While most of the Cliopatriarchs are off at the AHA, I'm on the other side of the country with Phi Alpha Theta. Indeed, this is the biggest PAT conference yet, with several hundred enthusiastic history undergraduates and grad students from around the country having journeyed to New Mexico for the festivities.

There is a lot to be said for this conference. People are actually excited about their paper presentations. There's no job registery. And, on average, the participants are better looking. And, did I mention that we're in New Mexico?

Mind you, I'm not only here because Northern Kentucky University has one of the best PAT chapters in the country... I'm also here, along with Michael Tarver, shamelessly hawking student membership in the World History Association.

Somebody's gotta do it.