Packing

I should be packing, but instead I'm sitting in front of my computer, having just re-read an item about a diversity festival in Huntsville, Texas not long ago. I've been wandering through the Internet, drifting from topic to topic, allowing myself to get engaged in thought about funny ideas, tragedies, wonderfully happy things, ways individuals can have big positive impacts on the environment, dogs, and endless other things. It's time for me to pack my bags, because I'm heading south tomorrow. Not far enough, but south. I'm off to a client conference in The Woodlands, Texas. The association is an allied healthcare group. To date, registration is 725, including one-day registrants, exhibitors, students, interns, etc. But that's not chicken feed...most of our events are smaller. This meeting is not particularly complex, in most respects, and does not incorporate nearly the level of social networking that most groups we manage plan for their events. So, it's not a challenge...again, not in most respects. If a computer breaks down, or boxes don't arrive as scheduled from Fed-Ex, etc., things can get dicey. But generally, this client's meeting is pretty straightforward. I hope this meeting follows suit.

I will bid my adieus from the meeting as close to noon Saturday as I can and will retreat north to Falba, for barbeque and booze and conversation with a brother who lives "in the rurals" about 15 miles north of Huntsville. Then, early Sunday morning I head north.

I need, really need, to have a weekend that I can dedicate to my house and yard. I need a weekend when I won't feel compelled to go to lunch with my wife or go shopping with her. If I could get such a weekend, and had a bit of help, I could get a lot done in my yard that desperately needs doing. I might even get back in the habit of doing yardwork. I've hired it out for what seems like an eternity and have almost lost all interest in doing it, but much prefer the way my yard looks when I do the work than to the way it looks when done by hired hands who don't give a shit.

My wine is getting warm...a nice, light sauvignon blanc from New Zealand. So, I'll have to drink it down, refresh the glass, and start packing.