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Another mythologizing creature… sharing sparks of intellectual passion!
I'm rambling, but I think I'll continue to do so, as it makes writing anecdotally easier. Fair warning: I'm recapitulating my hastily scribbled notes here, so I can try to remember as much as possible. ;)
The last day of the Hidden in Plain Sight: The Influence of Western Esoteric Movements on Modern Thought conference was a light one. There were only two seminars offered: Rosicrucian Principles & Scientific Discoveries and Fiat Lux: Freemasonry, the Enlightenment, & the Emergence of A New Sociopolitical Order.
At noon, just as on the other three days, there was a Council of Solace ritual in the Grand Temple, which I was not able to attend due to being the gopher for the authors at the book signings in the museum proper. From what I've been told, these rituals occur every day to offer solace for the world's pain. While they're ordinarily for Rosicrucian members only, apparently there's a Tuesday one which is open to the general public as well. I want to get to one; they say the rituals are quite lovely.
Being the gopher for the book signings was actually quite relaxing, although I was a bit surprised at how many books sold out at the bookstore, leaving the authors nothing to sign. Surely the bookstore should have known to order more for the weekend? (note to self: if I'm ever doing a book signing tour, I shall always carry ten extra copies of my book with me!) In regards to being gopher for the book signings themselves, from what I could tell I was there mostly as back-up — whether it was due to the authors needing someone to chat with them and keep them entertained momentarily until more eager folks arrived with books to sign and stories to tell, or whether the regular museum staff was being overwhelmed with something at any particular moment. I was happy to go get napkins or lunch or whatever for the authors, in such situations.
On the first day alone, just as an example, the museum staff (as separate from the conference staff, which had to deal with nearly a third again more folks than they'd expected!) had to cope with a disabled volunteer groundskeeper having a seizure — which necessitated a firetruck's paramedics to help out and take the gentleman to the hospital — to a wheelchair lift becoming disabled in the museum itself — while someone in a wheelchair was on it! In both situations there was a happy outcome, but I can see how it would be a bit hair-raising for them in the moment.
Thinking about the museum and conference staff over that weekend, I think what stands out for me is the extraordinary friendliness of them all. I've never been to a conference with so many courteous, smiling, pleasant people! Even the attendees were unfailingly polite — somewhat to my surprise, since I've been to several gaming, science fiction, and furry cons. Of course, at this convention they were all adults attending what was a very intellectually based conference; that probably had something to do with the very high level of good manners. :)
I was also impressed by all the museum officials being willing to dress up in the costumes for the weekend Egyptian Epagomenal Festival — it wasn't just the interns and volunteers. I get the feeling they all try to have fun there; I heartily approve! Also, as a completely irrelevant aside, the museum director (I think?) made an extraordinarily handsome pharaoh! There were several extraordinarily good looking men there, in fact. I'm pretty sure my tongue didn't hang out, though… too far. Ahem. So, some personal notes for giving presentations! When I present, I wish to do a good job. Here are some thoughts I want to keep in mind while giving a talk:
That's it for now! If this helps anyone else, or if you can think of something to add, let me know, please. :)
Bestiaries depict mythical, moralizing animals, but are also potential allegorical sparks that can bloom into brilliant mental bonfires. My bestiary is this mythologizing animal's fascinated exploration of beauty & meaning in the wonder of existence -- in the hopes of inspiring yet more joyous flares of intellectual passion.
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