Now it's time to say goodbye to all our family...

Well, maybe not family, but it is close to time to say goodbye. The banquet is over, and the faithful are starting to gather in the hospitality suite. The resplendent George Hamilton just entered the room, followed closely by Mike Anderson, Rich Hopkins, Sean Donnelly and convention chair Lee Hawes (did you know that everybody in Tampa calls him Leland?). Also present are Fred and Betty Liddle, Linda Donaldson (Blogger Extraordinaire), Dale Starr, Bob Tauber, Michael Delgado, and Victoria Alt (U of Tampa student). It's becoming delightfully crowded in here.

I'm pleased to say that I wrote the winning limerick in the annual limerick contest. My dream has finally become a reality. The limerick:

Oh, I think that it would be funny

To print just a few sheets of money

I'd fashion some lead

Like a dead president's head

And buy me some beer for my tummy.

Oh, this is Susan Petrone writing.

I couldn't get on for a while this afternoon. Susan and Lee found the lost booze and etc!  Indeed they had cleaned the place out. But we got it all back! Yeah!

The banquet is now over. Awards have been presented, and now it's time to party until next year. Sadly we will part from each other tomorrow morning. 

Linda D

OH NO!  It appears our dear beer has been cleaned out of the fridges! The motel finally came to clean the hospitality suite. Pending formal notice from Lee and Susan, who have gone in pursuit - it appears they have also cleaned out the snacks and drinks. Susan and I have wondered how we can be expected to help keep the world clean, when the people of Florida do not seem to believe in trash cans.

Linda D

It is now 1:45. People are streaming in from lunch. The goodies for the auction have been laid out on the table, people are hovering about them like starving vultures. It seems to be pretty much books.  I don't know what the weather is like - I' enjoyed a quiet lunch here with Ray Jerland and grandson Max.  The turkey was fine... I mean the sandwich, not the other turkey! More females have joined us now. Susan and I are not having to hold down "our" singular side of the room.

The tables are set up in the back of the room for the banquet in a few hours. The ballerinas are still dancing about.  

Linda D

George Hamilton is being a pain..... he wants to know if our officers are insured in case of injury to any of our other officers -- in light of Ivan's recent injury.  

• Jack Scott is getting ready to travel to Israel (?)  Palestine(?) soon, to teach in a "craft school" for 2 weeks.

Linda D.

These guys are big wimps!  They won't write to the blog!  So I'll add some more, for those who cannot attend. 

• George Hamilton says it was worth traveling the Atlantic just to hear Mike Anderson (and Rich Hopkins) talk.

• It has been suggested this morning that the AAPA needs a "fight song." Perhaps something with "Fight, Fight.... Don't Pi My Type"

• It has been suggested that for future conventions, a siesta time be scheduled immediately after lunch, rather than programming.

Linda D.

These guys are big wimps. Linda and I are sitting in the "Females Traveling Alone"ghetto on one side of the meeting room. Lee is, at this moment, giving officers' reports. We're at 259 members. Now he's talking about Fred Liddle, who currently holds two simultaneous offices. 

We're having a great time down here.  Lee has put together a great program. We're all eagerly awaiting the results of the silent auction yesterday. George Hamilton got there late,and it is suspected that he pretty much bought everything. 

Susan P.

We Have Photos!

The AAPA 2008 convention photo album is starting to fill up with pictures! Be sure to point your browser at it, and then widen your screen and try the "Slideshow" button (just above the first picture) to see the complete set.

Many thanks to our photographers for sharing.