MAC-MLA 2018: Fred and the Avenging Chicken go Downy Eauchin

The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Medical Library Association covers Maryland, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. This year's meeting was in Ocean City, Maryland--close enough to DC for two librarians from our hospital to attend. The Avenging Chicken expressed an interest in attending as well.

A note on the terminology: "Downy Eauchin" (also "Downy Oshun, hon") is a phrase used in Baltimore to refer to going to Maryland's Eastern Shore and vicinity. Although it generally means Ocean City, it can also refer to areas as far north as Delaware and as far south as Chincoteague. Another word in the Baltimore dialect is utilized below; it means "have you eaten yet?"

Standard disclaimer goes here.

None of the critters showed the slightest interest in this trip. Maybe they realized that it didn't involve a trip to an airport. Nonetheless, we're ready.	Our new house is in a very hilly neighborhood. When we were moving in, I dropped a ball (one of the dogs' toys), and I watched it roll down the driveway, down the street, around a curve, and I never saw it again. Fortunately, that didn't happen with my suitcase. The remnants of a hurricane were passing through the area, so it was a dark, rainy day.	We set out on our journey. We're in a cargo van--great for camping or transporting a craft show, but not that great for carrying a lot of people. Fortunately, the passenger list consists of two people and a stuffed chicken.	My other car is electric, so I haven't bought gas for the cargo van since July. Fortunately, we remember how to fill the tank.
Gosh! I remember when gas cost around seventy cents per gallon. Yes, I'm old.	The other passenger on the trip is Layla, my boss and colleague. She's also the treasurer for MAC-MLA, and she asked me to remind her to take the organization's checkbook to the conference. Fortunately, she remembered.	The Avenging Chicken only accompanies me to conferences, so Layla and the chicken meet for the first time.	We check in to our room. Suite, actually.
Layla had to go to a meeting Saturday afternoon; my first meeting was on Sunday so I took a walk along the beach. Two oceans in one year! I haven't done that in a while.	The hurricane wasn't quite finished with us.	Ocean City is filled with massive hotels along the beach, but at least one traditional beach house remains. The ones I'm used to are usually painted a virulent pink.	My room looked out onto the atrium, complete with pool, hot tub, and sauna, and, if you craned your head to the left a bit, the ocean. I was still recovering from Amoxicillin/ae [Adverse Effects], so I decided to stay out of the water.
But the chicken and I did take a look at the ocean before the day's events commenced.	The problem with attending a conference is that by the time you know where things are, it's time to go home.	So I was walking down the corridor towards the class I was taking when I heard someone say "where's the chicken?" Yes, another chicken groupie, this time Karen Martinez from Hickory, NC. We later found out that we came from the same area in North Central Florida (she grew up in Lawtey, I grew up in Gainesville), and we had a lot of memories in common. Yes, the library world can be a small one.	We attend a class on open access/predatory journals taught by Anna Krampl and Carolann Lee Curry of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
It's a good thing I took notes, because that very day I got a panicked e-mail from one of our residents who had submitted an article to a predatory journal and needed advice on how to deal with it.	Now the conference begins!	We anticipate the first speaker. Susan Keller (at left) and Layla gave a presentation on wellness behaviors of health sciences librarians.
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The meeting room was not especially suited for photography, so I wasn't able take pictures of the speakers. Needless to say, all the presentations were magnificent.	Nevertheless, we do manage to meet Beverly Murphy, MLA president, and her traveling companion Cardiana.	The evening reception isn't that suited for photography, either. We're at a table with Susan and Layla.	Attendees to the reception were encouraged to wear pearls. The chicken didn't bring pearls, but was allowed to attend anyway.
The next day starts with coffee! I'm more of a tea person, but coffee is easier to find at conferences and hotels.	We meet the RSNA representative who has some new journals to promote. Since our establishment has a radiology school, we're interested.	And we meet Kate Corcoran of MLA, who, among other duties, is the manager of MEDLIB-L. I told her that I was thinking of retiring the Avenging Chicken but I would keep posting the adventures and my poetry until she told me to stop. She told me that she had no intention of telling me to stop. It looks like the chicken will have a few more adventures.	While Layla was talking with people from Rittenhouse, we talked with Mike Tavares from the New England Journal of Medicine about journal use in India. Yes, really.
One last look at the vendor room.		Back to the presentations.
We meet Kathy Butler. Back in 2005, we switched jobs. I was working as a temp at the institution where she applied, and she was leaving the job where I applied.	We pose for a picture with Tony Nguyen from NNLM. People from NLM were there as well, but I spent so much time with them talking about why they needed to choose Koha for their next ILS that I didn't get any pictures.	I try to find a way outside to photograph the sunrise.	I make it to the beach in time. Whew!
The view to the east is a bit more spectacular.			Sunrise!
Remember how I said that one learned one's way around by the end of a conference? Well, not always, especially if some routes are closed for construction. I know my room is around here somewhere!	Meanwhile, the chicken was sleeping in.	Our smaller dog is named Schooner, so naturally we had to dine at the hotel restaurant. Jeet?	One final look through the room before we check out.
We attend the final keynote talk by Paul Jaeger.	The conference begins to wind down.
We're tired!	One final picture. Back row: Layla, Beverly Murphy, and me. Front row: the Avenging Chicken.	We stop at the Unicorn Bookshop in Trappe, Maryland.	And we purchase a few books. I've been shopping there for at least 20 years, and I always find something interesting.
The Avenging Chicken meets the Avenging Unicorn.	Yikes! It has fangs!	Back home. The Avenging Chicken doesn't go to work with me, but it likes my electric car. My wife thinks the car looks like a sneeze. A Choo!	Schooner. This picture has nothing to do with the conference, but I had a spot to fill.