Wednesday, June 10, 2009
is it worth it? will I be pushing it just a bit to far?
So the U2 conference I was due to give a paper at in May got postponed. It’s now on again, October 2-4, in Durham, USA.
That’s a bad time for me, stuck between a teaching commitment and a family engagement. Both have been graciously flexible, but here’s my decision …
Do I want to teach for 4 days straight in Adelaide, Australia,
jump on a plane to fly for 20 hours,
to arrive on the opening day of the u2 conference (Friday)?
with U2 actually playing the next day (Saturday)
and me then doing my paper (Sunday)
to then turn around and fly back to New Zealand
I’m not getting any younger and it’s a lot of air miles, a lot of jetlag, for a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Posted by steve at 03:41 PM
This is a no brainer 😉
Do it – once in a lifetime opportunity says it all. If need be cancel Adelaide 😉
If you can get tickets to the concert you might as well go – take your wife and kids to keep you company!
Comment by Mark Stevens — June 10, 2009 @ 6:09 pm
…. and this is a dilemma? It is a quote that comes from British political life: ‘In the name of God, go!’
Comment by Graham — June 10, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
yes!
Comment by LauraHD — June 11, 2009 @ 5:16 am
I’ll deliver your paper for you in the US if that will help …
Comment by Sarah Agnew — June 11, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
Hi Steve. I’m with Sarah. I’ll go to the U.S. for you. I’m sure Sarah and I can handle it. Seriously, you can’t cancel the Tabor gig but you can do both. Burn out when you get home!!!
Comment by Chris McLeod — June 11, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
Do it! I belong to that website that been advertising the conference……I would love to know someone who is part of it!! Do it for the rest of us who wish we were going!!
Comment by Jo — June 11, 2009 @ 9:36 pm
and take your wife (for her birthday) and we will look after your kids!
Comment by Jan — June 12, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
Far been thinking about your dilemma since I first read your post: and (again) don’t have an answer, but do have another question: in ten years time, what will you remember – 20 hours on an airplane, or being at the concert and delivering your paper???
Comment by KSW — June 13, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
what a great question. thanks so much …
that’s easy – the paper 🙂 and even more, preparing the paper and the networking ie the chance to put thoughts to words and meet with kindred spirits,
steve
Comment by steve — June 14, 2009 @ 11:58 pm