Can people just go to hang out and meet folks? Are there events besides workshops that you can just walk in to off the street? Say I wanted to fly there for a couple days, just pop in and out of stuff, readings whatever. Party with folks. Is that done? Is there a better hotel than the Holiday Inn? Something 5 star?

Greg,

Don't stay in West Chester, it's an awful place. Stay in Philly and rent a car to get to the meeting place. I'd advise The Sheraton University City at 36th and Chestnut.

Bobby

Yeah, but how can I step into Philly without visiting a hundred relatives? Thanks, Bobby.

Greg,

Ah yes, well I suppose it’s reasonable to believe that anyone who would even think about spending time in the same town as Michael Cantor would turn on his own flesh and blood.

Bobby

Greg, the registration fee for the conference without workshops is $50/day (use the scholars' application), which would give you a name tag and allow you to attend all of the panels and readings that day (and even participate in the open mic readings if there are still slots available when you arrive). You could probably slip into the auditorium even without a name tag (I don't think it's guarded) and hang out in the lobby with the other participants when they are not attending sessions. I'm not familiar with the other hotels in the area, but I'm sure there are some. An online search should find them. I have been amazed at the big names in poetry who attend, either as teachers or panel participants or honorees, so it is a great place to see the real stars of formal poetry (and some who do free verse too).

Susan

Thanks, Susan. Much appreciated.

Bobby, What is it with you and Cantor? You guys need to step outside and settle this like men---bocci ball anyone?

I'm up for Bocci ball, however, I'm afraid he'd hit me with one of the balls.

Bobby

Well... What's the dilly y'all?

As one lady lamented to another, "Can't we all just get a long...?"



[This message has been edited by diprinzio (edited April 26, 2005).]

Greg,

I don't really have any problem with Michael, he's okay.

Bobby

Old Home Week:

Reprinting Sam's post on WC from 6-17-04 in case anyone missed it:

Dana did in fact arrange to have the weather changed, and we should all send our thanks to him. Incidentally, I made an error about Dana and next year's conference. I said that he had talked with someone at the Bureau of Standards and had arranged that West Chester would have 16-hour days next year. I meant to say that Dana has arranged that West Chester will have 28-hour days next year. This will provide nap time for everyone, since the clocks will be rolled back to noon at 4 p.m., and many of us will get to attend panels and other sessions we missed during the first 4-hour period. This time change will also allow everyone to sleep in Sunday morning. I'm sorry about the confusion, but I had spent most of the previous evening and some of the early morning trying to talk Mason down.

And you all thought there was no Sanity Clause.

[RSG]

If it's all the same to Dana Gioia, I'd prefer my extra four hours kick in at 11 am so I have a choice of writing or going back to bed. If I have to re-live every noon-4pm time slot, my allergies are going to go ballistic.