Late, it's snowing already. What happened to the accuracy of weather forecasts? Tina gets her wish for snow-covered trees and landscape.

Bounce into the first lecture, J.B. on profiles. Great, has content, is excellent, ran over, but no one left. Sat next to gorgeous guy from USA Today, wearing wonderful snake-? alligator-? skin cowboy boots with well-worn soles. The left one has a round, worn spot on the sole-leather, and the upper is coming away from the sole. It occurs to me later that he wears these not only because they're comfortable, but because they're great conversation starters. I see him sitting in another lecture later, next to a chair with revolving women. Each one comments on his boots. He is by the door, and evalutes each female ass as it walks by him. I'm heartened to see him sitting next to thin, but intellectual-and-clearly-older-than-teen-looking woman for much of the conference. In J.B.'s lecture, he spends much of the time looking at who's standing at the door, which has him seeming to stare right at my jawline. He's left-handed.

Next lecture period, the one I wish to attend is moved to another time, another is full, so I spend the time roaming the Hyatt hallways. Many memories there, ghosts of who we were 9 years ago. So different now.

Then lunch. Entree: yummy Turkey sandwich, with Lay's, condiments in tiny plastic packages, some candy, and a green apple, non-organic, no doubt, served in the bed of an Attractive White Paper Sack. These bags must be put out by companies for conferences because I've been to two now and, oddly enough, have seen the exact same Attractive White Paper Sacks at both.

Met college student from U. Mass. Amherst, where the conf. is required part of journalism class. I like that. I've seen NO ONE from my Harvard environs here.

Met Elaine, artist and writer from the Cape, former writer for Down Beat magazine, really into jazz. Biggest mistake of conference - no business cards to hand out. Must get some new ones made next week.

Anyway, after lunch readings very good, still more disease and disaster, though Tom French was very funny. "7th grade fame." I remember this, as was in rock band, myself. Must mine past for stories like this. Will try to get to his class. Other readings good, too. Gorney's, particularly, about her mother, dying of alcoholism. Must find this one.

Keynote by Nick Lemann. Much to say about him later.

Barry Newman downer remark about not being able to teach narrative journalism. I disagree privately, decide if he thinks narrative journalism cannot be taught it's because HE cannot teach it, and leave that lecture.

Next lecture - I begin in travel writer's room, but move to Gorney's. Her reading was fabulous earlier, and she's in education at Berkeley, so I decide she'll have something to say. Great lecture about an article from start to finish. WIsh I'd started there, as she'd given excellent handout with interesting look at her query, among other things.

Then to Kramer's, as I have decided that while names may be interesting, people who teach will tell me more, and in a more organized, useful way. Kramer was good - very soft spoken, idiosyncratic way of looking at things, amazing he could still lecture after having done so much of the last two days, PLUS having organized the entire conf. as well. Student volunteers must be doing most of the work.

This is end of day. People ping off each other in the hallways like atoms and quarks, rushing down various tunnels to next classes. Alliances are met, made and disolved quickly, each moving on to perceived greener pastures, and the next "networking opportunity." Will need to be more prepared for this next year. Have met many interesting women, but not a single man has spoken to me outside the college student. Is this the way of journalists, like racquetball players and rock stars? They don't want to chat up females from their ranks - maybe they know we know their tricks, and we're not properly awed - or is it something about me?

Did have a few interesting eye "conversations" with USA Today guy. But he's married, and therefore off limits, especially if he's cruising in conference shark mode.


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© 2003 m. lucas