Here it is the moment of truth... the very reason why I was sent out to Chi Town: The EX Awards! Event Marketer Magazine is about to award my company 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place based on our hospitality element that we created for Vivendi Games. Not being an industry person at all quite yet prevents me from being too excited about this. (Even though we are up against the company that did Superbowl XLI and the company that works with Infinity.) OK... actually I am really excited. One: the lobby is full of cool people... FINALLY!! No more drunk old people... Two: There is a way less awkward energy now that the awards are in a few hours. Awkwardness exchanges for excitedness with great relief to my anxiety. I HATE awkwardness. I think I can be so awkward just depending on who I am talking to.
SO far in Chicago I have purchased cigarettes for a bum... perhaps not the greatest idea. I ate way too much deep-dish pizza, and would be happy not to reflect on that moment on my life again. I played beer-pong with some locals right next to Lincoln Park. I walked around the city for several hours. I took a cab to Wrigley Field and observed the pandaemonium that follows a successful Cub's game. (Its like TJ run by white people). I made a few networking contacts (harder then it sounds, awkwardness remember?) I successfully linked my G4 to the internet via bluetooth from my cell phone (basically THE most awesome thing ever!), I strolled through Millennium Park, and saw the Art Institute of Chicago's Winslow Homer and Edward Hopper exhibits. I love American art. I most enjoyed Homer's watercolor it was absolutely inspiring.
Now off I go to shower put on my suit and shake some hands... hopefully I don't have to give a speech!
