Each year MSLO submits furniture pieces to the Pinnacle Awards. Mindi asked me to take over the submission process this year. It has been interesting to see how projects flow through the channel at MS. A few weeks ago we met with the designers to dicuss which pieces they liked, then we had to set up a meeting with Kevin, now we have to go back to the designers, and then sometime I will be able to start the submission process.

Today was the meeting with Kevin, it was very interesting learning experience. I prepared a lot of photos, informational supplements, etc. we got there and it was a whirlwind experience. I think I kind of froze and Mindi took over. I don't think she took over because of my brief moment of overwhelment, but because she really knows what she is talking about and didn't want me to dilly dally around the point with some really important people present.

Since Cheryl, the assistant of the row, left for vacation today, Carter and I are filling in. Carter worked this morning and I did the afternoon. Before Cheryl left she made sure we knew how to handle the phone if Robin called, one of the new co-CEOs. She said to answer it on the first line. Unfortunately I am a dimbat and cannot work a phone properly. Let me say this first, she did not call from her office, she called from her cell phone and it did not pick up her number. Therefore I did not know it was her and it was urgent. After I a lot of confusion because I did not know where Tod was or the second person she asked for, I eventually was able to get someone else for her. Sadly I did not know how to transfer someone correctly and made Robin wait for a really long time.....a major no-no. Ugh. Cheryl is amazing at what she does, she needs to come back. I need to stick to my excel worksheets.

I think I mentioned before that Carter and I are both doing competitive research. Today Carter had to "present" her project to all of the designers and Kevin. I say "present" because none of her 200+ page binder was shown, nor did she say anything. Theresa the SVP of our group spoke throughout the whole meeting. She such a well spoken person. She can explain things in a way I can only dream of. Kevin was also there. I just love the meeting processes with all the higher up people. It amazes me. I truly enjoyed the content of the meeting as well. I cannot wait to see how it all happens. I wish I could be here to see it all.

Mindi gave me a really interesting project to start working on. It will be a lot of work, but I'm super excited.

Since I live so close to Macy's, Mindi sometimes asks me to go to the store and look around at our displays. Today I had to go look at frame photography and see if it was all up. Unfortunately it was not, but at least I'll have something interesting to report to Mindi other than "yes, it was all there."

While at Macy's I witnessed a robbery. I was walking out the door and all of a sudden the alarms started going off and a guy ran out the door beside me. Three huge men dressed like gangasters ran out and tackled him on the streets. Talk about getting your heart moving. It all happened so fast. These security guards were quick! The funny thing about it all is that the security guards looks just as rough as the thief. They all had dread locks, baggy pants, hats, tattoos etc. I was so confused when they were chasing him down, i thought they were his accomplices. Surprisingly they were security guards with walkie talkies, ear pieces, and all. Macy's is so smart.

I received texts today from my roommates that they were all going to be out of town this weekend. It also seemed as if all my other contacts in NY had previous plans as well. My night was going to virginally be going to Papyrus to get a thank you note for Martha and Sally and then back to my apartment to work on my intriguing new project.

Papyrus is located in the Times Square area, as I was walking down Broadway I decided to take Dr. Kilgore's advice he gave me earlier in the summer. I asked him for suggestions of things to do in NY, he said "never stay in if you have money to go to a show." While I may not have the money to go to a show, I couldn't fathom the idea of staying in on a Friday night. So I bought a half price ticket to Spring Awakening. AJ from MSLO suggested it to me for when James was here but we never made it. At first I was kind of bummed out about going by myself, but really it was nice. I actually had the whole row to myself, so i moved to a better seat.

The show was amazing, I would highly recommend it. It was quite provocative, but in a tasteful way. I think it is considered a musical, but I would almost think it is a hybrid. There were a lot of songs, but also a lot of acting. The show didn't even end in a song. Spring Awakening won a Tony for Best Musical in 2007, I completely understand why...it is so different than anything else on Broadway. After tonight, I think I'm going to start going to more shows with or without people. It is such a great experience.

After the show I did one of my favorite things, walk down Broadway at night. While there were a lot of people around, it seems so peaceful with the lights. You just have to block them all out. On the other hand, I also enjoy watching others reactions to the city.