Here In Albany, NY - Sewing on My Mind

Well this week I'm in Albany, New York, attending the annual User Group Meeting (InfoEd International). Every year my team makes the trek to the conference. Originally, it was supposed to be in New Orleans, but because of low participation the vendor moved the conference to Albany. It was a good decision. About 150 institutions are in attendance.

Everyone is suffering budget cuts. I'm glad we were able to attend. It's good to get away from the day to day, and it's great to talk and see the people who help us keep the system running. There are a lot of familiar faces (other customers), but many that attended last year's conference aren't here this time. May be more people will come tomorrow.

I was able to make a two pair of slacks, both from McCall patterns: M5818 and M5710. Both turned out well. I've used the M5710 before. Back zipper in pants is my least favorite; so I installed in the front. No changes to the M5818 pair. When I posted my review of the dress from this pattern I thought I wouldn't use the pant pattern, but you know how that goes. I actually cut out two pair, only had time to sew one. I'll post my review later.

Anyway, I'm here; my sewing stuff is at home. There isn't a lot to do or see in Albany. Oh well...,

Happy Sewing!
C

NCURA Meeting in Washington, DC

Well, I decided to take a pass on attending the NCURAmeeting. I've attended four consecutive years. This pass is a welcomed change. Currently, I'm faced with continuous testing of our electronic proposal submission interface, which is designed and programmed by InfoEd customized by us (UI). Various departments have volunteered to test drive this baby. In the long run, it will replace Grants.gov for submission of multiple federal mechanisms. This approach to electronic submission is supposedly the cure for the ills of other federal interfaces. Our portal will serve as one stop shopping for developing and monitoring research support.

This has been a great experience. My team and our sponsors are finally seeing some payoff for many years of planning. It's exhausting. Oh well, kinda missing the opportunity to see DC again, but reliefed of the stress of it all. It's all gravy.

Peace