Jun 05 2007
Spalding Baldy
What a fantastic husband I am, leaving my six-months-pregnant wife home alone with contractors, Merry Maids, and Stanley Steamer for 10 days whilst I was off in Louisville staying in a five-star hotel, drinking bourbon, and teaching screenwriting. She came through it brilliantly, though, and is considering a second career as a construction forewoman.
Spalding was an amazing experience. Students and faculty from all over the country and the world flying into Louisville to live and work together at the historic and super-posh Brown Hotel for ten whole days. It’s intense, diverse, and a great environment for writers of any ilk, be they poets, novelists, playwrights, or screenwriters. It’s perfectly tailored for those who need something more flexible than a traditional MFA program. Essentially, we meet together for ten days at the start of each semester, then fly home and work apart, corresponding through phone and email to get the work done. Check out the particulars at Spalding’s MFA in Writing website.
I also had occasion to experience something truly profound whilst in the ‘Ville. I met my nephew, Sawyer, for the first time when he came down along with Chad, Mandee, Brian, Tasha, and my parents to celebrate Chad and Brian’s birthday. We had hot browns capped off with flaming chocolate for desert at the Brown’s Thoroughbred restaurant.
But the highlight was definitely holding little Sawyer, rubbing his bald head, his paunchy belly, and staring into those bright blue eyes looking out into the world with wild wonder. Our family has expanded three times now through marriage, but a baby brings a different newness to the group, providing us all with a common point for reconnection, and new blood which will surely make things interesting down the road. I can’t wait to watch Sawyer grow up, and I look forward to his friendship with our little bouncey once she is born.
All told, it was a long, exhausting trip, including an eight hour holdover in O’Hare that ultimately lead myself and another Spalding professor (Rachel Harper, author of a Brass Ankle Blues which you must read) to arrive in Louisville by car nine hours behind schedule and without our luggage. Avoid Chicago at all costs.
Oh, and thanks to Steve, Chandra, Michael, and Paige for giving me a place to crash Sunday night.
It’s good to be home.
It’s good to have you home!!
Looking at those 3 generations of Riddells brings a big smile to my face — how lucky am I to be part of that family! My own is quite small, but becoming part of the Riddell clan has been an absolutely fabulous experience…their constant love, support, laughs and advice sure make life more fun and I ALWAYS look forward to going home for a visit.
what’s a hot brown?
and chicago’s not THAT bad…
What a fun day that was ! We dreamed of the joy that our family would bring us. It pays to dream big, we have BIG joy.
Looks like a great time in the ‘Ville! And, I’m really impressed with all of the renovations, particularly in the bathroom. However, anytime you get rid of a corner of glass-filled walls from the 80s that’s a big win in my book! Impressive job, Tina! Can’t wait to see it all, but I’m especially excited to see YOU guys in August
Peace and love…
Sawyer was equally thrilled to meet you Brad. Infact, he’s was so impressed he hasn’t pooped since. We can’t wait to have you back in town as well Tina. And your welcome for all the things you talked about above.
Disregard the above message, he pooped today.
That’s funny, Chicago told me yesterday “Avoid Brad Riddell at all costs.”
Allow me to qualify my statement for our two staunch Chicagoans. Avoid O’HARE at all costs.
You’re welcome. You have a place to stay anytime….just next time you have to bring the family.