I'm not finished the paper yet, but I can still post this

[rymenhild]

If you're coming to Kalamazoo and would like to meet up with me there, leave your e-mail address (and whatever other contact information you'd like to share) here. Presuming I know who you are and don't secretly think you're terrifying, I'll get back to you, either today or some time in the next few days, with my real name and cell phone number.

Assuming I've dealt with the post settings properly, this post is public and all comments are screened.

Comments

[arcana-mundi.livejournal.com]

I wish I was going to K'zoo so I could reply in the affirmative and find out whether you secretly think I'm terrifying!

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

How can I be terrified of someone who posts fantastic pictures of sheepfarmers at auction?

Maybe we'll meet another year instead...

[arcana-mundi.livejournal.com]

Another year, yes!

Though I must say that I find the idea of Kalamazoo scary. From the way it gets described on LJ and facebook it sounds like a mash-up of a sci-fi con, a ren faire, a BDSM fashion show, and not much academicky wise.

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

It's an uneven conference. The good panels can be very, very good, but the lousy panels can be ridiculous. I like the mix of Famous Professors, Random Weirdo Fans, and everyone in between, I like the fabulous book rooms, I like bonding with serious scholars over mead samples, and I even enjoy the deeply bizarre annual dance.

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

Which is to say: you're not precisely wrong, but I rather think of Kalamazoo's wild range of opportunities and discussions as a feature instead of a bug.

[arcana-mundi.livejournal.com]

That's a great way of looking at it. I think I'm just not at a place in my life where I'd be comfortable trying to function professionally within the con/ren faire/SCA people/BDSM fashion show/sexcapades context - I'm actually pretty introverted in person and it sounds awful to me because of the whole "medievalists gone wild" ethos/rep etc. - I don't want to go wild at a professional conference! I don't want to see people whose work I respect dancing down the hallway with socks on their penises! I don't want crazy SCA Wiccans showing up to my panel and arguing that William's idea of natural magic "Isn't how it really works, you know!" I'm too fragile for all that! Just sounds exhausting. :-) Hee.

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

I don't want to see people whose work I respect dancing down the hallway with socks on their penises!

I am deeply glad to say that I have never seen this phenomenon. The bit about the crazy Wiccans is, alas, more likely.

[ferrousoxide.livejournal.com]

It's not quite that crazy, but it's true that the influx of "independent scholars" can be a bit off-putting; they're a nutty bunch. Generally, 'Zoo is actually more like a class reunion if you loved the members of your class, with hard-core academic thought during the day (provided you choose the panels you attend carefully), and optional partying in the evening, for those inclined.

It's actually quite amusing to see famous and respected medieval Professors a bit tipsy and dancing their butts off. ;) So far, i haven't seen any actual disturbing debauchery, but i've heard the rumours too.

[rachel2205.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... I've been to the Zoo twice, and whilst it definitely IS a zoo, it's not as far-out as you might think! Sure, some people dress... interestingly, and there's a good number of socks-and-sandals panels, but I've found it pretty easy both times to avoid the stuff I'm not interested in. I've seen some great panels both times, met a lot of interesting people, had lots of free awful wine... It's fun :)

[a-d-medievalist.livejournal.com]

Wish I'd seen this before -- don't suppose you were at the blogger meet-up, were you?

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

I showed up late and ended up spending all that was left of the meetup talking to ajodasso, lifegivingsword and a non-blogging (as far as I know) colleague. Then I spilled coffee all over myself and fled ignominiously! Alas. Hi there, by the way -- I've seen you around medievalstudies and other medieval neighborhoods on LJ, but I don't know if we've ever talked before today.