The eagles have landed

Angelica Blog Post Friday, November 12, 2010

Hello from Sacramento! MH and I are blogging, while we are on PAL security duty before the big event starts tonight. Not sure who’s out there reading, but hopefully you can get an idea of just what is going on up here in “Sactown”.

We started our day off *super* early meeting at 5 am at the ONT airport. I started my day off at 3:30 this morning. I just wanted to give everyone a heads up before you read – I might have some grammar and spelling mistakes! Hopefully you get a laugh as well.

Even though the morning started off early, I had a great time! It is so wonderful to work with people whose company you enjoy. Renee, Margaret, and I actually got to meet and figure out some things for children’s – which we have not been able to find time to do! The flight was great (the four eagles have landed) and the Sacramento airport was nice. We got to see some amazing towers built of all suitcases! We were all inspired for our summer reading travel theme.

It’s been a great vibe day! A lot like the telethon – everyone is excited, working hard, and really looking forward to showtime. It was really neat to arrive in the convention area and see it as all concrete and blank space. If you missed out on the loading of the box truck we brought 120 foam squares, 4 - 12x12 rugs, the Illuminart, a shop vac, the IMAC, and four bookcarts piled 6 ft 2 in. high (Wess measured) full of toys – err manipulatives) – oh and a partridge in a pear tree! So we definitely got in a major workout!!!

After we arrived we stopped in for a quick bite of breakfast (oatmeal with a mountain of brown sugar) we walked over to the convention center. It was so funny – on the way in we were following RK and we told the union supervisors - “we’re with him” – like we were tyring to get in to a night club . Everyone got straight to work and the time flew by. Beofre we realized it – we turned around and one of the new 2.0 PALs were delivered!

To start off the PAL loan process of the grant, the two most accessible PALS were selected for a revamp – the dig and the build. The actual table contruction was the biggest change – the PAL was made into one piece, rather than three. That meant the drawers had to be moved to fit underneath the table top. We also created book shelving beneath to allow for more storage merchandising. Based on our library research/of watching a gazillion families playing and us hauling the PALs around a few tweaks were made. We also added more powder coated stainless steel on the sides for more magnetic surface for letters and words. The flag poles were made square so they can easily detach. And …. The final change – the signage changed to cloth. I think MH has some photos we can post so you all can see! And the exciting news is that they will be heading back home with us – so you can see first hand!

Set up went extremely well! It took us about 3.5/- 4 hours to set up? We’re all perfectionists so we keep finding last minute things to fix. But I think the booth looks fantastic! We’re just gearing up right now for the opening of the booth at 6! We’re being relieved of booth duty to back and slap on a fresh coat of paint - see you later alligators!