Oct 16 twenty-one

HERE on the island at the ready but DELAYED. Overnight a wind advisory was issued and shortly after a tense wake up, assessment and PRAYERS (WAP) NOT NECESSARILLY in that order but you can see the value of the HARMLESS three-letter acronym.

Anyway, a little backfill and the back story for inquiring minds longing for the 10/15 report.

Nothing like problems right out of the blocks. While loading Whitey (the Van) I happen to check a bag of parts from the Panel Place and just noticed something unexpected. I looked more closely and immediately realized there was a misunderstanding or a mistake for inside the bag were supports and anchors for the panels and NOT the simple system to hang the art.

So I go into solution create mode working furiously taking into consideration the time, traffic, travel and departure. As Tonto said many times I said to self … ‘What we do now?’

Abbreviating the story and sparing readership the minutia, here is what evolved.

I knew ProPanels (ProP) opened at 7:30 and someone would be there to get me the hangers. So I left the casa to arrive at ProP at that time. A close call with a lane change caused a slight delay to avoid a collision so at 7:35 I called and spoke to Chet. I filled him in, told him what I needed and he had things ready when I arrived at 7:43 and shortly thereafter I was back on the tracks and on my way.

I picked up S1 on schedule and we got into the flow of the rush hour traffic heading first for Houston and ultimately Galveston. We stopped for breakfast and it was 10:28. I was startled by the time thinking it was earlier. S1 as copilot noticed I was nodding out and kept me awake which was in his job description and frankly he seemed to enjoy that tasking.

Houston city traffic is all that you heard it was with rude and discourteous drivers and to complicate matters in the heart of downtown I get a phone call from Jeff who was vacationing in Kauai walking on the beach. Praise technology, blue -toothand hands free.

We avoid another set of near-misses, stopped for fuel and hit the island to begin set up at 2:37 right on schedule and as planned.

Checked in, registered and began the arduous task of reassembling the tent.

This was not without headache(s) and challenges. I did locate another artist, a couple actually who also had a Trimline tent and engaged in friendly conversation asking eventually if they might be AVAILABLE for ‘consultation’ later in the even we got hung up.

We struggled and it was growing late, a weather forecast came in and at that time it was rain so we amended The Plan out of necessity getting the tent secure and reloading ALL the items back into the van for setting up in the morning.

Shortly after awaking, the phone goes off and Mrs Piel had issued a status update. The message informed exhibitors of the overnight wind advisory and to check and assess tent(s) for damages as soon as possible OR practical which I did at 6:18m .

Our hotel was two (2) blocks over and four (4) down from the venue so I loaded my back pack commando style and set out on foot for the venue and make the assessment.

The wind was indeed strong, 25-30 with gusts to 40 and as I walked spilling the cup of keurig coffee I saw no signs of life. It was dark, spooky but not scary and as I approached I began running thru scenarios expecting the worst.

The tent, which we will name Fortress Pecan, was intact and standing !!

The integrated weigh/shelf system designed and built by Bill had been tested AND it worked.

The tents were set up on the street between some taller buildings and no doubt buffered and deflected some of the fury and while I was processing the next new Plan who comes walking down the sidewalk but Mrs Piel the event director.

We chatted briefly as she had been there on site since 3:00 am and she certainly had more important things to do than engage me in idle chit-chat so essential Q &A only.

That done and satisfactory, I got back to the bivouac and to wait for a spell and wait it out.

While coming up the stairs, I passed the break area/kitchenette and the little girl was just finishing making fresh coffee and THAT is where I am to this point ready for the second cup and a re-reassessment.

BTW, the Astros bested the Red Sox in a thriller. We got to see nearly every pitch from the hotel room. On a very large screen. In color.

This IS an adventure and ALL decisions are critical. Strong communications & decision skills will carry the day with a dollop of persistence for good measure.

Write that one down.

WS/out.