FredMcKinnon.Com

Hey Everyone,

As promised, here’s an update from the National Worship Leader Conference in Austin, TX. I can tell you one thing … it’s HOT in Austin, TX. We arrived yesterday via ExpressJet air. Before leaving the Jacksonville, FL I called the hotel to confirm that their complimentary shuttle would be at the airport. She confirmed that it would be there at the top of every hour. We arrived a bit late, so I was afraid we’d miss the 3:00 PM shuttle. I called the hotel from baggage claim and she said “it’s running a little late, so you should be fine”.

Well, 2-1/2 hours later, we still have no shuttle, and we’ve been standing out on the sidewalk of the airport in the Austin heat. Every subsequent phone call to the hotel confirmed they were clueless as to the shuttle situation and more and more people assembled on the sidewalk waiting for the mystery shuttle.

I finally caved in and said “ok folks there is one sure way to get that shuttle … I’ll give up and get a cab, then the shuttle will show up”. So, I hailed a cab, piled in, and arrived at the hotel with a $40 taxi bill. As I paid the driver, the hotel shuttle drove up (just behind us) with all our friends from the airport. Go figure.

“Shuttle” is a cuss word this week. The transportation situation is just not good at all, and I regret not renting a car. Traffic is ridiculous in this area and the church is out in this area where there are no restaurants, gas stations, etc.

But … it’s all part of travel, right?

Blog friend-now-met-in-person Chad Wright picked us up at the hotel and we went to dinner … had a blast and took a pic here.

Last night we had worship with several folks including Sarah Kelly, Matt Redman and Paul Baloche. Skip Heitzig was the speaker, and he did an awesome job. He was a fantastic communicator, and really encouraged the worship leader. I love worshiping with Paul Baloche, and regretted having to slip out early because the “shuttle” (sh****TLE) schedule said that last ride back to the hotel was at 9:30 PM. So, we slipped out … got outside in the muggy, humid heat to find NO SHUTTLE. We waited … and waited, meanwhile, the rest of the smart people who stayed for worship are now dismissing. Finally the shuttle comes closer to 10:00 and we then sit in parking lot traffic another 15 minutes or so.

So it’s nearly the end of Tuesday already, but I have only updated Monday … I’ll put Tuesday in a new blog, and will update soon.

Is anyone following?

Fred