Travel Schmavel!

Well, its here! I am amazed that the summer went by so quickly. Further amazed that despite years in this business and years travelling many things remain the same.

First, I pack. Keeping in mind of course that I MIGHT go to the gym; I MIGHT go out each night; I MIGHT spill something on my self - I OVER PACKED! Of course I did not have a gym in the hotel, I did not go out each night, and I did not spill a thing.

I checked my overstuffed luggage in at the check in and I asked, what of my purell? Should I pack or carry? I was asked the ounces - 2! - just enough to make it. So, she tells me to carry. I then go through x-ray and was treated like a terrorist. She asked if I was a diabetic, I said no but I am a germaphobe and need my purell. She then treated me as though I belonged in the institute. alas. I immediately called my paranoid germaphobe pukeaphobe support group and was reminded that I infact packed Kleenex anti-bacterial wipes. WHOO HOO!

Next, come the prospects. Someone wanted to know when he should write an AMENDUM. He said it one time and I thought, ok the title threw him but the second and third time, well it was unforgiveable. It was fast forgiven by the dude who came up and said that he was tired of living in a RED STATE. He followed that up with, Sorry I don't know your political affiliations although being in higher ed or well, reading a book, it is unlikely that you are conservative. That was pretty funny. The next guy was wearing a Hawaiian shirt, a pair of Corona shorts, and flip flops. The only thing missing was a dubbie.

Some very important issues come up when observing people and the big lesson to learn is this: "If it Don't fit, don't wear it." Well, what do I mean? Wearing a pair of stilletos, that are one size too big, for the first time at an 8 hour event is not wise. If you are my size or bigger you should NOT wear a belly shirt, a mini skirt, a vest with nothing on underneath, or hip huggers to a professional event. If you are 8 months pregnant, perhaps wearing your size 2 jeans is not a great move. If you are anorexic, you should wear more clothes, layer. Please.

Finally, I must have used the rest room 30 times in one day. THe bathroom was skank and dark and there were 1000 people there - ok maybe only 445 were women but still. ick! Around time number 18, I peed on myself. Yes, this remains a problem for me. Squatting can be cumbersome for anyone. Keeping the urine stream straight and getting it into the bowl is often hard - and so if you move then well, you get it on yourself. Picture this, me with a drip filled left leg walking back into the garden room to meet more students. Yeah, that's professional.

Anyway, the season promises to be a long one and I am sure there will be many many stories.