Oh ~ This is unusual for me, but sometimes the simplest things can give us so much stress. Here I was, arriving 1/2 hour early for my ridiculously Early college event. But okay. That's when they wanted the Entertainment. Even though it left me only 6-hours to sleep after the previous late-night gig.

I had asked ahead of time about Parking on Campus (I know that this is an issue on College Campuses), but I was told to "Just ask the guards at the gate". So that's what I did. No map. "Go up a hill, passing 3 buildings. Turn right. Take it around. Go all the way to the last Parking Lot. That's the one for Visitors...." Did that. Then I was just glad that I could find the guards at that gate again. Because it didn't work. I was told the instructions again. This time I was better at finding my way back to the gate when the instructions for finding the Parking Lot didn't work again.

Apparently this happens to a lot of people on this Campus. So one of the guards was ready with a vehicle, and told me to "Follow him." I finally found the Parking Lot. Took my Supplies out of the trunk while waving and smiling at my escort, started the long walk to the area where I was supposed to be drawing. "Hurry, Alison" I thought. "I must get to work on time. Must be set up and ready to draw as agreed." Breathe. I see the area. Stay calm. Put on your smile. Crossing my final street, "Oh! Did I leave my pocketbook in the car?? With my Car Keys and Phone (and Camera)? Oh Oh." I put down the heavy Supplies that I was carrying. Patting myself all over. Looking inside the Supply Bags. The inside pockets. The outside pockets. Nothing.

I ran back to my car. Down the hill, cross the street, through the little woods, pass one parking lot, see the one that I think has my car in it. Running through the parking lot, backpack pounding on my back, easel and other bags flying around me. Good Morning.

There's my car! It's locked. Let me look in the window. Do I see my pocketbook in there? My keys? No. Nothing. I have a feeling that it's in the trunk.

Nothing to be done about it right now. I run back up the hill, crossing the streets, looking for my liaison. I miraculously find where I'm supposed to set up only 3 minutes before I'm scheduled to start drawing! I open my easel. Post up the paper while people start meandering over. I smile.

Yes. You first. Let's have Fun!

I stepped on the 'treadmill' and just kept up with the pace. Drawing for hours. Barely even noticed the weather even though we were outdoors. These few pictures were all I received from the many people who were so kind as to snap a picture to email to me (since I didn't have my Camera). Apparently it's hard to get a signal for emailing stuff at that spot on Campus. So it would have been too much work for the other people to notice it and remember where to resend it whenever they got to a better emailing spot. I understand. I miss some of the pictures that I drew, but I do appreciate that they tried to help.

I didn't actually deal with my car-problem until After the whole event was over. It was those Security guards again. Apparently, this is a regular part of their job. I was the Fourth person who had been locked out of their cars there just this very day. They had special equipment, an air-pump, a special bar..... Looked like they were performing surgery on my car. I got in.

There was a button to pop the trunk. And there it was. Safe. My keys and my camera. Didn't want anybody to see me collapse. So I drove off campus, still smiling and waving, found the first safe place to park, locked my car doors, and closed my eyes. I slept immediately. All crunched up in my small car.

Some days are like that.