And now for something completely different. Please tune me out if you're not into #BTS. Ahem.
Yo, ARMY!
If you're going to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa for the concert this weekend, I need to give you the tea, because as a former Tampa resident, it is my least favorite concert venue in the world.
Has anybody tried Hairstory? Reviews suggest that it is either the best thing that ever happened to haircare or an expensive scam that will make all my hair fall out. And those appear to be the only options.
Yep, there will be metal detectors. Not sure what the process is if they find anything, as we breezed through and got out of the congested area immediately.
I'm imagining 12 white men sitting at a conference table eating lobster tails, saying, "I certainly don't see why these females can't simply put everything in their many large pockets."
11. Also, SUNSCREEN. Stick or lotion, not spray. If you're not familiar with Tampa, it is hot and humid, like being in a dog's mouth. The center of the stadium/floor seats area has ZERO shade. The sun is punishing. You will get sunburned. So shield your head and keep that SPF up!
10. Looks like freebies are allowed but can't be on carabiners. The fact that we can't have carabiners is really throwing me. Like, WHAT? That's where I keep my keys?? Here's what the stadium said on Twitter:
9. Um, what else about BTS Tampa? There are all sorts of local events and cup sleeve parties. The poke in the area is amazing. If you read my book Midnight at the Houdini, the dessert shop is based on the dessert room at Bern's Steak House. You're 45 minutes from the beach and the Dali museum!
Florida is just built different. Like, 85 degrees down there is kinda like being in a dog's mouth and yet also under a microscope focusing the entire power of the sun.
8. If you're prone to heat issues, bring a small portable fan. They're fine as long as they don't have removable batteries. You can even buy them on lanyards since-- dumb bag policy. And if you're worried about rain, umbrellas are not allowed but ponchos are--and they fold up small.
7. You cannot bring a drink or a water bottle into RJS, and if you buy a bottle of water (Dasani), they remove the cap. They will not let you have the cap. But you can bring one from home! You can also get free cups of ice. It's going to be hot. Please stay hydrated.
6. Especially in the 300 seats, when the crowd starts moving, EVERYTHING SHAKES. You might feel like the stadium is about to collapse. I almost had a panic attack at MCR & had to go walk around the breezeway. Yes, it is designed to sway and bounce. But it can feel terrifying. So in Body to Body... 😬
5. BRING A PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER. The number of crying teenagers in the rideshare lot after MCR was tragic. If your phone runs out of batteries, how will you call your ride/get an Uber? Again, the Tiny Bag Policy infuriates me because it leaves women and youth particularly vulnerable to danger.
4. If you are planning to call an Uber or Lyft after the concert, it might behoove you to walk away from the 'rideshare lot', which is like 2 miles away, and find some quiet street. It took us TWO HOURS and 4 CANCELED UBERS after MCR before we found a ride that cost $100. It was so badly managed!
3. If you have food issues, eat a big meal beforehand. The website makes it sound like they have tons of gluten free options, but often, it is just BURNED POPCORN. That's what I ate at MCR. The RJS website offers numbers for food stands with options, but they can be SPARSE and PATHETIC.
2. So you have a tiny bag. Guess what? RJS bathrooms often do not offer feminine hygiene products. It's a really bad place to get a surprise period. Bring something, if you can, if not for you, then for some poor person making that discover in a bathroom with only TP and paper towels.
1. The horrible bag policy (1 bag, 4.5x6.5 max) is 110% inflexible. They *will* measure. They hold your bag up to a little template, and if it is even a hair too big, your choices are to throw it away or store it in your car or a locker. They aren't nice about it. They won't make exceptions.
And now for something completely different. Please tune me out if you're not into #BTS. Ahem.
Yo, ARMY!
If you're going to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa for the concert this weekend, I need to give you the tea, because as a former Tampa resident, it is my least favorite concert venue in the world.
I just backed HALLOWED GROUND, a 100+ Page Horror Anthology with twelve stories of HELL, PURGATORY, and HEAVEN, from LGBTQIA+ Creative Teams, and you should, too! You've got 59 hours. Here's a link: www.kickstarter.com/projects/dea...
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?
DO YOU DREAM IN STORY?
i dunno, man, last night I dreamed I was breastfeeding a sick baby goat while riding a bicycle so do with that what you will.
🎧 Paranormal Payback by Kerrie Hughes, Jim Butcher
@longshotauthor @jimbutchernews @kevinhearne.bsky.social @delilahsdawson.bsky.social @kerrielhughes.bsky.social #RRVirdi #RLKing #FaithHunter #KimHarrison @mauricebroaddus.bsky.social @jblackstream.bsky.social @hollyblack.bsky.social…
We are on a journey! But where is the Horseless Headman going?? Hmm.
Oh, thank you! The next time one of my books needs a map, I will definitely be asking to handle it. I mean, why not? It saves money, and they know I'm not going to miss a deadline. 🤣
And here I go!!!
RIDE OR DIE by @delilahsdawson.bsky.social
THERE’S A MAP
I love amusement parks, SO LET’S GOOOOOO!!!
📚🩸
Oh, yay! Hope you dig it! And, fun fact-- I drew the map! It's the first one I've ever done. :D
Hotels: PLEASE go back to providing lotion. It seems like it's becoming a rarity, and I do not want this to be the Airport Meal Olive that starts the domino effect of cruelty that leaves us paying extra for sheets. Do not deny me the precious unguents. Keep me moist, I beg you.
TOMORROW I will put TRAVEL FETT and THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN in my backpack with a few protein bars and I will get on a PLANE and fly to NEW YORK for BOOKCON but before that starts I will devour GLUTEN FREE BAGELS because this was a HARD WEEK and we deserve A LITTLE TREAT and I HOPE TO SEE YOU.
✨ Attending #BookCon in NYC this weekend?
Check out our author events at the show! More info here: bit.ly/4cmUX6V
@delilahsdawson.bsky.social
Yes! That would be lovely!
And also a left foot that occasionally gets really warm?
And, bc the internet: I'm on HRT, I have a chronic illness, I have regular bloodwork and know all the vitamins I need because the MTHFR gene mutation is a huge pain. I get enough sleep, I lift heavy, I walk every day. I STILL FEEL BAD SOMETIMES. LET A GAL WALLOW.