I got online in the morning before heading to the convention center to confirm the place, and planned to get back online around noon before heading from San Diego up to LA. Unfortunately the business center at the Marriott was closed for lunch and I wasn’t able to get online to see CropTillDawn’s explanation of why the link she provided said “New Tony’s” instead of “Old Tony’s”. I had tried to use 43Thing’s new message utility to send my cell number to everyone, but the internet service at the hotel wouldn’t open the window for anyone except ToddieM who I had already had an open conversation with. So he was the only one who got my number.
When I arrived at 4:30, I went inside and checked the bar as well as with the host. No one else from 43 was there yet, so I decided it would be best to stand outside wearing my “Squirrels Gone Wild” shirt. I’d seen pictures of everyone except Robio, so I was sure I would recognize them as they approached.
Toddie M and his wife were the first to arrive, and then DanT1999 showed up a little bit later. At one point a woman resembling CropTillDawn walked by us and I asked “Dawn?” and she said “no” and kept walking. There was a tall guy who lingered for a moment too, but not knowing what Rob looks like I didn’t know if I should ask him if it was him or not.
After waiting until 5:20, we finally went in and were seated. It was great getting to know the two of them in person, and as they both have noted elsewhere, they are very much the people they come across on here. If I’m ever in the LA area again, I would love to get together with Toddie and DanT again.
My biggest regret though was not connecting with Robio and Dawn. I’ve been a fan of Rob’s for as long as I’ve been on 43Things. He was one of the people I subscribed to during that first year, and I was thrilled to make the credits of his one movie from having donated to it. CropTillDawn and I have cheered each other off and on, and joined each other on different goals as well. I really had hoped to talk to her about her son, as I have such empathy for her.
I will definitely look both of these 43ers up if I ever get back to the LA area again.
