The 21st annual National Storm Chaser Convention, normally held in Denver, was in Wichita this year from February 8th - 10th. This was my second time going. I went once with my best friend in 2015. That time, we never really connected with anyone. The vibe was different then... Or maybe I was different... or maybe both. I was still very new to chasing and not as immersed in the community. This time, with connections on Facebook and Twitter and just being out there more, I know a lot more people. I already knew Mike Olbinski from ChaserCon Canada. Brian Spencer, the lead driver for Cloud 9 Tours, as well as Rocky Rascovich, who also drives for Cloud 9 sometimes, was there. I ran into people I met through the Women of Weather page on Facebook.
I also met a bunch of new people..
...Including Reed Timmer.
Side note: I just learned that he's only a year older than me. I don't know why, but I think I always assumed he was in his mid 40s. Not that he looks old or anything. I just thought he was past his 30s already. I hope he's not offended if he ever reads this. Though, I would be beyond flattered if he actually took the time to read my blog. Chances are slim, but just in case, please don't be offended Reed! You're still hella sexy AF. ;)
Anyway... so yeah.. Ran into and met some more chasers. From left to right, Rocky, Chris Collura, and Bill Hark.
Brian and I, the only Canadians in attendance.
If I look tired in the above photographs, it's because I was. I barely slept 3 hours the night before. I drove to the airport at around 4:30am to catch my 8am flight. There was snow in the forecast. I could see small flakes starting to fall as I walked into the airport, but I didn't give it much thought because I would be out of there soon.
Had a layover in Seattle and enjoyed a "happy hour" drink at 10am. I got to the Hyatt in Wichita a little after 5, with just enough time to freshen up for the Ice Breaker (where the above pics were taken). That night, as you can tell, I drank a bit of red wine and stayed up late socializing.
The next morning, after maybe 5ish hours of sleep, we started off with the speakers. The tricky thing with these events is that you want to party and network in the evening while still being able to learn and absorb as much info as possible during the day. I'd be lying if I said it took a lot of effort to keep my eyes open at times. I found all the talks very informative and entertaining; it's just that with the lights down low and the room being warm, my eyelids occasionally turned into lead.
Jason Persoff and Mike Smith (the keynote speaker) were my two favourites. At the end of the night, I actually bought Mike's book, Warnings.
Then we had our banquet dinner, followed by video night! I showed the same videos I shared at ChaserCon Canada last fall. A lot of people came up to me after to compliment me on my mammatus timelapse.
That evening was followed by more drinks and socializing. I kept telling people that I was "going to bed soon," but I just couldn't pull myself away and of course, I went to bed around 2 and had another 5ish hours of sleep.
Sunday morning - time for a 3 hour forecasting class! At times I wanted to staple my eyelids to my eyebrows because the fatigue was getting to me, but I managed to absorb a few things! Jon Davies did a fantastic job. I think each time I attend something like this, I learn a bit more. I really need to just look at soundings and weather data more frequently to retain more of it.
Shortly after noon, when everything finished up, a few of us went for lunch and then took the shuttle to the airport. For some reason, Alaska Airlines was not letting me check in online. Sometimes this happens with international flights so I figured it was no big deal and that I could check in at the counter. I arrived at 2pm, 4 hours early for my flight. The Alaksa Airlines counter was closed until 4pm. I was livid. I don't know why (probably because I was exhausted), but my fuse just blew. I wanted to wait at the gates with my friends, not sit out there alone. I ranted on Facebook and Twitter. Someone reached out to me via social media, but there was nothing they could do. I stayed on hold for an hour and when I eventually got through to someone, there was also nothing they could do. I had to wait until 4.
Once I cooled off, I felt down and even more tired. I was on this high from such a great weekend, but then after this fit of rage, I had crashed and was in a bit of a funk. At that point, I realized that I needed to chill out. Stuff happens when you travel. I can't flip out of over every little inconvenience. No matter how tired (or mildly day drunk) I may be, I need to maintain a positive, cheerful, and easygoing attitude. I was running on little sleep and couldn't afford to waste my energy on temper tantrums. From that point on, I was just going go with the flow and let it happen.
Little did I know, is that this shift in attitude was what was going to get me through the next 30 or so hours before I made it home.
To be continued...
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