Monday, 16 July 2012
RNA Conference Penrith 2012 Part 5
I never went to University so the RNA Conference at the Newton Rigg Campus in Penrith these past few days, gave me an opportunity to experience the kind of student life I had missed. There were lessons of course, informative talks and workshops and publishing industry updates, but there is also that fascinating process of osmosis, and I’m not just talking about how my trousers soaked up the water from the floor of the shower when I was sitting on the loo. (I remembered to bring the kitchen sink but, sadly, not my bicycle clips.)
No, I’m talking about education. I absorbed so much information from my fellow delegates that not only has my vocabulary expanded – I now know what a merkin is – but so has my knowledge across a whole range of academic disciplines:
Ancient Mythology and Biology– I have a greater understanding of how a centaur might copulate.
Animal Husbandry – the technique of squeezing the innards from a mealworm in order to breastfeed an orphan bat.
Diet, Health, and Arithmetic – just how many caramel shortcakes equals half a stone.
A memorable weekend indeed, and in wonderful company.
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But do you still remember how to attach that merkin?
ReplyDeleteMust have missed that part. Oh dear, my education is incomplete. I'll have to do some research.
ReplyDeleteDid we actually decide how to attach it?
ReplyDeleteFor heaven's sake, don't try and Google it! I reckon it was with glue. Like a false moustache.
ReplyDeleteThe bat conversation is still making me giggle.
I never realised it was your first conference Rhoda. We've bumped into each other a couple of time at RNA events but had never really chatted before. But that's what so great about the conference - the time it gives you to socialise with so many other writers. The first time I spoke to Evonne was in the courtyard at Greenwich.
ReplyDeleteMy digestive system is relieved to be home, away from the wine and chocolate shortbread, but the rest of me isn't.
No wonder there was a lot of giggling coming from your kitchen. Loved all your pictures, Maggie. Roll on Sheffield next year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate, and I'm hoping I can lift one from your blog, with your permission. I took a lot of photos but those of me were on other people's cameras, including yours. I'm being very selective of course - I have to look good! Obviously I'm quite happy if you want to do the same.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, roll on Sheffield. I just hope that everyone living within a 10 miles radius buys earplugs, although as Evonne pointed out, at Penrith they could probably hear us in Scotland!
Lovely photos and great memories! It was great playing at being students, too.
ReplyDeleteHere's to next year!
Absolutely Juliet. There may be enough of us coming from the Wiltshire area to hire a charabanc!
ReplyDelete