Memphis: Day 3

Today was fairly uneventful. The days have official begun to blend together.

The, thus far, untold story of the drinking glasses continued.

It all started Thursday night. I returned to the hotel room and filled a glass with water and another glass with Cheez-Its. Consumed each and left the glasses on the night stand. Friday night I returned to my room, exhausted and thirsty. I took one of the glasses out of the bathroom and shed the paper cover thing that they put on top of each glass and cup. I noticed there was a suspicious soggy orange speck on the interior. I knew right away it was a crumb from my crackers the previous night. I picked up the other glass and took the paper cap off of it. I saw where my moisturized lips had pressed against the rim as I had taken sips the night before.

It was clear that the housekeeper had taken my glasses from the night stand, stuck them under the bathroom tap and replaced the paper caps. Doesn't seem right.

Today I left a kind note for my housekeeper, and a small incentive, to provide fresh glasses. They do look cleaner. At least there are no blatant signs of use. But now I've got to wonder. I'll always wonder...

I'm pretty sure I hid my discarded bra under a pile of clothes. Yet, when I walked in, it was most definitely peaking out and saying, "Hello, I'm a Maidenform. How are you?"

I should have hidden my toothbrush.

Memphis: Day 2

First off, what was I thinking buying the Family Dollar brand of razor blades when they actually sell name brands? I was so scared to drag that thing against my skin. Fortunately my armpits have survived.

Second, last night in a nutshell: Open bar and tons of food at opening reception. Awesome. Then to a bar called Silly Goose. Sort of reminded me of the Borough. Then to Beale St. What an interesting place at night. There was this street performer who, shirtless, walked up and down the street, building the tension, shaking his coffee can for tips, until finally after about 15 minutes of fanfare, he did back flips down the street. I was a little too tipsy to not be annoyed by the buildup. Jessica and I bought a beer from a bar's streetside window...just because we could. Then we managed to get into a bar for free, because we are two cute little ladies. And also, most of the bars don't have covers, so really, how did they think that would work?

Today was the first full day of the conference. I barely made it to the complimentary breakfast in time. Actually, they were packing up, but I scored a cinnamon raison bagel which I snuck into the theatre for the main session. Too bad coffee is harder to stow in your purse.

I don't really remember what happened in the main session. Maybe parts will come back to me. I know at one point I drifted off and was awoken by applause. It's probably in my imagination, but when I find a speaker boring, I assume every one else does and the applause is really more an expression of relief that it's over than anything else.

I saw one of the main people from Hatch Show Print do his "dog and pony show," as he called it. He showed 100 years of Hatch. Very cool.

I had signed up for a roundtable session months ago when I got an email about it. But I had forgotten who I signed up to roundtable with. It turns out it was Andy Epstein, the inhouse expert for AIGA. When the time came to go to the event, I contemplated skipping the roundtable. It's sort of an intimidating idea to sit at a table with 10 other designers and an expert and just chat. If stuff goes over your head, you can't really hide it. But it actually turned out to be a highlight of the conference for me. It made some things more real for me and I think I'm going to take away a lot more from that. And I shouldn't be surprised at all, but Mr. Epstein seemed to be a very genuine person.

Later today I fulfilled my duties as "reviewer." About 100 students brought their portfolios and about 100 designers were recruited to review them. I talked to 5 people. It was a good experience, but it left me feeling very tired. I sat down on a squishy chair in the Design Center and felt my eyes glaze over. I took myself back to the hotel and ordered dinner in the hotel restaurant. I was zoning out so bad that the staff kept asking me if I was okay. But I still managed to order and enjoy a delicious meal. Caesar salad and pasta carbonara. Wow, the pasta was great!

After having survived the roundtable, the portfolio review and the super cheap razor, all in one day, I feel I can do anything! But for now I'll just brush my teeth and fall asleep.

Slip In Memphis

Arrived in Memphis last night. After looking at and touching everything in my hotel room, I went to the lobby to find food. There is a little bar area. I walked up to the bartender and he said, "How can I help you?" "I'm hungry," I told him.

He asked where I was from and when I told him, the other woman in the bar heard me. Long story short, even though she lives in San Francisco she has lived in Raleigh and went to ECU. We knew a lot of the same people. We started talking and soon enough...new friend!

This morning I woke up at a leisurely hour, made some awful room coffee, took a shower and started venturing through Memphis. Had an Italian sub at Lenny's. Destroyed that. Still have cookie in purse...hmmm. Continued down Front St. and took in some local color. Got a coffee at the Folklore Shop. There was someone singing/playing guitar there, I think his name was Josh Shu or something like that. The only available table was right in front of the stage, felt weird about sitting there, so continued on.

After finding some weird inside-malls I stumbled upon the Peabody Hotel and took a look at the ducks. They were splashing around in the fountain and generally being ducks. I finally made my way to Beale St. I can see how that place is fun at night. It's a little weird in the daylight, though. Like how bluesy can you be at 1pm? It was clearly a tourist destination. But it was great that you could smell the barbeque! And music poured out of every bar. Apparently you can buy beer on the street and drink it in a plastic cup in the "pedestrian areas". No wandering into the street, I guess. I hope to test this out eventually.

Went to the wackiest old fashioned department store, A. Schwab's. It was infested with a school group, Tara Oaks, I think. It was fun to see the kids so excited, but that store is not designed for accessibility. Completely random stuff everywhere. And not like that store in Seattle with all the Accoutrements stuff. Some of these things look like they were ordered in 1964 and they are still trying to sell them. Over the knee red tube socks, anyone? Almost bought a floral fanny pack that said "Tennessee" on it. Decided I'd hold out for a higher-end fanny pack. Took in some local flavor at Wet Willies and actually gave directions to tourists. Yeah, I've got this town down.

When I finished my "local flavor" I started the hike back to the hotel. Went up Main St. This was the only place I was bothered by strangers. Of course, it's the street with all the stuff on it. Got some razors, Reese's cups, and IBprofen at the Family Dollar. Saw a man wearing a red vest that looked like it was cut from felt and it matched his red pants. Awesome.

About to go start the actually conference stuff. I just hope I have the patience to concentrate on all the speakers!