Sunday, January 10, 2010
Day 4, and 5: On the Way!
The posts for Saturday and today, Sunday, will be uploaded tonight during my inevitable long wait at the airport. Right now, we're going to the beach! But don't worry, fun stories about historians at social events are coming soon.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Day 3: We're Totally Wrecked
These multi-day conferences can destroy you.
So the conference is in beautiful San Diego. That's lovely, but we were still hustling this morning to get to our 9:30 panels. I went to the second session of "Slaving Paths", which turned out to be all about slaves in the British imperial structure. I was pleased with the outcome. After the panel Sarah, Jen, Jordan, and I enjoyed a delicious sushi lunch. We should have ordered sake, though, because my afternoon panel was a disaster. I was really looking forward to this panel on suffering and martyrdom in colonial North America, but it turned into an apology-filled ideology fest. I was sorely disappointed and trudged off to the Exhibition Hall.
The Exhibition Hall is every historian's dream, because it is chock-full of books AND boasts the only free liquor giveaway in the whole shebang. I bumped into Gil Kelly, my supervisor from the Omohundro Institute, and he took me on a tour of Institute authors, all of which were very impressive. It was nice to see the Institute staff outside of their natural habitat.
We finished up perusing the books and headed for Seaport Village for pizza, where we devoured a pie and a pitcher of beer while gazing out into the sunset over the water. We then hustled back to the conference for a graduate student social event, which I affectionately termed "The Graduate Student Friendliness Seminar". We met some nice people, made quick work of the chicken satay, and ran back to the hotel for a bit of rest.
Even though the conference continues until Sunday, I really think that tomorrow is something of the grand finale, so we shall have to see. Now it is time for a nap so we can reboot for ... more history!
So the conference is in beautiful San Diego. That's lovely, but we were still hustling this morning to get to our 9:30 panels. I went to the second session of "Slaving Paths", which turned out to be all about slaves in the British imperial structure. I was pleased with the outcome. After the panel Sarah, Jen, Jordan, and I enjoyed a delicious sushi lunch. We should have ordered sake, though, because my afternoon panel was a disaster. I was really looking forward to this panel on suffering and martyrdom in colonial North America, but it turned into an apology-filled ideology fest. I was sorely disappointed and trudged off to the Exhibition Hall.
The Exhibition Hall is every historian's dream, because it is chock-full of books AND boasts the only free liquor giveaway in the whole shebang. I bumped into Gil Kelly, my supervisor from the Omohundro Institute, and he took me on a tour of Institute authors, all of which were very impressive. It was nice to see the Institute staff outside of their natural habitat.
We finished up perusing the books and headed for Seaport Village for pizza, where we devoured a pie and a pitcher of beer while gazing out into the sunset over the water. We then hustled back to the conference for a graduate student social event, which I affectionately termed "The Graduate Student Friendliness Seminar". We met some nice people, made quick work of the chicken satay, and ran back to the hotel for a bit of rest.
Even though the conference continues until Sunday, I really think that tomorrow is something of the grand finale, so we shall have to see. Now it is time for a nap so we can reboot for ... more history!
Day 2, Part 2: Historians Look Like Debaters!
I’m having some flashbacks here. "The entire Harvard history department is about to run a tight case, with tons of spec knowledge!".
Turns out the “Musical Encounters in the Early Atlantic” was literally just as it sounded (hee hee!). I think in my head I was picturing the worst-case scenario, some kind of historical interpretation of “The Little Mermaid”, where Triton = England. Instead it was all about how soundscape was an important part of Atlantic encounters. An interesting and lively way to wrap up the first day. Also, fun fact of the day: Karen Kupperman apparently once sang “Frere Jacque” on national television. See, I promised you historians some ridiculous gossip!
Tomorrow is an all-day conference adventure beginning at 9:30 am. We are hoping to get a quick sushi lunch in the hour we have off during the afternoon. Sadly the hot tub will have to wait until 9:00 pm.
More updates to follow. It is 2:15 am New Hampshire time and 11:15 here; either way, time for sleep!
Turns out the “Musical Encounters in the Early Atlantic” was literally just as it sounded (hee hee!). I think in my head I was picturing the worst-case scenario, some kind of historical interpretation of “The Little Mermaid”, where Triton = England. Instead it was all about how soundscape was an important part of Atlantic encounters. An interesting and lively way to wrap up the first day. Also, fun fact of the day: Karen Kupperman apparently once sang “Frere Jacque” on national television. See, I promised you historians some ridiculous gossip!
Tomorrow is an all-day conference adventure beginning at 9:30 am. We are hoping to get a quick sushi lunch in the hour we have off during the afternoon. Sadly the hot tub will have to wait until 9:00 pm.
