ELUNA

Our systems position is open at the moment. We are in the process of accepting applications and deciding who to interview, but there is no one from the library qualified to do this work. We are sliding along on a prayer. Still, we have a contract with a vendor to transfer our server to an off site hosted environment, and somebody needs to get a handle on the process.

I appear to be the logical candidate to attend the techie conference and try to figure out what is going on and what direction we ought to be heading. So I volunteered since I am as curious as the next person (and there really was no one else who could go). OK. I haven't traveled much since my treatments, and my energy levels, though not terrible, are not back to where I would like to see them be. But I will do the best I can to get onboard with the tech stuff.

This year the conference is in Milwaukee, not far from my Concordia stomping grounds. At least it is familiar territory. My flight out was uneventful and smooth, and the hotel is amazing! The room is a refuge with all the comforts and then some. I definitely feel out of my element as far as the program is concerned, but everyone I have met has been very friendly. Perhaps this will not be as foreign as I feared.

I arrive in plenty of time for the opening reception which is at the Milwaukee Public Museum where we have the entire first floor to explore. All along the various areas there are food stations offering delectable items that Milwaukee is well known for - German repasts of sausages and sauerkraut, beer, breads, cheeses (of course!) and various yummy mouth watering foods. We wander along early American streets, gazing in the shop windows of pioneer type pharmacies, toy stores, homes and other displays as we munch ourselves happy.

Even in the dinosaur display there are local root beers and ginger beers to sample as well as frozen custards to try. The best room was the butterfly room filled with fluttering creatures of all sorts flitting from tree to bush to clothing. You have to exit into an anteroom and check yourself in the mirror from all angles to make sure you don't take any critters out with you.

I eavesdrop on conversations about what is new or challenging at various libraries as old friends catch up with each other. I have made a number of new acquaintances including a couple from New Zealand and a gentleman from Africa. I am beginning to get a sense of the unusual constituency of this particular organization.

It promises to be an amazing conference. I just could be glad I came.