For some reason, spring is my least favorite season. I’m not really sure what it is. Maybe it’s the unforgivable weather? Or maybe the lack of any fun holidays? (I’m looking at you Easter!)
Or maybe it’s the fact that late spring is an insanely busy time of year in academia and I’m just running on fumes? Last week of classes, final exams, final projects, seemingly endless hours of grading, grant deadlines, annual reviews, commencement…it’s a lot of juggling. It’s also a transition period in which the exhausted academic begins to prepare for its summer hibernation. Hang up that corduroy jacket and bust out that Hawaiian shirt you should have thrown away 5 (ok 10) years ago! Put that text book you’ve been clinging to for 4 months back on the shelf and pick out a new guilty read! And for God’s sake, try to get some sleep old man! You deserve it.
For me, I’m adding a couple of conferences to the chaos so that I can present some of my latest research. Spread the good news and all that… Conferencing is one of the perks of this life (in my humble opinion). It’s a chance to connect with old friends who you only see once per year, check out a new city, eat some moderately priced food (per diems can only take you so far), and take in some of the latest research in the field. This is the science that got you excited about this gig in the first place!
Now while you may be picturing a conference as a mass gathering of nerds yammering on about protons and quantum physics… Actually, that’s what I picture when I think about a physics conference. Nerds! But in my field, conference folk are pretty fun folk!
I recently had an opportunity to attend a conference in Chicago and reconnect with some friends who I haven’t worked with in over a decade, eat some amazing pasta, and even took in a White Sox game (go Tigers!). And I must say it was motivating and invigorating! New ideas are taking shape that hopefully will lead to new knowledge and improved systems for keeping people healthy. That’s the goal anyway.
And at this very moment, I’m sitting on the Riverwalk of San Antonio, listening to a guy give his best impression of Johnny Cash, and enjoying a delicious margarita and trio of street tacos. (I’m actually here to share some of my recent research with some weight loss nerds, but when in Rome right?) BTW, I fully realize the Riverwalk is tourism central here, but it’s pretty easy to get sucked into her charms. I’m a sucker for tasty margaritas, twinkle lights, street tacos, outdoor seating, shade trees, live music, regular tacos, and a lazy river. I never stood a chance.
Ironically, I almost forgot to go to the Alamo…almost. It’s…ok. No tacos but I appreciate the historical relevance.
Ok, I feel like I’m rambling (damn you margarita). In an attempt to tie a bow on this yarn, I’ll end by saying I think these conferences are actually really important to the scholarly process. In addition to the science and sharing of ideas, they bring overworked, like-minded people together and give them a real chance to relax and connect. Human beings need time to recover. We can’t always be expected to do more with less. I very much look forward to the recesses of conference season…the best part of spring.
Sharing our work with dozens of people.
The Alamo. It’s ok.
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