![\"At](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190512_163203-Corridor-Kzoo-2019-225x300.jpg\")
At the End of the 2019 Congress: “Light at the End of the Corridor”.<\/p><\/div>\n
Following the successful completion of our activities at the 2019 Congress<\/a>, we offer an informal glimpse Behind the Scenes.\u00a0 Customarily, the completion of the Congress is followed by its Report.\u00a0 Occasionally, there also follows a Behind-the-Scenes Report.\u00a0 For the 2019 Congress, we planned already then to offer such an additional, informal Report, but events and tasks arising along the way back from the Congress pushed back its timetable for completion.\u00a0 Then, in steady succession, other tasks and activities occupied attention.<\/p>\n Some are reported in our blog about our Congress Activities<\/a>, as we prepared for the 2020 Congress<\/a>, while others have their say in our blog about Manuscript Studies<\/a>, and in our reports about other Events, including the 2020 Spring Symposium<\/a>. The required cancellation in March and April 2020 of that Symposium and the 2020 Congress<\/a> as a whole led to further re-arrangements. Among other things, we attended to publishing the 2020 Symposium Booklet<\/a> and the Abstracts for all our 2020 Congress Sessions<\/a> as “souvenirs” of what had been planned.\u00a0 Research Group plans and adaptations, including possible rescheduling of parts of those events, are reported in the announcement about Keeping Up: Updates for Spring 2020<\/a>. Now, as the appointed time would have come to travel to the 2020 Congress as formerly intended, we revisit the 2019 Congress with its Behind-the-Scenes Report, including some hindsight.<\/p>\n Tardis<\/p><\/div>\n For the 2016 Congress Report<\/a>, its Follow-Up Report took shape under the title of Doctor Who-Done-It<\/a>.\u00a0 That term had its inspiration from a conversation on the way from one of the Research Group co-sponsored Sessions to our Reception, likewise co-sponsored with the Societas Magica<\/a>.\u00a0 Then it was revealed that our Director, Dr. Mildred Budny, drives an equivalent of the\u00a0\u00a0Tardis<\/a> (a conveyance for “Time and Relative Dimension in Space”).\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As described on the official website for Doctor Who<\/a> (see also Doctor Who<\/a>), the Tardis is the “Doctor’s method of travel through both time and space \u2014 all Gallifreyan Time Lords use TARDISes for getting from A to B \u2014 and from then to now.”\u00a0 Who knew that this conveyance would also figure among the activities behind the scenes at the 2019 Congress?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The conversation at the 2016 Congress had to do with transporting some copies of the Illustrated Catalogue<\/strong><\/a> to the Reception for collection by their new owners.\u00a0 2016 was the first year that our Director elected to drive, rather than to fly, to Kalamazoo for the Congress \u2014 because of the new arrangements by which the Research Group, as its co-publisher, took over the distribution of that Publication, and through which our Director had identified prospective owners, who wished to collect their copies at the Congress (rather than, say, to have to cover the international shipping costs).\u00a0 At that Congress, our Director could be seen with some of these copies in tow, on a wheeled luggage cart, on the way from one Session or Meeting to another.\u00a0 On the way to the Reception, there came the question if the ones that time were the only ones that had been brought.\u00a0 “Oh, no!\u00a0 These are not the same ones that you have seen on earlier days of the Congress.\u00a0 These are new, and there are more where they came from, for tomorrow.””<\/p>\n “Ah”, said Collin.\u00a0 “Where do they [meaning the new ones] come from?” And so came the title Doctor Who-Done-It<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the next Congress, the 2017 Congress Report<\/a> included an image of that conveyance, again in the company of the Illustrated Catalogue<\/strong><\/a> and one of its new owners.<\/p>\n Book Signing Scene outside Fetzer at the 2017 Congress. Photograph by Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n Arriving at the Congress base to register on the Eve of the Congress, some of us gathered, as customary, at Bilbos Pizza.\u00a0 Then it was time to place the Research Group Posters on billboards, where permitted and where space allowed.<\/p>\n RGME and Other Posters at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n The landscapes also await Arrivals.\u00a0 Here, outside one of the Dorms \u2014 inside which, on occasions, we visit the Board Room (see below).<\/p>\n Plant Life to Greet the Congress Attendees. