by Nina Post

When I was in high school, I went to a lot of punk / hardcore punk shows. I saw the Ramones, the Cramps, Danzig, Black Flag, Butthole Surfers, Cro-Mags, some other big names I forget (which I'll think of in the middle of the night)—and a lot of lesser-known bands.

I'm not one for crowds, and I haven't been to see live music in what seems like forever. I get to bed early, rarely go out at night, and have super sensitive hearing (even after all those shows). The most recent live music I've seen was a chamber music quartet. Things have changed, obviously.

But I remember that feeling of belonging and energy. Even jubilance.

That's my new standard for conference events (which is pretty much the least punk thing to say). Don't keep going to one if you don't feel that.