> CD #61: People-watching
Greetings from SXSW! It’s been an overwhelming few days, so I’m just going to share a few random observations:
I don’t know who decided to smash together a trends/tech conference with a music festival, film festival and more? It is kind of nutso, but it works, too, I guess? I’m trying to get a little taste of everything, and so far I’d say the conference feels like pretty much any work conference you’d go to (except when Lizzo gave a keynote) and the film festival is quite lovely. I enjoy seeing movies in charming old theatres. I haven’t been to a music event yet, but I got a pass to see Japanese Breakfast tonight!! Now I have to psych myself up to stay up past midnight. This may not end well.
SXSW conference-goers are all into distinctive sneakers. I suppose it’s how we signal to each other that we are “creative”—the noun, not the adjective. This is not a judgment, since I totally fit the stereotype, walking around in these. But I have noticed that the shoe game got significantly more interesting when the musicians arrived last night.
People-watching is something I’ve missed so much. And there is a lot of good eye-candy here, fashion-wise. Yesterday, the elevator opened up, and this Asian woman was standing there in a pink-striped oversized oxford shirt that was cropped in front and billowy in the back. I got in and blurted out, “I love your shirt!” and spent the rest of the elevator ride mortified at my own lack of cool while also trying to memorize everything about her so I could draw this:
The entire downtown smells like woodsmoke at all times because of all the barbecue-making. Yesterday, I wondered if I am slowly getting smoked? Are my insides more tender now? I have tried the brisket, btw, and it is 100% delicious.
I am alarmed every time I hear someone cough or sneeze. (I also live in fear of coughing or sneezing in public.) But I just passed my Covid test to go home, so I guess I can relax a bit for the rest of the day.
Guess who ordered room service for the first time ever? So bougie.
Hope all y’all are doing well!
:) Teresa
ps. Two days ago, I walked by the Texas Capitol and thought about all the horrifying decisions they’re making in there. So, in case you’re interested, I've donated to the Transgender Education Network of Texas and Fund Texas Choice.
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