What a day.
That sums it up.
My day started at 4am, just like I planned. We ran my car about 20 minutes to de-ice it. The temperature was about 25 degrees. It was about 25 degrees at 9pm tonight (due to artic air that is causing so much trouble over our nation). I was the first to arrive at the school and load with about 10 minutes to spare. I sat outside talking to Robert Hoover (making small talk) until we saw Ruth coming. We talked a little, then a bulk of the people came and we loaded the vans to go to the airport.
At the airport. We waited for Allison (who was running a little late). We all called her and left her about 7 voice mails. Fun stuff.. haha. She came about 2 minutes before we were going to leave without her. We passed security — but not without Brandy getting checked for explosives, and Chris getting scanned with a wand due to a surgery he had where he has metal in his leg. Brandy (who was done being checked) and another went to take pictures of this whole event as it unfolded. The guy scanning Chris posed for a few pictures. Rather funny.
Soon after, we board the plane, ready to fly to Phoenix. Plane takes off, and we have a pretty smooth ride. I talked to Ruth other than when we slept. Sometimes it was hard to stay awake, but I love sitting by the window in the plane… so I try to enjoy it while I can.
We landed in Phoenix at 10ish Portland time, 11ish Phoenix time. Allison had new voice mails, and Tom was being paged to go to a phone in the airport. We saw that our connecting flight to Oklahoma had been canceled. I called Brandy to let her know. Everyone started talking about what we would do….
Then, more news. The event in Oklahoma that we were going to attend, was canceled. They apparently called to tell us this in Portland 10 minutes after we were in the air. Such great timing.
Most people in Voices wanted to at least stay in Phoenix for a day so it wouldn’t be a total loss. I told them my home church was in Mesa– and before I knew it they were making plans to sing at the church.
Tom— our conductor, obviously frustrated over the whole event being canceled.. (but also didn’t want our time to be a waste) checked to see what our options were with Southwest Airlines.
Because a flight was leaving at noon, back for Portland– he figured that would be the best thing to do. So, now disappointed for the whole situation that had unfolded.. we loaded onto the plane. This time I also sat next to Jon- so me and Ruth talked to him and we all talked when we weren’t sleeping (of course). It is hard to talk to someone when you are sleeping. Try it!
We finally get back to Portland at about 2:00pm local time. What a fun ride….
Going to get our luggage we find that Southwest has lost all our luggage. They said we will be getting it in a day or so.
Pretty fun.
I’m back at home, updating my xanga. When 24 hours ago, I would have never guessed this turn of events. The reason the flights and whole event was canceled is due to a major ice storm (that also is caused from the artic air that we are experiencing in Portland).
It is disappointing in a few ways. I said this was the one thing Cascade had that I really enjoyed. It is… and for a few reasons. Like with such a small group I feel I can ‘click’ with more people. I don’t feel out of place like I did so often with Cascade in general. Not only that.. I enjoy singing especially with the group of people like we have. Who love God, and who seek Him.
I was looking forward to this event because I would get to travel, and those who know me know I love to travel. On the other hand I was dreading the whole thing… because this would be my last ‘hurrah’, my last performance officially with Voices. ….a bittersweet ending.
The sweetness? I did get to spend time with Ruth and Jon from Voices, and explain to Tom my situation fully.
I trust there is some reason for this, one which I cannot fathom.
Those of you close to me (in proximity range)– I am unexpectedly free this weekend (as usual). So.. call me if you want to do something.
As of the 13th, Happy Birthday Micah Thomas
Pray Hard.
Ciao