More updates to follow. It is 2:15 am New Hampshire time and 11:15 here; either way, time for sleep!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Day 2, Part 1: Getting the Party Started
It was pretty great to wake up to the sunrise on the harbor. Of course we woke up at the crack of dawn, confused about where we were and what time it was. Fortunately our hotel offers a coffee bar, so we only had to stumble down there in order to come alive.
San Diego is a fantastic place to host a conference, and apparently people know it, because we’ve already encountered people from at least 5 different events. The place is literally packed with people wearing identification badges. We took advantage of a lull in the schedule to lounge at the pool. An outdoor pool – in January! We decided that we will never leave.
When we went to register for the conference, we were met by a slew of historians who were being herded into a room, where they (an anonymous conference staff) put badges on us and handed us a stack of papers and programs. We went to a session entitled “An Empire in Transit: The British Empire, 1780–1880”, which was interesting despite the fact that I know nothing about the nineteenth century. Also, it turns out that the Marriott has a grotto pool. I wonder if we can wear our bathing suits under our conference attire?
Tonight we head back to the conference for the opening remarks, which, strangely, occur after the conference has begun. After the opening remarks we will be treated to an exploratory musical extravaganza, something called “Musical Encounters in the Early Atlantic”. What, in fact, does that entail? I’ll let you know tomorrow morning!
San Diego is a fantastic place to host a conference, and apparently people know it, because we’ve already encountered people from at least 5 different events. The place is literally packed with people wearing identification badges. We took advantage of a lull in the schedule to lounge at the pool. An outdoor pool – in January! We decided that we will never leave.
When we went to register for the conference, we were met by a slew of historians who were being herded into a room, where they (an anonymous conference staff) put badges on us and handed us a stack of papers and programs. We went to a session entitled “An Empire in Transit: The British Empire, 1780–1880”, which was interesting despite the fact that I know nothing about the nineteenth century. Also, it turns out that the Marriott has a grotto pool. I wonder if we can wear our bathing suits under our conference attire?
Tonight we head back to the conference for the opening remarks, which, strangely, occur after the conference has begun. After the opening remarks we will be treated to an exploratory musical extravaganza, something called “Musical Encounters in the Early Atlantic”. What, in fact, does that entail? I’ll let you know tomorrow morning!
Day 1, Part 2: A Whale of a Time
In an unfortunate turn of events, internet is not free in our hotel. Boo! So I will update as frequently as I can escape to a place with internet.
I emerged from the plane, wrestled my giant carry-on bag to the shuttle stand, and met some very nice people headed to the AHA. Statistically, many of the people around me are historians, and I just don’t know it. In the coming days, I hope to meet at least a handful of them.
Jordan and Jen had already arrived in San Diego, and invited me to go whale-watching with them. After scurrying to the hotel, dropping off bags, and zooming off in a taxi to the seaport, I boarded the Hornblower Adventure in search of Pacific Gray Whales, which Californians insist on calling California Gray Whales.
We had a very excellent time. We saw three whales in addition to many Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions, cormorants, brown pelicans, and many more seabirds. If I didn’t get to do any more touristy things in San Diego, I would still be content.
We then proceeded to eat delicious barbeque. In the evening, my hotel roommate Sarah arrived, and we went to bed at 10:00. Our bodies are clearly not adjusted to the new time zone. In the morning we’ll have some time to wander around before the conference gets going at 3. Stay tuned!
I emerged from the plane, wrestled my giant carry-on bag to the shuttle stand, and met some very nice people headed to the AHA. Statistically, many of the people around me are historians, and I just don’t know it. In the coming days, I hope to meet at least a handful of them.
Jordan and Jen had already arrived in San Diego, and invited me to go whale-watching with them. After scurrying to the hotel, dropping off bags, and zooming off in a taxi to the seaport, I boarded the Hornblower Adventure in search of Pacific Gray Whales, which Californians insist on calling California Gray Whales.
We had a very excellent time. We saw three whales in addition to many Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions, cormorants, brown pelicans, and many more seabirds. If I didn’t get to do any more touristy things in San Diego, I would still be content.
We then proceeded to eat delicious barbeque. In the evening, my hotel roommate Sarah arrived, and we went to bed at 10:00. Our bodies are clearly not adjusted to the new time zone. In the morning we’ll have some time to wander around before the conference gets going at 3. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Day 1, Part 1: Stayin' Alive (in the airport)
Good morning! I am writing this from the airport. JetBlue, a seriously awesome airline, provides free wireless in its terminal at Kennedy. The terminal also has Jamba Juice, so I am pretty happy right now.
I was not, however, happy about 20 minutes ago, as I battled my way to the front of the security screening line in what looked like a scene from "300".
