It’s been a trial, in some part. I commented to one of the dragons (smokers) in front of the Hyatt Hotel where the conference has been held, that the world’s problems all devolve from the fact that everything’s run by the early birds and the eager beavers. But you’ve got to be there to at least play defense. So there I was, seven in the morning, breakfast with the group that provides insurance to Planned Parenthood facitlities and staff learning about training programs. Most of these sessions, I’ve left with from two to six pages of notes, mostly questions about how what I heard compares to how our affiliate does things. This one, I had two sentences. Don’t ask me what they are. I’ll remember when I look and write my summary.

They are nonetheless pleasant folks and not in the least condescending towards the provincialisms of the Valley. Ms. Cavazos and I had a pleasant dinner with the folks from the Hidalgo and Starr County affiliate, looking at ways we can collaborate. Charlie Chiang’s it was, an excellent Chinese restaurant. I suppose they ran into copyright problems with Charlie Chan as a name. And who knows? There might be a Chinese family in town here with a sense of humor in naming their children. I knew a woman named Case who named her son Justin. He would be in his thirties now. I hope he has a sense of humor.

Torture on tap tomorrow. Airports, where one encounters the face of the modern police state (which I really regret is the legacy we are leaving our children). And a three hour layover in Dallas. Great fun, particularly the arriving in McAllen at eleven at night. We presume Brownsville will still be there at midnight.

Blessings upon all who read this disconnected, late night rambling. You have shown some toughness.