Today was by far my favorite day of the whole workshop series: we got to meet Daniel Nayeri, author of Everything Sad is Untrue. Interestingly, I randomly started reading this book in December, texted the coordinator of our program and raved about the author, and the coordinator responded, "OMG, I just booked him yesterday." I am grateful that I ran into Daniel -- we're on a first-name basis now -- in the lobby so that I could embarrass myself in front of just one person rather than the entire group. I fangirled hard. Y'all, he's amazing. In addition to talking to us about storytelling and his story in particular, he exemplified the Middle Eastern ideal of hospitality and shared a tea service with us -- including his mother's tea blend and many Iranian treats, such as saffron sugar and baklava. He also gifted me with a box of loose-leaf tea, likely because he could tell that I'm his number one fan (and because I encouraged everyone to pre-order his upcoming book). I cannot speak highly enough of him. Not only is his writing absolutely unreal and incredibly beautiful, but he is also the kindest, most generous person. I absolutely loved him. That afternoon, we had another session, this time with Andrew Gayed, Assistant Professor of Art History and Visual Culture at Ontario College of Art and Design. He taught us about queer art in the Middle East, and I learned so much -- so much, in fact, that I shared it with one of my art teacher friends in the middle of his session. Our workshop ended relatively early, and after dropping my stuff at the hotel, I took a mini break and then wandered the French Quarter by myself. I found this building -- and thought that it doesn't get more New Orleans / Mardi Gras than this. I took a bunch of photos and then saw a young woman trying to take pics of herself, and I offered to do a photoshoot for her. She reciprocated, and then I took a bunch of pics of what appeared to be a group of sorority girls. It was quite a sisterhood moment -- all of us reveling in the spirit and helping each other with photos (and with getting beads from balconies). I wandered over to Bourbon Street, which absolutely ridiculous since it was Saturday afternoon, and met up with Matt, a QFI friend. We wandered the street for a bit and then headed back to our hotel, where I got my sparkles on to prep for the pending parade. It was super fun being in New Orleans at the start of the Carnival season. We experienced the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus parade, which is apparently one of the smaller parades, but omg, it was incredible. I was living my best life, dancing and singing and shouting and getting all the swag. It. Was. Incredible.
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