You enter the Moscone Center through a wall of glass. It’s sleek, the Moscone, modern and glittering in the sunlight. Inside, however, it’s a different story.
You’d think, with all the computer equipment, the new technology, the iPhones and iPods, and innovative accessories for all of it, that we were progressing as a society. Until you start noticing that the people are more like sharks that smell too much blood in the water, pushing and shoving and jostling one another for position in front of this booth or that. Free stuff? Gimme! A new cover for my iBook? I want one! Register to win a free iPod? YES!
(It’s no surprise that iPods cost as much as they do. We’re paying for all the free ones that everyone is giving away. I swear, I’ve been offered so many chances to win a free iPod you’d think they were giving away candy.)
The next thing you notice is that there are themes running through the booths. Bigger. Taller. Weirder. The more colorful and interesting, the more eye catching, the better. Everywhere you look, they’re going out of their way to catch your eye. And if they can’t do it visually, that’s all right: they have small troops of black clad professionals ready to grab your attention in some other way. Have a flier. Free sample. Want to try? Go ahead!
My first trip through the Exhibit Hall was just that: a trip. I wanted to look at the big picture for a while before I narrowed down on what I wanted to see. It might not have been the best plan because the big picture is really overwhelming. I’m also not the kind of person who just approaches and starts asking questions. And if I’m approached my first response is “no, thanks.” John was in an IT session this morning, so I was pretty much on my own, and the “no, thanks” response was definitely winning over any curiosity I might have felt in any of the booths.
Note to self: don’t go alone. Bring someone who will at least start asking the questions.
Shocked by that statement? You’ve probably met me and realized that in many ways I’m not a shy person. Whatever I’m thinking tends to fall out of my mouth on a regular basis without time for mental editing. But put me in an overwhelming situation on my own and I go into defensive mode.
Took a break and hung out with Sly this afternoon. Found shoes that I can wear to the YML party tomorrow night that will be comfortable and warm (case the ones I brought definitely didn’t qualify for either). Still no bag though.
That’s another thing. I have two laptop bags. One John bought for me: a lovely, sturdy black Brenthaven messenger style bag with enough padding to protect my laptop in the event that it is backed over by a semi, or dropped off a 30 story building, and compact compartments for all my shite. The other my mother bought for me: it’s a $25 iPack from Target, messenger style, not as much padding, but it does have a compartment for my iPod that allows me to plug the headphones into the strap and use special buttons on the strap to control it, and enough room for me to carry a LOT of stuff as well as my laptop without it getting too bulky or awkward.
I brought the Brenthaven, thinking that it would be better for banging the laptop around in, but I’m starting to wish I’d brought the other instead. I like the Brenthaven, but it’s HEAVY, not something you want to be carrying for extended periods of time. And the shoulder strap, even at it’s longest, is just a little too short, so it bangs against my hip when I walk. It’s uncomfortable and unwieldy, and it makes me feel wretched cause I know how damn much it cost. But shouldn’t something that costs so much be at least comfortable to carry?
We’re going to the Brenthaven party tonight, and I’m going to be biting my tongue the whole time, trying not to bitch about it. I don’t have to carry a laptop most of the time, thank god, but there’s no way in hell, unless my shoulders were broader, that I’d be able to carry that bag more than just to the airport and from. Not unless I wanted to dislocate an arm.