I'd heard some horror stories about new screening procedures, between the thwarted Christmas Day underpants attack and the guy who walked through the sterile gate at Newark. So I left my house at 5:00 am for an 8:30 flight. When I arrived at the security line, it was already madness. People who had arrived two hours before their flight were still stuck in the line, and were nearing hysteria. Meanwhile, it looked like nobody was actually getting through the checkpoint. We all stood there for a good ten minutes before somebody came to shuffle up the lines.
Then, it completely degenerated. People will usually stay in lines, if that's the clear expectation. Once they started taking down the ropes, it became a cattle drive, only with really vicious cows.
Miraculously, I was pushed to the front by two very strong and angry men behind me, who were attempting to make their 6:30 flight to Jamaica (it was 6:20 at this point). Once there, the TSA worker demanded that I remove my sweatshirt, and didn't seem to understand that if I did this, I might be arrested for public indecency. Finally a rational person behind the x-ray machine arranged a pat-down for all the sweatshirted people, which we found much preferable to being forced to put on a show for the gazillion people in "line" behind us.
The actual screening looked the same to me, so I can't really explain the insane delay. When my items rolled out the other side of the machine, though, someone else's jacket and belt were in with my shoes. As far as I could tell, the workers were unable to locate the man, who will now be cold and have trouble holding up his pants. The good news is, somebody else will be able to purchase the jacket and belt, along with other stuff, at this place.
One hour until boarding. Time to stock up on Jamba Juice!
I was not, however, happy about 20 minutes ago, as I battled my way to the front of the security screening line in what looked like a scene from "300".
I'd heard some horror stories about new screening procedures, between the thwarted Christmas Day underpants attack and the guy who walked through the sterile gate at Newark. So I left my house at 5:00 am for an 8:30 flight. When I arrived at the security line, it was already madness. People who had arrived two hours before their flight were still stuck in the line, and were nearing hysteria. Meanwhile, it looked like nobody was actually getting through the checkpoint. We all stood there for a good ten minutes before somebody came to shuffle up the lines.
Then, it completely degenerated. People will usually stay in lines, if that's the clear expectation. Once they started taking down the ropes, it became a cattle drive, only with really vicious cows.
Miraculously, I was pushed to the front by two very strong and angry men behind me, who were attempting to make their 6:30 flight to Jamaica (it was 6:20 at this point). Once there, the TSA worker demanded that I remove my sweatshirt, and didn't seem to understand that if I did this, I might be arrested for public indecency. Finally a rational person behind the x-ray machine arranged a pat-down for all the sweatshirted people, which we found much preferable to being forced to put on a show for the gazillion people in "line" behind us.
The actual screening looked the same to me, so I can't really explain the insane delay. When my items rolled out the other side of the machine, though, someone else's jacket and belt were in with my shoes. As far as I could tell, the workers were unable to locate the man, who will now be cold and have trouble holding up his pants. The good news is, somebody else will be able to purchase the jacket and belt, along with other stuff, at this place.
One hour until boarding. Time to stock up on Jamba Juice!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
AHA-Bound
Happy New Year, all!
Just a reminder that I am headed to the American Historical Association Annual Meeting, held in wonderfully not-freezing San Diego. The conference is January 7-10, and I will be live-blogging as much as possible. At the very least you can expect a nightly update, though pictures will have to wait until I return to my trusty desktop.
The AHA Annual Meeting's theme is Oceans, Islands, Continents, all things I enjoy. For those who may be interested in perusing the program, it can be found here. I'm going to try to rope my fellow graduate student attendees into reporting, so between all of our eyes, nothing will be missed!
Professional conferences are funny things, shrouded in mystery. I was recently asked, "What do historians have to say to each other that they need to have a three-day-long conference?". Hopefully by the predawn hours of Monday morning, I will have the answer to that, along with many fun and fascinating anecdotes. Stay tuned!
Just a reminder that I am headed to the American Historical Association Annual Meeting, held in wonderfully not-freezing San Diego. The conference is January 7-10, and I will be live-blogging as much as possible. At the very least you can expect a nightly update, though pictures will have to wait until I return to my trusty desktop.
The AHA Annual Meeting's theme is Oceans, Islands, Continents, all things I enjoy. For those who may be interested in perusing the program, it can be found here. I'm going to try to rope my fellow graduate student attendees into reporting, so between all of our eyes, nothing will be missed!
Professional conferences are funny things, shrouded in mystery. I was recently asked, "What do historians have to say to each other that they need to have a three-day-long conference?". Hopefully by the predawn hours of Monday morning, I will have the answer to that, along with many fun and fascinating anecdotes. Stay tuned!
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