Chicago update #7 - Sunday, August 11, 2008... the final day.
Real life is... well, I suppose it's a matter of perspective. One side could see it as a major loss, and another side could be that I'm finally losing things that were always bad for me. It could be like losing an infected limb, and the loss doesn't mean losing something healthy, it means I've lost something dangerous, sick and cancerous.
It's still really hard to think about, let alone talk about. But in the near future, I will probably be calling some of you to have someone to talk to. I'm feeling sick and horrible and I really need my friends now.
Onto postive things!
It felt SOOOO good to write out yesterday's entry, and I'm looking forward to concluding these Chicago updates. The experience lives on through us and through sharing the pictures, the stories and the emotions.
I won't say here (at least for now :P) that I miss you all, because I know we will see each other again, and soon.
In the meantime, enjoy this final Chicago update, and here's hoping that life blesses us equally in ALL areas of our lives!
For the first time this con, I was actually the *last* to bed on Sunday night! It's usually the other way around, but I wanted to make a sincere and conscious effort to take better care of myself than I have in the past at these things, and I was satisfied. However, coming in the room last on Sunday night was definitely a good thing :)
Though we set the alarm for 8am for a 9am breakfast, somehow we all woke up around 7 or so. Erynn and I thought it'd be cool to hit the hot tub one last time, so once we called the concierge and learned that it was open, we gladly changed into bathing suits and ran upstairs, woo!
Met a really cool lady from Ohio (tee hee XD) who was in Chicago with her husband celebrating their anniversary, awe! She asked us if we were there for the HP con, and was really cool and asked a lot of questions when we said yep! Super awesome way to start the morning :)
After the hot tub, we went back to the room for a shower and change, and I put on my Sluggy pajamas, which I thought was quite fitting for a leaving breakfast XD Did some spots of latex on my head for the hairpiece, instead of slathering the shit on and spending the next few days pulling hair and getting it out - well, that was before I started putting hair serum or vaseline on it to help get it out, wuh.
The girls and I headed down and when we got to the ballroom, Jeremy found me and we sat together with more awesome people to join us. As always with these big group-style meals at cons, I spent most of the time running around with people and chatting, taking pictures and generally passing the love around ♥
Took bunches of pictures and ate some YUMMY breakfast food, downed a load of coffee and chatted with my quidditch team. After the pan-magical game stuff windled down, they got to awarding the quidditch trophies and respective game balls, and we went on stage together. Steph gave a wonderful speech and gave props to the other teams, which was quite magnanimous :)
Then she gave Jeremy the banner that we all signed (as a wedding present) and we took more pictures and basked in the awesomeness of each others' company :)
Said goodbye to lots and lots of people, but held it together and genuinely smiled through it all, knowing that they'll all be with us in heart and mind. Admittedly, it's never easy to see our friends cry, but I know for sure we'll see each other again.
When I headed over to the Ohio peeps, I said bye to a bunch of them but knew it wasn't time for others. Just couldn't do it yet.
After breakfast, Beth and her roomates very generously agreed to let us keep our suitcases and stuff in their room, which helped out LOTS! The hotel had another expensive service - it would have been $2 PER BAG to hold our shit! So thankfully these girls helped us out, yay!
We got all checked out - thanks Erynn! - and then Steph very kindly drove us to Sparky's, where we got to pick up Emily's car, woo! We then went back to the hotel and said goodbye to Steph... which was NOT easy. At all.
Once Steph hit the road, Emily, Erynn, Monica and I loaded up in the Em-mobile and drove to Soldier Field to check out the aquarium and museums.
Parked the car and hit a hot dog stand and the girls had vegetarian hot dogs, and Erynn bought me a Chicago-style turkeydog :) Thanks girl!
Went to the aquarium, which was a bit too rich for my blood. Emily decided she wanted to check it out, so Mon, Erynn and I walked around for a bit and chatted. We also check out the planetarium, but with the time we had available, we wouldn't get out in good time to get back to the hotel, load the car and head to Midway in time.
Then we went to the Adler Museum where there was a mythical creatures exhibit and...
