So, I’m at AAAS. It’s the big science writer party of the year. Uh, I mean, it’s the big general science conference of the year, and many science writers go to the conference so they can write up news, find story ideas, and…go to big parties with open bars. I’m particularly looking forward to this evening’s Marine Mixer, which generally features brilliant marine scientists and excellent wines.

Here’s a thought of the day about conferences: Wear your nametags, people. Wear them high. Wear them with pride. Wear them turned the right direction. A nametag is not only the ticket that gets you into sessions. It is also an aid to the poor sad memory-impaired people who totally know you but just can’t place you right now and are enthusiastically greeting you without the slightest clue of who you might be. Uh, not that I know anyone like that.

(Me. It was me.)