It was here, in Baltimore, last week, that Judy was inducted as president of Sisters In Crime. What an achievment. Bouchercon, the annual MAJOR mystery conference in the United States was a huge success. And Baltimore was a perfect setting for the event. Baltimore hosts the tomb of Edgar Allen Poe, the tromped upon writer who was never recognized during his lifetime. Much like painter Vincent Van Gogh, Poe was never accepted. When he finally wrote The Raven, he gave it away and was published in hundreds of printed pieces across the country. By then, he couldn’t charge for the writing…and ended his life in the gutter in Baltimore drunk and alone.
Besides being the deathplace of Poe, Baltimore is the home of the first public libarary in the United States. Baltimore is the home of the first YMCA in the United States. Baltimore is the home of the first George Washington Monument, and of course the home of the Star Spangled Banner. Lots of firsts.
And the people are wonderful. Friendly, warm, (except for the strikers outside our hotel)…((and the guy who tried to pick my pocket at Lexington Market)), they were exceptional.
Have you been to Baltimore? What were your impressions? I enjoyed most of the city, I decided I wouldn’t go back. While it’s a city trying for a comeback, I just couldn’t get close to it. I tried. Just wondered what your impression might have been.
-
Hi Don.
Been there on business a few times. They were neutral visits, neither memorable or uh….not memorable.
I liked their shopping area on the sea front. And of course I associate Baltimore with Cal Ripken, one of baseball’s greats and one of sport’s true class acts. Tried to see a game at the old Oriole’s stadium years ago while there but ran into a few road blocks. Have not been back since they opened the new ball park, often compared to the Cleveland Jacob’s Field….now called Progressive Field, renamed for uh… the MONEY!
Zz
by Zorro
on October 14th, 2008 at 6:18 am
-
Actually, I just read something about Poe that claims he didn’t die of alcoholism, he was poisoned! Don’t know if it’s true, but it’s certainly interesting. We sure could play with that idea, couldn’t we? Who poisoned Edgar Allen Poe?
by Casey
on October 14th, 2008 at 6:32 am
-
The only times I got out into the city during Bouchercon were to go out to eat at a great seafood restaurant called Obrycki’s Crab House (thanks, Ohio Sisters in Crime!) and to go to O’Shea’s Irish Pub, where I had really good food and saw a fun live band called, get this, Icewagon Flu. We were followed back to the hotel by a panhandler (who looked like he was about 12) and saw lots of streetpeople sleeping outside. It was rather disconcerting.
by Judy
on October 14th, 2008 at 7:21 am
-
Hey Don, I took a few breaks to venture out. Like you said, lots of history, first catholic basillica or whatever, too.
I tried to be impressed, and the city was decent.
For me, being my first Bouchercon, I tried concentrating on what was inside. Now that was one good conference. Sorry I missed your panel, but I guess I’ll get another chance in a little over a week in Muncie.
-
So tell us more about Bouchercon, Don, Judy and Wilfred. Want to hear all about it.
by Casey
on October 14th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
-
Baltimore is Baltimore. I’ve worked in four different businesses in that city and even though most of the people are friendly, there seems to be a disconnect. No one feels a native attatchment.
I was at Bouchercon. Did three different panels, saw Judy and Don…even talked to Judy for a few moments. It may have been the best conference I’ve ever attended.
by Orroz
on October 14th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