... JACKPOT!
They have ONE day per month that admission is free, and that was OUR day! So, with the time we had available, we were able to see the exhibit and get out in good time, woo!
Went back to the car and met Emily, and drove back to the hotel. Texted Manda and eventually found her in the Staff room (thanks again to Monica for showing us where it was!). Poor Manda, she worked SO hard this con and really needed a nap and a massage! Said goodbye to the staff and gave lots of hugs and walked out of the room with Manda.
She said goodbye to Emily and Erynn, and I waited patiently. This is usually the part where I'm falling to pieces and can't look anyone in the eyes, as I'm crying so hard I'm shaking.
But this time when it was our turn to say goodbye, I felt good. It was different to see Manda be the one crying this time, but I was happy and thought about all the good times we shared, from this experience to the many I've shared with her before. Again, something hit me and I knew I'd see her again soon.
She told me that every time we do this, my shoulders get stronger and stronger :P Yay resistance training!
Left the staff area and headed to Beth's room. Got into the room and grabbed all of our shit, and said goodbye to the room :P
Called Beth to see if they'd be back at the hotel soon, and alas, they were on a bus and we wouldn't get to say goodbye to them. I said maybe it was for the better... and that the night before made up for it anyway :)
Ran into Hope, Jer and Jenn and said goodbyes :)
Monica was with us and as we stood by the car, ready to load up, we looked at each other and I told her she had to say goodbye to Em and Erynn first. We both had *that* look in our eyes and I had to wait to be last.
There's SO much to be said about meeting the right people in different points in our lives, and Monica is truly a treasure in this world. She's full of radiant light and shares it generously, and being around her, every moment, is an immense gift and sheer blessing. She nurture's the good in this life, and tends it masterfully. She's a magnificent person and it's beyond me how I got so lucky to have her in my life.
I'm crying now... what can I say? I love my Fandom Mommy to pieces ♥ ♥ ♥
But when I said goodbye to her, like with Manda, I felt happy! Again, it's never easy to see our friends cry, so I hugged her tight and told her I love her, and again, knew I'd see her again soon.
So much love!
After the final farewell, we loaded up in the car and Emily dropped Erynn and I off at Midway airport. It worked out pretty well - our flights were BOTH leaving at the SAME time!
Erynn checked in on the ticketless monitor, I had to get in line since I had some bags and was traveling on my very last non-revenue pass that I earned when I was still an airline employee. End of an era; the final goodbye to my airline perks.
Originally my flight was delayed, but we still had some time before Erynn's flight. So, we scoped out the eateries and decided to get some airport-style Greek food (all of Beth's talking of chomping on mediterranean later on with Monica made my tummy rumble). I, once again, had a gyro and fries, mmmm :) Erynn had a yummy veggie thing :)
Then we went to Ben and Jerry's and got some ice cream, WOOOO!!!! Erynn had Butter Pecan (which reminded me of Sparky ♥), and I had a scoop of Chocolate something with Cocounut Seven Layer (AGAIN). YUMMAGE.
Checked the moitors and found my flight was now ON TIME, woo! My gate was closest, so Erynn walked me over and we had to say goodbye. Awe, Erynn ♥
Got on the plane and got a text from Erynn that she was on hers :) Sent lots more love and lay back, enjoying my half-filled flight and window seat. Thought I'd have the row to myself (or maybe just the seat next to me) when a father and son sat next to me. Usually I'm 100% totally cool about it, but this time... maybe it was the lack of sleep or that I was really starting to feel PCD (Post-Con Depression). I nodded that it was okay that they sit with me, moved my stuff and looked out of the window. I think then it hit me that it was over, and it was time for me to very seriously start thinking about what exactly it was that I was going to do with my life in Florida.
I'm still waiting for an answer.
It'll come.
And, of course, some pictures!
Sluggy me with Cait, Tina, Serade, Matt, Tara, pinky hair and the other cool chick :P
Sluggy's early morning combo - coffee and sausage :)
MmMmmmm pineapple!
Awe ♥ Julie and me :)
Sluggy+Sasha's boobs = another new favorite OTP ♥
Again, I wasn't even drinking at this point.
