Chicago was a really good time. First of all, the M/MLA conference was a pretty good experience--at least, there were more people there at the poetry panel than in Indianapolis. It was kind of intimidating. I read with two other poets, and they were both professors at their respective colleges and they both had books out (and they both were kind of old; well, one was for sure). Dan told me that later he overhead the moderator of the panel say that she had to reject 45 submissions for the poetry panel. I guess that made me feel just a little bit good inside (without getting too full of myself, of course). I'm not sure if I was the token grad student on the panel, or if I was actually there on my own merit.
Aside from the conference, Chicago was fun! This was the first time I'd been back since I moved away from there about 2 1/2 years ago. I took Josh with me, and it was kind of special to get to show him where I used to live and other places I used to haunt. We tried to find my beloved Ethiopian restaurant on Friday night, but it disappeared! I think the new cavernous Hawkeyes Cantina sucked it up. I was so disappointed. Then it started pouring rain and we got soaked. We settled for another African restaurant and we were the only white people in there and scalded our tongues--so spicy! (we wanted to act tough so we tried not to show everyone else in the restaurant that we were dying from the spiciness). In the meantime, we had to sit in our soaking wet clothes for 4 hours. I think the wet shoes were the worst part.
On Saturday we did a lot of walking around, ate some grrrreat Grrrreek food--delicious! More walking, and then we met up with Grant, Kristin, Joel, and Jen and went to a fabulous Indian restaurant. After that to the bar the Map Room to enjoy some good beer (I had the Rasputin--I demolished that thing!).
The weekend was way too short, and it was kind of hard to get back here to Vermillion. Back to class and teaching--lots to do yet before the semester is over. So tired. Time for bed.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
fun days in the Windy City
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3 comments:
Trust me, you were there on your own merit. I'm so proud of you my friend....someday I want to come to a reading of yours. That way I can get you to sign your BOOK for me!
:)
M
sarah and tired are but one word.
this vexes me.
How awful to hear that the fine Ethiopian place has gone missing. Such nice food.
Say, you aren't scheduled to participate in any poetry readings at the world-renowned Vermillion, SD anytime soon are you? I would like to hear you while I can still afford to!
My project deadline got moved back recently, which means I may actually have time to communicate with you before Christmas. :) Yes, I know, what a luxury.
Heidi
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