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n Preparing to start the Sessions and to engage in their Question-and-Answer discussions, our participants engaged in arranging the projection and other aims. The official Report<\/a> for this Congress includes some Group Portraits of contributors to the different Sessions.\u00a0 Here, two Speakers set up the projection for their joint paper at our first Session of the Congress, the Organizer of one of our co-sponsored Sessions participates in its discussion, and the Respondent for that Session strokes his beard as he delivers his paper.<\/p>\n Ian Cornelius and James Eric Ensley prepare to tell us about “The Lost Medieval Exemplar of Beinecke Library, Takamiya MS 23<\/a>”<\/p>\n Eric and Ian Check the Projection for their Joint Paper at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Vajra Regan listens to the progress of his Session on “Embedded in the Mainstream: Ritual Magic Incorporated in ‘Legitimate’ Texts”, one of the 2 Sessions co-sponsored by the Research Group and the\u00a0Societas Magica<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n Vajra at his Session at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Michael A. Conrad offers an erudite Response to Vajra’s Session by his observations “In Plain Sight:\u00a0 The Promotion of Astrology and Magic at Royal Courts in the Thirteenth Century in Transcultural Perspective”.<\/p>\n Michael Presents His Paper at the the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n It was then that we learned that often, giving Papers, Michael ponders while he holds his beard \u2014 an observation which he readily confirmed.<\/p>\n Michael Presents His Paper and Beard at the the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n 2019 Reception and Business Meeting Invitations.<\/p><\/div>\n This year’s Open Business Meeting was an outstanding success.\u00a0 So many attendees \u2014 newcomers gladly included \u2014 that we had to bring in more chairs.\u00a0 Our Associate, William H. Campbell, volunteered to find those arrangements.\u00a0 As customary, Derek Shank recorded the Minutes.\u00a0 Constructive suggestions abounded.<\/p>\n Scheduled for lunchtime (lunch provided) on the first full day of the Congress, and right after our first Session (only 1 building away), the Meeting offered an excellent way to launch our activities at the Congress and beyond.\u00a0 Apparently there are no photographs of the occasion, but the 1-page Agenda not only sets the stage, but also provides a concise record of our achievements and aims for 2017\u20132018 and beyond, with requests for suggestions and contributions in funds and in kind.<\/p>\n The 2019 Agenda is now downloadable<\/a>.\u00a0 Please join us!<\/p>\n As in some previous years, our Reception was co-sponsored with the\u00a0Societas Magica<\/a>\u00a0.\u00a0 Conversation flowed, and some manuscript materials were examined.<\/p>\n Our Reception at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Dan Attrell heads the table.<\/p>\n Our Reception at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Groups hold conversations.<\/p>\n Our Reception at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Greeting the gatherers.<\/p>\n Our Reception at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Showing some specimens.<\/p>\n Our Reception at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Pondering.<\/p>\n Our Reception at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n *****<\/p>\n At the end of the day, as in previous years, it was possible to retreat to one of the Student Lounges, where we gathered to talk, relax, and, on occasion, play board games.\u00a0 Hence my customary term for that Room.\u00a0 (Never “Bored”.)<\/p>\n In the Board Room at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Making a Move.<\/p>\n In the Board Room at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Engaging in the Game.<\/p>\n Options.<\/p>\n In the Board Room at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n The customary Shedding of Shoes.<\/p>\n Bare Feet in the Board Room at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Conversing in the Board Room.<\/p>\n In the Board Room 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Telling Stories.<\/p>\n In the Board Room at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Not forgetting Refreshments.<\/p>\n In the Board Room at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Happy Traditions in Good Company among Colleagues and Friends.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n At last, the edition and translation has appeared.\u00a0 The Picatrix<\/a>: A Medieval Treatise on Astral Magic, translated with an introduction by Dan Attrell and David Porreca (2019). The authors sign copies.