I'm Not Crazy, I Just Love What I Do

Huntington Beach, Californai

Yes. I had surgery 5 days ago. And yet, here I am, in Anaheim, California, at the General Convention for the Episcopal Church. Actually, I am doing quite well, from the surgery (the one, that as someone said to me "Every woman wants at some point in her life"...). Actually it may be that I am here because I feel better than I have felt in awhile - so it is all relative.

Anyway. Day one of my trip to the convention. The 2009 Triennial Convention for the Episcopal Church actually began last week, July 8 (coincidentally the day of surgery). But this is my first day here. I had an easy flight in, on a commuter plane out of Tucson, a 90 minute flight. Small plane, tiny seat space. But otherwise no problems. I took the Super Shuttle from LAX (piece of cake finding the pick up location) and was the first stop on the drop off points for 5 people in the van.

Some things I observed, but have forgotten about, because I live in a small town: people who work, even on a hot summer day, in a knit winter hat while "snapping" gum. I haven't heard someone so skillful at snapping gum, like this tiny young woman at the "Shared Ride" location at LAX, since I left Chicago 16 months ago. This woman was a real pro. Granted 40 minutes of waiting to the tune of snapping gum was wearing a bit on my patience....

Another thing: one man on the shared ride van who could not tolerate a single moment of silence. He was on his cell phone non-stop. From some of the overheard conversation (it couldn't be helped, sadly, sigh) even the people he called were tired of his pursuit of conversation. Thankfully it only took me 45 minutes to get to my hotel from LAX. Nonetheless I know a lot about this man and his business, and the recently hired person he has heard both "good" and " not so good" reports on...sigh...(oh and he was some big who-ha person, in charge of ALL the people)....

My hotel is nice and comfortable, in the convention center area of Anaheim, across the way from Disneyland. After my arrival I rested for about 90 minutes. Then my brother and sister-in-law picked me up and we went to lunch at Savannah's in Huntington Beach. I had to laugh. My daughter worked for three years at Hollister, a stylish jean and T-shirt chain store (part of the Abercromie family). The Hollister stores have a live feed webcam focused on Huntington Beach - so for years I could go to her store and see this beach - year in year out. It always posted not only the live feed, but the temperature and time as well. Chicago (minus 10 degrees), Huntington sunny and 70 degrees. (Or today, 90 - still a lot cooler than the 105 in Tucson, where I now live).

Lunch was delightful. The day was pleasant. Some think I am crazy for making this trip so soon after the surgery. I would not have come if I were not feeling well and up to it. And really, the sensation of excitment I felt walking off the shuttle and into the hotel, knowing I was here, in the midst of this convention, made my heart leap with joy! My only hope is that the kids running off steam in the courtyard below my window quiet down soon - I'm tired and want to go to sleep. They obviously want to swim, ("Marco" - "Polo"...in the pool) scream, play, and be kids. Sigh. I must be getting old.