If you made it, you know that 3,700 people plus were lucky enough to spend last weekend on the ocean in  joy and celebration of sobriety. It was a grand event at a magnificent hotel with  many great speakers. The Archives had  way too many treasures to digest. All you could do was take notes and hope to see some of them again in your lifetime. In Dr. Bob's notes:

I sought my God-My God eluded me

I sought my Soul-My Soul I could not see

I sought my brother- I found all three.

Remember, there was no Big Book for the first members  to read. They read the really Big Book every day for years and claimed their spirituality from the Bible.

My heart sang everytime I saw one of my sponsees doing service. It is truly the glue that binds us together and to this miraculous program.

A small God moment….For some reason, one of the Keynote Speakers wound up at my dinner table. He was not supposed to be there. He already started eating his dinner when the young man in his twenties showed up who was gifted with a banquet ticket and supposed to be sitting there. I found an empty seat for him. It was probably where the Keynote was supossed to be sitting, between the Voice of the Convention, a man with over 50 years of sobriety,  and Ray G. with 42 years. This young man had only 30 days of sobriety and they grabbed him like the best hor d'oeuvre in the room!  

Get in the middle of the pack so you can continue to see the miracles!

It's going to be a challenge to park for this event. Here are the lots available in Ft. Lauderdale next week for www.52FLStateConvention.com:

http://www.vacationquestinc.com/ShuttleFL52.pdf

          I just spent the 4th of July weekend in San Antonio to get a feel for what it will be like in 2010 when we attend the 75th International Convention. The was a wonderful welcome sign was hanging on the wall at Club 12 where I attended a couple of meetings. The folks there can't wait for us all to come on down. Texas  was wonderful, hot, friendly and scary to visualize 60,000 alcoholics strolling down the Riverwalk! It's not so much a city, as a really big town. There is a  Texan superstician that no building should cast a shadow over the Alamo, so there are not that many tall buildings as in other large cities.

     The Alamodome where the convention will be, is across the highway from the downtown action. We will have to walk about a half mile to get there. There is a large Convention Center closer where I imagine there will be meetings also.

     I did all the touristy things so I could get the Texas flavor of it all. I took the trolley to Guenther House and had the best bisquits in the world at the converted home of the family who owns Pioneer Flour. Carb freaks, don't miss this one! I rode out to Gruene and had lunch at "Rudy's, the wurst barbque in Texas," and had a soda tray full of smoked meat with a side of a loaf of bread. It was an experience! Also in Gruene, I sat on the wooden bench of the oldest Dance Hall in Texas where John Travolta filmed the movie "Michael." Ahh….I smelled cookies!

     I would highly recommend seeing the IMAX movie in the RiverCenter Mall about the Alamo, then walking down the street to stroll quickly through the real Alamo, a large empty, then on to a really cool gift shop! I waited online for an hour to get into the actual Alamo, rented a 55 min. tour on headphones but due to the crowds couldn't make it to the last empty side room. Although I live in the tropics,  I was about to pass out from the heat. Not a breeze in the Alamo, no a/c or any movement in the stiffling day.

    Best food, Boudros…they make the guacamole right out of the skin at your table. The waiter confided in me that they sell a million dollars in guacamole every year.

    Although I have a wait list for guests at the Gratitude Cruise Hotel, General Service has not made announcments yet on properties that they have locked up. Registration will be open Fall, 2009. Save your pennies for this one! It is not to be missed.

Gratitude Cruise Hotel rooms booking quickly and half sold out.

 Here is the update on the Convention from www.aa.org: 

2010 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous

The 2010 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous will be held July 1-4 in San Antonio, Texas with the theme “A Vision for You.”  A.A. members and guests from around the world will celebrate A.A.’s 75th year at this event with big meetings held Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday morning in the Alamodome.  Other meetings, scheduled or informal, will take place throughout the weekend in the San Antonio Convention Center and local hotels. 

We know many are excited about the International Convention and eager for detailed information.  As the time gets closer, additional information about the Convention and San Antonio, our host city, will be provided. 

This Web site will be updated as more information becomes available.  Also, watch for articles in Box 4-5-9 that is mailed to the general service representative of every group in the U.S. and Canada listed with G.S.O. and posted on the Web site. 

Convention registration and housing reservations will open in fall 2009.  All necessary information will be included in the registration packet which will be available in September 2009.  This packet will list numbers to call for answers to specific questions about housing, the program, tours, etc.  The information will be mailed to A.A. groups, offices and contacts around the world and posted on the Web site. 

AA World Services invites you to submit your 7 minute video, deadline November 30, 2007. According to our traditions, you cannot show your face nor your name.

Submission Form:

http://72.47.197.19/youngpeoplevideoproject/pdf/Guidelines_for_Submissions_YP_Videos.pdf

Copyright Assignment Form: (mail to General Service Office address on form)

http://72.47.197.19/youngpeoplevideoproject/pdf/Copyright_Release_Form.pdf

2010 International Convention

This special event, every 5 years, is awesome and not to be missed!   It can be overwhelming being with 50,000 of your closest friends and not see a familiar face. If you would like to share the magic of the experience with us, we have a GRATITUDE CRUISE HOTEL for alumni, their friends and families. The group rate of $149. per night, hot breakfast included. Suites start at $298. per night.

Click on hotel room  to register:

Click on photo to read about 2005 Convention:

Healing Arts Weekend On the Ocean

August 3-5, 2007, Delray Beach Marriott, Delray Beach,  FL

For seekers who want to spend a weekend on Atlantic Avenue in a gorgeous hotel on an inner journey by the sea.  

Limited to 50 Guests. 18 CEU'S available.

To Register: www.orchidprofessionals.com

Sponsored by Orchid Recovery Center for Women. See you there.