As one of the three winners of ALA's 3M/NMRT Professional  Development Grants, I've been asked to keep a daily log. Well, why not keep it as a blog so that friends and others who cannot attend this year's ALA conference can experience it virtually?

As a newly graduated University of Tennessee M.S. attending my first-ever ALA conference, my tendency will be to gobble up waaaay more than I can digest: workshops, lectures, socials...and meals. Of course, you'll have to experience the conference through my lens. I'm partial to information literacy and anything that has an "e-" attached to it: e-resources, digital libraries...

My Candide-like adventure through the conference could be amusing, since I'm sure I'm going to stumble and bumble my way through the enormous maze that is both ALA and Chicago's McCormick Place. At this point, a disclaimer: all views are mine, not those of 3M or NMRT. That way, I won't embarrass them by asking, "Who's Barack Obama?"

Of course I know who Obama is. Don't I know a friend whose son might promise his firstborn in order to secure a job as an Obama L.A. Legislative assistant: yep, I've worked on Capitol Hill and been around the block a few times...that one and enough others so I layer my soles with Vibram, even my Manolo Blahnik's.   

Blahnik on a librarian's salary? Which raises a critical issue: the job. I'm also going to be job-hunting for librarian/infosci jobs in Californa, where family is. If you hear of any, let me know.

If I can squeeze it in, there's places I want to see in Chicago. I grew up in Chicago's south suburbs and think the city's incredibly dynamic, full of great theater, art, etc. Its big drawback: the freezer burn that is winter.

I haven't been back in a while, so I'm lusting to see the new-ish Museum of Contemporary Art  and the new gardens the Chicago Park District has created just north of Meigs Field, near Shedd Aquarium and not too far from McCormick Place. (Google Maps lets my mouse do the walking.)

What else? Last time I frequented them, Chicago had the best blues bars on the planet. Kingston Mines is one of the best. For "give yourself a treat" dining, my sister's family likes Red Light (pan-Asian) and its associated restaurants.

That's it for now. I'm not going to be too blabbly a blogger. Who has time?

Comments

[Rachel]

Manolo? Way to destroy the stereotype of the sensible shoe wearing librarian. Nancy Pearl as the librarian action figure? I say Michal Strutin should have one - Action Fashionista Librarian! Way to represent!

[Jon Gorman]

I'm another first time attendee and a bit overwhelmed too. But I thought if you were interested with anything e in the title you might be curious in something else: NextFest.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.06/nextfest.html?tw=wn_story_top5

Wired is presenting technology trends at Navy Pier.

Sorry to possibly add even more attractions to your schedule ;)

[marsha]

Michal! Great idea! Love the blog, love the pic of the new grandboy, and your picture is great too. Have fun in Chi town, hope you hear some good jazz. Let me know when you get back and we'll try to get together.
XOXOXO,
MAG