria, home of culturally-inspired, comfortably-American cuisine, and two Serenity Baths, in-room spa treatments provided by the hotel's Bath Sommelier (value $1600); roundtrip tickets to Chicago from any of Spirit Airlines' 14 markets (value $1600); dinner for two at Blackbird, an award-winning French restaurant in the city's West Loop district; a $100 gift certificate to Piazza Bella Trattoria, named one of America's best restaurants by Gourmet Magazine last year; two $150 dinner gift cards for The Signature Room at the 95th, at John Hancock Center; and two CityPass booklets providing admission to Adler Planetarium, the Museum of Science & Industry, Hancock Observatory, and more.

11 comments

  • Craig6 January 2004
    Congratulations on the award, just wondering if you have recommendations for a cool place to check out for a vacation this year? Looking forward to the next collection. Craig
  • Heather6 January 2004
    Um, does that mean no? June works better for me.
  • Dusty6 January 2004
    Hey girl Do you think of work all the time. Why do you want to combine the Chigaco trip with the publicity of another book. Just go there, see the city as a curious traveller, chill and be back. Happy 2004
  • Jen Leo7 January 2004
    Thanks everybody! It's nice to hear some adult speak since I'm over in kidland. Craig, I have no idea what your interests are so I can't recommend a random vacation. But there are two places I would go for inspiration: BootsnAll.com, and Travelzoo.com. I also just found Bestfares.com and I like them, too. Heather: What are you doing on here! That's so cool you read this, I just posted it and hadn't even had time to fwd it to you yet. Dusty: Thanks for your concern. I'd much rather have it be a romantic getaway, but then it'd be work to get a date. It has more to do with being money efficient. I don't think TT is having a booth at the BEA this year, and since I'm not a staff member, I'm doubting they will be paying my way. So, if I want to go to BEA this year- not even sure if I do but it would be a good way to share the winnings with TT- then it would be a free flight over. And yeah, it's tough to think about anything other than work right now. Do you watch football? It's a rebuilding year.
  • Jen Leo7 January 2004
    OH MY GOSH! I just added the prize with links to the hotel and restaurants and I am SO excited! This will be a huge, huge treat. But I'm trying to read it carefully..."two $150 dinner gift cards for The Signature Room at the 95th, at John Hancock Center;" does this mean I'll get a $300 dinner? I hope I can use it at the same meal so I can bring some local friends.
  • Jenn C.7 January 2004
    Congrats, Jen! What an awesome prize! You're going to have such a great time, no matter when you go or who you go with.
  • Heather8 January 2004
    I'm full of surprises. I'm also genuinely proud of you and know you deserve all the success you receive.
  • Jen Leo9 January 2004
    Thanks Nerd, but that's not going to get you closer to the Chicago trip. ;-) H, I'll treat you right when I get back to SD and you will get a mention in the acknowledgements of every book I ever do. Given. But seriously, I just offered the Chicago trip to Susan Brady at TT who bends over backwards for me on a weekly basis. And that is on a work level, nothing sexual you perves. Susan knows that I intended to share this award so I'm sure she won't be upset or surprised that I've offered the Signature Room dinner to Dan and his wife Jen. Well, she won't be mad as long as I wear breathe rights to bed and she gets the massage and two of the dinners. And H, if you keep reading the blog, I'll apply for more awards. ;-)
  • susan12 January 2004
    Well, I am honored to get to share in the windfall of your great reward. I have never been to Chicago and am thrilled to be able to travel somewhere new, if not exotic. June or October is fine. And I dont need to be greedy - maybe the massage and 1 dinner? Share the wealth girl. And congrats again, and again. love s
  • Jen Leo12 January 2004
    Cool, Susan. Well, you've also never (I don't think) been to BEA in Chicago. If you want to go for that we can use this then. Or if we want to save it for a mental health day, we can do that, too. :-)
  • susan13 January 2004
    You're in the drivers seat. I am happy to do either and am flexible. I just moved my london trip to May (taking mom to visit the relatives), in case you wanted to go to BEA, but have nothing booked for the fall as yet, so all clear. Just depends on what you want to do and your schedule (whether you will be back in the States by June). Meanwhile, have fun in London. love s

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