This was an all day trip from Oakland to Philadelphia but I arrived and was greeted by Larry Green who shuttled me to the host hotel. After checking into my room I joined the other MAI Senators in the hospitality room around 9PM.
Friday, April 9, 2010
I enjoyed breakfast with one of my east coast presidential assistants, Jackie Cornelius, and the Pennsylvania Senators. I had about 15 minutes to quickly check my emails before joining the Joe Sabella tour of Wilmington, Delaware. With us were Joe and Judy, of course, Mark Grim, Jackie Cornelius and John Robinson. We took the scenic tour (backroads) to Wilmington and drove around the campus of the University of Delaware. Quite a large campus with separate fields for Football, Baseball, Track, Soccer, 2 Ice Rinks and a basketball gym.
Dinner was served in the hospitality room with plenty of food for everyone. Regional Caucuses followed where each of the candidates had their opportunity to make their pitch for the upcoming elections in Concord, California. I just had to follow suit and gave a pitch for the office of COB. This is probably the most difficult meeting for the candidates as they have to make their pitch twice as each region holds their caucus separately. The evening ended as they all do with lots of fellowship and conversation.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Breakfast was provided in the hotel breakfast room where everyone stoked up on Coffee and a bagel or two to gather energy for the business meeting. The meeting went very well as Roxanne, VP of region 2 and Elizabeth, VP of Region 3 shared in conducting the meeting. I kept my comments short as I would be speaking again at the evening banquet. I did present Presidential pins to Larry Green for providing my transportation and to Joe Sabella for being my tour guide the day prior.
The meeting was completed a bit ahead of schedule so everyone had a chance for lunch before boarding the bus for a tour of old Newcastle. The tour group broke up into two groups for ease of the tour. One group went through the old courthouse where we were guided by a great "Old Gal" through the history of Newcastle and it's founding. The second group went on a walking tour of the restored streets and buildings. After an hour the groups switched so everyone had a chance to experience the town and it's history. It was then back to the bus for our return to the hotel and a short time to get ready for the evening banquet.
Upon our return to the hotel Jeanne and I went to the room to drop off our gifts when to our surprise we had another unique travel experience. Neither of our keys worked so off i go to the front desk to get them recoded (not so unique YET!). So neither of the new keys worked and I am off to the desk again. This time I request that someone follow me back to the room as I do not want to spend the evening between the room and front desk. When I get back to my room the maintenance guy is there with a pass key. Our new keys still fail to open the door and the pass key also does not work. Something serious is wrong with the lock and I am a bit perturbed about the situation.
Perk happens by and her room is just across the hall so we stash our loot in her room until the hotel works on a solution. Jeanne and I head to the hospitality room without having an opportunity to change into more casual clothing. I call the desk to let them know where we will be upon their repairing the room lock. I was informed that maintenance had the room open . Jeanne finds Perk and heads to the room to transfer the gifts. Meanwhile I meet my elected team and finalized the 2010-2011 proposed budget.
When I return to the hospitality room Jeanne tells me that they cannot fix the lock and we had the choice to move to a different room or have maintenance open the room when we retire for the night - we chose the latter. Jeff also joined the Senators in the hospitality room and seemed to have a great time. When we finished our goodbyes I went to the lobby to get the room opened. They had a difficult time opening the door again but finally we were let in.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
We were up early so Jeanne could get back to Maryland as she had to work on this day. John Robinson drove me to the airport so everything is working well - WRONG!!
I had paid the fee to receive A-List boarding primarily since I would be in meetings when the time hit the 24 hour prior time as the computer would automatically check me in. I went to the Kiosk to print my boarding pass and I get a message that I had to speak with a Southwest representative. I was informed that I would have to get my boarding pass at the gate and they gave me a security pass. When I arrived at the gate I received a boarding sequence number of C-17 - The last person to board. I asked why since I ad paid the fee and received the standard answer that the computer erred. I am not a happy camper by this time so I asked to speak with a supervisor. The attendant quickly produced a blue early boarding slip and I got on the plane and more importantly had bin space. I arrived home on schedule
My thanks to all the Senators in the MAI Regions for all the hospitality and friendship.
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