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.