On the road again - soon (sorta)
I never procrastinate.
I just wait until the time is right.
Right.
Anyhow, I finally got everything set for my Easter week trip to Boston for the Popular Culture Association conference.
My paper proposal was accepted back in November (and, no, the paper isn't done yet), and I secured a great rate - $215 - for round trip Memphis-Boston last month.
But I kept delaying getting registered and getting lodging.
So today I go to the registration site and the first thing I see is "Online registration deadline: February 2."
Oops.
Then I see a note: "Computer problems. Online registration extended to February 5."
Okay!
Then I go to the membership site and renew my membership.
Then the "fun" begins.
I usually try to stay at B&B's rather than convention hotels because (a) it's usually cheaper and (b) it's a lot more fun and atmospheric. I've done this in Atlanta, New Orleans, Philadelphia (twice), and San Antonio, all for PCA conventions.
And there are a bunch of great sounding and great looking places a short walk from Copley Place where the meeting is. But the cheapest rate I can find is $219 a night plus taxes! So I check out the convention hotel online. $259 plus taxes! Ouch!
But then finally decide to see if the "convention rate" might be lower, so I call the hotel.
$125 a night!
Reservations confirmed. So I've broken my vow to avoid chain hotels but now the college will cover everything except the membership renewal. And I'll get to explore another city.
Attending PCA got me to New Orleans for the first time. I've been six times since. (One of those times was also PCA.) PCA got me to go to Philly for the first time. Went back again and Gapboy75 and I are going there this summer. PCA also got me to San Antonio and, yes, I do remember the Alamo. And last year PCA got me to my old stomping grounds in Hot'lanta.
Heck, it was my first PCA in 1998 that got me (all expenses paid) to Disney World. You gotta love an academic convention that meets at Disney World. (I did pay my own way into the Magic Kingdom, however. Twice.)
My paper presentation (and I chair the panel) are the evening I arrive, so the rest of the time is open - to attend other sessions, buy too many books in the book room and sample Boston.
Oh, and I get to miss two days of classes (it would be three but Friday is Good Friday.)
Now, about finishing that paper I'm supposed to present . . .
I just wait until the time is right.
Right.
Anyhow, I finally got everything set for my Easter week trip to Boston for the Popular Culture Association conference.
My paper proposal was accepted back in November (and, no, the paper isn't done yet), and I secured a great rate - $215 - for round trip Memphis-Boston last month.
But I kept delaying getting registered and getting lodging.
So today I go to the registration site and the first thing I see is "Online registration deadline: February 2."
Oops.
Then I see a note: "Computer problems. Online registration extended to February 5."
Okay!
Then I go to the membership site and renew my membership.
Then the "fun" begins.
I usually try to stay at B&B's rather than convention hotels because (a) it's usually cheaper and (b) it's a lot more fun and atmospheric. I've done this in Atlanta, New Orleans, Philadelphia (twice), and San Antonio, all for PCA conventions.
And there are a bunch of great sounding and great looking places a short walk from Copley Place where the meeting is. But the cheapest rate I can find is $219 a night plus taxes! So I check out the convention hotel online. $259 plus taxes! Ouch!
But then finally decide to see if the "convention rate" might be lower, so I call the hotel.
$125 a night!
Reservations confirmed. So I've broken my vow to avoid chain hotels but now the college will cover everything except the membership renewal. And I'll get to explore another city.
Attending PCA got me to New Orleans for the first time. I've been six times since. (One of those times was also PCA.) PCA got me to go to Philly for the first time. Went back again and Gapboy75 and I are going there this summer. PCA also got me to San Antonio and, yes, I do remember the Alamo. And last year PCA got me to my old stomping grounds in Hot'lanta.
Heck, it was my first PCA in 1998 that got me (all expenses paid) to Disney World. You gotta love an academic convention that meets at Disney World. (I did pay my own way into the Magic Kingdom, however. Twice.)
My paper presentation (and I chair the panel) are the evening I arrive, so the rest of the time is open - to attend other sessions, buy too many books in the book room and sample Boston.
Oh, and I get to miss two days of classes (it would be three but Friday is Good Friday.)
Now, about finishing that paper I'm supposed to present . . .