Breakfast at the Barbecue House. Delicious. And then we loaded the car with a few bags and drove to the airport, where all of the parking lots were full. Having congratulated ourselves for being early for a change now we were feeling the traditional airport stress. So we booked an off-property spot, because the 21st century has a way of overcoming minor difficulties on the move. Literally, the bill was paid over the phone as we pulled into the lot.
Caught the shuttle to the airport. Went through security. Went through security again, because the indifferent folks wearing blue shirts at the Atlanta airport possess a keen attention to detail.
We flew out of the new terminal and into Tampa, which forever feels like a new city. We took an Uber ride to the hotel. (My first Uber!) It was fine, nice guy, clean car, pleasant chat. That was also paid for over the phone, and so it was almost like it never happened. He was the friend-of-a-friend who also worked at an art shop and had a Disney past who had nothing to do that afternoon and was happy to take a ride. Or so it seemed. He did get paid, after all.
Checked in at the hotel. Went up to the 11th floor and were amused by our view. On the opposite side of the hotel you get the canal. Over here, the Embassy Suites and a parking deck. I shot this video, a Hyperlapse edited on my phone and mixed with a tune I made on my iPad.
We met up with our friends from the conference, swell folks from around the region that we don’t get to see enough, but enjoy too much.
We walked to a place downtown offering high end pub food. I hadn’t previously known that was a niche. Anyway, it was a lovely time with nice, smart, funny people. We walked by to the hotel and I’m going to either read or grade myself to sleep.
