But free internet and great workstations that makes it the best. Very very nice.
I went to bed last night at 3 AM. That has been normal for this convention. I'm talking EST now. I never did switch my watch to Eastern time. So I have to do the mental calculation. It's not always easy. We leave for the Convention Center, here called The Forum at 4:30 PM. That with traffic and time for loading close to 600 people means we get there pretty close to 7 PM, the time the convention starts.
Then we get done at 11 PM. What with getting out, getting on buses, switching to new buses at the football stadium, Raymond James Stadium, and a 40 miles trip back to Saddlebrook Resort we get back between 1 AM and 3 AM. Each of the three nights the setup was different. Last night we rushed out, thinking we have figured out their loading system to get on as quickly as possible, only to find they have changed their pattern again. Tonight the stadium was pretty much filled, this was the big night. There were close to 20,000 people to move out. Switching at Raymond James, after the first night, was not as bad. The walk was significant but I can handle that. Our buses were easy to find and we got off pretty quickly.
But now I am exhausted. I do not feel like I even slept. I have been getting to bed around 3 AM. It takes me a while to get settled. I do check the mail and see what's on the channels, really nothing. Last night I quickly packed, never made a mess, everything was pretty orderly and my bag is still big. I had to get up at 6 AM to get to a 7 PM Supershuttle ride to the airport. I set my alarm clock twice, for 5:50 AM and 6:15 AM. It never went off. Yes I should have gotten a wake up call on my phone. But as usual, God was good. He woke me up just in time to make the shuttle. Officially I was 4 minutes late since I had to rush in and check out. But I missed cooking my last breakfast on the apartment stove. I had enough time to pack my computer and do so last minute things. I did a quick double check. I still don't think I left anything. I did not even get any milk. I wonder if my roommate will take any of the food we have left over. I have taken some of it (tuna fish) but did leave a few things I wanted, potatoes maybe. I also packed myself a lunch from the leftovers last night.
I said I'm in a great airport. But the bad news is that I have a 3 hour layover in Miami before embarking for home. My experience is that Miami is a contrast, the worst airport in the world. Lots of walking, less than friendly staff. I will not have as much baggage as last time so the walking will not be as bothersome.
I am taking American today. like United each checked bag is $30 and over 50 pounds is $100. On the way over I had to take out a few books to get under 50 pounds. Today my bag weighs 66 pounds. I cannot take enough out to get down to 50. The check in lady clearly explains they can put extra in a box and I save $70. Two bags costs $60. One overweight bag costs $130. So I find enough to fill a 6 cu. ft. box. She wraps it up and I'm all set. Aside from the cost, pretty painless. Then a quick tram shuttle to Terminal F and I am now waiting for my plane to leave. I have about two hours to wait here. Yes there are seven terminals but each one has fewer gates so less walking once you get there.
Last Day of Convention
I am not a great speech or variety show junkie so often the presentation put me to sleep or made me bored. But there people were nice. There were some good conversations. The books I read could not keep my interest. I did finish a couple of books but ended up just hanging out or napping.
My roommate was very nice. He knew a lot of people and inside information. He ate lunch out a lot, presumable finding out more inside information. I feel much more informed.
Mitt Romney was not my first choice and I wondered why people voted for him. After this convention I think I know. He was certainly the most qualified candidate running, having run a state, several successful businesses, and turned around the almost failed Salt Lake City winter Olympics. It's on a bigger scale but he will have a similar task if he should win. This country has run away spending going on. Obama does not even pretend to have a budget. And I think a lot of it is because Obama is trying to repay cronies.
Romney is most qualified to take on this task having turned around several entities int the past. I wonder if the population of this country is willing to allow a government to make the tough decisions necessary to lower spending. As a group we see what we what and figure someone else can pay for it. A lot of people want to believe Obama's divisive rhetoric. That way we can justify taxing them more. We are a tough group to govern.
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