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[watermarkup]

Just another note from a sad medievalist who won't be there this year. It's probably for the best, as I'll be in the middle of moving, but I even have a just-right project that would have been perfect for a paper (except I didn't know that last September). Next year, maybe. Y'all have fun!

[mystictechgal]

Hope no one will mind a non-professional non-medievalist tagging along for lunch.  Dellaroux has been keeping me posted.  I've an interest, but no money for conference attendance, so I won't be able to make any of your talks (which saddens me--based on the titles I think I'd be very interested in some of them). 

Day trip for me; even if I brought a sleeping bag and someone offered their room floor I have to sing for baccalaureate mass on Saturday morning, so I'm glad that Friday lunch is what is planned.  Other than Dellaroux, with whom I've been in contact IRL, I don't know any of you other than through your persona on the board.  But, I'm looking forward to meeting you all (and finally getting to meet Dellaroux in person).  Hope that's okay with the rest of you.  I've no wish to be a party crasher, even if I've been invited.

(I can always tell you the story of swan infidelity that was documented in Stratford, ON.  It made the papers.  Evidently, they get divorces on occasion, too.) 

[dellaroux]

Watermarkup, hope your moving goes as smoothly as possible, and be sure to submit that abstract next year! We'll miss you.

MTG, I have wondered about the legendary swan-mating-for-life thing since there are (and have been for a bit now) three of them on a nearby pond...never a fourth, as I'd expected.

Do they do triangles, too?

Love to see the link...!

I think it's also been clear, but just to re-iterate, the pond we're meeting at is the one near the Valley Dorms, and people are bringing their own lunches, so brown-bag, store-or-cafeteria-bought, whatever, is fine. We'll be at the gazebo....if someone wants to point out exactly what side of the pond that's on (Parking lot side or the far side?) that might save a few people a few steps.

I'm not seeing it on the map to localize for sure...just don't want to lead anyone astray!

[malcha]

I'm pretty sure it is far side (away from valley dorms) rather than parking side.

Then again, if my apartment had more than one room, I'd be capable of getting lost in it.

[lenniel]

If it makes sense, we could congregate somewhere and head to the pond together, though evil swans and a gazebo seem to be memorable landmarks.  Since I can also get lost finding my own house (and have done), don't be shocked if I am late due to getting turned around. 

You are most welcome, mystictechgal, and I'm sure if you just ask all of us a few subtle leading questions like "what is your paper about?" you'll get the full monty for free.  Since I generally assume my research is extremely dull to everyone, I am always pleasantly surprised when someone is actually interested.  If you find you need to crash out, you are welcome to stay with me in the dorm.

[mended_drum]

It's on the far side, but you can see it from the parking lot.  Now quit distracting me.  I have thirty papers to finish grading before I can go back and finish my talk.

[dellaroux]

I'd be fine with meeting up together before going over there as well; Lenniel, if you have a spot in mind that would make good sense.

I'm also with mended_drum a bit; it's time for a few nose-to-grindstone measures...

So--I'm going to keep in touch with/reading this thread and a couple others, and will answer any PMs that arrive, but will probably do a forum.fast for the next week or so, otherwise, so that the paper will really be ready to give when it's supposed to be!


 

[merce]

For me the gazebo is probably the easiest thing to find. I always get the darned Valleys confused.

So it is the gazebo next to the pond with the geese?
The one where they have a bonfire after the dance and people (the Irish esp.) sing and some folks play instruments to accompany, right?
Right before the trail going up the hill to Fetzer and further left the sidewalk to Sangren?

[dellaroux]

OK, it's drill-down research time...us medievalists oughta be good at this...so let's see...

There's an online student article here:

   http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2010/04/091.shtml

that defines the gazebo as being in Goldsmith (that's Goldsworth, actually) Valley, and the interactive map here:

   http://maps.pp.wmich.edu/interactive/index.html

...shows the pond near the Goldsworth apts , just west of two parking lots numbered as 77 and 89 on the map, and just south of Item no 60, which turns out to be a parking lot at the intersection of Rankin Ave and Pond Drive West.

The bridge would appear to be closest to the parking lot no. 60, there's a path leading across Rankin to the pond from that building and after crossing the bridge over said pond, the path continues past something that one the graphic map is a small circular shape....

and...yes.

The satellite view shows a small, octagonal roof.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that it is the famed gazebo....and the bridge is the one NOT to feed the swans or the koi from!

Hope that's useful...see you there at noon on Friday the 14th!

(OK, back to getting my MS picture files in order....)

[lenniel]

If there is only one gazebo, I think those of us who are direction impaired will be fine.  I plan to watch for the people I recognize and/or folks fleeing in terror from the swans. 

For me the gazebo is probably the easiest thing to find. I always get the darned Valleys confused.

So it is the gazebo next to the pond with the geese?
The one where they have a bonfire after the dance and people (the Irish esp.) sing and some folks play instruments to accompany, right?
Right before the trail going up the hill to Fetzer and further left the sidewalk to Sangren?

Hold up - we can bring instruments???  That adds a whole new wrinkle to my packing.  I was going to try to beg a lesson from Shira Kammen but laughed that off.  I plan to worship her from afar at the concert Friday night.

[dellaroux]

I know, I saw that, too.

But even though I'm going on the train, I don't think I want to tote my accordion...

[dellaroux]

Bump--It's not clear what the date for this event will be, probably after the conference, but K'zoo certainly books in some interesting discursive company ...

   http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/05/obama-to-give-high-school-commencement-in-kalamazoo-mich/1

[merce]

Wowzers!

We'll probably miss Prom this year (which is sad since I love seeing all the cute kids all dolled up at the Black Swann-- which is closed now anyway I guess) and we'll be too early for this I bet. Darn. The dance will be our only superstar and glam event.

Bump--It's not clear what the date for this event will be, probably after the conference, but K'zoo certainly books in some interesting discursive company ...

   http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/05/obama-to-give-high-school-commencement-in-kalamazoo-mich/1

[dellaroux]

Yeah, and I have to decide soon what to wear to the dance.

My 15th c. dark green Flemish gown is a bit large, with the cloth-of-gold lined full train, to fit in my luggage, so it might have to be the black-and-red 15th c. Italian, which is easier to pack because all the sleeve parts are laced pieces...

Or I could go a bit earlier, but the 13th c. French cothardie and sideless gown are about as heavy, taken together, as the Flemish one, so that's not much help....and they're both green, too, so the color difference doesn't help me decide, either...

What are you guys doing?

[lenniel]

Oh GOD.  We have to DRESS for the dance?  I was hoping for t-shirt and sneakers, which is my usual formal attire.  

Great.  I'll have to see if I can find my jalabiyyah or borrow an abaya.  With sneakers.