The Word Cloud

Stand in a corner, you mean John? All by yourself, as though you're waiting for a date who doesn't come? Jolly good idea!
I quite liked the element of surprise in the first year - scouring the crowds for a face/avatar I recognised. Or hearing someone speaking behind you in a lecture and realising who they must be. Most of us found each other, didn't we?
Must say you're a bit of a beacon yourself, Young John - I saw you from a distance and beetled over and hugged you - and you didn't have a clue who I was, eh? It was soooo exciting.
Ah, dem's were the daze.

Perhaps I should nick the bike I'm reading in my avi and offer people rides to the bar. That would get me noticed.

I was recognised by my bump last time. There most definitely will not be one of those this time! I like the Cloud sticker idea...but I also like the element of surprise and face-scanning

I quite enjoyed being hugged by a cupcake. Actually, I just quite enjoy being hugged, but then it was part of my working day for thirty years. Not everyone gets hugged at work. Like Skylark, I enjoyed the element of surprise - although Skylark was pretty easy to spot - I saw her as she walked in!

Yeah, we even saw part of her before she walked in!
I drew a little cloud on my name badge to help. Of course Whisks was easy to spot as you can see in this photo:

I shall be a first timer so anything that helps to indentify other Cloud sorts has to be helpful. I also like John's idea of a Cloud corner. If it could be sited somewhere near the Naughty corner, it would save my legs.

I really should have added corner of the bar but thought others might draw that conclusion anyway. I'd forgotten that photo, Tony!

I'll be easy to spot - as probably the shortest person there. I'll also be wearing a jumper with 'Squidge' on the back of it...not sure how that'll go with the posh frock?
And Tony - can't see the pic! Boo-hoo - will have to wait for this year to spot Whisks...

Perhaps you can see it here, Squidge:
http://writing-community.writersworkshop.co.uk/members/profile/104/pictures/5101/2

That photo really makes me laugh, Tony.
Milly, looking for a naughty corner won't narrow it down any. You could all, of course, meet by the duck?
And Squidge? I'll just look out for someone nipping my ankles, shall I? :) Bet you're using Internet Explorer - that's why you can't see photos.
I recognised Tors from her dress - she'd posted a picture in advance of what she'd be wearing and some of us paid attention! Ahem.

Yes, a Cloudy meet-up point would be a great idea. Or maybe everyone should have a big foam cloud-shape, like those hands in American Football crowds... I see Debi's linked to her reaction to York, so here are some of mine:

after 2010:
http://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/2010/04/ducks-dreams-and-crosschannel-ferries-the-york-festival-of-writing.html

Before 2011:
http://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/2011/01/the-york-festival-of-writing-2011.html

after 2011:
http://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/2011/03/fragments-of-york-the-festival-of-writing-2011.html

dealing with your experience:
http://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/2011/04/bewitched-boggled-and-now-what.html

If you want a rather more irreverent take on the Festival, in verse, you might like to look here:

http://writing-community.writersworkshop.co.uk/forum/topic/2639

Hehe, I'd forgotten that photo too. You won't see me coming this time! I also spotted Torrs by her dress - can't think what it was about John that I spotted first So can we book it yet? Can we? Can we? Can we?

I think bookings open on 1st March.

Skylark must be referring to my immaculate dress sense and grooming.

...and as for last year's bunch...

and if that doesn't show on your screen, try...

Have just been in email convo with Debi and the conference-coordinating demons of Workshop Towers about who's doing what. Can't wait to see the whole programme. It wouldn't do to leave anyone with any unused energy or braincells by Sunday evening, after all...

Emma, if I have any energy or braincells left by the end, I'll be demanding a refund

I'm getting ridiculously excited...is that normal?!

Squidge, I'm the same, I can't believe we still have to wait over six months! I wonder if we should do mental exercises beforehand in order to preserve enough brain cells to get home on the Sunday night?

I slept amazingly well the night after the festival. Of course it could have been all the exercise from lugging a suitcase full of free books up the steps to my building. Make sure you allow space to bring freebies home.

FREE BOOKS? I was already going to come, but you just made my day!

The emotional and physical ehaustion is free, too, B on B. Don't plan a major event in the following week or two!

Luckily I have the Monday off work so won't have to go straight back to a class of kids until the Tuesday, ha! I hope I will be exhausted, because that'll mean that I've taken advantage of everything that's on offer!