The Saga Of Our Comic Con Trip

"Happy anniversary," he said, "I bought us tickets to Alamo City Comic Con in San Antonio.  Ron AND Michael will be there, and I know how much you want to meet Michael, and get Ron to sign your book."
He was right, it was the best anniversary gift ever.  I was afraid I put it in jeopardy by falling and hurting my leg, but the leg has healed nicely, and I was good to go for our epic journey.
To get to San Antonio from Moore, Oklahoma, one must drive for a VERY long time if one is not willing to pay for plane tickets.  We were not willing to pay for plane tickets.  We were in the car for about eight hours, plus a couple of pit stops.
The only bad thing that happened was that Matt left his cell phone behind at one stop, and by the time we realized it, someone had taken it.  We suspended the service to the phone, reported it stolen, and the insurance is sending a new one.  None of his accounts have been messed with, he changed all his passwords, and soon as he gets his replacement phone, he'll be in good shape.
We still managed to have a blast at the con.

First and foremost, I got to meet someone I have communicated with on Twitter for more than two years now.  Someone that has reached out in kindness and absolutely made my day with a tweet.  Something just that simple, a small kindness, really, takes just seconds, and it can turn around a person's whole day, which can, in turn, make the day better for everyone they come in contact with.  That's what Michael Ornstein did for me with a short little tweet on a day that was going south rapidly for me.
It had been a hectic morning at our library, and I was getting ready to go out to the Customer Service Desk, and I wasn't in a very positive mood.  I checked my Twitter on my break, and Michael had posted a picture of one of his most recent paintings.  His use of color is amazing.  He paints things that look like they are lit from inside, luminous, gorgeous.  I responded to the post and thanked him for posting it, because I needed to see something beautiful that day.  His reply: "Go look in the mirror." I almost cried.  So very sweet, and just made me remember that bad days will pass, there is beauty inside that we can let out.
I was so glad to meet Michael in person, and finally PROPERLY thank him for that tweet, and give him a big hug.  Not only did he make my day, but by cheering me up, he helped quite a few of our library patrons have a better library visit than they might have.  Easier to smile and be pleasant and helpful when you remember that you carry something beautiful in your heart all the time.  Love.  Letting it out doesn't deplete it, it just makes it better, makes it multiply. It's the truth.  I know.
Michael and I had a couple of nice chats during the con, and he signed one of the prints of his paintings he had for me.  

Yours Truly and Michael Ornstein- Actor, artist, all around great human being. I was wearing my "lucky shirt" one with one of Michael's paintings on it, that I have worn during 3 different tornadoes, and I've made it through unscathed each time.( I figure the shirt couldn't hurt, and neither does the prayer and pleading that goes on while I'm hiding in that closet!)

On Saturday, we finally caught up with my pals Mary and Jana, and we all went to see Ron.  (Perlman, that is.)  Ron looks like a tough guy, he can be a tough guy, I have no doubt, but he's really a big sweetheart.  At least to us.  He loves his fans, and he knows that the three of  us have been in  his corner for a long time.  He always seems genuinely glad to see us, always wants hugs and smooches, and kids around with us.  It always astounds me that he really does know who we are, remembers us, and cares about us.  He's busier than he was a while back, so he doesn't tweet quite as much  as he once did, but he has also reminded me that I am not invisible, even when I sometimes feel like I must be. Never one as dramatic as the tweet from Michael that came at  JUST the right moment, but still.  Just when I figure he's too busy to catch any of our tweets anymore, he'll favorite, or respond with a word or two, letting us know he's keeping tabs on us.
I have lost about 30 pounds over the last 2 1/2 years or so, and just this last year, I've gotten into better shape by walking and working out with weights more.  Ron made it a point to tell me that I look great.  Makes me feel good to know the hard work is noticed.  (Oh, my husband notices, but hey, he sees me every day!)  Ron always looks amazing.  He seems to get better looking every year.  I have told him it isn't fair.

