A WLA Conference Report

Today was a very interesting day at the Western Literature Association conference—both for the good and the not so good.

I took a walk in the glorious autumn sunshine late this morning, wandering into shops and up and down streets full of people. It was such fun! I can’t remember the last time I traveled alone—probably because I never have—but there is a lovely freedom in doing what you want to do, and not worrying about whether your companion can handle one more bookstore or is ready for lunch yet. My husband, who is my usual travel partner, is wonderful and we tend to like many of the same things. We’ve been so blessed to be able to travel all over the world, and he’s wandered museums and cathedrals and paths leading to waterfalls with me. But he can only handle so many bookstores… so believe me, he’ll be glad he stayed home this time around!

Anyway I went to two great sessions this afternoon—the first on teaching climate change, and the second on eco-critical readings. Both sessions were really well attended—as in, packed to the doors with people sitting on the floor (good thing the fire marshall didn’t make a surprise inspection; the Empress would have failed miserably!) The leader of the workshop was full of great information, and many of the people in the room have taught environmental lit courses and had all sorts of recommendations for both fiction and non-fiction to use in a literature class based around environmental issues. If I ever get a chance to teach, I have a long list of books to use for an environmentally-themed course (and I think that would be so cool!)

One thing, though, did leave a very bad taste in my mouth—well, maybe two things.

The first was a few very snooty comments about Americans and climate change denial. A few people objected and she backed down (this was from a person in the audience, not the speaker), and the second was an elitist academic prig (!) who kept going on about “Jane and Joe Six-pack”—as in anyone who wasn’t educated to “his level” so didn’t hold to his opinions.  Sorry, but the guy's attitude just really bugged me! Now, I have had the pleasure of hanging around academics for the last five and a half years now, and I am thankful to say that before today I have never before run into anyone like him—and I hope I never do again. Most of the professors and scholars I’ve met are lovely human beings who just happen to care passionately about things that the rest of the world is probably not particularly interested in—but they would never look down their noses at someone who hadn’t  gained an advanced degree.  Anyway, it kind of ruined the rest of the presentation for me. Luckily, both of the party-poopers skipped out on the eco-poetry readings, so that was totally enjoyable.

Ok, rant over!

(At the poetry reading, I ran into a woman who was at my reading yesterday and told me again how much she loved it. She  was full of questions about my book project, so of course that made my day—all over again!)

Tomorrow there are two more morning sessions and they promise to be great. Then I have the afternoon to wander the city before boarding the Victoria Clipper to head back home. Monday morning, I’ll be settling in for the last few weeks of my quarter—and whatever lies ahead!

Can't wait!