The Conference

So a couple of months ago I put myself into a conundrum. I agreed haphazardly and hastily to go to a conference in Boston AND to share the room with my boss. Perhaps this wouldn't be such a bad thing if:
a.) the job actually paid for the conference, travel, hotel, etc.
b.) I was actually interested in the subject
c.) It wasn't it the middle of going to the other side of the world and roommate's moving in

But despite these events and my avoidance of conflict with my boss...I went. The day started off well when my 8 hour train ride to Boston became an 11 hour ride. It actually wasn't too bad and forced me to study so I'm almost caught up (I had to watch 1/2 a season of The Office). The true delight was when I walked into the hotel room to find a big King bed. YES!

I realize some people are close with their boss and might even be friends. I would say she is a friendly colleague but to sleep with my boss seems to cross professional boundaries.

The weekend got better as there was often a lot of time to kill and there's only so much walking, small talk (which I suck at) and shopping for yarn one can do in Boston. My other colleague was in her mid 30s with her husband. It was actually very nice until they brought up their time in the 70s and inquired when I graduated. I politely chuckled about the good old 70s and successfully averted the graduation question. I enjoy the fact that despite some people accusing me of being too young to drive without supervision that I can also appear fit in with people who lived during the Watergate Scandal.

All in all...although the experiences for the weekend were perhaps not ideal I did learn a very important life lesson. The extreme importance of saying "I'll have to check my schedule and get back with you" rather than the eager yes...and to never be put in a situation where one must share a bed with their boss.