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April 17, 2006
National Popular Culture Association 2006 Recap (Discourse Chronicle)
[Here are a few highlights from my trip to Atlanta, GA:
Day 0 - April 11, 2006
I am convinced being a cab driver requires NO knowledge about city streets or locations.
A cab from the airport to the hotel costed $38.
I left copies of my paper and handouts I requested from my department behind in Texas.
Day 1 - April 12, 2006
A cab from the hotel to the conference costed $20
Many conference attendees were denied conference materials (PCA/ACA portfolio with notepad and pen along with nametag) unless proof of membership was provided. The organization did not share its most updated paid member list with the conference causing delays and long lines.
Day 2 - April 13, 2006
I attended my first panel in the Rhetoric and Composition area.
I heard many papers in the Comics area that may be of interest to my colleagues studying Neil Gaiman's Sandman or 9/11 and terrorism.
I discovered new potential Calls for Papers in peer-reviewed journals.
I learned about Atlanta's inexpensive mass-transit system Marta (Special Thanks to Jason Tondro and Nicole Freim).
Day 3 - April 14, 2006
Unfortunately, I had to miss a presentation by Mick White (a colleague in Creative Writing), but for a good cause. Each year I present at a conference, I find a Harley-Davidson dealership and bring home a T-shirt or tanktop for my Dad, which indicates where I am. Therefore, when my parents ride their Harley, it seems like my Dad has been to Honolulu, San Antonio, San Diego, and now Atlanta (which is true), but it is really me who has been to those places. I took two buses, one train, and walked a few miles outside of Atlanta's immediate area to track down this year's shirt. I found the bus drivers to be as helpful as cab drivers about stops and locations.
Day 4 - April 15, 2006
I experienced a surprisingly good turn-out for an early morning panel on the last day of a conference.
I promised future Superman papers for at least another three years.
I missed my flight from Houston to College Station because the flight leaving Atlanta experienced a mechanical delay. My compensation included one free night in a Wyndam Greenspoints hotel.
I believe this time at PCA is the best year yet. It always keeps getting better. BK]
Posted by kuechebj at April 17, 2006 09:17 AM
Comments
Kate, It was great seeing you and Gene again! I hope my notes for the Lynda Berry paper in the Rhetoric and Composition area made sense.
I totally understand about missing my early morning paper. I actually ran out of handouts, but I promised Gene I would email him one. The paper itself is being published this summer at a journal on my undergrad campus, so I will also send along that information once it is available.
Posted by: Bobby Kuechenmeister at April 17, 2006 12:45 PM
Hey Bobby --
Good to see you at PCA even if I had to miss your paper (oh those early mornings! can you believe the area chair meeting is at 7am on Saturday?!).
Posted by: Kate at April 17, 2006 12:10 PM