Here's me with Ron, who looks better every time we see him.  My favorite actor, and one hell of a nice guy.

I always enjoy a chance to see my friends Mary and Jana.  There are others in our little fan group  that I have met, and enjoy spending time with, too, but I've seen Mary and Jana the most.  We have history.  We always have fun together, and if we stop giggling, it's probably because we finally fell asleep.  Hope to meet the rest of the #Perlgirls in person some day.  Especially Fi.  I love that girl, feel like I've known her for always, and I've never met her in person.  The stories I read and put on YouTube are mostly for her little boy. (Though I hope my grand nephews and other kiddos who might enjoy the stories also watch and listen. Like Malory's kids.  Mal's another of the #Perlgirls, and I've met her too.  She looks like she's about 15, but she's  an Air Force vet, a mom, and a very energetic and sweet gal.)
We didn't get to spend enough time together this trip, but then, Matt designed this as an anniversary celebration for us.  (A bit early, but still, we've been married 31 years now, so we're entitled to celebrate early.)  (Actual anniversary is September 22.)
So, because Matt and I spent some quality time together, I didn't get to hang out with my friends as much as I wanted.  We did, however, meet up for a visit with Ron, the SOA panel, and the photo op with Ron.

Here's the Three Amigas right before the SOA Reunion Panel on Saturday. ( My long suffering spouse is on my left.)

We still had fun together, and Mary and Jana had a chance to go out and have fun on their own.  Matt and I went out to a very nice dinner at Fogo de Chao for our "anniversary dinner".  Excellent food in a relaxing atmosphere.

Popping back to Friday for a moment, we also visited with Kim Coates, Ryan Hurst, and Mark Boone. Kim had his helper take a picture of him with Matt and I.  The one that's least blurry, I have my eyes closed in.  I am my mother's daughter...

Before leaving for this trip, I got some of our Pioneer Library System "swag" from my boss and the Info Services manager at our branch to take to the folks working the San Antonio Public Library's table in the "Kids Planet" section of  Comic Con.  They seemed pleased to be remembered by their fellow soldiers in the cause of literacy, and I had my picture made with their mascot!

This is the "swag" I took to the San Antonio librarians.  A Pete the Cat bag with I love my library mints in it, a PLS cup, pens, stylus pens, bookmmarks, and an unbrella

Me and the SAPL mascot.  Sorry, I didn't catch the name!  They had an awesome booth with cool activities for kids, teens, and even a few for adults! Great job SAPL!

There were so many people walking around in really cool costumes, but Saturday especially,  it was SO crowded, and we were short of time between events, that we couldn't get pictures made of them.
The con was a really great event.  They grew so quickly though, they need a bit more logistical know how, and they need to make maps that are oriented around where they are in the building, so people can figure out which way they need to go.  The volunteers and staff were unfailingly polite, and the staff were usually pretty knowledgeable, but the volunteers weren't always well briefed, though they'd go find someone to ask if they didn't know the answer.
Can't say enough good things about the staff at the Grand Hyatt.  Very attentive, very helpful, and the hotel looked great, and our stay was most comfortable.

The trip home was marred only by being SO LONG.  There was a traffic jam up due to ongoing construction before we got to Fort Worth, but after that, it was smooth sailing, and we took our time.  We stopped at Outback Steakhouse in Ft. Worth, and I had a Blood orange 'Rita with my burger.  (Thank God Matt was driving so I could indulge!)
We made  our obligatory stop at Chickasaw Travel Stop near Davis, so we could pick up some more Bedre Chocolate.  ALWAYS stop, both coming and going to and from Texas, because it is clean, the people are pleasant and helpful, and they have that wonderful chocolate for sale.

We got home around 10:30 pm or so on Sunday night.  Tired, but happy, and then we had to unload the car and put all that stuff away!
I have con swag for my coworkers, I gotta put the flair back on my lanyard and add the three new pieces I got, and figure out where I'm gonna display the new photos I have...

