Okie(s) in Florida

Well, I made it back from Phoenix/Tempe in one piece. Learned a lot from Jen LaFleur of the Dallas Morning News and Steve Doig, formerly of the Miami Herald and now at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.

I stayed at a little place called the Twin Palms. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either. The paint was peeling from the tub, the carpet was stained and I never quite figure out what was going on with the bottom sheet. It was almost as if they took a top sheet and tucked it into the corners.

But it was clean. I guess that’s what matters. Right?

I learned a hell of a lot and most of the trip was uneventful — except for Friday night. Myself and Ben P. decided it’d be a good idea to go out drinking after dinner.

Jen warned us.

We did it anyways.

However, it never occured to to me that things would get so out of hand. I’m convinced Ben P.’s suggestion of stopping at a Greek place for something called Ouzo was the turning point.

After a stumble-filled walk home, I called it a night. I’ll spare yo the gory details of the misery this night caused me. Needless to say, I walked into class — defying the Ben P.-set odds for no appearance,  I might add — about 30 minutes late.

I don’t think I’m ever drinking again. Or until the next time.