TpT Un-Conference Happy Hour Party

TpT hosted a Happy Hour party at New York City Headquarters yesterday.

While thousands of TeachersPayTeachers flocked to the conference in Nashville...

 ...I pounded the pavement on my home turf.  Would you like to join me for a Happy Hour road trip?

The minute I walk into TpT HQ, I feel teacher-love.

I'm home!  In mid-century-modern heaven--in summer!  It doesn't get any better than this.  

Thanks, Kris, from the TpT design dept., for capturing my celebration! 
 
When I'm creating resources, I sometimes think of it as a Mom 'n Pop shop.  I forget there's a factory of supremely hard-working, and ultra-nice, people supporting me.

And, playing ping-pong to re-boot.  Did you notice the ukulele on the windowsill?  Love it!

 More re-boot must-haves: The Quiet Room!  

I know, because my kindergarten teaching was transformed when I started meditating for 10 minutes a day.

Light refreshments from Murray's--oh, my!  I go weak in the knees over Brie on crusty bread.

 TpT sellers and staff mingle...

 ...and play ice-breaker BINGO for prizes.  I just stand there smiling, and helping others win--in Classic Kindergarten Teacher mode.

I love meeting TpT old-timers and newbies--and forum buddies like Sheila from That Book Life (who is so much more charming and effervescent than I ever could've guessed from her formidable TpT store and bio)!

The importance of making personal connections is the theme of the evening.

When it's over, I make a bee-line through Union Square, which is always buzzing with life.

Fake pigeons and pizza-eating rats are unique money-makers, only in Noo Yawk.

Cultures meet...

...and play...

 ...and sell.  Do people still buy--and read--hardcover books?

 Mahatma Gandhi overlooks it all, calmly.

I stare for too long at these chairs, wondering if they're as comfortable as they are beautiful, and also if there's a digital message embedded in the carved pattern.

Then I see the tag line, Space for Artists.  That's my TeachersPayTeachers life in a nutshell! 

I'm tempted to stick around for another hour to watch the sunset.  It's not just any ol' sunset.  It's Manhattanhenge (like Stonehenge), or the Manhattan Solstice.  It's the one night a year when the sunset aligns with the east-west grid of the city streets.

That's a stock photo, not mine.  I'm happy but tired, and so I race down the subway steps to catch the train home.

Well, that was fun.  Thanks for sharing my New York City Un-Conference, Happy Hour at TpT. 

Till next time,