After checking in at the Cambridge Marriott, I walked out the rear of the lobby out onto Main Street for some fresh fall air. I immediately felt a great disturbance in the force coming from the direction of MIT Press Bookstore. Nothing seemed unusual as I paid for a copy of Ellen Lupton's new book Thinking With Type: A Critical Guide For Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students. But glancing at a flyer on the counter, I realized the source of the disturbance: The Fall Loading Dock Sale was in progress behind the bookstore! I followed the yellow and black arrow signs to discover thousands of books on sale for up to 95% off. I fought off an involuntary seizure and didn't pick up any more books. Instead, I cashed out with a bunch of Maeda-designed MIT t-shirts which were priced at $3 each because the logo was off center. The normally $20-a-piece shirts will get shipped back by FedEx. Now, I'm drinking coffee at the Au Bon Pain before venturing back out to walk around until the 7pm wine tasting reception at the Lab.

- mike lee - cambridge, ma