It's hot here

And crazy humid.  Figures I had to leave Normal while we were having delightful weather and come up here to this steam bath.  


Got here safe and sound, easy flight, about an hour in the air.  Then began the navigation through the Minneapolis airport which, frankly, shouldn't be more confusing and big than O'Hare. Just sayin'.  Got off plane, found someone's driver's license on the bathroom floor, turned it in to an official person, got on a tram to take me to the luggage where, the gods were smiling on me for doing a good deed (driver's license) because mine was one of the first bags off.  Went to find a Presbyterian to direct me to the hotel shuttles, which involved more walking and another tram ride.  Then got on a big bus to take us to the downtown hotels.


The bus was crammed with Presbyterians. And I was the youngest one on the bus.  No, seriously, I was.  I made polite chit chat with the woman sitting next to me, who turned out to be the sister of someone I went to Princeton with, who lived on Bob's floor in Alexander Hall and was very conservative.  Still very conservative.  So much for making a new friend.


Checked into my room and then hiked over to the convention center, which is rather a far walk away through an un-airconditioned skywalk.  Got to the convention center and was told registration was on the FAR end from where I was.  When I registered, I requested the closest hotel to the CC, because of my walking issues (arthritis).  I was given the third closest hotel. No clue why tho I suspect a conspiracy to keep me from voting my liberal views.  Finally got to registration, found the M-R line very long.  About cried thinking about standing in line after that long walk, then asked for help.  A nice woman got me to my own "front of the line" place and I got myself registered and got my $240 Visa card for meals.  $240 for meals between now and next Saturday?  I think not.  It'll be used up by Monday, trust me.


I went and found my people (the gaybees) at the More Light Presbyterians booth, and got a nice scarf to wear.  Cause you know, it might get cold here, in July, in Minneapolis.  Actually it's kinda cool (not the weather, the scarves).  You can find out about them here:
http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=219thScarves


While at the convention center I called my friend Janet's cell phone to tell her where I was and see if we could meet for dinner.  Got her voicemail.  Left message, hung up phone, and she suddenly walked by where I was sitting.  In a sea of Presbyterians, she swam into my little ocean.  It was kismet.  We walked over near my hotel and found a place to eat (and me drink, she had water because she had to go to a meeting which) and got caught up after 20+ years.  She looks exactly the same, beautiful as ever, and hasn't aged a bit!  It was wonderful to get some time with her before it gets crazy here.


Now I'm back in my room, trying to cool off and figuring out what to do with myself for the rest of my evening before it all starts again at 8am tomorrow.  So, dear Theodore, I won't be lounging by any pools sipping martinis anytime soon.  Maybe when I get home?