I don’t like traveling.
I don’t like flying in planes.
I don’t like leaving me family.
I do not like it with a mouse, in a house, or being chased by a grouse. I do not like it, Sam I am.
And yet I travel.
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My first conference as an associate professor at The University of Iowa (go Hawks) is being held in State College, Pennsylvania. This is, in part, because I don’t like to travel.
See, I was part of the group that moved to bring the conference to State College. My thinking was that it would be nice to have a conference in my own city. But then I moved to Iowa City. So now I’m flying back to State College to attend this conference.
Talk about a bummer.
Have you ever flown to State College? Talk about connecting flights. I’m not a fan. But there’s no way around it. Other then flying to Harrisburg. Which is actually what I’m doing to get there on time. Oi vey.
I returned to Minneapolis for a conference in 2015, just after we moved to State College. It was one of the most traumatic trips of my life. Flight delays. Sick children. My mother had just died. I felt compelled to connect with friends and family. It was exhausting. Emotionally and physically. I almost had a full on panic attack in O’Hare airport on the way home. Oh, and the skin on my face got dry.
Incidentally, I get dry skin on my face when I’m stressed out. Talk about gross. I have no idea why. If you see the skin on my face peeling off, don’t scream. Just know that I’m stressed. Well, I guess you can scream if you want. Who am I to tell you what to do?
Anyway, my return to State College approaches.
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I really miss Happy Valley Improv. And some friends in State College. I am looking forward to returning for those reasons. And the trip will be fine.
Two short plane rides. Think together with some smart colleagues. Do some improv. I’ll only be away from my family for a few days. It’s not the end of the world.
Traveling has been a part of this gig for me. Professors go to conferences. I go to conferences. I will travel here and there. I will travel everywhere.
Sam I am I am.
As we finish this short blog know that, for the life of me, I have no idea why I’m quoting Sam I am.
Samuel Jaye Tanner 