Famous last words, let me tell ya.
It was announced that the incoming plane that would take the LKs to San Francisco was late arriving from Chicago - by about 30 minutes - and it was anticipated that the connection would be missed to get to Vegas. There were 11 people on the plane (13 really, the LKs were in disguise and had been checked as luggage), and all were sitting in the back. We were told that they would try and hold the plane for us and let us off early - but alas that did not happen. The plane took off 10 minutes before we arrived.
So - what to do now? One of the problems that was immediately realized was - the LKs were testing for 3rd degree on Friday morning - with a mandatory testers meeting at 8am - and they were stuck in San Francisco overnight. United booked them on the 8:30 flight, but after much whining, agreed to put them on standby for the 5:50am flight. But we were told that it was completely booked.
After spending at least 3 hours in baggage trying to get luggage off-loaded so it could go on the standby flight, Thumper and the LKs spent the night in the lobby - wide awake. Did you know you can stay in an airport for over 6 hours and not get questioned about why you're there? And if you bring in at least 15 taped boxes and leave them in the ticket line, you can walk away from them and nothing is said - probably because there was no hint of a security guard anywhere, who would you report the unattended boxes to? Simply amazing.
Finally - at 3:30, Thumper and LK1 and LK2 changed into their uniforms and managed to get tickets - and actually made the 5:50 flight. They landed in Vegas at 7:30, ran to baggage to get the luggage, and made it to the Convention Center with 10 minutes to spare before the meeting.
Testing went well - other than taking 3 attempts to break the boards.
Competition went as could be expected. Friday night they had dinner with some fabulous friends, and finally, after being awake for more than 36 hours, they managed to get some rest at the hotel. All told, by the time they got home Saturday night, they'd had 7 hours of sleep out of 67 on the road. Greatness.
The LKs came very close to competing in Creative Weapons on Saturday - but the corner judge said that they'd been modified and weren't protech. Turns out, the center judge later said had he seen them, he would've allowed them, just for fun (simply because the LKs joined the ring at the last minute and didn't have anything planned as far as, you know, a form or anything).
Stay tuned - the LKs are going to learn a new weapon as soon as they find out if they passed to 3rd. Watch out long-range bo, here they come!