The follow-through!
I'M SO HAPPY TO BE A SNAKE ON A CANE!!! Slytherins yay!!!
me and Kitty ♥ ♥ ♥
Quinn, Kitty, Jules, Sasha and me, yay!
Steph, Sam, Pattie, me, Erin and Mandala ♥
HP-Ohio! Crystal Balls! I love Crystal Balls as much as I love crystallized pineapple!
Jorge, Jeannie, Monica, Todd, Beth, Manda and Olek :) :) :) :) :) ♥ ♥ ♥
The captain speaketh
The Werewolves AWWWOOOOO!!!!!
Jeremy, Quinn, Kate, Me, Melody, Steph, Tracy and Machelle ♥ ♥ ♥
Jeremy, Steph and Quinn, awe :)
Steph and Jules!
So much love!!!!!
me and Steph, awe :)
BoobsBelly love!
LOL Beth's face :) ♥
Emily's awesome car dino :)
Chicago-style turkeydog!!!
numnumnummies!
No problem chomping this one! And of course, directions on my hand leading to where the car was parked :P
Emily, Monica, Erynn and me outside of the Adler Museum 2
Monica and Erynn outside of the Adler Planetarium
Chicago skyline again! 3
Tibetan wood armoire 4
Tibetan wood armoire wood inlay detail 2
Rock on, dragon pal!
And I was Hallows-licious that day :)
Monica and Erynn outside of Soldier Field
Erynn, me, Manda and Emily ♥
♥ ♥ ♥
I will always remember the Chicago experience, as honestly, it was a HUGE life highlight. When I say that I've put my entire life on hold for these wonderful experiences this summer, that's no exaggeration. A LOT of careful planning went into making it possible, and, truth be told, I wouldn't have done it any differently if I were to do it again.
No price can be put onto that, not ever. It was remarkable and wonderful, and I learned SO much and realize that there's still more work for me to do. There's no other way to learn these things than by going in with all my heart, and I got everything I wanted and needed, and then some.
It was the best trip of my life, and with that now as the basis for comparison, I look forward eagerly, ready for the next amazing adventure!
Holding you in reverence and love,
Karen ♥
It's still really hard to think about, let alone talk about. But in the near future, I will probably be calling some of you to have someone to talk to. I'm feeling sick and horrible and I really need my friends now.
Onto postive things!
It felt SOOOO good to write out yesterday's entry, and I'm looking forward to concluding these Chicago updates. The experience lives on through us and through sharing the pictures, the stories and the emotions.
I won't say here (at least for now :P) that I miss you all, because I know we will see each other again, and soon.
In the meantime, enjoy this final Chicago update, and here's hoping that life blesses us equally in ALL areas of our lives!
For the first time this con, I was actually the *last* to bed on Sunday night! It's usually the other way around, but I wanted to make a sincere and conscious effort to take better care of myself than I have in the past at these things, and I was satisfied. However, coming in the room last on Sunday night was definitely a good thing :)
Though we set the alarm for 8am for a 9am breakfast, somehow we all woke up around 7 or so. Erynn and I thought it'd be cool to hit the hot tub one last time, so once we called the concierge and learned that it was open, we gladly changed into bathing suits and ran upstairs, woo!
Met a really cool lady from Ohio (tee hee XD) who was in Chicago with her husband celebrating their anniversary, awe! She asked us if we were there for the HP con, and was really cool and asked a lot of questions when we said yep! Super awesome way to start the morning :)
After the hot tub, we went back to the room for a shower and change, and I put on my Sluggy pajamas, which I thought was quite fitting for a leaving breakfast XD Did some spots of latex on my head for the hairpiece, instead of slathering the shit on and spending the next few days pulling hair and getting it out - well, that was before I started putting hair serum or vaseline on it to help get it out, wuh.