\u00a0\u00a0 Hurray!<\/p>\n Congratulating the achievement, we join the company of admirers with the happy awareness that we have heard about the research for this publication over the years, including in some of our Sessions at the Congress.<\/p>\n Dan and David at Their Book-Signing at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n For example, at the 2018 Congress<\/a>, Abstract of Paper<\/a> included.<\/p>\n 2018 Poster for “Occult Blockbusters” Session.<\/p><\/div>\n Displays, Dragons Included.<\/p>\n Display at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n *****<\/p>\n As customary in recent years, some of us gather at the cafeteria for Sunday lunch, as the Congress draws to its close and we prepare for return journeys.\u00a0 As in recent years, the gathering gives the opportunity to look afresh at some manuscript materials.<\/p>\n Here.<\/p>\n Sunday Lunch at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n With some improvised, reclaimed materials, Michael wraps his newly won Manuscript Facsimile Page for safe transit.<\/p>\n Michael at Sunday Lunch at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n Travelling T-Shirts as Selected and Modelled by Research Group Associates.<\/p>\n Derek and David with T-Shirts at Sunday Lunch at the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n *****<\/p>\n As the Congress shuts down, participants, exhibitors, staff, and employees, hurry to pack and depart.\u00a0 Then comes a quiet time, as some await their transport.\u00a0 Among them is Ilona.<\/p>\n Ilona Awaits at the End of the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n As packing is completed, there is pause to look around the setting and reflect upon the completion of another Congress.<\/p>\n 1) Looking out from a ground-floor dorm room toward the Parking Lot as its spaces have cleared.<\/p>\n View from the Dorm at the End of the Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n 2) A view of the Corridor leading to and from that room shows some “Light at the End of the Corridor”.<\/p>\n At the End of the 2019 Congress: Light at the End of the Tunnel.<\/p><\/div>\n Now is the time to drive away.<\/p>\n The Empty Parking Lot after the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n The grey weather following the Congress made a contrast with the sunny days along part of its course. By some of that sunlight might we remember it.<\/p>\n Central Rock Garden at WMU Kzoo 2019<\/p><\/div>\n Remember the\u00a0 Tardis<\/a>-like conveyance driven by our Director?\u00a0 See Above and also the Reports for the\u00a0 2016 Congress<\/a> and the 2017 Congress<\/a> .<\/p>\n Our lamented Associate, Michel Huglo, named this selfsame vehicle “Le Chariot de Milly” when he caught first sight of it.\u00a0 That was when our Director came to collect him for brunch in Princeton following our 1998 Symposium on The Bible and the Liturgy<\/a>, at which he had spoken.\u00a0 That name has proved as trusty as, for years, did the car.\u00a0 With the Director, it has ventured to conferences \u2014 including those in which the Research Group participated as organizer and sponsor or co-sponsor \u2014 in various states, including MA, CT, PA, OH, and MI.<\/p>\n This time, on the way back from the Kalamazoo Congress, the car gave up with a pop on the Ohio Turnpike.\u00a0 In the middle lane, at that, but with no traffic, so that it was possible safely to move to the side of the road, where conveniently stood a layby.<\/p>\n Le Chariot at the Side of the Road.<\/p><\/div>\n It took some time for help to arrive, but then Le Chariot was able to hitch a ride.<\/p>\n Le Chariot Hitches a Ride on the Way Back from the 2019 Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n This car had come to the end of the line, so had to remain in Ohio.\u00a0 Another means of conveyance could be found for the return to home base, but that car has now passed into history.\u00a0 Legend, some might say?<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n With hindsight, it seems somehow fitting that my thoughtful photographs in leaving the Congress rooms and spaces included choices to record them in the absence of people within the frame, but not without their presence, and their presence of mind.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n The grey weather following the Congress made a contrast with the sunny days along part of its course. By some of that sunlight might we remember it.<\/p>\nEarlier Reports from Behind-the-Scenes<\/h3>\n
![\"Tardis2](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/TARDIS2-225x300.jpg\")
\n“Ah”, said our Director, “They come from the back of my car.\u00a0 There are the refills.”
