I’m traveling to an academic conference this week for the ostensible purpose of presenting a scholarly paper on the subject of Important Literary-Sounding Words and Phrases as They Relate to Difficult Authors*, but the secret is this: I am getting to spend the weekend with my two BFFs from college, Clarabella, frequently mentioned here, and Mel, our very pregnant and usually very far-away friend, who is coming all the way from the wilds of the Pacific time zone to hang out with us, be all academic-like, and (though she does not yet know this) be the subject of many, many photographs in her (I’m sure) adorably pregnant state.
That was all one sentence, though not technically a run-on sentence, in case you were concerned. Told you I was a writing teacher.
So as you can imagine, I am gleeful with excitement about getting to see my two favorite girlfriends at the same time. It only happens about once a year, most recently in February of this year and, before that, in March of 2009. Aside from educating ourselves on erudite and complex topics, I hope we will get to spend plenty of time eating, drinking, chatting, relaxing, and so on. It doesn’t really matter to me where this conference is or what we may find to do there because I know I’ll be sure to have a good time with good company. We are the kind of friends who have been friends for so long we just snap right back together like Legos**, even after a long separation. You know what I mean? I’m thankful to have that.
On a more superficial level, I am also excited, I must admit, about the prospect of cooler weather. Highs are only supposed to be in the 60s! This means jackets, sweaters, and scarves will all be appropriate. Tights! I’ll be able to wear TIGHTS; can you imagine? I just bought a very cute pair of gray and black argyle tights in anticipation of this very trip. Argyle is quite a scholarly pattern, is it not? I think so.
Have a lovely rest of the week and weekend, friends! I will catch you on the flipside.
*Not my actual paper title.
**Also like Legos, it is hard to find all of the pieces you need at any one time, and it hurts like a bitch if you step on us in bare feet. Weird, right?
Raveling Out 
How fun to combine a little work and a bunch of girl time! I got to see a few of my favorite people on a work trip a little over a week ago, and man, it just made the entire trip glow.
I am so excited, aiiyyyeeee!
Also, I am looking forward to reading my paper “‘Oscure quotation’: Using non-literary social philosophy to interpret a female character from a complicated author’s novel”*!
I too am wearing tights this week in conference-land. And scarves! And a jacket! Wow, it’s like we’re going to the same place…oh, wait…
(*also not the actual title of my paper)
Drive safe tomorrow! I have SO much to do!
Ooh, have a lovely trip! I’m jealous of your cooler temps–I feel the same pain here in the land of Forever Summer. I wore out my sandals this year. And yes, Lego friends are the best. That’s a great description.