SVP 2017: What I'm expecting and looking forward to

Pre-SVP 2017 Word Vomit

It seems silly, but I'm having a hard time putting into words how extremely excited I am about attending SVP this year. It feels like the words floating around in my head border the extreme or sound hyperbolic, and I don't want to start a tidal wave of eye rolls.

So, forgive the extreme emotional attachment to this post.

It's been almost 10 years since I've been able to do something in one of the fields I went to school for.
I've been standing in the shadows watching the world discover new things in archaeology and paleontology, dreaming with them and admiring them. Each new find is an adventure, showing us more about ourselves as a species or about the earth we live on. They're slices of time beyond our imagination, and I'll never not be in love with both fields.

Being able to go to SVP, as a representative of an institute that promotes science education, advocacy, outreach, and communication within the field of paleontology is a dream come true.
I may not be the one digging up the dinosaurs, but I can promote and support the field along side some of the best.
I'm not lying when I say this is probably one of the coolest things I've done, right up there with my field school experience excavating pre-classic Mayan artifacts in Belize.

I simply cannot wait to see what the next week will bring, and I'm vibrating with excitement.

This trip isn't just about running the ISMD booth, it's going to be a chance for me to meet people I've been following for a while now. Some badass people are going to be attending this conference and I intend to meet as many as I can.
Some of these talented people are going to be involved in various workshops that I plan on attending as well. So, bonus, I get to learn some amazing new things and see paleontologists upcoming works while I'm there!
I'm also going to be in the same state as one of the best dinosaur museums, the Royal Tyrrell Museum. The nodosaur they have on display there is the insanely well preserved fossil that basically looks like a statue. I'll add a picture below so you can see what I'm talking about.

• I want to make friends with amazing people

There's going to be some amazing people at this conference I'm very excited to meet in person. A slew of paleo artists, science communicators, bloggers, and paleontologists are going to be there, some of which I speak to on Twitter fairly regularly. I got a couple of tweets today of people wearing our shirts while travelling to SVP, which brought home the realization of just who I'm going to be able to rub elbows with during this next week.

This is insanely exciting. I'm actual fans of most of these people because of the work they do and who they are as people. I've listened to them chatting on podcasts, read their blogs, and seen their work.

• The hosts of I Know Dino

You guys know I'm a huge fan of this podcast and have been following them for a long time. I'm really stoked I get to meet them in person and tell them how great they are.

• Lady Naturalist

This paleontologist and science communicator is a blast to follow. She does some amazing work and helps promote us on social media. She's going to be part of a workshop about diversity in paleontology during the conference that I really hope I get to see.

Follow:
Twitter @LadyNaturalist

• Victoria Arbor

Victoria is one of the paleontologist who worked on the cool ankylosaur Zuul, named after the monster in Ghostbusters. She's been interviewed on I Know Dino twice and on the ISMD site before.

Twitter @VictoriaArbor

• Finally get to meet Thea face-to-face

For those who don't know her, Thea is the lady who I've been working primarily with at ISMD. She's the one who brought me in as a volunteer and helped get me in the role of Social Media Coordinator and Secretary.
Can't wait to have a beer with this chick.

Twitter @tharkibo

• Paleo artists Henry Sharpe and Madison Henline

Henry Sharpe

Henry Sharpe is a very talented artist who we're going to be featuring on the ISMD website soon. His work reflects not only his passion for dinosaurs and prehistoric life, but also the research he puts into his work. 

Twitter @bone_sharpe
Blog: bonesharpesite.wordpress.com

Madison Henline

Madison is someone I found by accident through a group on Facebook and adored her style. I ended up reaching out to her about some of her art and have been following her since. Not only does she do amazing dinosaur art, she's also a freaking geek who draws all kinds of beautiful work.

Twitter @rhunevild
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madhenart/

• I want to visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum

YEAH IT'S REAL

This museum holds one of the coolest damn dinosaur fossils ever. EVER.
And I have a chance to go see it.

Mind you, I have no idea what to expect when I get to SVP, and there's a very real possibility that I'm going to be too busy to actually go, but I'm going to try my damnest to make it happen.

• I want to learn things

There's going to be a ton of cool workshops at SVP, ranging from studies on finds, to fossil info, science education an communication and discussing bringing diversity into the field.

I hope to be able to get into as many as possibly between running the booth and meeting people, and I'll make sure to share what I learn for sure!








There's a lot more I want to chat about, but it's my last night before I leave. I have Thai food ordered, hubby snuggled next to me and Game of Thrones in my future.

I uh...also gotta finish packing.


Until next time, my friends!