The girls and I headed down and when we got to the ballroom, Jeremy found me and we sat together with more awesome people to join us. As always with these big group-style meals at cons, I spent most of the time running around with people and chatting, taking pictures and generally passing the love around ♥
Took bunches of pictures and ate some YUMMY breakfast food, downed a load of coffee and chatted with my quidditch team. After the pan-magical game stuff windled down, they got to awarding the quidditch trophies and respective game balls, and we went on stage together. Steph gave a wonderful speech and gave props to the other teams, which was quite magnanimous :)
Then she gave Jeremy the banner that we all signed (as a wedding present) and we took more pictures and basked in the awesomeness of each others' company :)
Said goodbye to lots and lots of people, but held it together and genuinely smiled through it all, knowing that they'll all be with us in heart and mind. Admittedly, it's never easy to see our friends cry, but I know for sure we'll see each other again.
When I headed over to the Ohio peeps, I said bye to a bunch of them but knew it wasn't time for others. Just couldn't do it yet.
After breakfast, Beth and her roomates very generously agreed to let us keep our suitcases and stuff in their room, which helped out LOTS! The hotel had another expensive service - it would have been $2 PER BAG to hold our shit! So thankfully these girls helped us out, yay!
We got all checked out - thanks Erynn! - and then Steph very kindly drove us to Sparky's, where we got to pick up Emily's car, woo! We then went back to the hotel and said goodbye to Steph... which was NOT easy. At all.
Once Steph hit the road, Emily, Erynn, Monica and I loaded up in the Em-mobile and drove to Soldier Field to check out the aquarium and museums.
Parked the car and hit a hot dog stand and the girls had vegetarian hot dogs, and Erynn bought me a Chicago-style turkeydog :) Thanks girl!
Went to the aquarium, which was a bit too rich for my blood. Emily decided she wanted to check it out, so Mon, Erynn and I walked around for a bit and chatted. We also check out the planetarium, but with the time we had available, we wouldn't get out in good time to get back to the hotel, load the car and head to Midway in time.
Then we went to the Adler Museum where there was a mythical creatures exhibit and...
... JACKPOT!
They have ONE day per month that admission is free, and that was OUR day! So, with the time we had available, we were able to see the exhibit and get out in good time, woo!
Went back to the car and met Emily, and drove back to the hotel. Texted Manda and eventually found her in the Staff room (thanks again to Monica for showing us where it was!). Poor Manda, she worked SO hard this con and really needed a nap and a massage! Said goodbye to the staff and gave lots of hugs and walked out of the room with Manda.
She said goodbye to Emily and Erynn, and I waited patiently. This is usually the part where I'm falling to pieces and can't look anyone in the eyes, as I'm crying so hard I'm shaking.
But this time when it was our turn to say goodbye, I felt good. It was different to see Manda be the one crying this time, but I was happy and thought about all the good times we shared, from this experience to the many I've shared with her before. Again, something hit me and I knew I'd see her again soon.
She told me that every time we do this, my shoulders get stronger and stronger :P Yay resistance training!
Left the staff area and headed to Beth's room. Got into the room and grabbed all of our shit, and said goodbye to the room :P
Called Beth to see if they'd be back at the hotel soon, and alas, they were on a bus and we wouldn't get to say goodbye to them. I said maybe it was for the better... and that the night before made up for it anyway :)
Ran into Hope, Jer and Jenn and said goodbyes :)
Monica was with us and as we stood by the car, ready to load up, we looked at each other and I told her she had to say goodbye to Em and Erynn first. We both had *that* look in our eyes and I had to wait to be last.
There's SO much to be said about meeting the right people in different points in our lives, and Monica is truly a treasure in this world. She's full of radiant light and shares it generously, and being around her, every moment, is an immense gift and sheer blessing. She nurture's the good in this life, and tends it masterfully. She's a magnificent person and it's beyond me how I got so lucky to have her in my life.
I'm crying now... what can I say? I love my Fandom Mommy to pieces ♥ ♥ ♥
But when I said goodbye to her, like with Manda, I felt happy! Again, it's never easy to see our friends cry, so I hugged her tight and told her I love her, and again, knew I'd see her again soon.
So much love!
After the final farewell, we loaded up in the car and Emily dropped Erynn and I off at Midway airport. It worked out pretty well - our flights were BOTH leaving at the SAME time!
