Adventures in RT Wonderland
Apr 25th 2008
Nicole JordanMy Life As A Plebe
So last week I attended my very first Romantic Times Booklovers Convention.
For years, I’d heard to expect a lot of wild fun, and wow, was it true. The RT attendees do like to party! I only poked my head in the Faery Costume Ball, but I got down at the Vampire Ball (my dinner companion that night was one of the male romance novel cover models, who was truly charming and had an interesting day job as a bigwig in hotel management.)
The convention wasn’t all play, however, since they also devoted many hours to professional tracks. Every day was packed with different workshops and panel discussions for readers, unpublished authors, published authors, booksellers, publishers, and the press. And since it was RT’s 25th anniversary, they pulled out all the stops.
I don’t have any pics yet, but if you want to check it out, here are links to videos and blogs with great shots and descriptions of the convention, plus the latest issue of the RT e-newsletter by publisher Carol Stacy. (And in case you’re interested, the next RT Booklovers Convention will be in Orlando next year so start planning your costumes early - go to romantictimes.com for info.)
RT Publisher’s Newsletter
I had a great time and was busy every minute. I hung with my long-time writer and reader friends and got to meet lots of people I’d only known through e-mail and publicity (including our fellow goddess Charina, who is beautiful and loads of fun.) I gave a workshop on writing love scenes (wonder why they asked me?) and participated in a panel on Regency historicals. And I was honored to receive the 2007 Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance.
I was even more thrilled when at the Friday awards luncheon, they recognized some of the dinosaurs — er, long-time writers — who started their careers in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s — as Pioneers of Romance, and they included me. It was amazing to be up on stage in front of 1200 people in the romance industry with the likes of such legends as Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis, Beatrice Small, Mary Balogh, and Mary Jo Putney.
Then at the huge book fair on Saturday, I snagged a signed copy of Mary Balogh’s latest for my mother, since Mary is my mom’s fave author. And Cathy Maxwell asked me for a signed copy of a Nicole Jordan book for her mom, since she says I’m her mom’s fave author, which tickled me greatly.
But to bring my ego down to size, at the awards luncheon, one leg hem of the expensive pantsuit I bought just for the occasion fell out ten minutes before I had to go up on stage to make an acceptance speech. Panic nearly ensued, but thankfully one of the authors at our table had some promo buttons/pins, so I was able to pin up my hem with her buttons before I killed myself climbing the stage stairs wearing heels for the first time in over a year.
So my question today is:
Have you had any clothing disasters or near disasters happen to you? Were you able to salvage the moment using promo buttons or something else?
37 Comments »
evlqn on 26 Apr 2008 at 2:53 am #
Nicole I envy you your trip to the convention, I have always wanted to go to one.
One near disaster happen to me when I was pregnant with my oldest son, Ian Michael-john. I was visiting my mom & dad and went to the Elks Club with them and thier best friends. Now my dad’s buddy,Forrest LOVED to dance. He was more enthusiastic than talented. He got me in all my pregnant glory out on the floor for a fast swing dance. Right in the middle of a twirl the elastic in my maternity pants broke and those dudes were on thier waaaay doooown! I made a quick grab for them and tried to get Forrest’s attention, but he was lost in the music. He spins me around and reachs for the hand holding the pants , I have to let go and grab with the other hand, all the while trying to get his attention. For the rest of the dance, it’s spin,reach, let go, grab. By the time the music stops my dad,who had been watching us on the floor was laughing so hard he turned purple.
I hate maternity pants.
Margaret on 26 Apr 2008 at 5:47 am #
I don’t blame your dad for laughing, evlqn. It makes a great visual in my head. I hate maternity pants also. The pregnant princesses of today don’t seem to be wearing them. I think they wear they SO’s clothes and tee-shirts that are 2 sizes too small. Like the Grinch’s heart. This presents the rest of us with a charming view of their belly. Veins and all.
Nicole, I’m glad you had such a good time. I read another author’s blog on RT and her time wasn’t quite so good. Altho she did enjoy meeting other authors and the fans. Something about simulated oral sex on stage?
