I just returned from a typical flurry of a trip to New York. I attended this conference a few years ago and returned completely charged, head reeling with promises of innovation and rules-breaking. Yes! Recalling the effect it had on me, I packed my bags and rolled back up to New York, along with five other Baltimorons. And, typically, I felt way too guilty to contact my oldest buddies who I havent seen in over a year. At least. How could I?
Ad week in New York is huge ordeal, not slightly reflected in the hotel prices. I put a few hours in online, found something slightly reasonable and booked it. I was delighted to find that the user reviews were accurate: it was clean, spacious and modernly appointed. And yes, oddly situated in a pocket under the Queensboro bridge.
Loaded down with tschotskis and logo-riddled bags, we excitedly attended the panels, sessions and workshops. Like waiting for a good sneeze, we kept showing up and...nothing. A star-studded line up I guess doesn't guarantee fireworks. Probably a symptom of where digital media is now, it seemed to be a re-hash of old customer-first principals, mixed with a lot of "we're at the beginning of something big"... beginning? we mused. Hm. We learned that there is still a lot to learn.
Our itch not scratched, we started collaborating on evening festivities. I choked down my Synergistic Leverage Brand Coffee and promptly ran into my very well-connected friend Tom, who naturally was able to smuggle me into a very VIP party up in central park. Something magical about partying in central park while the sun sets. I raced back to the furthest east point in Manhattan, our hotel, and threw on the one dressy thing I had, which looked really great alongside my bulky flats. Eh, whatever. I was going to a party in the park! And, although only there briefly, it exceeded all expectations.
Feeling wholly guilty about leaving the five other non-manhattanites to navigate their way on the subway system during rush hour (!), I peeled myself away from the digital world whos-whos. I practially skipped along the dusk sidewalk, my head (too) inflated after recieving a job offer after a 10 minute conversation. Tee.
Relieved, I found my collegues lined up in a row at a cute bistro, drinking flights of beer. Our plan was to attend this conference party nearby. The place was cute, dark and LOUD. But, admittedly, kind of good-loud. No food anywhere in sight, we ordered beverages. And more of them.
Ryan and Jack wasted no time to take advantage of the cheezy DJ & dim lights and began to really get down. Moves like I have never seen utilizing the sectional furniture, a few stairs and the wait staff. Ryan even busted out the now-famous "raptor" move-- where he would run up the small set of stairs, perch on one leg, the other amply kicked out behind him and he would wave his arms slowly and royally like a perhistoric bird. It was brilliant.
Realizing it was time to leave, we all packed it in and headed back to the hotel. What happened next is the ultimate in drunken-guy humor. Ryan regaled us with the details this morning and I am still laughing.
Ryan and Jack's rooms were on the same floor, so naturally they got off the elevator together. Jack got to his door, rather worse for the wear, and while fiddling with his room-key, Ryan spotted a chic vase in the hallway filled with marbles and a long silk flower.
Just as Jack got his door open, Ryan flung all the marbles out of the vase into Jack's room. Marbles spilled out everywhere along the hallway and throughout the entranceway. Jack exhaustedly simply turned to just close the door, but couldn't. There were marbles in the jam. Boom! Boom! He'd try and slam it closed. No luck. He'd then sweep his feet haphazardly, attempting to kick the marbles of the way but not really succeeding.
Ryan was laughing so hard, he fell down in the hallway. It wasn't registering to Jack what was happening, and he started to lament, rather woefully "Whhhhhhhy? Whhhhy?" The pattern was: Boom! Boom! Sweep, sweep. Boom! Whyyyy? I guess he finally got it closed.
This morning at the conference, Steven, our resident "adult" turned to Jack and said "Did you hear all that raucous in the hotel last night? What was that?" Jack played dumb.
Ad week in New York is huge ordeal, not slightly reflected in the hotel prices. I put a few hours in online, found something slightly reasonable and booked it. I was delighted to find that the user reviews were accurate: it was clean, spacious and modernly appointed. And yes, oddly situated in a pocket under the Queensboro bridge.
Loaded down with tschotskis and logo-riddled bags, we excitedly attended the panels, sessions and workshops. Like waiting for a good sneeze, we kept showing up and...nothing. A star-studded line up I guess doesn't guarantee fireworks. Probably a symptom of where digital media is now, it seemed to be a re-hash of old customer-first principals, mixed with a lot of "we're at the beginning of something big"... beginning? we mused. Hm. We learned that there is still a lot to learn.
Our itch not scratched, we started collaborating on evening festivities. I choked down my Synergistic Leverage Brand Coffee and promptly ran into my very well-connected friend Tom, who naturally was able to smuggle me into a very VIP party up in central park. Something magical about partying in central park while the sun sets. I raced back to the furthest east point in Manhattan, our hotel, and threw on the one dressy thing I had, which looked really great alongside my bulky flats. Eh, whatever. I was going to a party in the park! And, although only there briefly, it exceeded all expectations.
Feeling wholly guilty about leaving the five other non-manhattanites to navigate their way on the subway system during rush hour (!), I peeled myself away from the digital world whos-whos. I practially skipped along the dusk sidewalk, my head (too) inflated after recieving a job offer after a 10 minute conversation. Tee.
Relieved, I found my collegues lined up in a row at a cute bistro, drinking flights of beer. Our plan was to attend this conference party nearby. The place was cute, dark and LOUD. But, admittedly, kind of good-loud. No food anywhere in sight, we ordered beverages. And more of them.
Ryan and Jack wasted no time to take advantage of the cheezy DJ & dim lights and began to really get down. Moves like I have never seen utilizing the sectional furniture, a few stairs and the wait staff. Ryan even busted out the now-famous "raptor" move-- where he would run up the small set of stairs, perch on one leg, the other amply kicked out behind him and he would wave his arms slowly and royally like a perhistoric bird. It was brilliant.
Realizing it was time to leave, we all packed it in and headed back to the hotel. What happened next is the ultimate in drunken-guy humor. Ryan regaled us with the details this morning and I am still laughing.
Ryan and Jack's rooms were on the same floor, so naturally they got off the elevator together. Jack got to his door, rather worse for the wear, and while fiddling with his room-key, Ryan spotted a chic vase in the hallway filled with marbles and a long silk flower.
Just as Jack got his door open, Ryan flung all the marbles out of the vase into Jack's room. Marbles spilled out everywhere along the hallway and throughout the entranceway. Jack exhaustedly simply turned to just close the door, but couldn't. There were marbles in the jam. Boom! Boom! He'd try and slam it closed. No luck. He'd then sweep his feet haphazardly, attempting to kick the marbles of the way but not really succeeding.
Ryan was laughing so hard, he fell down in the hallway. It wasn't registering to Jack what was happening, and he started to lament, rather woefully "Whhhhhhhy? Whhhhy?" The pattern was: Boom! Boom! Sweep, sweep. Boom! Whyyyy? I guess he finally got it closed.
This morning at the conference, Steven, our resident "adult" turned to Jack and said "Did you hear all that raucous in the hotel last night? What was that?" Jack played dumb.