Erynn checked in on the ticketless monitor, I had to get in line since I had some bags and was traveling on my very last non-revenue pass that I earned when I was still an airline employee. End of an era; the final goodbye to my airline perks.
Originally my flight was delayed, but we still had some time before Erynn's flight. So, we scoped out the eateries and decided to get some airport-style Greek food (all of Beth's talking of chomping on mediterranean later on with Monica made my tummy rumble). I, once again, had a gyro and fries, mmmm :) Erynn had a yummy veggie thing :)
Then we went to Ben and Jerry's and got some ice cream, WOOOO!!!! Erynn had Butter Pecan (which reminded me of Sparky ♥), and I had a scoop of Chocolate something with Cocounut Seven Layer (AGAIN). YUMMAGE.
Checked the moitors and found my flight was now ON TIME, woo! My gate was closest, so Erynn walked me over and we had to say goodbye. Awe, Erynn ♥
Got on the plane and got a text from Erynn that she was on hers :) Sent lots more love and lay back, enjoying my half-filled flight and window seat. Thought I'd have the row to myself (or maybe just the seat next to me) when a father and son sat next to me. Usually I'm 100% totally cool about it, but this time... maybe it was the lack of sleep or that I was really starting to feel PCD (Post-Con Depression). I nodded that it was okay that they sit with me, moved my stuff and looked out of the window. I think then it hit me that it was over, and it was time for me to very seriously start thinking about what exactly it was that I was going to do with my life in Florida.
I'm still waiting for an answer.
It'll come.
And, of course, some pictures!
Sluggy me with Cait, Tina, Serade, Matt, Tara, pinky hair and the other cool chick :P
Sluggy's early morning combo - coffee and sausage :)
MmMmmmm pineapple!
Awe ♥ Julie and me :)
Sluggy+Sasha's boobs = another new favorite OTP ♥
Again, I wasn't even drinking at this point.
The follow-through!
I'M SO HAPPY TO BE A SNAKE ON A CANE!!! Slytherins yay!!!
me and Kitty ♥ ♥ ♥
Quinn, Kitty, Jules, Sasha and me, yay!
Steph, Sam, Pattie, me, Erin and Mandala ♥
HP-Ohio! Crystal Balls! I love Crystal Balls as much as I love crystallized pineapple!
Jorge, Jeannie, Monica, Todd, Beth, Manda and Olek :) :) :) :) :) ♥ ♥ ♥
The captain speaketh
The Werewolves AWWWOOOOO!!!!!
Jeremy, Quinn, Kate, Me, Melody, Steph, Tracy and Machelle ♥ ♥ ♥
Jeremy, Steph and Quinn, awe :)
Steph and Jules!
So much love!!!!!
me and Steph, awe :)
BoobsBelly love!
LOL Beth's face :) ♥
Emily's awesome car dino :)
Chicago-style turkeydog!!!
numnumnummies!
No problem chomping this one! And of course, directions on my hand leading to where the car was parked :P
Emily, Monica, Erynn and me outside of the Adler Museum 2
Monica and Erynn outside of the Adler Planetarium
Chicago skyline again! 3
Tibetan wood armoire 4
Tibetan wood armoire wood inlay detail 2
Rock on, dragon pal!
And I was Hallows-licious that day :)
Monica and Erynn outside of Soldier Field
Erynn, me, Manda and Emily ♥
♥ ♥ ♥
I will always remember the Chicago experience, as honestly, it was a HUGE life highlight. When I say that I've put my entire life on hold for these wonderful experiences this summer, that's no exaggeration. A LOT of careful planning went into making it possible, and, truth be told, I wouldn't have done it any differently if I were to do it again.
No price can be put onto that, not ever. It was remarkable and wonderful, and I learned SO much and realize that there's still more work for me to do. There's no other way to learn these things than by going in with all my heart, and I got everything I wanted and needed, and then some.
It was the best trip of my life, and with that now as the basis for comparison, I look forward eagerly, ready for the next amazing adventure!
Holding you in reverence and love,
Karen ♥