Here’s a travel hint for clothing repair. Go to Joann’s Fabrics & buy a roll of hem tape. Put it in your purse/luggage. This stuff is great for temporary repairs and can be used for other areas than just hems. But it would have been perfect for your pants leg.
Can’t think of any near disasters for me. It’s early.
Freedom Writer on 26 Apr 2008 at 7:12 am #
I can’t recall any big clothes disasters that I have had, but I did help out my brother’s future father-in-law just be for the wedding. A button fell off of his suit and I had a little sewing kit in my purse so that he was able to reattach the button before the ceremony started. I had carried that same sewing kit (a needle and a few strands of thread) in my purse for a decade and never had to use it, but I was prepared when disaster struck.
A decade later I still carry the once used sewing kit in my purse.
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2008 at 7:14 am #
Three words — bra strap breakage.
It wasn’t pretty.
Freedom Writer on 26 Apr 2008 at 7:17 am #
Evlqn I hate maternity pants too. I have had 4 children and only had 2 pairs of maternity pants the whole time I usually wore stretchy pants. Back 15-25 years ago when I was pregnant they didn’t even make maternity clothes over size 18 and I was in the 20-24 range most of the time so I could not find pants that would fit. I also happen to be tall and the maternity tops I had never covered the front panel completely and I really hated that.
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Apr 2008 at 8:04 am #
Nicole, what a great account!!! And I knew those promo buttons were good for SOMETHING.
My biggest clothing disaster was at my wedding. I made my own wedding dress (Thai silk) and veil, and after weeks of sewing seed pearls onto every available space *G* whenever I got a few minutes, I was sick to death of sewing. So when it came to the long cuffs and the infinite line of buttons, I balked. I cut every other loop out of the loop button fasteners so I only had to sew half of the buttons.
Not a good idea. The loops are one continuous line. I really thought their stitching would hold them in place, but with the stress of buttoned cuffs…
Suffice it to say, my cuffs were starting to give way by the end of the reception. I don’t think anyone noticed, but I did learn a lesson. Never cut corners on cuffs!
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Apr 2008 at 8:05 am #
BTW, sounds like you had fun. It’s been ten years or more since I was able to get away for RT (although I’m seriously considering going next year), but I did do the costume thing when I did, along with Rexanne Becnel. I still have my medieval gown. I think it would be really cool to go in costume.
But then, I’m from New Orleans–costumes are a must.
doglady on 26 Apr 2008 at 8:24 am #
Nicole, I have this vision of you walking on stage with those promotion buttons clacking like castanets. Quick thinking though! Eviqn, thank you for my morning laugh. The visual is priceless! A future in Dancing With the Stars perhaps?
I so envy you your trip to the RT Convention, Nicole! I have heard so much about it. Orlando is not far from Alabama, relatively speaking. I think a road trip may be in order. I have a number of costume items filched from my opera days so I should be ready.
I think I have already told the story of holding the baritone’s “equipment” in place while the company seamstress sewed him back into his tights in the middle of Don Giovanni. I WISH we had thought to take photos.
In opera, costume disasters are frequent. I’ve had corset strings pop and one eye popping incident with a bodice that gave the orchestra and the front row a nice view of the girls. Try going for a high C after that!
Paula on 26 Apr 2008 at 8:29 am #
Nicole it sounds as though you had fun. The only clothing disaster I can think of was when at DH’s works christmas dinners I went to the ladies and then noticed that I had a huge ladder down the front of my tights!! Luckily it stopped just short of the bottom of my dress and nobody noticed. Whew!!
Karen Rose on 26 Apr 2008 at 8:39 am #
Nicole - sounds like you had a blast!! Congratulations on your award and for being brave enough to wear heels.
Most of my clothing disasters involve dripping gravy or sauce or mayo (you get the idea) on my clothes while at a nice dinner or function or just plain KFC. I hate when awards have a dinner. Makes me a nervous wreck.
Last weekend I’d gone to lunch with my Welsh friend and, of course, dripped something on my sweater. We’d planned to stop at a bookshop on the way back to her place so I could sign some books and I couldn’t introduce myself to a bookshop manager with beef gravy on my sweater!
