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Tuesday, 31 October 2006

SBL Survival

Things have been very quiet here recently.  The reason?  Well other than the usual flurry of activity associated with the start of a new academic year and semester, I have been working hard to get my writing complete before the relevant deadlines.  First up is my paper for SBL which is almost in final form.  As is often the case at SBL, I have only been allotted 30 minutes to make my presentation and engage in discussion with others present - so the main question is how you take an 8,000 word paper and reduce it to 20 minutes.  In fact, because it will be my first SBL, I am looking for all the advice I can get about how to make the best of what looks like a pretty intensive few days.  So, all you bibliobloggers out there, what are your top 3 tips for surviving SBL?

 Update:  Mark Goodacre and John Lyons have both helpfully responded to my plea - both fall into Mark's initial category of 'people you like to spend time with', so a big thanks to both.  I note John's working hypothesis that free drinks may need supplementing by receptions and meetings of a more spiritual nature.

Further Update: Mike Bird's contribution is funny, rude (I may be square but...) and insightful - well not really the latter, except for the advice about alcohol.

00:40 Posted in Misc | Permalink | Comments (4) | Email this

Comments

Hi Sean,
I do hope you will be able to attend the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion that will meet on Saturday morning from 9-11:30 (presidential address by Curtis Freeman, "Roger Williams among the Baptists"; panel discussion on Baptists and the Ten Commandments). Steve Harmon (whose book on Baptist catholicity you have read is bound to be there). Email me and i'll send you the agenda (details about meeting room are in the program book, but i can send that too). I look forward to meeting you.
all the best,
Mikeal Parsons
Baylor University

Posted by: Mikeal Parsons | Friday, 03 November 2006

Thanks for this Mikeal. Steve had already mentioned this event and I am planning to be there and look forward to meeting you.

Posted by: Sean | Friday, 03 November 2006

1) If there is someone you absolutely must meet up with then arrange it beforehand - you may never see them otherwise.
2) Don't rush off at the end of sessions, hanging out often leads to a group meal.
3) Discuss with your wife beforehand how much money you are planning to spend on books, do not exceed that amount by more than 50%! [Doesn't apply to everyone of course]

Posted by: Peter Head | Friday, 03 November 2006

Thanks Peter - budget already agreed. The tip about arranging meetings in advance is helpful - I will have to send a few emails this week.
Sean

Posted by: Sean | Saturday, 04 November 2006