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bigmacbear) wrote2024-10-07 11:59 pm
bigmacbear) wrote2024-10-07 11:59 pm
Dallas EG Conference, Day 1 of 3
MONDAY
Got up at 2 AM for a 6 AM flight. Gary drove me to the airport and was prepared to drop me off at Arrivals, but it seems everyone else got the memo and there was a sign saying "ARRIVALS CONGESTED, USE DEPARTURES". I got my checked bag tagged for me at First Class, then made my way to checkpoint 5 and waited for it to open at four. It took me a bit longer to get recombobulated since I had a laptop in my briefcase and my CPAP in its bag. I used the new single-seat unisex restroom, then made the short walk to the gate, where a young Giants fan with a thick, dark beard sat off to the side. The gate area filled up gradually, and despite being desperately thirsty, I remained seated and zoned out between bouts of net surfing. With priority boarding I was one of the first to board the aircraft, so although I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to the incoming stream of passengers I did notice at least five hot bears, two of whom appeared to be of an age to be father and son based on build and beard color alone, but were tall enough that I couldn't see above their beards as the luggage compartments were in the way.
We took off to the south in darkness, but the sun soon peeked over the horizon. I nodded off until it was time for breakfast. I had the bacon and eggs with potatoes, fruit, and a buttered roll. After breakfast I journaled briefly, then closed the window shade and relaxed. I managed to nod off a bit, waking only when offered a snack (I chose a Kind Bar) and when a call went out for a medical professional to go to the aft galley.
On arrival, we had to wait to deplane so paramedics could get the patient off the aircraft for treatment. I didn't have to wait very long to retrieve my checked bag and catch a Lyft to the hotel.
They had a room ready and I made my way to the Atrium end of the hotel. I observed that the floor designations started with L (lobby) and M (mezzanine) before resuming with 3; by that metric, the seventh floor should be R. I got to the room, unpacked, and napped briefly before lunch.
From there I hung out at the LEAGUE booth until it was time to join the Day of Service. I started with the child comfort packs, which began with bear stuffing (think Build-a-Bear, with dogs and cats and elephants as well) and concluded with filling a bag with goodies and adding the stuffed animal and a handwritten card. I was apparently enjoying the bear stuffing very much, judging by people's reaction. 😊 I also put together some food bags.
Afterwards I returned to my room and relaxed for a few moments before catching a Lyft to Community Beer for the evening's festivities. I had tacos (steak, barbacoa, and al pastor) with all the trimmings, and a berry-infused beer. ICAE presented tribal dances in full regalia (it's not a costume). I tried a vanilla-flavored beer while the dancing continued. Afterwards I had a margarita to clear the bitterness of the beer, and a nice chat with Mark.
I rode back to the hotel in Mark's SUV with Rob and Bill. I returned to the room, stripped, and prepared for bed early, snoozing by 10:30.
Got up at 2 AM for a 6 AM flight. Gary drove me to the airport and was prepared to drop me off at Arrivals, but it seems everyone else got the memo and there was a sign saying "ARRIVALS CONGESTED, USE DEPARTURES". I got my checked bag tagged for me at First Class, then made my way to checkpoint 5 and waited for it to open at four. It took me a bit longer to get recombobulated since I had a laptop in my briefcase and my CPAP in its bag. I used the new single-seat unisex restroom, then made the short walk to the gate, where a young Giants fan with a thick, dark beard sat off to the side. The gate area filled up gradually, and despite being desperately thirsty, I remained seated and zoned out between bouts of net surfing. With priority boarding I was one of the first to board the aircraft, so although I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to the incoming stream of passengers I did notice at least five hot bears, two of whom appeared to be of an age to be father and son based on build and beard color alone, but were tall enough that I couldn't see above their beards as the luggage compartments were in the way.
We took off to the south in darkness, but the sun soon peeked over the horizon. I nodded off until it was time for breakfast. I had the bacon and eggs with potatoes, fruit, and a buttered roll. After breakfast I journaled briefly, then closed the window shade and relaxed. I managed to nod off a bit, waking only when offered a snack (I chose a Kind Bar) and when a call went out for a medical professional to go to the aft galley.
On arrival, we had to wait to deplane so paramedics could get the patient off the aircraft for treatment. I didn't have to wait very long to retrieve my checked bag and catch a Lyft to the hotel.
They had a room ready and I made my way to the Atrium end of the hotel. I observed that the floor designations started with L (lobby) and M (mezzanine) before resuming with 3; by that metric, the seventh floor should be R. I got to the room, unpacked, and napped briefly before lunch.
From there I hung out at the LEAGUE booth until it was time to join the Day of Service. I started with the child comfort packs, which began with bear stuffing (think Build-a-Bear, with dogs and cats and elephants as well) and concluded with filling a bag with goodies and adding the stuffed animal and a handwritten card. I was apparently enjoying the bear stuffing very much, judging by people's reaction. 😊 I also put together some food bags.
Afterwards I returned to my room and relaxed for a few moments before catching a Lyft to Community Beer for the evening's festivities. I had tacos (steak, barbacoa, and al pastor) with all the trimmings, and a berry-infused beer. ICAE presented tribal dances in full regalia (it's not a costume). I tried a vanilla-flavored beer while the dancing continued. Afterwards I had a margarita to clear the bitterness of the beer, and a nice chat with Mark.
I rode back to the hotel in Mark's SUV with Rob and Bill. I returned to the room, stripped, and prepared for bed early, snoozing by 10:30.