The Proper Way to Remove a Staple...

... Involves a spatula.

Seriously, that's what the tool is called. It looks like a miniature spatula, and although it makes the staple-removing process cleaner, it also makes it more arduous.

This, among other things, I learned at a special "crash course" that took place this past Saturday on the conservation and preservation of rare materials and museum artifacts. The two instructors gave very interesting presentations, one of which was on "conservation concerns," meaning things like insect poo, vermin and pest management, disaster plans, the hazards posed by visitors, moving giant ceramic Chinese horses so they can be transported to the next city on their world tour, and safe lighting for artwork. The other focused on rare books and paper conservation. We learned a bit of the history of paper (for example tumors that grow on trees, called "galls," cause discoloration and deterioration of paper) and the proper techniques to use in ordering and organizing archival material. These included removing both metal and plastic paper clips, unfolding folded sheets, and as I mentioned, staple-removal. Then we got to practice these on as-yet unprocessed archival files.

Overall, a very fun and unique way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Entertainment: Post-Philadelphia Notes

I thought about detailing some of the seminars I went to and some of the things I learned in each, but suffice it tosay that the topics covered in the seminars were myriad and many contained very useful information for an emerging professional.

Instead, I'll write about the more interesting entertainment aspect of the conference.

Firstly, I'd say the best experience I had at the conference that is related to entertainment (receptions count, yes?) was the International Attendees Reception. Many of those who attended were/are affiliated with ICOM (International Council of Museums) which I plan on checking out as soon as I remember to do so.

This is where I met a man who'd followed a speech by Jane Goodall, who convinced him to make wolf howls after she'd made chimpanzee calls, and a founder of the National Museum of the American Indian, a very dapper and intelligent gentleman. Also a Russian immigrant who directs a museum of food in Philadelphia and a former professor-turned-auction house employee.

One of the other evening events was somewhat of a disappointment: a scavenger hunt at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, with wine and nibbles. Though interesting, I perhaps did not make the most of the opportunity to run around the museum solving riddles. I suppose I got too interested in the artifacts, for one...

Outside the conference itself, my favorite place is the Market right across the street, where one can find dozens of vendors selling Turkish, Greek, Mexican and Amish fare, among others. Seafood vendors and butchers, candy and chocolate vendors... all present. Yumm.

I confess I didn't spend my evenings out on the town, learning more about Philadelphia's nightlife, etc. But I enjoy bottles of wine and conversation shared in hotel rooms just as much, if not more. ;)

Networking: Post-Philadelphia Notes

The itinerary for the annual AAM conferenc reads like a lecture series, with seminars here, there, and everywhere.

One thing I learned about conferences is: the main purpose of going is not to attend seminars or lectures, but to meet people. How unusual. But no, I'm being facetious. In fact, more than one panelist mentioned the importance of networking and one even said the best experience she'd ever had at an AAM conference occurred when she did the most networking and meeting people. This is something I don't find comes naturally to me - meeting new people, that is. I've always thought that's been one of the more difficult social skills. Or maybe I'm just lazy. At any rate, I'm happy to report that I found it quite easy after all to start up conversations.

I met some very, very interesting people. A professor who changed careers to work at an auction house, a Russian immigrant who directs a museum on food, a founder of the National Museum of the American Indian, the director of an historic house outside Philadelphia... They all had many interesting things to say, and experiences and stories to relate. Some I will be contacting in the near future for advice or their expertise in one area or another.

One of the best tips I learned about networking while at the conference: Don't just exchange business cards. Write on the back - where you met that person, what conversation you had, etc. Any pertinent details that might help remind them who you are, and you who they are. Makes contacting them that much easier.

Transportation: Post-Philadelphia Notes

I really imagined that I would have (free) internet access during my stay in Philadelphia for the American Association of Museums annual conference. Because I despise the corporate Man, I decided to snub the $12-something fee at the hotel to use the internet. Just think, if everyone at the hotel paid for internet use, what percentage of profit would the hotel make?? The answer: a disgusting percentage.

So, the belated transportation highlights:

I'm so used to long travelling days (think Boston, New Hampshire, Scotland, Nashville...) that a trip to Philadelphia even via train felt like no trip at all. Typically, the one day I need to be at my destination On Time in the morning, the Metro fails. Perhaps I started a bit late, but even so, two trains were offloaded in front of me. One as I prepared to board. Pretty frantic, because I was running late and had less time than I'd thought to get to Union Station and board the train, I trekked back up to the surface to call for a Rescue. Managed to obtain a ride to the station, but with traffic and the already late time, nearly missed the train! From getting on at the last minute, it was a very relaxing and short ride to 30th Street in downtown Philadelphia.

Downtown Philly is not as attractive as I'd remembered it from the last time I was there, but that may be because we drove down the Franklin Parkway the first time, which is one of the prettier sections of the city. The historic district has some pretty parks and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier (did you know burials started in 1706? Not just a war memorial...) One of the most startling things about Philadelphia is the walkability of it.

