Day 1, Anaheim

Friday, we had the luxury of a leisurely few hours in the morning before Linda picked us up to go to the airport. I made a pass by work to get a couple of check requests sent off, make some copies of materials, and talk with my boss, then went home and packed. I only forgot a few things, but since we had decided to just have carry-on this year, it's just as well.

We are so spoiled living within walking distance of the ABQ airport. Although it was a direct flight in to LAX on Southwest, the flight was 45 minutes late, and the coordination of the SuperShuttle to get to Anaheim has a display in major logistics challenges (for them). We were at terminal 1 for pickup (25 minutes), then by the time we picked up other passengers all the way through terminal, and drove the very long trip to the Anaheim Mariott, it was almost 2 hours from touchdown. Somehow, we weren't able to get the $2 AAA SuperShuttle discount by booking online...Danny looked everywhere on how to do that, but no success. Oh, well.

But once we got here, it was (nearly) old home week...with a mix of the 35,000 conventioneers from the Anime Convention at the Anaheim Convention (we look positively conservative next to those people) and the Disneyheads vacationing. But scattered through, were friendly faces we only see once a year. After a few quick greetings, we unpacked and headed over to Denny's for a quick meal before my 5:30 GCA meeting. Yay that there are so many restaurants and shopping opportunities within walking distance.

The GCA meeting had more Kudos for Betsy Gotta for having received the Callerlab Milestone Award (the biggest honor they bestow) and lots of cheers for Tim McNamara for running (very well) the GCA Caller's School for 3 years. He needs a break. I did ask him if he were going back to ABQ to run the Gay Men's Chorus variety show tech, and he said his graduate crew is taking care of it...that's tonight! (www.nmgmc.org)

I made a quick plug for the two 1-hour Intro to Calling sessions I'm moderating, and we were out of there before 7pm. I did finally corner Harlan Kerr, and happily he's going to be a panelist, along with Andy Shore and Kris Jensen. Kris did get back yesterday; her grandmother passed away quietly in the morning 5 days after slipping into a coma. They suspect an anurysm (sp?), since she was found Monday morning out of her bed. I feel for her...she's very close to her family.

Danny and I attempted a tip in the Trail In dance. The sound was set up for Darren Galina's band "Crossfire," and it just wasn't right for Mike DeSisto to call to be heard clearing. We did make it through the Plus tip, but I felt for everyone that couldn't hear. It was that way all through the dance, even though Saundra, Darren, and Anne joined into the fray later on. Danny and I were content to mostly catchup up with many dance friends, coming together now and then to catch our breaths. This is the feeling I get every year on the first day, and you can really "feel the love."

This morning, I'm getting mentally prepped for the first 1 hour Intro to Calling session at 10. Danny's headed off for an A1/A2 workshop...and now time to hit the shower!

Day 1, Anaheim

Friday, we had the luxury of a leisurely few hours in the morning before Linda picked us up to go to the airport. I made a pass by work to get a couple of check requests sent off, make some copies of materials, and talk with my boss, then went home and packed. I only forgot a few things, but since we had decided to just have carry-on this year, it's just as well.

We are so spoiled living within walking distance of the ABQ airport. Although it was a direct flight in to LAX on Southwest, the flight was 45 minutes late, and the coordination of the SuperShuttle to get to Anaheim has a display in major logistics challenges (for them). We were at terminal 1 for pickup (25 minutes), then by the time we picked up other passengers all the way through terminal, and drove the very long trip to the Anaheim Mariott, it was almost 2 hours from touchdown. Somehow, we weren't able to get the $2 AAA SuperShuttle discount by booking online...Danny looked everywhere on how to do that, but no success. Oh, well.

But once we got here, it was (nearly) old home week...with a mix of the 35,000 conventioneers from the Anime Convention at the Anaheim Convention (we look positively conservative next to those people) and the Disneyheads vacationing. But scattered through, were friendly faces we only see once a year. After a few quick greetings, we unpacked and headed over to Denny's for a quick meal before my 5:30 GCA meeting. Yay that there are so many restaurants and shopping opportunities within walking distance.

The GCA meeting had more Kudos for Betsy Gotta for having received the Callerlab Milestone Award (the biggest honor they bestow) and lots of cheers for Tim McNamara for running (very well) the GCA Caller's School for 3 years. He needs a break. I did ask him if he were going back to ABQ to run the Gay Men's Chorus variety show tech, and he said his graduate crew is taking care of it...that's tonight! (www.nmgmc.org)

I made a quick plug for the two 1-hour Intro to Calling sessions I'm moderating, and we were out of there before 7pm. I did finally corner Harlan Kerr, and happily he's going to be a panelist, along with Andy Shore and Kris Jensen. Kris did get back yesterday; her grandmother passed away quietly in the morning 5 days after slipping into a coma. They suspect an anurysm (sp?), since she was found Monday morning out of her bed. I feel for her...she's very close to her family.

Danny and I attempted a tip in the Trail In dance. The sound was set up for Darren Galina's band "Crossfire," and it just wasn't right for Mike DeSisto to call to be heard clearing. We did make it through the Plus tip, but I felt for everyone that couldn't hear. It was that way all through the dance, even though Saundra, Darren, and Anne joined into the fray later on. Danny and I were content to mostly catchup up with many dance friends, coming together now and then to catch our breaths. This is the feeling I get every year on the first day, and you can really "feel the love."

This morning, I'm getting mentally prepped for the first 1 hour Intro to Calling session at 10. Danny's headed off for an A1/A2 workshop...and now time to hit the shower!