addressing a conference in public

Music: David Bowie: Stage (1978)

After a long flight with an unhappy baby, I'm happy to report I've made it to beautiful Madison, Wisconsin. The leaves are starting to change; the weather is in the 70s. Cabbed it to the conference center and who did I immediately spy? Why delicious Chuck Morris sporting a pink longhorns shirt! Definitely a good sign. Hugs and kisses to Rob and a new friend, Jeff. The weather here is incredibly pleasant (Chuck said it was "hot," to which I could only laugh).

I had to eat; I skipped breakfast. Stephen Browne offered his snuff spit-cup as lunch---fortunately, my stomach was empty so I didn't puke on his shoes. After I scored a bite I ran into Sloop who immediately asked, "You gonna blog this conference?"

"I dunno. From looking at the program it doesn't appear there will be any time to do so."

We joked with Bonnie Dow about how exhausting the program looked. I suggested we score some coke and do lines in between panels (which elicited some nervous chuckles; just a quick note: I like to joke about drugs, but I stopped doing them when I was 22. Seriously. Hypertension runs in the family, which means drugs = death, and I hate death worse than getting my hair pulled).

Anyhoot, I think I'm going to be so busy there won't be much time to blog about the conference as it occurs, but I'll try. The convention center, right off of State Street, is very nice and they give you all kinds of free stuff (the free coffee in the lobby is nice). Free wifi everywhere, endless supplies of little soaps. Everything is so clean. I've decided that I like clean. There comes a point in every bachelor's life when clean is necessary. That point was thirty-five for me.

Of course, having a cold doesn't help with one's tolerance, in multiple senses. I had a sniff of the flask and already feel light headed (enough of that!). I ironed all the outfits as I listened to old Front 242 songs (I always travel with a boom box). There's a reception and complimentary food here in about a half hour. I figure once I go to that, I will be with people non-stop for the next three days. So this last half hour is semi-precious.

I'm excited to hear John Murphy's (Oratorical Animal on the blogroll) keynote tonight. It's titled "John F. Kennedy and the Liberal Tradition." John was smart and gave himself a LOT of room with that title (we had to cough up paper titles months and months ago).

Let me also just say I'm thrilled to finally be at this conference. I've always wanted to go, but could never afford to (one doesn't get reimbursed unless one is on the program). It's freakin' intimidating to be on the program with much more distinguished people. You bet I've practiced the heck out of my presentation! I'm nervous. I really don't want to eff this one up. The conference honoree is Karlyn Kohrs Campbell, and since she's academic "mom" to R.L. Scott's "dad," I really hope to make her proud. I'm not ashamed to admit such desires. Who doesn't want to make their mentors proud?

Ok, time to tame the mane, but on some pants, and make my way downstairs.