Day 1224 - The Great (historic?) Blizzard of 2013

Imagine coming all the way to the USA for a HUGE event in New York that actually determines our future, only to be trapped in Pennsylvania and locked out of New York due to The Great Blizzard of 2013!

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I sit here typing this as a "to-be-scheduled" post at dawn Friday US time (Friday night Aussie time). Late last night I hurriedly made phone calls to reschedule our bus and hotel so that we can beat the predicted blizzard about to hit Pennsylvania and New York. To depart tomorrow may mean we will be trapped in Pennsylvania and may miss the Toy Fair (and lose the investment we have made in this trip). We are in the pink and purple zone - we must leave now.

In our original plans, we aren't due to arrive in New York until Saturday ready for the Sunday Toy Fair. We have suitcases full of dolls and books and a Cheer Chick Charlie mascot suit to take with us.  I have more author talks scheduled for today in Pennsylvania.  Everything has been perfectly mapped out.  But our contacts have now said "get to New York City NOW" so we are madly packing for departure in the next few hours to get in front of the storm.

Wow. In our Aussie life we have been effected by extreme heat, storms, floods, bush fires, and cyclones. I can't say I have ever had my travel interrupted by a blizzard before.  There's a first time for everything!

It's a bit of an inconvenience.  But I have to admit, it is also somewhat exciting! And hey, it gives me something to blog about.

I will keep you posted! Blog-posted ....

PS I just remembered that 300 copies of my brochure are being printed here in Pennsylvania for me to collect later today in readiness for the toy fair. Um, I am now leaving PA in the next couple of hours. What the hell am I going to do about my printing?

PPS The school has called and said "please, please, please don't cancel" so we are now going to race to the school for a talk first thing this morning, and then it's straight on the bus to race the blizzard.