PCA/ACA and New Orleans
So, yesterday after Rook got home from school we drove over to New Orleans for the PCA/ACA Conference. I read my poems at 8am this morning (ugh), and we drove back home. Although I was only at the conference very briefly, it was enjoyable (as much as these things can be). I met a couple of really good poets who read on the same panel as me. Also, for once I wasn't in a grad student ghetto--3 of the 4 other poets were already full professors. I really liked one of them and after we were all done I asked if I could buy his book. He gave me a copy for free and then went on to fill my ears with praise about my own work--I mean, he quoted specifically--it wasn't just vague, general praise. So, I was a puddle of ohmygodsomeone'stakingmeseriously and maybeI'mreallyagrownup. His wife and mother-in-law also gave me high praise and invited me to breakfast with them, which I turned down as Tim & Rook were waiting for me. Still, it was wonderfully boosting.
The hotel was the Marriott in the French Quarter. So, it was nice--but overpriced. Also, I never really thought that the first time I handed my car over to a valet would be when I had on a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles t-shirt on (comfortable driving clothes). But, valet parking was mandatory if you wanted to park in the hotel lot (we wanted to, as we don't know New Orleans at all to know where else would be both close & safe--or if such a place exists). We didn't get to see much of the French Quarter, but what we saw was lovely. Also, our hotel room had a great view of Lake Pontchatrain (or however it's spelled).
Driving over there was interesting, too--especially crossing the 18.2 mile bridge over the Atchafalaya Swamp. Since it was fair weather both days, the drive was really pretty. We saw a lot of waterfowl and critters from the highway.
All in all, the trip was worth it and fun . . . but I'm glad it's over with. Next year PCA/ACA will be in St. Louis. Obviously I'd like us to go to that one. We wouldn't have to worry about hotel money, but that's a longer trip and would require that we be able to take time off of work/school and all . . . so, not sure about that yet. Oh, yeah, I guess I'd need to submit a proposal and be accepted again to present.
The hotel was the Marriott in the French Quarter. So, it was nice--but overpriced. Also, I never really thought that the first time I handed my car over to a valet would be when I had on a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles t-shirt on (comfortable driving clothes). But, valet parking was mandatory if you wanted to park in the hotel lot (we wanted to, as we don't know New Orleans at all to know where else would be both close & safe--or if such a place exists). We didn't get to see much of the French Quarter, but what we saw was lovely. Also, our hotel room had a great view of Lake Pontchatrain (or however it's spelled).
Driving over there was interesting, too--especially crossing the 18.2 mile bridge over the Atchafalaya Swamp. Since it was fair weather both days, the drive was really pretty. We saw a lot of waterfowl and critters from the highway.
All in all, the trip was worth it and fun . . . but I'm glad it's over with. Next year PCA/ACA will be in St. Louis. Obviously I'd like us to go to that one. We wouldn't have to worry about hotel money, but that's a longer trip and would require that we be able to take time off of work/school and all . . . so, not sure about that yet. Oh, yeah, I guess I'd need to submit a proposal and be accepted again to present.