The View From Kalamazoo

Paper Friday seemed to go well. Lots of positive feedback. It’s still an unnerving memory – auditorium, stage, podium, MIKE, bright lights…and I was FIRST, kicking the whole thing off. I can’t properly work a microphone, so it was sometimes hard to hear me. I should have turned it off and just projected – I’ve filled a lecture hall 3-4 times the size before without much effort (twice a week for a semester).

Met some very nice folks, tagged along at lunch with some of the other medievalists, sat with a bunch of non-medievalists at the banquet and had all sorts of diverse conversations. Many of the people seemed to know each other, while I didn’t see anyone I knew (ok, one person) until the day after my arrival, so I have a new appreciation of those who come to Congress not knowing a soul. It’s awkward as hell. Had a few people come up who were certain we’d met – and I suggested it was likely Kalamazoo. 😉 Eventually everyone sees me, at least, but these folks were probably at a session I also attended, and one I am certain saw me give my paper in 2002.

Had to leave the conference early, but it was a Good Thing…and I hope this first conference by the ASE folks isn’t the last.

Currently, however, I’m enjoying a sinus infection with a side of bronchitis. Buy one foul plague, get one foul plague free. 800 mg of ibuprofen is barely taking the edge off my headache – I hope the antibiotics start kicking bacterial butt soon – I haven’t slept well in nigh a week.

Final registration count for the International Congress on Medieval Studies, for all those playing along at home, was 2910. This afternoon is the last post-mortem meeting and I can’t be more elated – I hate meetings. My meetings for next year, however, have already begun – another tomorrow. Another year of this…

[Anyone in academia prone to giving warnings about career paths in academia need to do my job for a while – the long hours, lack of sleep, frustration, never-ending projects, disappointment, mire of details, low wages…seem pretty familiar.]