I'm one of those over preparers. You know, the ones that have the husband asking if the kitchen sink is tied to the roof of the van. I made my lists and checked it not twice but three times. There were enough clothes to last eight days instead of four. Extra shoes and flip-flops rested on the pocket of my suitcase. Notebooks and folders filled my laptop bag.
What I didn't count on was the empty slate of a dorm. It was sixth grade camp all over again. I even had to climb over bed rails to get in my bed. There wasn't even an old bar of soap to wash my hands with. You can imagine how upset I was that me, the one ready for anything in a moment's notice, hadn't considered there'd be no hand soap.
Later that day at dinner, I met some fabulous people and I realized I hadn't considered bringing business cards. It was a loss of opportunity to network with other writers. While I passed their cards down the line at the table, I had nothing to give with my personal information. One more thing forgotten.
On the second day it poured. And I mean poured. Before I left, everything in my mind was a sunny picture of perfection. I hadn't counted on rain: i.e. no umbrella. The cafeteria was on one end and the chapel and classrooms were on the other. I was ready to pull my hair out and weep like one of the best paid Jewish mourners there was. What was I to do with my laptop bag and my papers? What about my hair and outfit? I had three appointments that day. Yet another item never considered.
It's the small things that get you in the end. I learned a lot in those four days. Conferences can be in all kinds of settings: hotels, camps, colleges. It could rain or be sunny, hot or cold. If you're on your way to a conference, here's a quick list of extra things to consider bringing:
- Hand soap
- Towels/hand towels/wash cloths
- Umbrella
- An extra pillow/blanket
- Extra notebooks and folders to help organize papers
- A rainproof bag for important papers
- Comfortable shoes if you'll be traversing a long walk throughout the day
- A bag on wheels. You'd be surprised how many things you'll want to carry along from workshop to workshop, and they can get very heavy.
- Business cards
- An extension cord in case you want to take notes with your laptop and there's no close plug
- A sweater for fluctuating temperatures
- Your manuscript and proposal on a flash drive in case you need to print more copies
No comments:
Post a Comment