Finally got Ron to sign my book.  I'm keeping that inscription close to my heart.  So very sweet, and special to me.

All in all, a really great trip, and the only other hitch was discovered this morning as I was finishing my unpacking.  I went to get ready to walk, and realized I hadn't seen my Motorola Buds since Saturday.  Seems I left them by the safe in the hotel room.  Sigh.  Oh, well, they were about two years old, and had definitely seen better days.  Ordered replacements for a lot less than we paid for those.  Same exact thing, too.

I will be smiling about this trip for a long time to come.
Thanks, Matt, world's greatest husband! I love you even more than I did 31 years ago.
Thanks to Ron Perlman, The Man Himself, who is just awesome, and well, I love ya big guy.  You know that.
Thanks to Michael Ornstein, for being so kind,and original, and well, you know I love you, too, right?  After all, we are both survivors of being stuck in airplanes with pilots who thought they were comedians... ;-)

Reflections On A Busy Monday

I had a very busy day today.  Voice lesson, picking up refills at the pharmacy on base, grocery shopping, putting everything away, putting the trash out, cleaning the patio and porch furniture, watering the gardens and flowerbeds; just really busy.  But in a good way.
It occurred to me right about 3pm that almost a year ago, I was in the midst of another very busy Monday when the weather radio started going off in a big way.  I had just gotten the groceries all put away, in fact, when the tornado sirens here in Moore went off.  Away to the closet I went, with my extra pillows, all my flash drives,  all my electronic devices and my portable weather radio and good flashlight.  (First aid kit is already in there.  Had to evict the dirty clothes hamper and a bunch of my shoes, though. SOP for us in storm season.)
I was watching the feed from News 9 on my tablet, and on Twitter with a bunch of people,most of whom were wanting me to reassure them that I was all right.  It was surreal to hear that the storm was so close to my workplace and the homes of my friends, and was thankfully, NOT heading straight for our little subdivision.  Still, I knew I had likely lost a few favorite places,and I hoped and prayed I hadn't lost any friends.  (Close call, but my close friends were all ok, some of their houses weren't, but they were.)  Lost some library customers, and we lost our hospital.  It was a very scary day.
Part of what kept me sane in that closet was the "company" of concerned friends online.  Even a couple of celebrities that I had conversed with a bit tweeted that they were watching the news, and was I OK?  Was my house?  My dear friend in Australia, Fiona, was Direct Messaging me to please be safe and let her know what was happening.  I tried to send her minute by minute updates as I had information.  Soon as the all-clear sounded, I went out and looked around, and could report that we had no damage, and no debris in our yard.  The south side of town wasn't so lucky. 
It also took Matt five hours to get home from work because he was on the other side of the damage path.  He called me on my cell when he could, but he was locked down in a shelter at his workplace for most of the afternoon.
Needless to say, tomorrow is going to be a very emotional day here in Moore.  There's a remembrance ceremony and groundbreaking for the new medical center at 10 am.  Don't know if I'm going to go.  So many people's lives were turned upside down. Mine suffered only minor disruption, but I love this little city, and I love the people who live here and work here and make it a great place to be.  They hurt, I hurt.  I did what I could to help them by doing my bit to keep their library going on as usual.  I also offered any and all extra helps I could think of from sending FEMA faxes free (with boss's approval) and waiving fines when necessary, sometimes just giving them a pen because it was what they really needed right that second helped. 
It's so hard to know what to do or say sometimes, but sometimes, just being there and willing to listen, willing to help look for resources, willing to help, is enough. 
One year later, and the Warren Theatre has replaced all of its damaged neon, the hospital is a tent city, but breaking ground on a new facility tomorrow, many damaged business are rebuilt or rebuilding, many neighborhoods are still under reconstruction.  Some have moved into their rebuilt homes, others are still waiting.  Some haven't rebuilt at all.   
Whenever the weather looks iffy, people are anxious.  It'll be that way for awhile.  It was in '99 and in 2003.  We have new plans and procedures in place at the library to ensure patron and employee safety.  We have new portable weather radios in the house, and Matt has one at work.  I have a spare battery for my phone.  We still don't have a real storm shelter, but that costs more than we can afford to part with at the moment.  We need to have one Matt can get into and out of easily, and we don't really want one in the garage floor, where the gas pipes for water heater and dryer are so close, and the electrical box , and our cars are.  We shall just have to see how the next lottery for rebates goes, and how costs of an outdoor shelter go. 
This Monday was sunny, warm, and windy.  My allergies gave me a really bad time, and I didn't sit down once until time to eat dinner.  Still better than last year. 
Thanks to all my Twitter and Facebook friends for your long-distance support.  It meant a lot, it still does.  Thanks to all my fellow Moore-ons who keep on keeping on and make this little city a great place to be, in spite of the weather.

