Slice of Life 2026: 13 of 31- Degree Appreciation

In March, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community. 

I had already done the "what did I forget" inventory and noted a couple of key things (cash and business cards... I could live without them), but I didn't realize I'd forgotten deodorant until I went to get dressed. What an imperfect thing to forget given the fact that I was presenting in the afternoon. I'd definitely need some. 

At the front desk, I asked the woman where the nearest store was where I could buy some deodorant. 

"I got you, honey," she said, handing me a small container of Degree. 

Crisis averted. 

Then, I headed across the street to the convention center. The stream of people were a 50/50 split of men and women, and everyone was in business casual- first clue that I wasn't in the right place. And then the banners were touting a pharmaceutical company. Clue #2. 

I looked around for someone who worked there. Worker #1 didn't seem to speak English. Worker #2 had no idea where the Plain Talk teacher conference was. 

Thank goodness for that hotel lady and Degree. 

I called Dan, the only person I knew at this conference. 

"Where is this?" I asked. 

He laughed and explained where I had to go. It turns out that the New Orleans Convention Center is really big, and it hosts several conferences at a time. Noted. 

The rest of the day went without Degree-testing moments, and I was happy to toast the day with Patty McGee who arrived around five after a much more harrowing travel experience than I'd had.