True, I am only on the second session in detailing the results of the AASL Conference but, funny story on the very first day of AASL. As I disembarked from the flight at the Tampa Bay International airport, tried unsuccessfully to board a public bus and head to the Tampa Bay Convention Center, I decided to enlist for Lyft; I took in the amazing vastness of Tampa. The location of the Convention Center was ideal, overlooking the bay and the Center itself was amazing, bordered by a courtyard lively with music and food, and despite the steep stairs, it truly resembled a historical landmark.

I figured I would be the one and only individual this early to pick up registration items, and as I made my way up the stairs with my lone suitcase, I saw one other individual making their way, I approached the registration desk and as I checked in with my name, that same individual I had seen beside me? When she heard my name she turned her head and said/questioned Harry?

No kidding, beside me was the former Woodbridge Middle School Principal, now in Caroline County, Dr. Tara Downes! I will be honest, worn and tired from such an early flight, it took me about 10 seconds to reconfigure my brain and realize she was right beside me and who she was – but timing? How does that happen? What I would find out was I bumped into so many other librarians as well from my own state at this National Conference- and was so incredibly amazed at how it took a National Conference for us to bump into each other, lol. Did that happen to you too? I took that as a good start /omen for the start of this conference, and as the second session I attended was warm and inviting, and as we go into detail on the AASL Opening Session I had attended- coming soon!