Lovely, Sad April Once Again

April is a month that makes us feel vulnerable here in the Oklahoma City metro area.  No major tornadoes to remember this month, but bad storms, and the chance of tornadoes appears in April usually after a winter respite. 
No, April's lovely soft sunny mornings have been clouded for us by a memory of evil.  A memory that was burned into our hearts on April 19, 1995.  It was such a beautiful, sunny, pleasant morning.  Then the news reports started coming out about an explosion downtown.  The smoke visible on the horizon.  The worry about friends we knew worked down there.  The fear for the children we knew in the YMCA daycare near there, the church, which is only a block or two away.

I watched the news that morning in shock and with dread.  I saw familiar faces, most just in obvious shock, but one with blood on it.  It still hurts, to think about the damage to so many lives caused that day, the children lost, the sense of security we lost.  The many, many scattered pieces of our lives in downtown that had to be picked up and reassembled as best we could. 

Our church had significant damage, and it took us many years to complete all the restorations.  We never lost the most important thing, though, our love for one another, and our sense of God's love.  We are still in downtown, and we are still thriving.

Perhaps that is true of everything downtown, we are put back together physically, and for the most part, spiritually as well.  The Oklahoma City National Memorial has helped a lot with that sense of putting ourselves back together.  It is a very healing place.  A very peaceful and beautiful place.  The museum is very moving, jolting some of us back  to very clear memories of that day. 

Next year marks 20  years since the bombing.  VERY hard to believe.  Doesn't seem like it can possibly have been so long, and yet, the worst of the visible scars are long healed, and many of the psychological ones are well on the way. 

It still shocks me that anyone remotely human could have parked that truck there, under windows where they knew little children were playing, and set that explosion in motion.  Such hatred, and such misdirected violence did not solve anything.  They only presented a new set of problems.  This tragedy injured Oklahoma deeply, but it also strengthened our resolve.  That was the day I adopted Oklahoma, and vowed to stay help mend this broken heartland.  The great outpouring of love and determination to do the right thing that the world saw here was a true blessing.  People in Oklahoma are pretty tough.  You have to be to live in a place where the land and the weather turn on you at a moment's notice.  Makes us good at getting back up, at reaching out to give our neighbor a hand, at joining hands and standing strong.  When it REALLY matters, people here don't care about the things that usually divide us.  They remember that all we have is each other, good, bad, or indifferent, and they reach out and hold on to one another.  That's what made me adopt this place, that's why I stay. 
We saw it again last year when the tornadoes came.  The rest of the world responds to that by remembering that all ANY of us has is each other, and they send help, or come to help, and even though the events like the tornadoes and the bombing are horrible, they remind us that we are NOT alone or forgotten here. 
Today, the wind is high, but the sun is bright, and the sky is a beautiful blue that I have only ever seen in Oklahoma.  I don't know what Saturday will be like, since that is the actual anniversary, but this lovely morning reminded me of that lovely, doomed morning 19 years ago when I became an Oklahoman.