Coffee & Zoom—third day of a 10 day Academic Conference in 2020
The adrenaline that helped me wake up early this week has now gone away, and it is sheer self-determination that draws me out of bed. Although I am excited to hear some of the paper topics, I think the real motivating factor is imagining myself to be part of something bigger and outside what has become my tiny COVID-19 lockdown world this year. Some of the things I have noticed about the virtual conference individual experience:
On Coffee: I generally have to make my own coffee (instead of standing in a long line at a make-shift popup cart in the convention center lobby). As a result, the coffee is always good great! I drink a lot of it, which brings me to my next subject—the toilet.
On Relieving Myself: The toilet is a mere ten-step away from my desk. I can make a quick trip without missing any significant portion. Also, the toilet is about ten steps from me, and whenever someone else uses it, there be superfluous background noises.
On Energy Reserves: At a live conference, I am getting my 10K+ steps per day, walking miles between hotels and restaurants with colleagues. But, in a virtual conference, I am not burning off the calories of those midday drinks, and I am also definitely not using the energy that is accumulating due to coffee intake.
I think the moral of this story is that coffee giveth and coffee taketh away.
About this event
Society of Biblical Literature/American Academy of Religion (SBLAAR) is an Annual Academic Conference that extends Nationally, Internationally, and Regionally. This is the first year it is running online as a virtual conference. Usually, it is held in a large metropolitan city in the United States. Read about #SBLAAR presentations. Also, read about other academic conferences.
Dr. Erica Mongé-Greer is a writer, biblical scholar, and consultant passionate about the intersections of faith, ethics, and storytelling. With over a decade of experience in higher education, she brings deep insight into scripture, theology, and the narratives that shape our understanding of justice and identity. Through her writing, teaching, and consulting, she helps others engage with biblical texts, develop their own voices, and navigate the world of publishing with clarity and purpose. She is the founder of Retreat Write Repeat, a space dedicated to fostering community and creativity for writers. Follow her work at scholarlywanderlust.com.
