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I attended the ACB convention in Orlando for the first time in Orlando My flight left at 10:30 AM, so no early morning for me!!! I got all of my belongings in to a large backpack and a medium-sized purse, so no checked luggage!!! However, I stupidly left all of my toiletries on the table, so I had to buy them when I got there. I had no security or transfer problems, and I got the the shuttle just fine. I met another pennsylvania person on the shuttle and we talked about convention since I had never been there before.
There was check in drama, since I was the first person in the room and was paying with a credit card. After 40 minutes, they charged my portion and left the other twofor later. After begging in the room for an hour, I wandered to get food. I ordered three slices of pizza and coke, thinking they were small.Three of thepieces were like six of dominos, OMG, so much food!!! Later, my second roommate, Erin, came. She is awesome. She helped me set up my netbook. I didn't know you could do that with narrator, enterin the administrative info, windows settings, ETC. After that point, I could use system access to go, since I hadn't brought my JAWS and was't connected to the internet at that point. We had a nice discussion about Sociology, since that was her major, and we complained aout research methods and statistics.
The next day, we had breakfast with Sue and John Buckley, members from Erin's aaphiliate in Tennessee. We discussed ACB vs. NFB, and other things, since John has his doctorate and Sue used to manage a YMCA. I think Sarah, 3kitties, came. She was sick the first day se wass there, and I don't really remember everything we did that day. Oh, at some point, two hotel staff showed us around, the emergency exits and the basic layout. We also made a gift shop stop since I had to buy toiletries and Erin needed shampoo, since her airline threw it away, even though it was in her checked luggage.
I went to the exhibit hall and made the whole circuit the first day. I saw familiar technology and ti was fun to look at new things from each company. Throughout the week, I bought an adventurine ring, a garnet necklace, an opal, a Braille alphabet bracelet, and a flamingo bracelet from a blind vender. We also went to the GDUI suie where I bought lab earrings, a harness sign/pouch, and Guide Dog Handlers First Hand.
Sarah, Erin, Kevin, and I spent a lot of time together, eating in the cafe, drinking coffee (in my case hot chocolate,( and just talking and laughing. One day, after all of us went to the exhibit hall we met Pawpower, Lisasalli, and Maia, who sells cool dog accessories. We made another trip back to the GDUI suite where I bought a cat bell, a clip with two regular bells, and a keychain with a glass pendant that says peace in Braille.
Some night, we met Megan, Glen, Amanda, and Kerrie and had dinner at the caf. After that, I went to Amanda's room with her, Kerrie, Megan, Glen, and eventually Amber, who used to be an NFB member. I had fun with them as well as Hester, Buddy, and Boots, the dogs.
I visited Rox and Lisa a few times and bothered their dogs too.
I did actually go to a few ACB events, the GDUI ones where Kathy Nimmer spoke about her book two plus four equals one, an anthology of service dog stories and poems. I would like to submit something for it, I just don't know what. I also saw Seeing Eye instructors Barbara, Jan, and Lucas. It was nice and awkward at the same time, sice Barb worked with Zorro and I during training and retirement process. I also met people from all guide dog schools and asked them questions.
There was a speaker who did animal rescues. He rescued a dog from huricane Katrina, and he kept it with him in the trailor, even when he sent all of the others back with volunteers. A man and his son *walked* to the animal rescue trailors; his wife had died during the huricane and they couldn't get out since they had no gas money. The terrier he had been keeping belonged to the little boy, and it made him feel comforted during the grieving time.
Tuesday was Magic Kingdom@!!! I've never been there before, so I was really excited. I met Natasha caninespirit while walkign through the park and we connected wih Jill and dog Holly, Mike and dog Rick, and an older lady Marilyn. We went to many shops, looking for jewelry and other souvenirs. We went on the teacups and Mike and Marilyn held the dogs. We went somewhere where I had chicken nuggets and fries. Later, we went on the winnie the Pooh ride,, which was cute and shopped there too. Marilyn wandered away so we spent awhile worrying and trying to figure out whereshe was. She was all the way near the outside of the park!!! We spent some time lost but didn't do too badly, which was great. We and the dogs were totally exhausted and were glad to go back to the hotel.
Erin is considering applying for a guide dog!!! She loves dogs and is a toy poodle breeder. She and her friend are also starting a pet supply business, and that is aweome!!! She left Thursday, and I was glad to spend so much time with her and hope we se each other again!!!
Friday, Amanda, Rox, Lisa, Maia, and I went to Cracker Barrel, wher I had chicken fingers, fries macaroni and cheese, biscuits, coke, and hot chocolate. We stopped in the gift shop, were I bought a huge Mr. Good bar and pop rocks. Rox'e decided to have pop rocks with coke and we could hear th fizz from the next room. I didn't sleep at all, packed my stuff and went to the airport. I had no problems there or on my three flights and finally got home at 2:30 Saturday.
Sorry for the incoherency; I thinkk I am still recovering from my vacation, :)!!! 'm glaad I met all of you from LJ and will hopefully do it again some time!!!!
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