Friday, November 10, 2023

Heading Home

I’m so glad that I’ll be going back home today. I’ve enjoyed this conference (except for the one session yesterday in which I found the woman incredibly insulting). I like getting together with people I don’t get to see often, meeting new people, making new connections, and visiting a place I’ve never been before. I enjoy learning new techniques and strategies to better do my job. Yet, I’m still ready to be home. 

I usually enjoy staying in hotel rooms, and while this one was mostly fine, I’ve stayed in better and more comfortable hotels. So, I’m ready to see Isabella, sleep in my own bed, and enjoy the comfort of my own home. It will be a long day today. I have sessions all morning, a luncheon to attend this afternoon, and a 3+ hour drive home. I’m sure I’ll be exhausted when I get home, but at least I’ll be home.

Now, I smell the bacon cooking downstairs. I can’t believe that on the 7th floor I can still smell the bacon cooking all the way up here, but then I have a very sensitive nose. That being said, I’m hungry, so I plan to shower and get ready for the day, then head down for breakfast.

12 comments:

VRCooper said...

Hope you made it back home in one piece.

Yes, being away from home and our comfortable surroundings can be less than ideal BUT it is nice to get out and explore, use our senses, meet new people, and gather new experiences. We will always have a home to settle into once we return home.

You buried the lead and they say. Why was the lady insulting? In my time I have experienced great and not-so-great public speakers. Some you can tell love the material they are representing and others need to find another line of work. As they say, they have been doing it too long. When I taught for the military and in public health I always kept in mind that my audience was experiencing what I was presenting for the very first time. So I went forth as it was new and bright for me as well even though I may have been lecturing on the subject forever. You try lecturing on some 32 subjects with various modalities and tell me how you feel after 2 years.

Have a great week. Relax and get ready for the next week for it will come soon enough. Things should be kind of quiet for the next few weeks as folks go into holiday mode.

Best of health.

Nikki said...

Haven't been on in awhile but just glad to see you're doing well!

Anonymous said...

Hey Joe, sounds like you've enjoyed the conference, hope you enjoyed Portland as well! I was there a few times and had a good time. For me, it's also special because one of my ancestors moved and died there.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Glad you had a good time. When I saw your headline, "Going home" I got ab empty feeling. I thought you meant Alabama and was dreading it. Was glad you actually meant your true home in Vermont and not your parents. LOL I think I'm beginning to obsess about your Christmas visit more than you. I really need to get a life. ROFLMAO 🤣

Anonymous said...

Sorry previous post about Alabama was from me. Forgot to attach name JimNS

Joe said...

VRCooper, there were numerous reasons that I found the speaker insulting and, quite honestly, offensive. She was talking about recruiting academics to do research for museums and was insulting to both academics and museum professionals.

First, she said she would never hire anyone who did not represent their research group. In other words, if they were hired to research a topic in women's history, then she would only hire women, African American history she'd only hire African Americans, etc. As someone who studied military history and women's history and not being a veteran or a woman, she would have completely discounted me. I would not have minded if she said she preferred someone who represented the people they were researching, but to be so, excuse the pun, black and white, about things.

Second, she said some of her museum colleagues asked why they would not be considered to do the research they were seeking, and she said that they did not know how to research correctly. I have had extensive training in research, and most people with advanced degrees are skilled researchers.

Third, she said she preferred to hire graduate students because they were desperate and could be paid significantly less. As someone who spent a lot of time in graduate school, I felt she was taking advantage of graduate students. Yes, I am sure they are desperate, but I think purposely paying them less than what they are worth is just insulting.

She said numerous other things that I found both insulting and offensive. She obviously does not realize that she refuses to give people a chance because of her own prejudices. What she says she is guarding against is what she is doing to the academics interested in doing the research she is seeking. I could go on for quite a while about what she said in her hour-long talk, but it just makes me angry to think about it.

And if you are wondering why I didn't just get up and leave, someone was sitting at my table who I did not want to think badly of me for leaving during a session, but when she left as the questions started, I got up and left shortly afterward.

Joe said...

Thanks, Nikki. It's always good to hear from you.

Joe said...

JimNS, there is no need to obsess about my Christmas visit to Alabama because I will not be going home for Christmas. My mother called the other day and said she could not pay for my plane ticket, and I cannot afford one alone. So, I am not going to Alabama for Christmas.

VRCooper said...

Thanks, Joe for the information.

I am surprised that she still has a job. It's all right to be crazy but sometimes one has to keep the cray to themselves.

This individual is doing so much harm.

That is like saying only physicians who have children can be in pediatrics. Or only women can be in obstetrics.

Is there somewhere where one can provide feedback to the speaker. You know how they do in college and the sort.

Prejudice and assumptions can be harmful things.

As I used to tell my employees, act on what you know for sure. Missey is so off the mark it's insulting.

Joe said...

VRCooper, every session had an evaluation form and it’s also available on the conference app.

JimNS said...

Joe I'm.sorry you don't have a better relationship with your family. It's a shame the don't see you who you are and honor you for that. That being said, I'm glad you're not going home for Christmas. You deserve to be with people you love and who love you. People in the gay community often make great families to augment or replace family of origin. Here's hoping your Chtistmas this year will.be better than it was last year..
Jim

Anonymous said...

Joe estas invitado a celebrar la Navidad conmigo en Oviedo, si aceptas.

Ángel