To provide perspective: everybody knows about Woodstock. It was one of the first and one of the largest outdoor rock festivals, held on Yasgur’s Farm in upstate New York in August 1969. It was before the Internet, Facebook, or Twitter, yet roughly half a million people headed there, undoubtedly with eager anticipation. The last act on the last day was guitarist Jimi Hendrix. His performance is legendary and included his iconic version of The Star-Spangled Banner and Purple Haze. Too bad for the many who left early; only about 80,000 people were still there for his performance. (Admittedly it was nine hours after his scheduled midnight appearance.)
Our iconic Academy meeting used to end with scientific papers. Fellow Tom Raasch loves to tell his story of the last paper presentation on the last day. As he approached the podium, the audience comprised one man Tom didn’t know, his best friend and best man, Fellow Peter Bergenske, and the session moderator. As Tom approached the podium, the one “real” audience member left the room, yet Tom gave a Hendrix-worthy performance for the moderator and Peter.
As I head to Boston, I plan on experiencing everything our Academy has to offer. I will muster my stamina yet feel like there’s always something going on in the meeting room next door that I’m missing and vow to see next year. I will stroll, not run, through the posters, stop to talk to old and new colleagues alike, and experience all the Exhibit Hall has to offer.
As you take off for Boston, make your plans to stay until the end. Look at the offerings on Saturday afternoon, and choose the lecture you’ll attend to finish out the meeting. Remember that your full registration includes a banquet ticket, so pack your finery and plan on being there to see the new Fellows walk proudly across the stage and announce their professional affiliations. Who knows what will happen if you don’t. You might miss a Raasch or a Hendrix or the one thing Academy members will talk about for years to come...
