Partial solutions

Have booked my hotel room in Miami Beach - or, to be more exact, my hostel room. I really want to go to this conference in person, and I've put up at hostels before - never an American one, actually, but this one looks decent enough and if it isn't, it's only for a few nights. I'll be in a six-bed female dorm about a twenty minute walk (or four minute cab ride) from the convention center, which is a lot better than some of the options I was considering.

I wandered into the museum shop at the wrong time yesterday, and wound up having the shop manager set aside a lovely little porcelain bowl with a soda glaze (I think I have that correct) in a lovely peachy sandy color with a glossy interior glaze with a pale green accent at the bottom of the bowl. It's not very expensive, and I have a discount as well, so I'm not feeling too guilty. After I purchase it, I'll take a photo and share.