Executive Connections

Where Y'at, Dawlin'?

SLA’s fabulous 2009 conference is barely over, and I am already excited about 2010, and for a very special reason: it will be in New Orleans!

I was lucky enough to spend three years in the Crescent City while I was in law school, more than enough time to fall in love with it for life.  The food, the music, the culture—they are all so very special, and unlike anything you will find in another city.

To help prepare you for New Orleans, I will be blogging from time to time about some of the things that make New Orleans unique.  Today, I will share some vocabulary that I hope will help you enjoy New Orleans even more and begin a discussion with you about all the wonderful things about New Orleans.

Terms of endearment.  Don’t be taken aback if you are addressed as dawlin’ (darling), cher (dear), sweetheart or baby by everybody from your cab driver to the mayor.  Folks in New Orleans use terms of endearment much more often than most, and they mean it the nicest possible way!  And if someone asks you, “Where y’at?,” he or she means, “How are you?”

Silly sandwiches.  New Orleans serves world-class sandwiches, but you need to know the right words.  A mufaletta is made with round bread piled with cold meats and cheeses and topped with olive salad; New Orleanians will argue for hours about who makes the best mufaletta.  A po-boy is a submarine sandwich, though the New Orleans version is generally served on superior bread; fried shrimp or oysters are favorite varieties.  Whether you are ordering a po-boy, a burger, or any other kind of sandwich, you will be asked if you want it dressed or undressed.  Dressed means with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.

Deceptive directions. Because New Orleans lies on a crescent built into a curve in the Mississippi River, points on a compass are not as helpful in giving directions as they might be.  People tend to tell you where you need to be in relation to the river, and above or below Canal Street:  “Go up the river (or uptown) six blocks and then two blocks away from the river.”  The convention center neighborhood is called the Central Business District, or CBD, and is what in most cities would be called “downtown.”  It is close to the French Quarter (also called The Quarter or the Vieux Carré) and an easy streetcar ride from Uptown (home of the Garden District, Tulane and Loyola Universities, and Audubon Park).

Now, let's get down to the important things:  What is your favorite New Orleans food?

 

SLA Europe Celebrates the Centennial

I had the great good fortune to join the SLA Europe Chapter for a Centennial Soiree last week in London.  The weather was gorgeous, and the function room and rooftop deck were packed with good cheer.  The champagne flowed, and we all enjoyed three delicious cakes—one for each digit in 100.  An extra thanks to Don Roll and Alacra, who sponsored the whole thing!

A highlight of the evening was recognition of the SLA Europe Information Professional award winners for this year and last. Every year, the chapter recognizes the outstanding achievements of one information professional with an all-expenses-paid trip to the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO.  This year’s winner was Gimena Campos Cervera, who currently works in the U.S. Embassy to Italy in Rome.  It was clear from her comments that she not only enjoyed the conference, but felt she had benefited from the learning and networking.

I reiterated for the group SLA’s continuing commitment to growth in Europe and around the world, telling them of my plans to travel to Italy and Germany in the months ahead.  Every information professional needs worldwide connections, and SLA is determined to build your international network.