One evening we went to Pat's King of Steaks, the origin of the Philly Cheesesteak. On Passyunk Ave, we took a taxi from downtown, thinking it would be a very long walk. Instead of trying to call a cab from there when we finished (the cheesesteaks were great, by the way - but I don't think I'd be going frequently even if I did live in Philly), we decided to walk North for a little while in hopes of coming to a more taxi-trafficked area. Much to our surprise, we walked all the way to the historic district in twenty minutes or so!

The rest of our stay definitely did not involve much walking at all, as our hotel was situated across the street from the Convention Center. Even avoided most of the rain by using the covered walkway! Hurray for covered walkways.

That about covers transportation in Philadelphia. Remember, trains are easy, spacious, and relatively cheaper than travelling by air! No checked luggage fees, for one thing...

American Association of Museums Meets in Philadelphia

Well, I'm off to Philly tomorrow for a professional conference, where I expect to be busy most of every day taking seminars, listening to intelligent people speak, and taking notes. I'm quite excited about it, except for the usual travelling jitters (must make sure to pack Everything, unless it's easily purchased at a drug store anywhere in the country, MUST leave in time to make the train, cross my fingers the tickets are correct...) I'm feeling quite excited. The weather promises to be less than stellar, but L.A. next week is going to make up for that, I'm sure.

Because I'm not sure I'll be able to post from Philly (I know, who travels without a laptop these days?! - Besides me, of course) most of the weekend will constitute me listening to seminars and taking notes (per the above mention) and of course meeting people in the museum field, and going to meals when I have the time. On Monday, I'll be taking an inside tour of Pennsbury manor that promises to be very interesting, with a behind-the-scenes aspect and a light lunch with staff and other guests. Very excited about that one, for sure.

Now I just need to dust off my networking skills, and finish my check-off list. Here's hoping I learn very interesting things and meet many interesting people.

Did I mention I'm taking the train? So very excited about that, even though it does add jitters. I like trains. No baggage fees, greater baggage allowances, more leg and elbow room... snack cars! Big windows...

THE Musem of American History, Renewed - For Better, or For Worse?

The National Museum of American History just re-opened on the National Mall in Washington, DC this past Friday. As part of the Smithsonian Institution, it has an excellent reputation to live up to - even though reviews it received before remodelling were negative.

So I've been looking forward to this re-opening for months now, cultural history being the most interesting kind of history in my opinion.

Then, I read something like this.

I never read movie reviews before I go see a movie because I'm very easy to please when it comes to moving pictures entertainment, and often the critics are, well - very critical. So I will go see this museum, even though I've read a disappointing reveiw of it. And what do you know, I may like it. I'm sure it will be an educational experience no matter what impression I end up with.

The Sant Ocean Hall

Took a trip to the Smithsonian on this lovely autumn afternoon (crisp air, turning leaves, warm sunshine). National Museum of Natural History, to be precise. They have a new exhibit there, called the Sant Ocean Hall. Only opened last month, and unfortunately everyone else in the city also decided to visit the new exhibit today. Incredible exhibit, with very wide scope, as one might imagine for an exhibit whose subject amounts to 70% of the earth's surface. Not too detailed, instead very succinct panels and then more specific information about the many models, photographs and especially preserved remains of various species. Learned that the weird-looking creature I found once on East Sands at St Andrews is called a - well, I've forgotten the name now, but it's similar to a star fish. Only more wormlike. Ah, yes. Brittle stars. Point is, good to know, finally. Didn't have time to explore everything, but some of what I did included North Pacific Cultures (a traditional canoe hangs above here) whales - one in particular, called Phoenix - and coral reefs and the Poles, north and south. Another room I couldn't investigate had fossils, a jawbone of an ancient (and much, much, larger) great white shark. Called Megamouth, or something (carcharodon megalodon, technically). I could step through the jaws without ducking or hitting the three, four, five rows of teeth, I think. Shiver. Saw a video projected onto a sphere to represent the earth, and watched a theater presentation on submarine diving (to the deep ocean, approximately 2 miles under the surface).

Verdict: Well worth a visit. And then a second, and maybe a third, to get all the information. Good thing it's FREE!!! (God, I love living in DC some days)

Boston, Day 4: the MFA

Got up early this morning to have breakfast (coffee yummm and cereal) and headed over to visit with my other family in Topsfield. Got a tutorial from my eleven year-old cousin on how to solve a Rubik's cube - apparently she and her brother watched a video on YouTube which explained the theories and "algorithms" behind solving the puzzle. The whole thing was very impressive, and way over my head.

After a game of Bananagrams (in ways, much more fun than Scrabble) and headed into Boston to see the MFA, where I dragged my poor cousins through the sections full of ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman art and history. The Greek pottery was interesting - such fascinating subjects painted on pots, vases and amphoras. We also got to see the exhibit on Art Nouveau Jewelry, which included plenty of beautiful pieces. Made me want to go jewelry shopping! Also I've decided someday, when I have a place for it, I'm going to find a replica amphora of red figured Greek pottery, or whatever the technical term is.

That evening, we stopped by the Gelateria in North End to have traditional Italian-style ice cream (I missed it; it's much better than American ice cream, IMO)

The train ride home was long, but uneventful. It's almost good to be back.