Denver, CO - Scenes from ABAI Convention

          There are a thousand stories on these tough city streets ... 

First off, congratulations to Andrew and Ruth!  Hey everybody, this is what a great guy Andrew is:  HE called ME on HIS wedding day, a few minutes before he went off to the ceremony ... in addition to being incredibly touched that he'd even think of me, I just have to say:  who's that nice?  I don't know if in the same situation a lifetime ago I even thought to contact people at that moment.  As before, my best wishes to you both!  And Pierre sends a tip of his beret to you!
And, speaking of Pierre, he had a blast at this year's ABAI convention in Denver, as evidenced by the photographic evidence:

Pierre and Emily Sandoz! (Kate Kellum and Jeffrey Oliver in the background)

Pierre with new friends A.C. Rodriguez and Lindsey Clark!

Pierre and Allie Maynard!

Pierre using his charms on Kate Kellum!

Pierre whispering the secrets of psychology and behavior analysis to Timothy Weil!

Alisha Wray explaining the finer points of her UNM dissertation to Pierre!

Pierre always enjoys a spirited debate!

Things became heated when Pierre insulted my ex-advisor, Mike Dougher.  They are engaged in an argument about "covert behavior".  Actually, Pierre doesn't disagree with Mike, he just wants him to pronounce "covert" "co-vair".

But in the end, Pierre's charms win the day!

Sam Leigland also came to a "meeting of the minds" with Pierre ... (as you can see, Pierre had been drinking) ... they are discussing the challenge of behavior analysts studying behavior that occurs "under the skin".  Pierre dismisses the question, saying "I am but cloth, and have no skin ... you explain that to me, oh oh ohhh!"

Pierre once again looking out on the streets of Denver as we prepare to leave to the next step of our adventure.  He is already planning a talk for the next convention in Seattle 2012:  "Revisiting B.F. Skinner:  why the question of free will presents no challenge to a finger puppet"

I've noticed a very strange pattern:  when I have something alcoholic to drink, Pierre always has more to say!

Thanks to everyone pictured in this entry for being such a good sport!   I actually did have a blast this ABAI, and look forward to seeing a bunch of y'all next year at Seattle!

For you fans of scenery, there should be a lot more of those pictures as my road trip continues ... on to the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and beyond!

Oklahoma City, OK, then Great Bend, KS, then Denver, CO

OK!  After two days and of traveling, exploring, and visiting with friends, Pierre and I have arrived in Denver, CO for the Association for Behavior Analysis convention.  As this picture shows, the weather was absolutely perfect for the trip - just as requested.  Just two days before, much of the territory we traveled was the home of terrible storms and tornadoes - of course our prayers to all the people impacted by the weather.

Some of you have asked - why does Pierre get top billing when I do all the work on the blog?  Simply put, he wouldn't have it any other way.  I tell you, when you travel 1,350 miles with someone, you really get to know them.  Sometimes I think that I know what he's thinking before he says anything!  And it wasn't easy! We left the middle of the night Wednesay night/Thursday morning, and Pierre appeared to sleep most of the way, occasionally barking "Keep your eyes on the road, my friend!"  He left crumbs all over the seat - ("I'm on vacation" he said).  He argued with the GPS ( "who died and made YOU navigator?"  he said).  But overall, it went fine, and we arrived in OKC around 6 on Thurs.

                                                                    Lake Dallas, TX

                                                            Somewhere in Oklahoma

Pierre stayed in the car while I had dinner with Kevin and Jill Bernis.  We ate at a great pizza place, and they were nice enough to let us stay at their house - a huge, beautiful 4 bedroom house.  Oh, before I continue ...

This picture has nothing to do with what's happened with me the last two days, but I want people to read the blog.  This goes out to Andrew's mom - see if you read the blog, you never know when you'll run across a random picture of your son!  Also, Andrew, I'll be thinking about you today, as this is your wedding day, and that is bigger than anything we're doing out here in Denver!  Best wishes for the perfect ceremony!

                                          Jill Bernis on Friday morning

Apparantly, Jill and Kevin had quite a scare when the tornado appeared to be heading for the house earlier in the week, but everything turned out (Oklahoma) OK for them. On Friday, by the time final preparations were being made for the trip, Kevin had already gone to work.  Pierre and I were on the road by 8. 

                                          Kansas small town scenery

                                          Ellsworth, KS I believe ...

Traveling on a Kansas highway, we passed a farmhouse with a sign out front - "T & A auction today."  Pierre said "Reeck, you should have brought more spending money, no?"

I apologize for Pierre's rude behavior.  In the words of David Greenway, see what I have to contend with?

We arrived in Great Bend, KS at 12:20 for lunch with Shannon Smith.  This time, Pierre felt sociable.

                 As you can see, Pierre can be quite the charmer!

Unfortunately, he has a knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, leading the normally gentle Shannon to lose her temper!

                     She felt bad about it, and asked for forgiveness ...

                                          "Reunited, and it feels so good ..."

And everything is right with the world!?! (who's that guy, and what's he doing to Pierre?)

After an oil change for the car, Pierre continued our travels through west Kansas ...

                                          typical west Kansas scenery

To break up the monotony, we made an unscheduled stop ...

Pierre was a bit outraged.  "I can't believe that you celebrate vermin in this!!"

But I like prairie dogs, I said.  They're cute.

"They are a menace!  Just like your cats!  Everyone says how cats are so cute ... Assasins!!"

What happened between you and the cats anyway?

"I wish to speak of this no more!"

So, in any case, we went in, looked at the animals. 

The donkey seemed to want to be pet, but then would show it's teeth when I got too close ... I was afraid it wanted a piece of Pierre.  Can you imagine the disaster?  "Stay away from me donkey ... NOOO!  Let me go!  Sacre bleu!"

                                                    "Keep that monster away from me!"

                        Once again, things ended on a heartwarming note ...

Finally, we moved on and made our way into Colorado ...

As you can see, Pierre will keep making friends, and I'll keep taking pictures!  Until next time!

By the way, if you read this all the way through, you are one silly person!

This is my first post - a test, if you will.  The preparations are being made, the course is being charted, the cheez-its are being pressed.  The journey is a long one, and I ponder the dangers that lie ahead.  Pierre, my traveling buddy for the trip, is rehearsing his monologues on traveling, America, and all things wrong with everything I do.  Maybe I shouldn't have invited him.  But, then again, he travels light, he is entertaining, and I believe I could overpower him if he becomes unruly.  Estimated time of departure:  11 p.m. Wednesday night, May 25th.

The team (minus Pierre) diligently at work mapping the journey (or maybe working on psychology reports that have nothing to do with me ... I'm not sure which).  Actually, Andrew Duplantis and David Greenway working.