Sunday, June 10, 2007
Country Music Capital of the World
Bob and I flew directly from New York to Nashville where my convention was held. Since both Bob and I love county western music—it’s one of our favorite places. Bob has gone to The Grand Ole Opry six times, so he was excited to get tickets and go again.
But I’ll start at the beginning—we go in to Nashville fairly early on Monday. We were able to check into our room right away. Then we went to work (or rather we stood around waiting to go to work). HQ always loads a huge truck with merchandise from Recognitions, all the awards that are given out, all the packets for the pre-conference and lots of other stuff. People from the hotel were suppose to be there to do the unloading, but they didn’t show up—so we ended up unloading all the stuff ourselves.
That evening, Bob and I found a Laundromat so we could wash our clothes. And that was the last time we had to relax together! And it was also the last time I stepped outside the hotel until Sunday morning when we headed for home.
Of course the Opryland hotel is pretty spectacular—so even though I didn’t go outside for a week, I did sit on our balcony which overlooked the Garden Atrium every morning. And I ate at three different restaurants—a couple that were atrium seating—so it felt like you were outside.
This year was really neat, because Ross and Richard came to the convention. Ross was a Guistwhite Scholar when he was a member and there was a reception for the former and current Scholars with Dr. Guistwhite. Since Ross was invited to the convention, he approached the college where he works and got them to pay his travel expenses and he staffed the college’s booth at the college fair. Richard came along for the ride. So they got there on Thursday evening and stayed with us.
Since they were there, I put them to work—and I think they enjoy working behind the scenes. And I was really busy. I lead five breakout sessions, did a couple focus groups, helped with the Int’l Officer elections, coordinated a luncheon, and staffed the Advisor Corner. Several days I would leave the room at 7 am and not get back to the room until after 11 pm.
Friday evening, there was nothing scheduled—so the kids and Bob and I went to a great seafood restaurant in the hotel. We were right near a little waterfall, so it was a neat area. We had sushi as an appetizer—which was really good.
Saturday evening was the Gala Banquet and Hallmark Awards—so I was involved, but that’s when Bob, Ross and Richard
went to the Grand Ole Opry. They had a good time—and got back just as the last awards were being given out. Afterward we went out with the advisors from MN.
Being in Nashville really brought back a lot of memories. The first time Bob went to a Bus Ed. Convention, it was in Nashville—it was the only one where I didn’t go along. Bob and I took a fun vacation in 1994—just for the heck of it while the kids were on Tour with New Wine. The next time I was there was the second PTK convention that I ever attended—it was special because both Ross and Kara were members and attended with me. Also it was the first time I met Richard. The next convention that I was at was when our chapter won so many awards. I’ll never forget that night, we waited for photos after the gala and then I went out for a drink with Dennis Anderson and some of the MN advisors—I got back to the room at 2:30 am—it was the start of daylight savings time—so set the clock to 3:30—I needed to pack, so did that until almost 4 and we had to get up at 4, so we could catch the shuttle for an early morning flight. I decided it wasn’t worth it to go to bed.
This time was a little different—I was working, but the convention was still top notch. Al Gore was one of the speakers—and he did a good job of talking about global warming and the climate. However, he is still a Politian and didn’t answer any questions straight.
As always, even though it’s great to go to these wonderful places and see all kinds of new things and visit with people from all over—it’s really nice to get back home again. So it felt really good to get home and sleep in our own bed again.
But I’ll start at the beginning—we go in to Nashville fairly early on Monday. We were able to check into our room right away. Then we went to work (or rather we stood around waiting to go to work). HQ always loads a huge truck with merchandise from Recognitions, all the awards that are given out, all the packets for the pre-conference and lots of other stuff. People from the hotel were suppose to be there to do the unloading, but they didn’t show up—so we ended up unloading all the stuff ourselves.
That evening, Bob and I found a Laundromat so we could wash our clothes. And that was the last time we had to relax together! And it was also the last time I stepped outside the hotel until Sunday morning when we headed for home.
Of course the Opryland hotel is pretty spectacular—so even though I didn’t go outside for a week, I did sit on our balcony which overlooked the Garden Atrium every morning. And I ate at three different restaurants—a couple that were atrium seating—so it felt like you were outside.
This year was really neat, because Ross and Richard came to the convention. Ross was a Guistwhite Scholar when he was a member and there was a reception for the former and current Scholars with Dr. Guistwhite. Since Ross was invited to the convention, he approached the college where he works and got them to pay his travel expenses and he staffed the college’s booth at the college fair. Richard came along for the ride. So they got there on Thursday evening and stayed with us.
Since they were there, I put them to work—and I think they enjoy working behind the scenes. And I was really busy. I lead five breakout sessions, did a couple focus groups, helped with the Int’l Officer elections, coordinated a luncheon, and staffed the Advisor Corner. Several days I would leave the room at 7 am and not get back to the room until after 11 pm.
Friday evening, there was nothing scheduled—so the kids and Bob and I went to a great seafood restaurant in the hotel. We were right near a little waterfall, so it was a neat area. We had sushi as an appetizer—which was really good.
Saturday evening was the Gala Banquet and Hallmark Awards—so I was involved, but that’s when Bob, Ross and Richard
went to the Grand Ole Opry. They had a good time—and got back just as the last awards were being given out. Afterward we went out with the advisors from MN.Being in Nashville really brought back a lot of memories. The first time Bob went to a Bus Ed. Convention, it was in Nashville—it was the only one where I didn’t go along. Bob and I took a fun vacation in 1994—just for the heck of it while the kids were on Tour with New Wine. The next time I was there was the second PTK convention that I ever attended—it was special because both Ross and Kara were members and attended with me. Also it was the first time I met Richard. The next convention that I was at was when our chapter won so many awards. I’ll never forget that night, we waited for photos after the gala and then I went out for a drink with Dennis Anderson and some of the MN advisors—I got back to the room at 2:30 am—it was the start of daylight savings time—so set the clock to 3:30—I needed to pack, so did that until almost 4 and we had to get up at 4, so we could catch the shuttle for an early morning flight. I decided it wasn’t worth it to go to bed.
This time was a little different—I was working, but the convention was still top notch. Al Gore was one of the speakers—and he did a good job of talking about global warming and the climate. However, he is still a Politian and didn’t answer any questions straight.
As always, even though it’s great to go to these wonderful places and see all kinds of new things and visit with people from all over—it’s really nice to get back home again. So it felt really good to get home and sleep in our own bed again.
# posted by bjm @ 10:03 AM 