My friend came to the rescue by loaning me her neck scarf. It nicely hid the stain.
Now I know why all these women wear neck scarves. They all have beef gravy stains on their sweaters…
Congrats again, Nicole!
cail on 26 Apr 2008 at 8:48 am #
the zipper to a pair of my work pants broke at work. Luckily I worked in NYC and told my boss what the deal was and I went shopping as fast as I could. Nothing quite like having to explain to your male boss about a broken pant zipper
cail on 26 Apr 2008 at 8:49 am #
K-Rose… get shout wipes and/or a tide pen. both work wonders.
Karen Rose on 26 Apr 2008 at 9:14 am #
Cail - I used to carry one in my purse and of course didn’t have it last weekend! Do Tide pens expire? Mine is quite old and relatively unused because I never have room for it in my small purse.
I have the perfect solution! When I get home from all my many travels (I’m on the road this weekend), I shall take myself to the mall and buy a larger purse. Then I shall buy a fresh Tide pen. Then I can drip all over myself without worry, LOL.
At least I’ll get a new purse out of the deal.
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2008 at 9:26 am #
Karen Rose, ANY excuse to buy a new purse is good with me. Go, girlfriend! Btw, do those Tide pens really work? I see them on the commercials and think ‘Naaaah! That CAN’T work that well!” Should I try one?
I always spill stuff on myself — especially anything with noddles. My dh laughs and says it’s because I have such an impressive shelf, but frankly, I think it’s because I am always trying to listen to other people talk and I don’t pay attention to my food. (You wouldn’t BELIEVE the info I’ve heard from nearby tables! GREAT ‘research!’)
Kay on 26 Apr 2008 at 9:40 am #
Oh, the WARDROBE MALFUNCTION! (someone had to say it!)
Like the goddesses KarenR & KarenH, my biggest problem is the “drip” on the shirt/sweater. That’s why many of my shirts are patterns, not solids, LOL. The marks don’t show up as much.
I’ll have to try the Tide pen, too.
ladydawgfan on 26 Apr 2008 at 9:52 am #
Hmmm, the Tide pen and Shout wipes. I shall have to try them.
Ladydawgfan, suffering from Chestus Magneticus since puberty.
cail on 26 Apr 2008 at 9:59 am #
i totally swear by it! i was in RI a few weekends ago, both the dearest and I wearing white shirts, when a clumsy drunk fool spilled a porter (beer) all over us. I whipped out the pen, and magically removed the extremely large stain from the front of my shirt.
shout wipes are better for larger areas, and are disposable, for easier transportation. I still do prefer my tide pen (which even when it loses its cap, still works!)
Claudia Dain on 26 Apr 2008 at 10:15 am #
Wardrobe mishaps! Ugh. I live in fear of them, especially when traveling since I only bring what I know I am going to wear, no back-ups. At least that’s how I *used* to travel.
At an RWA conference not long ago, I was sitting at one of those big luncheons, carefully, so carefully eating my drippy tossed salad and greasy chicken, doing a nerve-wracking job of keeping myself clean, when a waiter drips oily salad dressing all down my SILK shirt. So there I sat, a greasy oil slick trailing down from my shoulder to my girl, trying to have a pleasant conversation with the librarian on my left. Nothing to change into, either. That was my outfit for *that* day.
I always pack a back-up outfit now. Lesson learned.
So, does a tide pen work on silk?
Nicole Jordan on 26 Apr 2008 at 10:33 am #
Oh, evlqn, that is a painful tale! How embarrassing. That would have traumatized me for life. I hope your baby was okay.
>>>Ladydawgfan, suffering from Chestus Magneticus since puberty.
That has never ever been my problem, Ladyd and KarenH. I spill stuff all the time on my bosoms but it isn’t because they’re too big!
Caudia, that is awful about your beautiful silk!
I’m gonna have to get a tide pen, too, cail. Thanks for the tip.
And Sabrina, I can NOT imagine sewing a wedding dress! It was bad enough for me, having to sew my bridesmaid’s gown for my sis’s wedding, but that was a very simple pattern and fabric. Kudos to you!
