More Travels

I'm traveling on business again—this time to San Diego. I flew out here today to attend an HR (Human Resources, to the uninitiated) conference put on by the NPRA.

OK, that's the National Petrochemical and Refiners' Association. It has nothing to do with the National Rifle Association. Which I am NOT a member of. (Glad we've got that straight.)

Anyway, I'm still focusing on Christina's unemployment appeal. Yes, according to the Open Records Act I have a right to a copy of Mr. Queen's letter. The bureaucracy being what it is, though, I have to wait 3-5 days to get the copy I've requested.

I spoke in sweet, persuasive tones to Lona in the Open Records Office asking her to please fax it (or scan it into a PDF and email it—whichever is easier to do) to me as soon as possible so I'll have a chance to offer a rebuttal, if warranted, BEFORE the commissioners meet to review the case. Lona responded to my sweet persuasion and promised she would do one or the other (fax or email it) on Tuesday.

Well, so much for my persuasive powers. And my attempted sweetness. It's now after the close of business on Wednesday and I still don't have it.

Yes, I'm out of town. But my office people are checking my work email and the fax machine for me and will let me know AS SOON AS it arrives.

Right now I'm sitting in my 7th floor hotel room in downtown San Diego, CA, waiting for the lobby bar to open. Also the restaurants. It's not quite 4 p.m. California time, but it's almost six according to my body clock.

I'm chafing at not knowing what Mr. Queer—oops, I mean Queen—has up his sleeve.

Oh, well, nothing I can do about it tonight. I'll let you know tomorrow how exciting this conference is.

Oh, yeah, something else. On the plane I sat beside a family who was flying here to attend their son's graduation ceremony after completion of Marine boot camp! I told them how proud I was of any young person who would serve our country by joining the armed forces at a time like this. Especially to become a Marine. I told them (as a former Navy carrier pilot) that the confidence their son has gained by becoming a Marine will be a part of him for the rest of his life.

I think they knew that, but appreciated that a stranger felt that way and expressed it to them. Thank God for our service men and women.