July 12, 2005 - 11:35 PM
Wow! So much to tell, but I'll try to make it a condensed version. smile
Although the motto is "What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas," I will not live by that motto, because I want to share how well Geneva did the 9 days we were gone from home.
The ACB convention was held at the Rivierra Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. With over 1600 people registered for the convention, not to mention all of the other guests staying at the hotel or visiting the casino, you can only imagine the crowd and craziness of it all.
Right from the beginning we were off to a good start as Geneva did well on the shuttle bus to the airport, through security and on the plane. You would have never known it was her first flight (at least as far as I know). At the Rivierra, anywhere you wanted to go that wasn't in our sleeping tower or the convention center area, you had to get to by walking through the casino. All the noises and lack of a straight path make this very disorienting. However, we picked up on the lay out of the meeting space and the tower we were staying in quickly, and my sister showed me a fairly easy route to the coffee shop where I ate most of my meals.
Geneva worked like a pro the first 3 days we were there. I was in utter amazement over her calmness and alertness. But then Tuesday she hit a melt down stage. I think she'd had enough swinging canes and crowded halls and just needed a break. So, I gave it to her and she spent most of Tuesday in our room. I took her out to relieve of course, but she seemed very fine to be left behind in the quietness of our room. Geneva never whined or made any noise when left alone. I know this for sure because we had hospitality in our suite each night and that Tuesday night, people came in before I got back and they were all surprised to learn Geneva had been there the entire time.
On Wednesday morning, a very nice lady offered to take Geneva for a long walk. She was gone with Geneva for almost an hour, walking her outside and taking her to visit and get some lovings from others working at the convention. When she was returned to me, she seemed rejuvinated. The rest of the week I gave her occasional rests in the room and she did fine.
While at convention, on Tuesday I was able to take part in the first ever sanctioned poker tournament for blind people using braille/large print playing cards. The game was no limit Hold Em, a game I'd never played before. I didn't make it very far but sure did have a blast participating in it.
I also was elected to the board of BRL (The Braille Revival League) a special interest affiliate of ACB.
On Tuesday night, I ended up performing in the FIA Showcase of the Performing Arts, singing a duette with my friend Meka. We sang, "The Mirror," a song I wrote for Lyle's and my wedding 4 years ago. Anyway, we planned to sing it ocapela, but one of the musicians put music to it during our audition the day before and accompanied us on the keyboard.
On Thursday night, 6 of us left the hotel and went to the Harrah's Hotel to have dinner at Toby Keith's new restaurant, I Love This Bar and Grill. It was a very fun place with an upbeat atmosphere. The prices were good and Toby videos played the whole time. When the song, I Love This Bar played, everyone who wanted to ran to the bar and tipping your head back had a barmaid pour a shot into your mouth as she walked along the top of the bar. Three of us from our table took part in the festivity. It was great fun!
On Friday during the business meeting, my name was drawn for a $50 door prize, but of course I still came home broke. Boy, those slots can be addicting. grin
I came home with 12 new DVS videos, very little money and a bit of a hoarse voice. But oh yes, I didn't come straight home.
On Saturday morning I left the Rivierra, and after missing my 7:00am flight and having to wait 4 hours for the next one, Geneva and I caught an airport shuttle at 2:00pm and arrived in Yakima at 5:00 where a friend picked us up and got me to the Sun Dome so that I could spend the rest of the weekend at Grand Assembly, the convention for Rainbow Girls. Unfortunately I missed all of the times Amelia had to speak, but I did learn that the girls' Assembly won first place for their scrapbook which Amanda headed up, and I was there for appointments when Amanda was appointed Correspondent to Indiana. I was also told by many people that Amelia had done a great job during the initiation with her Historian part and during the Scrapbook parade and announcement of winners.
A couple of very late nights in Yakima and arriving home at 7:00pm last night causes me to still be dragging. But I have to tell you what Geneva did when we got home last night. Well, the first thing was all 3 of the dogs playing joyfully together. But then Geneva decided to go lie down. And so she did, right on Madison's bed. I don't know what was up with that, but she laid there for nearly an hour, and Madison let her be. It just seemed so sweet. It was as if she was telling him how much she missed him.
This morning we both slept in. We may do that again tomorrow too. How nice it is to be home.
In closing I want to mention some other fun doggy news. Three of my friends are getting their new guides right now. My friend Shelly is in Florida with her second guide, a female Black Lab named Ellie. Jamie, a previous youth conference attendee at our WCB conventions is in Boring with her first guide Renita, a female Yellow Lab. And Randy, a WCB member and someone who decided to make the plunge and apply for a guide after reading my Spud journal is also in Boring with his first guide Topper, a Black Lab/Golden Retriever cross. I haven't shared this with Randy yet, but I actually know Topper because he was raised here in Bremerton by my friend Andy. She's already promised me room in her car to attend their graduation. What a thrill that will be for me. smile
Well, I'll write again another time.
Hugs & wags,
Cindy & Geneva
