I feel so smart!
Har, har. I just got back from a two day conference organized by an organization namned ACLAIMH, which in short is a association of and in support of community living and affordable housing for those with a psychiatric disability. It was my first time going and it was all very interesting.
The hotel was a Victorian era resort hotel on Lake George in upstate NY: http://www.thesagamore.com/
Of course I didn't rate a room in the hotel, they have more modern lodges built along the little island the resort is situated on and I was in one of those, okay, I'd give it 2-3 stars (but what do I care when it's free?) The room itself was nice, I just didn't go for the narrow stairwell going down that was carpeted, yet covered in leaves, and the door that led to my room was a little shared hallway, okay, except that entry door had been left open. You go in and you're in this little space and I just thought to myself, "This is the perfect place for someone to get jumped." Yeah, I'm paranoid. ;)
It was freezing cold though! I should have brought my winter coat! Views of the lake were awesome, I only had my phone camera, I have to try and download them somehow. The food was good to. Mostly catered buffets, but last night was on your own, so I went to the Club Grille at their golf course and had rack of lamb, a nice glass of wine and this delicous apple tart.
The seminars were very good as well, mostly centered around changes going on in regard to mental health housing, funding from the state/federal gov't and also training in regards to providing high quality services and the importance of self-determination for clients when deciding what they want to do, work on, etc. I learned a lot, some of it was over my head and I'll have to do more independent research.
The coolest part, was when they had a viewing of the film, "The Soloist." Nathanial Ayres sister, the one portrayed in the movie, has a foundation now in her brother's name and she came as a guest speaker! She spoke before and after the movie, did Q&A and everything. It was really interesting to hear her stories about her and her brother, how he's doing, etc.
The hotel was a Victorian era resort hotel on Lake George in upstate NY: http://www.thesagamore.com/
Of course I didn't rate a room in the hotel, they have more modern lodges built along the little island the resort is situated on and I was in one of those, okay, I'd give it 2-3 stars (but what do I care when it's free?) The room itself was nice, I just didn't go for the narrow stairwell going down that was carpeted, yet covered in leaves, and the door that led to my room was a little shared hallway, okay, except that entry door had been left open. You go in and you're in this little space and I just thought to myself, "This is the perfect place for someone to get jumped." Yeah, I'm paranoid. ;)
It was freezing cold though! I should have brought my winter coat! Views of the lake were awesome, I only had my phone camera, I have to try and download them somehow. The food was good to. Mostly catered buffets, but last night was on your own, so I went to the Club Grille at their golf course and had rack of lamb, a nice glass of wine and this delicous apple tart.
The seminars were very good as well, mostly centered around changes going on in regard to mental health housing, funding from the state/federal gov't and also training in regards to providing high quality services and the importance of self-determination for clients when deciding what they want to do, work on, etc. I learned a lot, some of it was over my head and I'll have to do more independent research.
The coolest part, was when they had a viewing of the film, "The Soloist." Nathanial Ayres sister, the one portrayed in the movie, has a foundation now in her brother's name and she came as a guest speaker! She spoke before and after the movie, did Q&A and everything. It was really interesting to hear her stories about her and her brother, how he's doing, etc.