Afterglow

Back in my little room at the Best Western, all snuggled in, feeling nice thanks to the beer I had for dinner.  Time to think back on the day's events....

I arrived at the CSU Fresno campus a little past eight, just pulling in to the parking lot as friends Tim and Steph were getting out of their car. Tim is my "school husband," which I guess makes Steph my "sister-wife."  I was so glad to have them with me today--while Tim has only presented at one other conference, that's more than I've done. And Steph is the grounding influence and cheerleader--and the perfect mate for Tim.

So, the Fresno folk provided some muffins, etc., for a little warm-up, then it was off to the classrooms that served as breakout sessions.  Both Tim and Troy, another classmate from CSUS, were scheduled to present on different panels but both in the first session.  So, I didn't get to see Troy's presentation.  But I saw Tim's and it was fabulous.  Of course it was.  I've gotten to know lots of talented students during my years at CSUS, but Tim tops them all.  His research is intricate and complex, and he brings such attention to detail to his analysis that it makes me just want to cry for my own.  And, to top it off, he's an excellent writer.  So, its no wonder that the only question asked after the presentations by the four members on his panel was directed to him.  While the three others gave interesting talks, Tim was best in show.

After a short break, it was on to another panel of four presenters, this one composed of all students from Fresno State.  While their presentations were very good, there were some of their professors in the room.  These erstwhile educators took the opportunity after the presentations to make pronouncements, ask questions, and give advice.  Ugh.  Not only was this dull as dirt, but it was lunchtime and those fools were keeping me from the chow line.  And you know that's not going to go over well with me.

Lunch was box sandwiches, which was fine.  The keynote speaker, though, was a little out of my league in terms of his topic. He was talking about the use of digital materials by historians, and how he teaches students about such things.  It wasn't about the technical aspect of utilizing digital resources--it was the theory behind it.  Damn, this guy was long on theory.  Tim and Steph, who had only gotten four hours of sleep last night due to last minute work on Tim's presentation, both looked glassy-eyed, and I'm fairly certain my face wore that look that says "Because I don't understand you, I am annoyed by you."

Oh, dear.  Then came the moment of truth.  With Steph, Tim, and Troy in the audience, I took my place on the panel entitled "The Impact of Media in American Culture."  Like the lunchtime keynote speaker, I was also "going digital" (not to be confused with going commando, which I was NOT doing).  I had not printed out a copy of my speech, using my brand-new iPad instead.  Concerned that I would need possible back up (like wearing both a belt and suspenders), I also had a copy on my phone and in my email.  So I was ready, as ready as I'd ever be.

I began my speech, entitled "Perpetuating the Myth: The Myth of the Lost Cause in the Films of the 1930s."  I haven't seen the video of my presentation yet (yes, there is video evidence thanks to Steph), but I felt like I stumbled a bit over my words in some places.  At one point, my newly acquired iPad determined to bring up the screen keyboard for no damn reason, throwing me off kilter for a few seconds, but I recovered and finished.

I wanted to run into the audience and just sit down and enjoy the fact that it was over.  But that's not how these things works.  I had to sit on the panel and listen to the two other presentations.  The gal that came after me was amazing, analyzing Courtney Love, Liz Phair, and the third-wave feminism in their music and performances. The next guy spoke on the role of the press in the early years of the Vietnam War.  Then it was opened to questions.  At first, nobody said anything.  But the moderator had some questions, and I was so happy when he addressed them to me.  You see, I had to cut so much out of my paper to fit a 15-minute presentation, that there was a lot I didn't get to say.  But when he asked me his questions, then another lady asked a question, and then the keynote speaker from lunchtime asked me a question--I got to spout off so much more knowledge.  Then I felt good.  I was speaking off the cuff on a subject I love, and it just doesn't get better than that.

With that, the conference was over.  A quick change of clothes, and it was off to The Dog House, apparently a Fresno hotspot as it was packed. Several beers and some onion rings, and I needed nothing more for my dinner.

In all, this was a very valuable experience.  The conference was small, it was all grad students, and it was a safe envinronment in which to learn how to do this sort of thing.  I know what to expect now, and I'll be able to apply lessons learned here when I present in Chico next month.

For now, its time for Eric Foner and some M&M's.  I'm sorry to say that I didn't have my date with Foner and his Reconstruction last night.  CONFESSION ALERT:  I watched Titanic instead.

Tomorrow I explore the Steinbeck Museum in Salinas, then its homeward bound.

Nighty-night....