I’m at a conference in Denver. I had dinner, alone (liberation!), at an okay Thai place. Two-for-one drinks, but the food was just meh.
I’ve had a headache since I got here, possibly from the altitude, possibly from anxiety, possibly from the cab driver who not only charged me fare for three passengers (long story… $122.40), but also dropped me off at the WRONG HOTEL.
I remember now that I hate conferences. I remember now that I can’t stand people who think they’re very important. I remember now that there are A LOT of very self-important people at conferences.
The whole idea is stupid. I mean, 10 years ago, when I went to these conferences as a graduate student, people collected papers. You’d go listen to a paper presentation, and then you’d go pick up the paper that went with it. It was almost a game, like collecting baseball cards. But now… who wants a freaking stack of papers?! Email it to me, please, and I *might* read it. It’s just arcane. And at a conference that focuses in part on new technologies…
That said, there are some REALLY smart people here. I live and work with some really smart people, but I don’t ever really engage with them in the way that one does at a conference like this. It’s nice. It makes me want to be better.
I don’t feel like I’ve ever really done anything well or deeply. I have such broad interests – I realize when I come to a conference like this – that I don’t ever become expert at anything. It’s taken me a long time to be okay with that. I’m almost 34 years old, and I’m finally okay with myself.
I know this is scattered… I had two beers, people. What do you want from me?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Can I move in next door to you?
Yes, please. And would appreciate it if you’d oust the left neighbor, not the right. The left guy is a douchebag. Pleaseandthankyou!
You know, I something consider this idea of doing one thing well – one thing really deeply, and it requires something that I’m not willing to give: the time and focus to that one thing, at the expense and sacrifice of others. So really, I’m okay with doing a few things okay, a few things pretty well, if it means that I’m a more well-rounded.
This weirdly in-depth thought brought to you by a very sleepy me.
I’m like that too – there are just too many things I want to do. It took me a long time to be ok with that.