\n“Oh!\u00a0 So your car is the Tardis”.<\/p>\n![\"Book](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_3756-Book-Signing-Scene-2-outside-Fetzer-at-AZO-2017-1024x768.jpg\")
Gathering<\/h3>\n
![\"RGME](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190512_142802-RGME-Posters-Kzoo-2019-cropped-1024x590.jpg\")
![\"Plant](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190512_182659-Hostas-at-Kazoo-2019-cropped-1024x376.jpg\")
Setting the Stage<\/h3>\n
![\"Eric](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190509_104129-Eric-and-Ian-at-Kazoo-2019-cropped-858x1024.jpg\")
![\"Vajra](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190510_163019-Vajra-at-his-session-kzoo-2019-768x1024.jpg\")
![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190510_164010-Michael-speaks-at-our-Embedded-Session-kzoo-2019-cropped-772x1024.jpg\")
![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190510_163945-Michael-and-his-Beard-at-Kzoo-2019-768x1024.jpg\")
![\"2019](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2019-Business-Meeting-Reception-Full-Page5-232x300.png\")
Our Business Meeting<\/h3>\n
Our Reception<\/h3>\n
![\"Our](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190510_215230-Our-Reception-kzoo-2019-cropped-1024x633.jpg\")
![\"Our](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190510_211257-At-our-Reception-Kzoo-2019-1024x671.jpg\")
![\"Our](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190510_210807-Our-Reception-Kzoo-2019-cropped-1024x949.jpg\")
![\"Our](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190510_210723-Matt-at-our-Reception-kzoo-2019-cropped-930x1024.jpg\")
![\"Our](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190510_210633-Looking-at-MSS-at-our-Reception-Kzoo-2019-cropped-1024x744.jpg\")
![\"Our](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190510_2245018-Looking-at-the-Carolinginan-Fragment-Kzoo-2019-1024x768.jpg\")
The Board Room<\/h3>\n
![\"In](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190511_014034-In-the-Board-Room-kzoo-2019-cropped-1024x585.jpg\")
![\"In](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190511_014902-Derek-Makes-a-Move-cropped-1008x1024.jpg\")
![\"In](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190508_221318-Board-Room-Kzoo-2019-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"In](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190508_221256-David-and-Derek-in-the-Board-Room-Kzoo-2019-cropped-1024x726.jpg\")
![\"Bare](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190508_221246-Bare-Feet-at-the-Game-300x225.jpg\")
![\"In](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190511_003756-Augustine-et-al-Kzoo-2019-cropped-1024x724.jpg\")
![\"In](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190512_012715-Nicole-Phillip-and-Ilona-kzoo-2019-cropped-again-1024x656.jpg\")
![\"In](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190508_23365-David-and-Marla-In-the-Board-Room-Kzoo-2019-cropped-1024x743.jpg\")
Book Signing<\/h3>\n
![\"Dan](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190511_180305-Dan-and-David-Signing-their-Book-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"Poster](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/2018-RGME-All-Posters-Occult-Bestsellers-Session-I-with-border.png\")
![\"Diane](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190510_182611-Diane-at-the-Desk-kzoo-2019-1-1024x768.jpg\")
Sunday Lunch, Plus Some Manuscript Materials<\/h3>\n
![\"Adelaide,](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190511_182647-At-Sunday-Lunch-Kazoo-2019-cropped-1024x701.jpg\")
![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190512_115539-Michael-Wraps-Up-768x1024.jpg\")
![\"T-Shirts](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190512_125202-David-and-Derek-sport-their-Tees-cropped-969x1024.jpg\")
Heading Home<\/h3>\n
![\"Ilona](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20190512_183316-Ilona-kzoo-2019-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"View](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190513_103655-Blinds-to-the-Parking-Lot-Kzoo-2019-768x1024.jpg\")
![\"At](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190512_163203-Corridor-Kzoo-2019-768x1024.jpg\")
![\"The](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20190513_124257-Parking-Lot-end-of-Kzoo-2019-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"Central](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20190510_131923-Central-Rock-Garden-Kzoo-2019-1024x768.jpg\")
*****<\/h3>\n
“Le Chariot” Hitches a Ride and Comes to the End of the Line<\/h3>\n
![\"Le](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190513_183258-Camry-at-the-Side-of-the-Road-in-Ohio-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"Le](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/20190513_183536-The-Camry-Chariot-Hitches-a-Ride-cropped-1024x719.jpg\")