The Flight of the Sociologists

It's the flight of the sociologists. From near and far, many of us are finding our way to Denver this weekend for the annual American Sociological Association conference. It's much like what you'd expect. Crowded lobbies. Confusing directions to your next session. Awkward conversations in bathrooms, conference rooms, elevators, hotels, and after, too many drinks at receptions. Power Point. People talking in the back of a room during a presentation. People at the front of the room trying to figure out how to slip out in between presentations. Questions, comments, and critiques. New friends, old friends. Dinners. Coffees. Lots and lots of hand shaking and smiling. And finally, exhausted faces, as we flee the scene of the crime to make it back to our respective homes, just barely in time for the start of the next semester. I personally have the privilege of presenting on the very last day of the conference in the afternoon at a roundtable. I suspect we'll be packed with outsiders completely interested in our research!

This will only be my second ASA...and for some reason instead of working on my presentation today, I thought it might be fun to create a playlist of songs for the conference. I originally planned to arrange them by day, eventually to lead us to the need for a ASA "chill-out tent" by Day Three; however, much like many presentations I'll see over the course of the next five days-- I ran out of time.

Flight of the Sociologists #ASA2012

(Playlist listed above, in Spotify)

Songs:

1. The Flight of the Bumble Bee: Harry James and His Orchestra

This is what it sounds like on Friday morning at 8am, while sociologists buzz around trying to locate the Registration desk, then proceed to the first session of the morning.

2. I Can't Get Next To You: Al Green

We all have academic crushes. You know, the scholars you cite numerous times, but have yet to meet. Or maybe, just someone you really admire for their work. Maybe it's just a big name listed in the program. This song is for when you are at the culture/social movements reception and you see "so-and-so" across the room, but yet, you never can quite get close enough to get pulled into the conversation or never find the time to actually introduce yourself, regardless of all the other things you  might be able to do. "I...I...I can run a structural equation model, but I can't get next to you..."

3. Tenuousness: Andrew Bird

Enough said. Tenuousness.

4. It's Not Going To Stop: Aimee Mann

Yes, it is true. Sometimes, it just feels like it's not going to stop. They've gone well over their allotted 15 minutes and it seems like it's never going to end. You know it has to end, but, sometimes it's hard imagining how it'll happen.

5. Spill The Wine: The Animals

Night One. Reception One. Be careful. Don't spill the wine.

6. Hang On To Your Ego: The Beach Boys

Good luck with this one. Those rooms can be full of ego, as evidenced by eyes directed at your...nametag.

7. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met): Bob Dylan

Yup. Just because you met someone several years ago at one of these events, don't expect them to remember you. It won't happen. So, be prepared to think to yourself, "Wow, she/he acts like we never met," when re-introducing yourself maybe for the third time to a scholar you admire...or rather you  might think this about your own colleagues from your university if you spilled the wine on night one.

8. Where'd All the Time Go?: Dr. Dog

It only feels this way when you are the one presenting.

9. Repetition: Charlie Parker

That's it. There will be lots of it.

10. You've Got Everything Now: The Smiths

"I am right and you are wrong...I would win and you would lose." Yes, it resonates at times, particularly for the 36-year old graduate student, when talking to the 22-year old graduate student who hasn't worked outside of academia. I suspect it might resonate throughout the entire conference.

11. Trying To Make A Fool Of Me: The Delfonics

Every presentation. Every question that is actually a comment.

12. Accidents Will Happen: Elvis Costello

Yes, your computer will fail. Yes, there won't be compatibility. Yes, the room won't have a projector to show your photos. Yes, you will stumble your way through what seems to make sense to you, but will inevitably make no sense to anyone else. Yes, accidents will happen. Besides there is always next year.

13. Goin' to the Party: Alabama Shakes

If you wonder what party I'm talking about...then you don't know about the blog party and/or Liz's birthday party. Yes, I'm goin' to the party...and I can't wait to celebrate the joy of success and birthdays of colleagues.

14. I Wanna Be Ignored: Ezra Furman and The Harpoons

After attending said late-night parties, you might want to be ignored. Plus, I absolutely adore Ezra and his friends, so I wanted to include them on the mix. But, there is no doubt, there will be moments during the conference, you'll hope no one notices you. You can just attend sessions, take notes,  leave and no one will approach you.

15. A Unified Theory: God Help The Girl

Ha. Right. I'm sure someone will try this.

16. Chillout Tent: The Hold Steady

I've been thinking about this tons in the last day....what exactly would a "chillout tent" look like for the ASA conference? Maybe we wouldn't need to go there because we took too many drugs, but maybe an overdose of session attendances...how would we recover in our chillout tent? Whiskey? Popular culture? What do you think? I'm open to suggestions.

17. The Death of Ferdinand De Saussure: The Magnetic Fields

Is this one of the sessions? And the lyrics seem just perfect for the conference.

18. Upright (Everything's Alright): Stevie Wonder

That's right folks. Just calm down. You don't have to go to every session. You don't have to wear heels. You  can just show up. Be alright. Enjoy your time, that's the best use of time while at the ASA.

19. When It Began: The Replacements

Of course, when it began, you planned to meet "so-and-so" and make impression on 806 different people, but you leave with 801 business cards. It's okay. There's always next year.

20. The Thrill Is Gone: B.B. King

And then we all return home, back to our homes. And the thrill is gone of #ASA2012. See y'all in 2013.