Alhamdulillah. I feel lucky.
Yesterday and today was the conference in Sheraton Phoenix. A small meeting of American Clinical MEG Society. Once I entered the hall, it was obvious that I am the youngest! I felt a bit worried about my talk the next day and what if they all know more than I do! Since I didn’t actually prepare my talk yet, I used the first day to observe the amount of knowledge around so that I can adapt my talk. Probably this is one reason I always prepare my talk in the very last minute.
After the talks in the first day, I walked around a bit and went to the public library to think a bit about my talk. The library is an impressive modern building with a lot of students and homeless people inside! The US in general is full of homeless people. People who lost everything because of medical bills or losing their jobs.
This place is also full of hispanics. It is often that they speak to me in Spanish or simply nod in the street. Not really sure if this is simple kindness or if they think that I am one of their own! My host gave me a copy of his house key which would win the first prize for the best key I have ever seen! It has the style of “day of the dead” or “Dia de los Muertos” which is a traditional day in Mexico where they celebrate their lost loved ones. You remember the last James Bond movie?
It was a tough evening. I tried to stay awake and prepare my talk but my jetlag was stronger. I slept around 11 and woke up around 5 am since I had no other chance. I had to get this done! For some reason, I like to put a lot of animations in my powerpoint. Some people consider this unprofessional or not scientific enough. I think it is cool and I am visual anyway. I think it is better to have a cool talk with less info but with something that people can remember than having a presentation full of knowledge that people forget soon.
My talk seemed to be a success. In the break, many scientists came to meet me and offer me their business cards (who still uses these?) I immediately sent them emails to give my contacts. Ok! next conference I will prepare a business card as well. It will look like this:
The talks went by and I felt relieved. Don’t have to prepare anything anymore. I just need to enjoy the dinner at the restaurant:
Was good food! Better than the food was the company on the dinner, 3 Japanese and one Indian. Professor Nakasato from Japan, a neurosurgeon, an energetic being and a joke-generating machine! He invited me to attend the biennial meeting of the International Society for the Advancement of Clinical Magnetoencephalography. I am considering to attend after the amount of knowledge and contacts I gathered here in Phoenix.
Tonight is my last night in Phoenix. I didn’t have time to see around but I also was not verrry interested this time. Every now and then you see strange things like “Weapons not allowed” on the library door for example! You don’t see this everywhere! That means that otherwise, weapons are allowed and are ok. Also, while walking, I saw a house, presumably a lawyer’s office (better call Saul), with the sign:
“Divorce $200, Bankruptcy $200”
It is a very different place.