Summertime: no decisions easy
I've pretty much decided not to go to San Diego this summer. I'm sad, because con is always a good time, and I get to see people there that I only see once a year. But I've come to the realization that there are a lot of places in this country and the world where I'd like to travel, and if I keep spending all my money and vacation time going to San Diego once a year, I'll never get to any of them.
If I had a way of making money at con, it might be different; if I could just break even, maybe I'd still go. But I can't. Sure, there's usually someone to stay with, and I can usually get into the con itself for free either as a professional or as part of the Poseur Ink crew. I'm not denying that with the help of my friends, going to con is cheaper than it might be. But it's still time off work, it's still airfare and food. So, sad as it makes me, I'll be missing some of you this year.
Oh, and I'm moving sometime in the next few months. That puts a cramp in any plans, too.
After making this decision, I started thinking of other places I could perhaps go this summer. To be certain, I also thought about not going anywhere, what with my impending move. Still, I can't help thinking of all the wonderful, exciting, and non-San Diego places I could go. Now I am faced with a question. Do I go on a trip this summer/fall, and if so, where? Here are a few things I'd like to do, in varying degrees of feasibility.
-Visit my sister in Colorado
Pros: Never been there, would atone for the fact that I only ever visited her once while she was away at school, Chris Thile and a number of other awesome people are playing the Telluride Festival (O mecca of bluegrass! How I long for thee!)
Cons: Esti will be visiting next weekend for my dad's birthday (ssssh, it's a secret, don't tell!), so it would make more sense to save a visit to her until I haven't seen her in awhile, and Telluride is way out of my price range anyway. I've pretty much ruled this one out.
-Go to the Austin City Limits musical festival in September
Pros: Hang out with Mitch and Ben, get to meet Victoria, some cool bands playing. I can't remember where Sandra lives in Texas, but maybe close enough for a visit?
Cons: No one playing that really got me excited, festival is damned expensive
-Go to New York
Pros: I have wanted to since I went the first time in high school. See Ben, possibly LSF, possibly the Unlovables. Road trip to Jersey not unfeasible, see Mike and Spiraling.
Cons: Expensive, nowhere to stay in the city
-Go to Toronto
Pros: See Leslie (this trip would be in the fall), Victoria, Mykwud. Possible attached roadtrip to NY/NJ with Les, aforementioned pros
Cons: International flights are expensive
-Go to Paris
Pros: Always wanted to go there, see Rodin museum, stalk Rian
Cons: Not in any way possible.
If anyone has information or suggestions, I'd welcome them.
If I had a way of making money at con, it might be different; if I could just break even, maybe I'd still go. But I can't. Sure, there's usually someone to stay with, and I can usually get into the con itself for free either as a professional or as part of the Poseur Ink crew. I'm not denying that with the help of my friends, going to con is cheaper than it might be. But it's still time off work, it's still airfare and food. So, sad as it makes me, I'll be missing some of you this year.
Oh, and I'm moving sometime in the next few months. That puts a cramp in any plans, too.
After making this decision, I started thinking of other places I could perhaps go this summer. To be certain, I also thought about not going anywhere, what with my impending move. Still, I can't help thinking of all the wonderful, exciting, and non-San Diego places I could go. Now I am faced with a question. Do I go on a trip this summer/fall, and if so, where? Here are a few things I'd like to do, in varying degrees of feasibility.
-Visit my sister in Colorado
Pros: Never been there, would atone for the fact that I only ever visited her once while she was away at school, Chris Thile and a number of other awesome people are playing the Telluride Festival (O mecca of bluegrass! How I long for thee!)
Cons: Esti will be visiting next weekend for my dad's birthday (ssssh, it's a secret, don't tell!), so it would make more sense to save a visit to her until I haven't seen her in awhile, and Telluride is way out of my price range anyway. I've pretty much ruled this one out.
-Go to the Austin City Limits musical festival in September
Pros: Hang out with Mitch and Ben, get to meet Victoria, some cool bands playing. I can't remember where Sandra lives in Texas, but maybe close enough for a visit?
Cons: No one playing that really got me excited, festival is damned expensive
-Go to New York
Pros: I have wanted to since I went the first time in high school. See Ben, possibly LSF, possibly the Unlovables. Road trip to Jersey not unfeasible, see Mike and Spiraling.
Cons: Expensive, nowhere to stay in the city
-Go to Toronto
Pros: See Leslie (this trip would be in the fall), Victoria, Mykwud. Possible attached roadtrip to NY/NJ with Les, aforementioned pros
Cons: International flights are expensive
-Go to Paris
Pros: Always wanted to go there, see Rodin museum, stalk Rian
Cons: Not in any way possible.
If anyone has information or suggestions, I'd welcome them.