IT'S SUMMER, AHH NOT Are we surprised that we have entered mid/late Spring again after a bout with "fake" summer. Oh Michigan I love you and your little weather snarks. One minute I'm driving in my fancy croc sandals (yes they make cute ones) the next I'm hauling my winter coat back out and scraping Spring off the windshield. I swear I hear a diabolical chuckle as my optimistic humming bird feeder sways in the gale-force winds.
CONFERENCE TIME Weather worked out, however, for the Michigan Safety Conference. Often when sun and warm weather combine the halls of education get a little sparse in attendees. But this year, we had record crowds and exhibitors so that was good. I am so glad we wear name tags as there is nothing worse than people enthusiastically greeting you and you're frantically and hopefully, not obviously, scanning their name badge. What was doubly embarrassing were several people I interviewed for the podcast assuming I recognized them. After preliminary conversations, rehearsal and recording I do get to know them quite well...until I start on the next program. I am sticking to the story that people look different in person than they do on ZOOM. Not sure that one is going to play but it's all I have.
Those who have been regaled with my arthritic leg stories can understand my concern attending a dinner at a restaurant outside the hotel. That in addition to running back and forth between my booth recording promos and the classroom moderating a speaker. In trying to figure out how far a walk it was (google says 8 minutes) I am contemplating grabbing a cab for a $1.20 trip and large tip. Then I realize the restaurant is right across the street from the side of the hotel. Ok - in my defense it's a pretty big hotel. Second issue - it's a seafood restaurant - which is not in my fan arena. They must have chicken right? No. But I was able to settle on a blackened shark which though not spectacular was at least in the spirit of cooperation. As others were waxing enthusiasm over the suspicious looking appetizers I tried to remain quietly aloof. The creme brulee for dessert, though, was right up my alley!
Speaking of the hotel, those familiar with Grand Rapids may know of the famous Amway which was called the Pantlind back in the day located on the river. I prefer the Pantlind rather than the Tower side as it's closer to the President's after glow reception on the 9th floor so one can stumble back to their room without that long walk through the lobby. Though I had a king room, the king part pretty much took up the room. Actually the bathroom was bigger than the "crawl space" around the bed. And the spectacular view of the air handlers on the roof is to be expected as I insist on a room on the 5th floor or lower. Word to the wise-the firefighters do not have equipment that goes higher than that so hope you bounce. Rather a pain to hang out with safety people; they are real bummers on trivial facts.
Three days of talking safety and health with like-minded individuals-heaven. Though we tend to focus on "famous accidents/injuries and fatals" we have known. Several leads for the podcast so fingers crossed. I was wearing a new dress for the awards dinner and found a little more "exposure" than I had anticipated when I got dressed. This led to 10 minutes of frantic tugging, pinning (stabbing myself half a dozen times) and almost being late for said dinner.
As I entered the gorgeous, chandelier encrusted banquet room (down a ramp and 2 stairs with 3 inch heels) the gentlemen at my table stood up. Their rapt attention was one of those where I worried "oh crap, do I have a stream of TP trailing my steps". Or perhaps it was respect for my position on the Board of Directors and Podcast Host extradanaire. But as they scrambled to get me a drink it dawned on me. It's the dress. Oh well. At 71 might as well enjoy some of my last hurrahs. But I do need to fix it before the family wedding in a couple of months...
A small group was invited to an after dinner drink at an exclusive little bar in the hotel. Exclusive meaning tiny, dark and packed where a glass of water is $4 and a tip but served with flourish. The gentlemen agreed to the waiter's foreplay of aged whiskey with maple syrup smoked in flaming wood chips lit right at your table with sparks falling to the wooden floor. I said I liked whiskey but that was a little fru fru for me. White wine please. However, it was a french chardonnay of which I ceremoniously swhirled, sniffed and sipped before approving a glassful. Delicious. Though the whiskey lighting was quite smashing. Peace out 💚 💙💛
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