I’m at the 55th Annual Society for Technical Communication Summit here in Philadelphia. I’ve been attending since 2002–it’s my annual working vacation. :) But I wonder if I should stop coming to these conferences… During 4 of the last 6 conferences, my team at work has been reorganized. It’s a real pain (and slightly unnerving) when that happens and you’re traveling! 
So far it’s been a good conference. I’m on the program committee this year, so I’ve missed a couple of sessions I really wanted to attend. The wonderful thing about STC, though, is that most folks are happy to share their materials and discuss the topic outside of the conference. And I purposely am trying for a laid back schedule this year. For the last 6 conferences I attended almost all of the lunches and banquets. This year it’s nada.
That’s been nice because I ran into the contingent of students from my alma mater, New Mexico Tech. It’s been fun to hang out with them. I tried to impart some wisdom and help them decide which sessions to attend. Tried to point them to some of the events they should definitely attend. And then last night they treated me to dinner. Nice kids! Sheesh, I say “kids” like I’m some old geezer. Though I think they might suspect that!
We’re in downtown Philly, and being in downtown areas always seems like a new experience. I’m a suburban dweller so the noise and people are novel each time I encounter it. And my hotel is across the street from the Reading Terminal Market. Talk about a new experience! It’s like a Texas farmer’s market on steroids. I ate my lunch at a counter. At a counter! *squee* And sat next to a rather talkative fella from Philly, who when he found out I was attending a conference responded with, “Yeah, most of yous ah.” (ah = are, in case you need the translation) 
The conference is over tomorrow. I’ve got tickets to go to a Phillies game tomorrow night, and plan on doing the hop-on-hop-off bus tour on Thursday. So for now, a few quick pictures of the area. If you’re interested, pop on over to the conference stream on Twemes.
The opening session stage:
Welcoming STC to Philly:
Funky esclator in the convention center (yes, those are oriental soup bowls and spoons):
My hotel is in a historic building:
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