UNWORDY

I could have chosen a number of other titles for this post: “The End of the Conference“, “Being Tired and Having Grading To Do“, but… but the fact of the matter is, I was leaving Chicago this morning at the end of a three-day conference, and this is what will stick with me.

My hotel was right in front of THE park, i.e., the park where Obama will be appearing tonight and where they are waiting for what could be up to a million people (or so they say). Streets had been closed since yesterday and, afraid that I never would be able to get out of town, I took my cab at six in the morning to get to the airport.

I wish I could have stayed, though: the excitement was palpable everywhere.

I had never been to Chicago and, except for its mad drivers, I must say I enjoyed it. In fact, my taxi driver from the hotel to the airport drove so fast that, for a brief moment — all the while trying not to have a heart attack from the fright — I considered that it would be faster that he drive me all the way back to Canada rather than take the plane. Hehe.

I do not really know what happened, over these three days. Just your usual academic conference, I guess: great papers, nice people, and, of course… way too much booze.

My head is still spinning from the numerous conversations, some clear-headed, some delirious, and once again, I can’t help but feel extremely lucky to be doing what I do.

Here’s to leaving Chicago!

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* Next-day edit: I went to sleep too early to see Obama’s speech last night, but now that I’ve seen it, I have only one thing to say: Whoa! Congratulations, America.