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Name Dropping = Braggin

Chris Crutcher
I adore him!
Let's be honest people.  I had the best convention day ever.  My morning started bright and early with a 7am ALAN breakfast with Chris Crutcher.  When I returned from getting coffee (more), he was leaving the conference room.  I stopped him and thanked him for letting me laugh, cry, and listen to the F word all before 9:00... love this guy.  Next, I listened to a session on Hip Hop and LA which was amazing.  This was followed by a great connected learning session.

Since my morning was going splendid, I went to the Hilton restaurant as I had for the last two days to enjoy a cup of wild rice soup and recharge my devices.  Jim Burke was sitting at the table next to me.  He had posted an article by Ta-Nehisi Coates earlier in the day.  I waited for him to finish eating and look like he was getting ready to leave, then stopped to tell him that he had cost me money over the years from his books to today's need to buy another Coates novel.  We actually became involved in a conversation, and I was trying to seem like he was any other person talking to me about authors, etc.

As I went back to my table to pack up to leave for the afternoon sessions three ladies approached to see if they could have my table.  When I realized Ralph Fletcher was with them, I acknowledged that of course I would give up my table.   On my way out, I told Mr. Fletcher that I loved listening to him because he always made me laugh and feel good about life.  His response was giving me a hug.

My afternoon sessions were equally amazing, and  I was once again in the presence of Ernest Morrell.  Instead of going to the last session, I decided to go to the Newsroom and have a beer before my dinner with Pearson.  At the bar, I conversed with some other English teaching folks and felt at home.
Kelly Gallagher
I adore him too.
To end the evening, I realized the Pearson dinner not only came with a very short talk about their new textbook, but it also came with free adult beverages and more wonderful English folks. My main reason for going was Kelly Gallagher.  I actually was able to talk to Mr. Gallagher a couple of times.  Plus, I was introduced and conversed with Freddie Hiebert.  She actually lives in Santa Cruz.  When I told her my brother was working on his PhD at UC Santa Cruz, she told me to look her up when I was in town and even described where she lived. Although Pearson was obviously selling their new text book, they were not pushy.  Plus, when I shared my distrust of Pearson, testing, etc.  Mr. Gallagher said what Pearson does with testing is "bullshit," but the testing and textbook people are two separate entities.

Have I mentioned I had real conversations with some big time people?  Today may have been the best convention day ever which is great because except for my last session, yesterday sucked.
#bestconventiondayever  #talkingtothebestineducation #namedropping

Comments

LH said…
Having some jealousy issues because of this post.

Not going to lie.
2:24 PM
kc said…
That's really cool, mm. I can't wait to hear more about it on Friday morning!!
7:53 PM
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