New Orleans

I went to New Orleans this past week/weekend for a conference, and the city totally surprised me. All the fanfare I'd heard about Mardi Gras and Bourbon street did not prepare me for what I encountered. Truly, New Orleans, at least the French Quarter, is like a different kind of America. It is not so much sinful or gluttonous; no-- it is just more free. People are thoroughly enjoying themselves by mid-afternoon, and it was really quite a new experience to see people so at ease. Granted, the alcohol didn't necessarily hurt the relaxation, but nonetheless, people walked with a lighter (albeit haphazard) step, and I liked it.

As far as the conference goes, it was my first conference presentation, so I was nervous to say the least. I prepared and prepared and practiced repeatedly before my presentation day came. And then it came. And as I was about 3 minutes into my paper, fire alarms went off. We had to evacuate. As soon as we got downstairs, we were told that it was a false alarm and we could return. So we got back. My time was already considerably reduced. I start reading again. Two minutes later, they go off again. Needless to say, it was not a smooth or exactly fun presentation. But, I laughed it off, summarized my paper as opposed to reading it completely, and in the end, I think I got my main ideas across. So while it wasn't the best first experience, at least all my future ones have to go smoother, aye?