Photo by Shannon Johnson

If freelancing has taught me anything, it’s that becoming a hermit is way too easy. A 20-second commute from bedroom to home office will do that to you. It’ll also give you a serious vitamin D deficiency, little concept of this thing called weather, and limited human contact mostly in the form of phone calls and email. Needless to say, I don’t get out as much as I should.

Since moving back to Memphis after a stint in Washington, D.C. last September, I’ve put inconsistent effort into uncloistering. A few introductory meetings with civic organizations here, a cocktail hour there, but nothing really substantial. Not that there isn’t plenty to do here, it’s just that I’m the queen of missed opportunities—I skipped most of the major food festivals so far this year. What self-respecting Memphian does that?

Here’s where it all changes.

As of today, I hereby relinquish my title, and turn in my crown and sash. I will get to know people, sunshine and Memphis all over again. And I’ll do it right here on MemphisConnect.

Am I bananas for laying this out in a public place? A little bit, but as you get to know me, you’ll realize my penchant for convention left the building a long time ago. Besides, I figure the added social pressure to follow through is a good thing, and it might help my fellow hermits venture out more often, too.

So if you’ve got any must-do Mid-South things you think I should try, send them my way. Ain’t nothing to it but to do it, right? Right.

Memphis Living