If you're at all plugged into the book world, especially anything to do with romance, you probably noticed that the RT convention was last week. I've been wanting to go for a long time, but with one thing or another-- the expense, travel, work, being sick and having no money-- I just haven't made it. Next year it's in Chicago, and I really want to go.
There are a couple of things holding me back at this point. One is the expense. This is not a cheap convention. It's almost $500 just to sign up. If I don't have a roommate, which with my weird sleep and bathroom habits would probably be best, I'm looking at about another $800 would be my guess. Transportation shouldn't be a biggie. Amtrak has a train that runs from Indy to Chicago, and the schedule looks like it should work well for me. Only $50 round trip, and I don't have to borrow one of my parents' cars for almost a week, pay for parking, and then be alert enough to pilot it for several hours. All together, I figure this thing will cost me $1,600. If the social security comes through between now and then, it might be doable. If it doesn't (and I've learned at this point not to bank on anything when it comes to the government turning over the benefits I'm owed), then there's no way in hell I can afford to go.
The second problem is as much a deal breaker as the money. Can I physically handle it? At this point a trip to the grocery store wears me out. I only leave the house on average about once every 3-4 weeks. Am I going to be able to manage 5 days of workshops and brunches and chatting in the hotel bar? I can tell you right now that there are some events I'll take a pass on. The cover model pageant? No, thanks. The awards ceremony? If an author I really love is up for an award, and present to accept, maybe. But I'll likely skip that, too. In fact, I'd probably skip most of the evening parties. I expect to be nearly comatose from exhaustion and over stimulation by dinner time most days. I don't know if I can do this, and I'm afraid that it will end up making me really sick. But I still want to go.
Why? I want to connect with readers in real life. I'm getting active on Goodreads, and I have all my Betty friends. It would be beyond awesome to get a chance to meet a few of them. And then there are all those other people out there who love to read and talk books. There will be authors there. Maybe I'll get a chance to meet some of my favorites! And as much as anything, it would be amazing to go out and do something like a normal human being. A late-thirties adult woman who actually goes places without her mommy and daddy taking her. Adult socialization with someone I'm not related to. NO Little House on the Prairie or The Waltons on TV in the background. Does that not sound magical?
So, all I have to do is convince the government to give me my money and then somehow find the energy to manage a five day conference. Yeah, not likely to happen. But I still really, really want to go.
Oh that sounds awesome! I could totally do chicago! Hmmm...like I'll ever be able to do THAT with a new baby.
ReplyDeleteBut I totally think you have a reasonable plan. You're prioritizing what you want to do and willing to skip what you don't. I think it would be soooo good for you mentally to get to have that brief vacation from your life and immerse yourself in something you love. Plus it might, oh, say...jumpstart your novel!
Chicago? The hell you say! That sounds fantastic. I can't afford to go, but it would be awesome.
ReplyDeleteFWIW, my sister has fibromyalgia, and she used to do a water work out (like Julie's old lady splashy class). She said she never felt better/more energetic than when she was doing that.
Affirmations my dear, affirmations! Set your sights on this and go with the positives. This really would be so good for your soul.
ReplyDeleteJulie
My gym back in Houston had water arthritis classes, and I loved going. (You haven't lived until you've splashed around in a pool with a bunch of 80 year olds ogling the young dads on the other side of the pool and making penis jokes.)
ReplyDeleteSummer of '09 I worked up to 2-3 days a week, and I did have more energy and maybe less pain. There's a Y not too far from here that offers the same class (it's designed by the Arthritis Foundation, and the instructors have to be certified), but there's not a lot of money for a membership right now.
I haven't been doing my Wii either lately. I'm pretty worn out right now from all this tax hassle, so I think it'll be a few more days. But sometime next week I need to get on that for a few minutes. I have to start out so slow with anything that I'm out of the habit of, or it just hammers me flat.
Us old ladies in those classes have NO class!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Oh, there were definitely some classy broads in that class, with some amazing life experiences. They just weren't shy!
ReplyDeleteMaybe a good conference will come somewhere closer to you? Not RT but something else fun? Worldcon came to Montreal last summer, so I signed my husband up for the whole thing, and then went down a couple times when I found out my fave sci fi author was attending.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe you'd get some pleasure out of something smaller, like a local book club?
I don't know. Just babbling. Your swim class sounded fun. :-)
Perhaps the Fokker could come to cheer you up, since we are both Hoosiers?
ReplyDelete