My Other Pen is a Hydro-cyclonic Ink Dispensing Thought Engine
I have never stopped going to the Pfister. I’m still there, lurking among the new artists and writers and last night, I snuck in to lurk among the time-travelers and inventors. My confession is that I love the art/craft/clothing/mission/vision/literature that calls itself Steampunk…
Passing of the Pen
That’s what we’re calling it. The official sign-off, hand-over and next phase of the Narrator position. I’m not eager to give it up, but when I see Stacie again today, I realize “how can I not?”
Standing in the middle of the hotel lobby, she…
The Walls Did Talk
People watching is a skill. If you’re good at it (and I really want to believe I am) you can master blending in, even if you’re taking notes and keeping your eyes up, about and above your coffee. People often sit, trying to go unnoticed, and to do…
Personal Baggage
Sometimes I forget the Pfister is a hotel, meant for housing travelers and providing room and board. So much else happens there that it becomes its own community of comings and goings, drinks and dinners, events and celebration. So of course it struck me when I was headed out through…
The Inner Circle
So, I got to meet her: my replacement. There are so many lessons in life out there waiting for you and only a few you’re fortunate enough to catch. I am lucky enough to have started a project and to have the opportunity to hand it off. I’m…
Promenading Through History
Everyone spotted them immediately (and I hope I don’t embarrass them by saying so). The young couple, he matched her with a colorful vest and tie under his tuxedo, she was in the most amazing shade of teal green. Her dress fluttered against the floor and I was in…
Anatomy of Giving
My after work cocktail turned instantly into a lesson in event coordinating and I learned there’s no better school than the prep hour before a celebrity Blu-Tender event at the Pfister’s Blu.
I arrived very early and witnessed an incredible transformation. See, I’m a part of…
Kevin Bacon Meets his Match
In three characters or less, can you connect yourself to the popular actor Kevin Bacon? How about if I give you six characters? Or, we can go back to the standard version of the game (that was actually made into a board game, by the way) and ask that you…
Plein Air Office Space
I try not to write about the staff. They’re an easy target—each is polished, professional and full of juicy bits of knowledge. They’re the eyes and ears. But we, the “in-residencers” are also staff in a way, but with the very specific charge to engage and…
Scaling Forward
I’m a Libra. Some of you may have already guessed as much. One of our best qualities is indecision. Our symbol is the scales because we try to be fair and just.
I was happy to share indecision Thursday with my colleagues at the Pfister as we looked at…
Hustle and Bustle and Herb
The café has been remodeled. Its doors reopened this week. I tentatively crossed its threshold, into my favorite spot in the hotel. I have to say my worries about change were eased when I ventured in the first day to find the buzz of the space was the same.
The…
The NASA Game
I’ve done a lot of organizational consulting and training. Among the structures for company retreats and more is a ropes or games course. Every one I’ve ever done says start small–ice breakers and get to know you type work.
One of the games my organization and later…
A Portrait of the Artist
“Well, everyone calls me Eugene,” he said, when I stuck out my hand to meet the now infamous subject of one of Katie Musolff’s paintings. I’ve seen Eugene before each time I pass through the Artist-in-Residence’s studio, but here he is, live and in the…
“Like”ing Breakfast
I’m sure it’s clear to you by now, I love breakfast at the Pfister. I love breakfast food in general, of course, and can never make up my mind—breakfast anywhere for me includes multitudes of plate envy, but (as you also know) add coffee and I’m…
Staying on the Ride
It’s such a surreal feeling to interview your replacement. Sure, I’m being a bit dramatic—I’m not interviewing them and when I took the job, I knew I’d eventually be replaced but there’s nothing I have to like about it.
Well, I do like the…
All Dressed Up and Everywhere to Be
My best friend was in town on the weekend and we took her to Blu for free music. First, she snapped what could be an award-winning series of photos (her profession), then she let her mouth hang agape for awhile and finally she grinned and told me I had…
Historic Lens
As promised, Amanda has forwarded the photos from her and Dan’s photo shoot.
It’s incredible to have lived the experience with them, but then to see some of the chosen photos and the angles and moments their photographer, Chloe from Life Tree Photography captured recreates the experience in…
Brewing with Excitement
Off schedule, sure, but I think you can handle it.
First, the cafe renovations are in full swing. Then…there will be coffee (see other posts about how necessary this is in my world).
Now, I’ve just received a giant package of applications from those who’d like to…
Hollywood Glam Meets Historic Hotel
There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but at the Pfister, you can capitalize on lunches easily worth a million bucks.
That’s what Amanda and Dan were doing today. We all spotted her first… dressed to the nines, she walked through the lobby and clearly stood…
The Marrying Kind
I’ve been in my fair share of weddings. For awhile there, I could truly identify with the lead character in the movie 27 Dresses and though I don’t have a separate closet full of horrible gowns, I’ve done my time in unflattering colors, shapes, lengths and get…
Internet Dating
I’ve been skulking around the Pfister for some time now. While I always meet great travelers, the reason I’m able to engage such happy, amenable, excited people is because of the seamless service that surrounds them. My job isn’t to write about the staff, but the staff…
For Love of the Bean
I had no idea what my lead for this blog could be. I jolted my friends with “Guess what I got to do today?” To my boss I percolated “I need the afternoon off to take part in a very urgent experience.” To my steering wheel, to which I sang…
Embracing Change
I know people say change is good, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.
One thing I love about the Pfister is early mornings in the café. There’s a perfect rhythm to the staff, the guests, the light, the breakfasts and the coffee.
So, hearing that…
What to Watch For
I like this job because I’m a people watcher. I earned a degree in Sociology simply because it meant “the study of people.” I have learned, too, that the best people to watch and study are those who do the same thing. I sat in the lobby bar and…
Love and Pizza
I saw a lot of bouquets on desks yesterday. That’s the nature of the beast, right? What I really wanted to see, however, was adoring couples and cute gestures and candle lit dinners. So, I went to the Pfister.
I found out that Hallmark needn’t intervene; the Pfister…
