August 5, 2004

ALA Orlando Redux

As per my promise, I belatedly give you my random thoughts and conclusions about the 2004 ALA Conference:


  • We as a profession do not look good in sleeveless tops. However, we do look fabulous in full wool suits, complete with bowtie and briefcase, walking a mile in 93° heat. Insane, but fabulous.

  • It's also pretty obvious that we also eschew thongs as an undergarment.
  • Disturbing vendor trend: The prevelance of grandma-like candy in way too many booths, leading to the unnerving site of librarians sporting blue stripes on their tongues.
  • So what happened to Checkpoint Elvis???

  • Sign of a newbie vendor: the panicky look in the eyes of a manga rep when the realization hit that he was out of complimentary tote-bags while librarians circled about him, trolling for gift chum.

  • Thanks to Library Journal for picking my sister's entry for a $250 gift certificate for her library, though other than me, she has absolutely no affiliation with any library whatsoever. After spending hours trying to convince LJ that Sephora is a big supporter of libraries, she reluctantly agreed to donate the gift to my library (after four giant Long Island iced teas, of course....)

Highpoint of the Conference: the graciousness of the librarians from Faulkner University

Most Awkward Moment: Introducing myself to Walt Crawford. He looked bewildered. Or annoyed. Or quite possibly both.

Wettest Moment: Watching rainwater flood through the french doors during the Simon & Schuster reception at the Peabody.

Second Wettest Moment: Stepping ankle-deep in rainwater whilst dashing to the rental car after escaping the fiasco that was the aforementioned reception.

Evidence the Conference was an Ordeal: My continually fighting the urge to jump off the shuttle bus and run off to a nice, air-conditioned theater to see White Chicks

Librarians as Outlaws Dept: A librarian arrested for being a wanted Black Panther--now that's more like it, folks!

Posted by absherl at August 5, 2004 12:42 PM | TrackBack
Comments

I wasn't annoyed, maybe bewildered: I didn't weather Orlando well. A pleasure to meet you, even if I was behaving like a tired middle-aged jerk at the time.

The usual Elvis was there, as usual. Doing the usual corporate lyrics. You must have missed the very frequent mini-concerts.

Posted by: Walt Crawford at August 5, 2004 3:48 PM

Eeek--I didn't mean to make it sound that you were the bad guy! At the time I just really felt I was imposing upon you, which I seem to make a habit of these days. I tend to do the open-mouth-and-insert-foot thing quite a bit.

LInda

Posted by: The LL-- at August 5, 2004 3:55 PM

Middle-aged???? I've seen you, Walt! ... oh wait, this is Linda's blog ...

Posted by: kgs at August 5, 2004 4:32 PM

The "eschew thongs as an undergarment" link reminded me of one of my favorite summer tunes by the Four Bitchin' Babes: "L.A.F.F. (Ladies Against Fanny Floss)"

Posted by: Anna at August 5, 2004 6:31 PM
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