Just what is a NISOD?

Q: How many Hampton Inns are there in Austin, TX?

A: More than one.

This was the first important piece of information I learned at the NISOD (National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development) 2006 International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence.

The picture is me posting this entry with my stylish name tag. (My name is even spelled correctly!)

The day started with bedtime at 12:00 a.m., followed far too closely by the classical stylings of WNIU on my clock radio at 4:04 a.m. I allowed myself one hit of the 8-minute snooze button, although the recurrence of music failed to result in an immediate springing out of bed at 4:12. I still had plenty of time to shower and drive to the Best Western Clock Tower Resort before the Van Galder bus left for O'Hare at 5:10.

I parked and went to the hotel desk to purchase my 3-day parking pass for $6. On the way back to my car, I was greeted with a familiar "Hello, Michael," from Evan, who was walking with his wife from their car to the bus stop area of the Clock Tower. I waved, deposited my hanging parking pass on the rear view mirror, and returned to the bus stop area.

We talked about how early it was, and how early we each awakened, and how early the bus was leaving until the bus actually arrived. Evan immediately claimed the only seat left that had an empty seat next to it, so I decided I might as well sit next to him, rather than next to a stranger.

Since neither of us is slight of build, that might not have been the best decision. Plus, I had to field questions about why the Developmental Mathematics Program Assessment Group had not completed its program assessment. Evan said that he had e-mailed Rodger about it, but had not received an answer yet. I assured him that Rodger would certainly respond, but that he was probably very busy either producing a new mathematics department feature film or deciphering one of Bob Branda's cryptic grievance filings.

Curbside check-in was uneventful, except that I handed the checker-in a $10 bill for the $2 bag checking fee, and he assumed I was paying for both Evan and me. I was gracious and gave him the $4 fee plus a $4 tip. Evan tried to buy me coffee by the gate, but I didn't want to drink anything because of my curious tendency not to move from my seat once the plane is in motion. Once, John and I were returning from Paris to Chicago, and I stayed in my seat during the entire six or seven hour flight.

Evan and I were originally seated in 17A and B, but Evan wanted to be sure he got an aisle seat to stretch those long legs, so he approached the gate attendant and was changed to an aisle seat in the exit row. I wanted to be sure I had a window seat, and the attendant indicated that I could just keep 17A and B, since the plane had a lot of empty seats on it.

I had neglected to bring my road atlas, so I could not follow our progress on the map. John jokes that I want to be prepared in case the pilot suddenly needs an additional navigator. I was able to follow our route to St. Louis, where I expertly identified the Gateway Arch. After that, Missouri and Arkansas sort of merged together, and it got cloudy, so I napped a little.

Upon arrival in Austin, we made our way to the baggage claim. Evan's arrived first, and he went to check on getting a shuttle bus for the hotel. After claiming my suitcase, I rejoined Evan, who had spoken to someone at the hotel who said "the girl" would be waiting for us. This wasn't exactly true, but a Hampton Inn van showed up in a few minutes.

The driver was pleasant and asked about our flight and why we were in Austin. Her lack of knowledge of the NISOD conference (which had filled the hotel for several days) puzzled me a little, and should have been a big clue. A few minutes later, Evan got a strange look on his face and looked to the left. The driver moved into the left lane, signaled, and pointed to the right and said "Downtown is that way."

Of course, we wanted the Downtown Hampton Inn. Instead, we were at the Airport Hampton Inn. Fortunately, she very kindly offered to take us to the other hotel. Along the way, she pointed out the Congress Avenue bridge, which apparently teems with bats who make a mass exodus at sunset every night.

She dropped us off; I tipped her generously; and we proceeded to check in. In the elevator, Evan was very concerned that he must have offended the driver because she wouldn't take the tip he offered. I assured him that I had tipped her well. He said he would need to buy me a beer sometime.

Somewhere along the way, Evan operated the VP-phone and spoke with Cindy Luxton, who was already at the hotel with the other 5 female attendees from RVC. They had been at the convention center (about 2 blocks from the hotel) and would be returning to the hotel. We met them in the lobby, and were informed that we had 12:30 lunch reservations with them at P. F. Chang's.

The idea was floated that one could order the food family-style, and share it around the table. I concluded pretty quickly that most were spice-phobic, however, so I opted to order my own Sichuan from the Sea Scallops. Lunch was good, and although I was at one point told that I could split up the check, Cindy actually divided $115 (including tip) by 8 and got $15 each. She was concerned that this might be too much for my selfish order, but I assured her that it was pretty close.

Everybody else seemed to have pre-conference seminars during the afternoon, but I returned to my room and logged into the free high-speed internet at the hotel to type this entry. I am meeting Evan and the 6 ladies (Cindy Luxton, Marjorie Oliver, Lois Lundgren, Marie Baker, Marie Navickis, and Paulette Gilbert) at the 5:00 Welcoming Reception, hosted by the Four Seasons Hotel, and featuring a mariachi band from Laredo Community College. I think I even have a free drink coupon in my convention packet, so look out Austin!