Nicole Jordan on 26 Apr 2008 at 10:38 am #
doglady, I remember laughing when you told us about that mishap in a previous blog. I can just picture it.
And I forgot you wear so big into opera! As it happens, I’m writing a scene right now where my characters attend an opera/charity benefit concert, and since I know so little about it, I’ve had to call on a bunch of writer friends to help advise me so I don’t make glaring mistakes.
So I may just have to e-mail you privately to pick your brain. I was going to have someone sing something from Don Giovanni (I learned that much, at least), but I haven’t heard back from my friend yet on what it should be.
Ellen on 26 Apr 2008 at 11:29 am #
I always chuckle when I remember how shy K-Hawk was about her see through « back-lit-blouse » incident. I teased her over that for months. Here’s one she can tease me about:
I was about 26 years old, wearing a white blouse with a beige bra under it. This was way back when bras closing in the front of the bra were new to the marketplace. (Oh be quiet…I know I’m old!) Well anyway, I guess the industry had a few kinks to work out because right in the middle of a job interview, my bra popped open. And when I say popped, I mean it! Think audible pop sound. Think visual of a blouse suddenly puffing forward like an underground explosion took place. Think of the horror of the two cups lodging up under my arm pits while my emancipated TaTaahs, um, made their “point” during the rest of the interview.
But…I did get the job.
Margaret on 26 Apr 2008 at 11:54 am #
ROTFL, Ellen! Talk about another great visual. Thanks. Maybe that’s why you got the job.
Karen H, my kids (and, now, grandkids) have always claimed they would be rich if they got $1 for everytime I’ve ever dropped food on my chestus magneticus giantis booberii. How’s that doglady? I never, ever order soup unless I can drink it from a mug. I still managed to dribble gooey things and crumbs across the landscape.
I have a Tide pen somewhere around her. I’ll have to find it. I never heard of the Shout swipes. I’m so oblivious at the store. If it’s not on my list, it doesn’t exist and doesn’t get bought.
Sabrina, I’d love to see a picture of your wedding dress. Sounds fab!
Can’t wait for the FROS tomorrow. Makes Sundays worthwhile.
Margaret on 26 Apr 2008 at 11:56 am #
Claudia, how about the rest of the story? Did you manage to salvage the silk blouse? Talk about a sick feeling!!!
Ellen on 26 Apr 2008 at 12:13 pm #
Hiya Doglady. Is there any truth that a baritones “equipment” is what makes him a baritone and not an alto? Curious minds want to know.
Yasmin (Yaya) on 26 Apr 2008 at 12:46 pm #
Oh i do the stain thing but for me its always on the pants/shorts/skirt whatever I am wearing on my lower half. I guess i am never too close to the table. My mom has this thing about elbows on the table and if I am not close enough then I can do it. The shout wipes are great. The only thing is that you was a water mark there instead until it dries. i have even tried hand sanitizer in an extreme emergency and it works since i always have some with me.
Yasmin (Yaya) on 26 Apr 2008 at 12:59 pm #
Oh Ellen I wish I could wear those bras but sadly I cant. The risk of exposure is too big. In my family we all run toward really big.
I am glad that you at least got the job.
Nicole Jordan on 26 Apr 2008 at 2:01 pm #
I keep wipes in my tack box at the barn. It’s a great disinfectant for wounds. (Horses are always getting minor cuts and scrapes and the wipes save the trouble of having to find soap and warm water.
Ellen, that is too funny! And Margaret, love your chest description!
Good question about the baritone’s equipment. I’d like to know the answer to that one too, lol.
And I’m envious of your attributes, Yasmin!
Claudia Dain on 26 Apr 2008 at 3:32 pm #
Margaret, the silk blouse did come through, but only because once I got home I handed it to my DH and begged him to try and salvage it.
DH is Mr. Science so he’s Mr. Go-To when stains occur. He gets very serious; “What is the stain composed of? Did you wash it? Did you dry it? Did you put any soap on it at all? What kind of soap?” I nervously give him my answers, afraid I’m going to flunk the Stain Removal Test. Once he has all the facts, he goes to work on the stain. He gets them out 99% of the time!
