I just got back from Boston ...

... to a conference on Medieval History (what else). We were in the old Burns Library at Boston College. Very medieval looking. We were up in a huge room with what must have been 40 foot ceilings, huge old wood beams with carved angels on the ends, and rare old books in glassed bookcases. Unfortunately the rare old books must have been giving off dust or something because the first day I sniffed, coughed and turned red through the whole thing. The next day I made sure to spend some time down in the basement rec room grading papers (well... it is possible that I fell asleep briefly). Here is a pic. of the reading room. The room we met in was right next to it.

Stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Brookline - a nice place, but you pay Boston prices. Except for the gas, which was no more expensive than gas in Wilkesboro. I can't figure that out. Surely Boston has higher taxes than tax phobic North Carolina. Anyway, lots of good restaurants around. Had a good time other than the allergy attack (which is ok - I am scheduled to get over it about 2018 at the rate I'm going).

Other than the gas prices, and the reasonable prices at the airport, the weirdest thing was the beautiful weather we had all weekend.

Coming back to the Charlotte airport was a dash of reality. Today I have been trying to get back into my work. And I would have too, except one of my front teeth had cracked from top to bottom and I rushed over to the dentist to get that taken care of.