On Tuesdays, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community.
Frank looked at me in surprise when I suggested that we meet in the room at 8 am for our 8:15 presentation. The six of us were at dinner going over last minute details of our long-anticipated presentation, and the anxiety was a little high since it was finally going to happen.
"Don't you think we should get there earilier?" he asked.
I think I shrugged. I wake up early, so early was fine with me. We all agreed on 7:30 am. The five of them were staying at a different hotel from me, so we'd meet in the morning.
In the morning, rain greeted me as I plodded from the hotel to the conference center, avoiding puddles and wrestling my umbrella when the wind tried to turn it inside out. I got to the conference room at 7:28. No team.
One of the NCTE tech people hooked me up with a dongle which was my biggest worry about the presentation. (A set of dongles is on my holiday wishlist, and that's another slice!). I sat and sipped my coffee with the opening slide relievingly ( a made-up word, but a perfect one for the context) projected on the screen behind me. No team.
I checked my phone, and there were a few texts from Rebecca. We took a wrong turn. Be there soon... We're almost there... The texts were several minutes earlier. It was almost 8. Participants were drifting into the room and taking seats. Still no team.
At 8:07, the group came in, nerves riding high, flushed, and jittery.
"Have we got stories for you!" they gushed. "We're so sorry."
"No worries," I kept repeating as they settled in. "We'll be great."
After the presentation, I heard more about all their wrong turns and struggles to get to Room 104B, but they all made it, the presentation was great, and we had a lot of laughs. In fact, we are still laughing.
Melanie, I'm so glad your team made it! Oh, what an adventure. It sounds like you have another slice waiting in the wings - - I love the laughs of the stories. That's the best part of travel. It was great to see you!
ReplyDeleteIt didn't sign me in - - Kim Johnson
DeleteMelanie, I always worry about the dongles, too. I bought a new one but didn’t need it since the conference center had them and everyone on my teamss were prepared to hook their devices up. Glad your team arrived safely!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you made it early in order to set up the room and set the scene for success for you all! Fun story.
ReplyDeleteHaha, ironic that you, the casual one, ended up doing all the set up. I hadnt heard the word “dongle” for awhile- made me laugh, but also remember that tech anxiety. So glad it all worked out well!
ReplyDeleteMelanie, how fun this slice is. I love that you were the one who thought 8 would have been fine. Your easy-going attitude was a definite plus! It's probably good they were shooting for being there at 7:30, as it turned out. I like your word "relievingly."
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