Tuesday, December 22, 2009

MLA Bound

I am, once again, MLA bound next week. Off to snowy Philadelphia to deliver a paper, see old friends, and horse around in a place I used to live.

I'm dreading and looking forward to it. Dreading it because MLA still fills me with residual dread. It's just so huge. Sometimes it's really hard just to locate one's friends in the midst of all the posturing and networking and nervous job candidates and competitive colleagues. And dreading it because the economy's so bad, there are few jobs available for anyone, and even my alma mater has canceled its annual party. It's a dark, dark time.

But let's face it, I'm a nerd. I totally love the work that we do, and so I am looking forward to it because part of me cannot wait to give my talk, and meet the important person who agreed to chair our panel, and reconnect with scholars whose work I admire.

But if you're one of my friends and you'll be there, and you're also feeling overwhelmed by the massiveness that is MLA, please get in touch with me and let's arrange to meet up. In advance.

6 comments:

Emily said...

Have fun! Or something that resembles it.

We're not going this year -- we decided that we just can't face the weary and worried job seekers. We're sad though to be missing papers by a number of friends, though.

Pamphilia said...

Will miss you, Emily! I hope you're having a great holiday with your rambunctious kittens.

Renaissance Girl said...

Great to see you, if only for a few minutes in such a formal setting. (I confess that I spent most of the time up to that moment in my hotel room, finishing my paper, and I was not much fun at all!) Next time we'll hang more. RSA?

Pamphilia said...

Great to see you too. And in case it wasn't obvious, I loved your paper. Yes to RSA! I can't wait to gaze out at the sunset over the Grand canal, sip a bellini and nibble on cichetti, gaze in awe at Tiepolo frescoes. And the conference, of course.

Renaissance Girl said...

Conference, shmonference. My kid and I will be seeking out all the best gelati.

Pamphilia said...

Ooh, me too! We should organize a gelateria crawl. I also want to go see the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza.