It occurs to me as I drop my strapping 15 year old son at school that I have not flown since pre-9/11. So after an efficient train ride to the airport, my first TSA experience in Atlanta (which was relatively painless) an endless parade of wheeled carry-ons by my gate which makes me feel like I'm driving a very late model economy car, and pulling up my mobile boarding pass ... I'm half asleep prior to take off.
I'm also ready to wrap my brain around other travel opportunities that involve flying...
I don't have a fear of flying. To the contrary, what could be more luxurious: a block of time to read, write and sketch with no distractions. That crying baby is easily compartmentalized. The chatty man spilling into my seat less so, but doable.
I simply don't like the nuisance of airports. And I love driving. And there are trains. But I digress. Train adventures are best left to future blogs.
The Pearl Design Competition
Not really considering the ramifications of winning a design competition, last fall I entered the Cultured Pearl Association's International Pearl Design Competition. And I was pleasantly surprised when the director called me while waiting to pick up my son after carpool to inform me that my golden South Sea pearl earrings, offset with cool grey diamonds had won in the bridal category. (Now that's a bride I definitely want to meet!)
The invitations arrived for the awards ceremony which will take place in Tucson this evening. Thick card stock. Let's re-think this. It's high time I take in the Tucson experience and this was the final nudge that I needed. Food and drink (in that order) will get me every time.*
*And what better place to host the winners than Tucson during the world's largest gem show!
A Brief History of Tucson
In 1955 a group of avid rock hounds hosted an educational exhibit at a public school that was open to the public. It was a huge hit and became an annual event hosted by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society. Tucson later became the convergence point for gem dealers from around the world.
The planning, organization and running of the show are done by society member volunteers. Let me reiterate: All the effort is put in by club members who are not paid professionals. The show committee, of which I am a member, works yearlong planning and coordinating all the functions of the show, which includes gem and mineral dealers, and, most important, exhibitors who range from local society members (amateur and professional collectors) to major worldwide museums and collections (for example, the Smithsonian, American Museum of Natural History, London Museum of Natural History, Mineralogical Museum of Moscow, Russia, and many, many more).
The epicenter is the Tucson Convention Center Arena but tents are spread out. I arrived with still enough day light to get my bearings and to take in the sheer vastness of Tucson. Not so much the city, but the industry's main event simply known as "Tucson."
And after a good night's sleep and a very strong cup of coffee to fully adjust to Mountain Standard time, I'm off to Star Pass to see the JCK show!