In the case of the silk blouse, he didn’t even fray the silk fibers working that stain out!
The guy’s a true genius.
Paula on 26 Apr 2008 at 4:01 pm #
Hey Claudia Now I know where to send clothes that need stain removal! Only Joking ‘every house needs a Mr Dain for stain removal!!’ with my 2 boys I could do with your DH on laundry day!!
Margaret on 26 Apr 2008 at 4:40 pm #
>>In the case of the silk blouse, he didn’t even fray the silk fibers working >>that stain out!
>>The guy’s a true genius.
He’s defiinitely in the keeper category, Claudia. No tasing for him! What rake would know how to do that?
I wonder if he’d be interested in taking in stained clothing? Even my cottons need work. They also need dying. I only wear black and it’s all getting faded. A very bad habit on my part, but I’m comfortable in it.
Wear the silk in good health. And avoid any more stains!
Nicole Jordan on 26 Apr 2008 at 5:55 pm #
That’s amzaing, Claudia. Margaret’s right, he’s definitely a keeper!
Jane on 26 Apr 2008 at 6:06 pm #
Hi Nicole,
Congrats on the Career Achievement Award. Luckily I’ve never had any embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions. One problem I encounter is having my bra straps slip from my shoulders. It’s very annoying and pretty unattractive. Oh, I also have had a shoe strap break off. I was walking funny the rest of the night.
evlqn on 26 Apr 2008 at 7:11 pm #
Claudia, use shampoo or dawn on your silk shirt, they are both formulated to get out oil and I have found them to work wonders. Another stain miracle worker is fels naptha in the laundry aisle.
Nicole, my son came out just fine and has given me two beautiful grand-daughters.
Emergency hem fixes, double sticky tape. I have some in my panic kit.
doglady on 26 Apr 2008 at 8:46 pm #
Nicole, I would be happy to help with any opera related questions. Lots of good stuff in Don Giovanni. E-mail me at pmdoglady@yahoo.com or at lousia@louisacornell.com any time. You need to decide what effect or emotion you want to evoke from the music and who is going to sing it. Some very sexy numbers in Don Giovanni, some flirty ones and some dark ones as well.
As to the baritone’s equipment. Lets just say I had to use both hands to hold him inside his tights. Needless to say the more time the procedure took, the more of a handful he became! Does that answer the question?
Nicole Jordan on 27 Apr 2008 at 12:06 am #
Thank you, Jane, and everyone else for the good wishes! It’s be a great ride these last few months, but now I’ll bee really glad to get back to work so I can rest.
evlqn, glad your son never suffered any ill effects from your trauma, *g*. And I agree with you about the Dawn. Works great on manufacturing grease, I learned long ago.
And dl, yes, that answers my question, lol. And I may take you up on your offer. Right now I have a friend who’s helping me who studied opera in college, whose mom has a PHD in opera. So I may be ok. But I’ve saved your e-mail addy just in case. Thank you!
shar on 27 Apr 2008 at 1:59 am #
I was at the shampoo bowl trying to lean ver to rince a perm and my pants fell to my ancles. the lucky patron was my sister whom shares this story at the best of times in detail as to me holding the hose, trying not to spray her up the nose, and whisper to her and its a loud room full of clients, she is laughing so hard saying she will p her pants then I am laughing too, the manager is noticing that I am squatted over and loosing the hose the pants with one hand and about tto loose both balance and my pants, gripof the hose and wellI did and luckily for a smock to not soon enough cover my rump and ego. It was a fun day one of the funniest with my sister to share it luckily, but I decided to locate elsewhere and over 20 yrs. of styling hair its at the top of a good funny one. check the button hole once in a while? it can be too large for the butten I found and had I been aware I would have fixed it with a kit but never the entertainment that day gave a room full.
Nicole Jordan on 27 Apr 2008 at 8:50 am #
Oh my word, Shar… ROFL! That is hilarious. Thanks for starting my morning out right.