Kim Orendor

Of course, I'm not sure the hour layover in the airport really counts as being there in the first place.

However, I do know this is my first APSE convention, and that in and of itself is enough reason to get excited.

Talking with other editors who have gone before only heightens the anticipation of learning and honing my craft.

Looking at the schedule, it's hard to know what to do first.

As the small-paper representative for APSE, I know I'll be at the small-newspaper caucus on the first day.

Thankfully, the workshops are repeated, so I have a chance to get to all that I want.

I plan on starting out with "Today's Readers, Yesterday's Paper." Being an afternoon paper, by the time our readers see our section, we're nearly beyond yesterday.

I cut my journalistic teeth on Tim Harrower's design handbook. It was required reading for Journalism 101 along with the AP stylebook. Both are still within reach, even these many years after graduation.

To make sure I've got the concepts down cold, I'll head to "Design 101" next. This isn't so much overkill as beats are not an issue on a three-person staff and agate is one area we do well.

Come Friday, I'm learning "100 Ways to Improve Your Prep Coverage." I'd settle for 10. With just one high school in town, coming up with new ways to cover the same old thing gets a bit rough.

How tough can you be on the local prepsters?

Which team gets covered by a reporter and which has the stand-alone photo?

Is there really such a thing as a "minor" sport?

The "So You Want To Be a Sports Editor" panel also sounds interesting.

Listening to and learning from others experience is a good way to avoid making the same mistakes. Itís also a way to get a few good laughs and learn you're not alone.

Finally, I'll top it off with "What's Fun and What's Over The Line." I have a feeling we all have a different idea of where the line actually is, so this should be interesting.

In addition, there are all the general sessions and speakers.

And what would a journalist convention be without food, including the awards dinner on the final night.

My brain is starting to hurt already, just pondering all the new information that's going to be crammed into it in a short amount of time. But I know it will be worth it when our section design is stronger and our prep coverage is solid.

Of course, the convention isn't all work and no play. There are places to go and things to do.

There's so much to see in Philadelphia and for a West Coaster like me everything is new. I'm eager to see the historic sites and grab some local grub.

The actual city has to be so much more exciting than the airport. This visit will really count. And after spending four days absorbing all I can at the convention, I'm sure to come home with more than just a few souvenirs.