1. This bronchitis could stand to do a little more ratcheting down. I twice had to explain to candidates that my reasons for suddenly decamping from the interview session did not include either dying or bizarre infectious disease.
2. Speaking of asking questions, it probably would have been a good idea to figure out what I was ordering for lunch. What arrived was, I suppose, suitably monastic in conception for an academic, but not advisable fuel for several more hours of interviewing.
3. Still, no bankruptcy in sight.
4. There was also no bankruptcy in sight after visiting the book exhibit on double-quick time during the lunch break. What's up with all the exhibitors saying, "sorry, no, I can't take money, we're not selling anything"?! (Come on, Harvard, I wanted that new book on Dickens.) I gather there's some sort of commerce regulation at issue, but...really? I did break down and buy a book from Cambridge (now, there's a bankruptcy-inducing prospect), and I've reserved a couple of free books from the Scottish Writing folks; maybe I'll pick up some stuff on Sunday.
5. And continuing the theme of things not in sight: people in the exhibit. I've never seen it so empty. Economic downturns, departments Skyping their interviews, or some combination of the above?
An editor at the book exhibit told me that attendance was about 7000, just like in '09, and somewhat higher than he'd expected, given the economy and all.
Posted by: Josh | January 23, 2012 at 07:31 AM