I spent most of the weekend at the 2009 Obesity Help Atlanta Event. That was a whirlwind of a trip. This time around I didn't go a day ahead, just the morning of the event, and it was like, whoosh! I really do need that extra day to check out the area. However, I do like it. I could see myself traveling for a job, at least just sometimes. It seems like something that my wee brain might like.
Now, some of y'all know, all I wanted in GA were some GRITS. I didn't have time to SEE any of Georgia aside from the immediate airport area including one restaurant for a dine and ditch. (Truthfully, the service sucked and we deserved the freebie we got. So there.)
As for the part I was looking forward to: The southern hospitality, it was nice. Folks from the area are generally kind and open, I noticed. The hotel staff was always greeting us, and helping out. Aside from the "Starbucks" not-a-Starbucks, it was all good there.
At one point on Saturday I pulled a MM and "lost" my pocketbook. It had been moved from where I placed it and I thought for a moment that I would never be able to board the plane home. I had two sweet ladies of whom I had NO contact with before say they'd bring me home and feed me if necessary. I probably would have gone, too. ;) It wasn't lost, and I got it back via another sweet GA girl. Thanks, Emily. (She's the tiniest one in the slide show.)
The event itself was super. A highlight: I stayed for Mary Jo Rapini's session this time - and OMG. (Adult photos in the slide show, beware.)
The social events on Friday night and Saturday night were great -- we got some good -- um, photos from later in the evening, where all walks of OH life joined and made peace, or something like that.
I got to meet more vendors and sample some goodies, though I was hoping for more new things to try, I did find a few that I will add to my want-to-reviews. I met a really super nice woman from a bariatric program in GA who invited me to come back for a "Bariatric Ball" - a black-tie event for fund raising, and I just might do it, it sounds like fun and a good cause.
BUT.
Okay. Cue the drama, click away now if you're all like, "Ugh, not again."
I was outright shocked to see Amy Williams there (long time readers might recall the drama, some of it might still be in the archives, I really don't know, and I realize this is like beating a dead horse, BUT, she was AT AN OH EVENT?! Not. cool.) and to be perfectly honest, I should have asked to get a photo with her just to THANK her. She was a huge precipitous to my blogging career or whatever it is that I am doing now, right? Yep. So, officially, Thanks, Amy. Look at whatcha did, now I can't shut up.
I also met with Teresa from Bariatric Eating. She was there as a vendor, and I avoided her table entirely, because of the history between MM and BE. But after the event, we were all crashing at the bar, relaxing and chatting. Considering how pleasant she was with me, no really, absolutely lovely, I was a bit slack-jawed. I mean, I am banned for life from their site. Either she faked it entirely, OR she was not part of the problem nor the source. O-o I feel a bit redeemed, or at least I hope so. I hope I was wrong. *shrug* If I am, Teresa, I am sorry if I thought you were out to get my donut-eating Tostito butt. If not, fine, let's all have a donut hole dipped in protein powder and call a truce. I'm good with that.
Without further ado, and with a XXX rating for Mary-Jo's super-informational session photos, NSFW:
