Feeling a bit stressed? With two big events upon us—ALA and ISTE—we need all the help we can get. The following sources can help you pack, spec your tech, and survive airport hell.
Do you have good advice or a link you’d like to share with your fellow travelers? Please contribute in the comments.
ALA Survival Tips and Packing Suggestions
A very thorough packing list, tech and otherwise, by Bobbi Newman of “Librarian by Day.”
Daring Conference Packing Tips & Tricks
By Gwyneth Jones of “The Daring Librarian.” Yes, our red-headed friend packs her own Charmin.
The Introverted Nerd’s Conference Survival Guide
Steel-up-your-courage advice by SXSW-bound former Lifehacker editor Gina Tripani.
A Conference Survival Guide for the Shy and Terrified
“Tweet. Don’t sit with your friends. Pretend you are Superman.” By Sara Gallagher.
How to be Awesome at Going to Library Conferences
Sound ALA-specific tips from PC Sweeney.
Can’t get there in person? ISTE offers three modes of remote participation on one handy page. Every organization should have one.
Fashion
A Fashionista’s Conference Survival Guide
By digital strategist CamMi Pham, who states in her bio “will work for shoes.”
Why I Wear The Same Thing Every Day, And What I Wear
On the opposite side of the style spectrum is the minimalism of Web designer Timoni West. Great rundown of the best leggings. She’s apparently tried them all.
General Travel
This site reviews the chow served in terminals worldwide.
Errata Security: The hotel WiFi is out to get you!!
As if it wasn’t bad enough.
What Drink Do You Order at a Bad Bar?
Twenty five food writers share their safety drinks.
How to Sleep in an Airport: 101
Really.
Cheat with Science: Navigate the Great Indoors
Turn-by-turn navigation is a big help, I’ve found, even when on foot in strange cities. But what if you can’t find your way in the convention center? Wired on training your brain to get around.
Give crying kids and their parents a break; if someone on board needs help with their bag, offer it. Good for you, Chris.
What’s in my bag
Thirteen-inch MacBook Air- Incipio OffGrid Pro – two external batteries to charge my iPhone 4s, slightly less than the promised tripling of capacity, according to iLounge. Love that they’re removable.
- Panasonic Lumix GH2K DSLR
- Vivitar flash unit – the classic reliable
- Rode compact shotgun mic – maybe, maybe not – the native mic on the Lumix is great – check out the clip we shot of our DOD panel
- Manfrotto stick tripod
- Belkin mini surge outlet
- Kodak Zi8 pocket camcorder (OK, no support for this, but it’s better than iPhone footage)
- Ethernet/USB cable – for uploading HD files – I learned the hard way at CES
- Audio Technica QuietPoint ATH-ANC7b – noise-cancelling headphones, a godsend antidote to engine roar, always with me.
- Voice recorder (an oldie, but goodie Olympus)
Apps include:
Despite all the photo equipment, Instagram
Paper pad, pen (Pentel EnerGel pen, quick drying ink for lefties! (If they ever discontinue these, I’ll stop writing).
Backpack, unstructured, black cotton from Muji
Hypochondriac alert: zinc, probiotics (Primal Defense) (even this did not save me from being sick as a dog at DML)
Junior Mints: My one little airport treat, every trip.
Shoes. Librarians like them apparently. Buffy Hamilton has such pretty feet. Me, not so much, so I’m going for it, but the other way, bringing the ugliest shoes I have. Find me and I’ll prove it. But don’t say you weren’t warned.
“Monday NECC 2008” by krossbow.
Airport food by I Should Be Folding Laundry.
Junior Mints by BLW Photography.
About Kathy Ishizuka