Conventions in 2010

[dalekboy]

So, we've looked at finances, holiday logistics, Lex logistics, and a bunch of other stuff, and have had to divvy up the convention going for next year. We've been nutting out ideas for a while, but Sharon's work commitments and our finances have meant we've had to firm up our plans.

I will be at Continuum 6 in Melbourne at the end of February.
This is because with Sharon's work, her trying to get the time off for the con is nigh impossible. I kind of have to be there for a couple of things, plus even though my baby has grown up and is now going off and having adventures without me, only calling home on the holidays and when it needs money or advice, I like to be there if I can. It will mean one of my mad dashes down and back, though if I can find a way to wrangle driving instead of flying, I shall.

Sharon will be at Swancon in Perth at Easter, while I do the Lex minding thing back home in Canberra.
Sharon's not been able to enjoy a holiday since the first one, six weeks after Lex was born, just because they've always involved mad runarounds and/or me having stuff to do, being sick, Lex teething, etc. I had already thought that sending Shaz to Swancon would be a good idea for her, she'd get a good week or more on holiday away from all baby duties and be able to enjoy a con, something she hasn't had a chance to do since before she moved to Canberra and missed out of C4.
She had some reservations, knowing how much Swancon means to me, but I thought it was more important that she get a real holiday.

We will both/all be at Aussiecon 4 in September. We don't know yet whether we will farm Lex out to the grandparents for part of the con, or just keep him with us the whole time. Will see what they want to do, and what he wants to do.

Sharing out the congoing is not something we generally want to do, but for next year it's pretty much the only way for us to go.

Comments

[mynxii.livejournal.com]

That's an awesome plan! I'm going to LOVE spending time with Sharon at Swancon :) I think that's a brilliant idea!!! I'll see YOU at Aussiecon! :)

[kadeton.livejournal.com]

Shame we won't see you at Swancon, but I can't fault your logic. :)

[dalekboy.livejournal.com]

I'd been thinking of sending Sharon alone since last Swancon. That was an awful time for both of us, Lex was being a horror, but I at least had the energy to go out late evening. I'd offer to look after Lex and let Shaz go out, but she'd just say she wanted sleep and that I should go.

I had it all planned for Continuum that I'd do the lion's share of looking after Lex, so she could enjoy the con. Then I got so seriously crook that Lex even being near me was a bad idea.

Then with C6 Sharon's work went, "You want time off in late Feb? You're seriously not going to be able to take loads of time off without these various things happening," and it just became easier for her not to go. Any variation within the time they'd let her have required crazy flights or crazy drives, and Sharon feeling that she'd have to somehow then have to shoehorn in a huge chunk of time with her family. So she'd end up with yet another holiday that was rushed and so full she couldn't enjoy it.

I'll miss being at Swancon, and it'll put my 20 year badge back another year, but I'm genuinely sick and tired of seeing my wife have a holiday or going to a con where she comes away not having enjoyed it. She deserves good things, and while she'll miss Lex and I, she'll have a good time with no responsibilities to anyone other than herself.

As I said to her, if I'm run ragged and Lex is being a complete demon, she'll have no choice but to shrug and go, "I'm 3,500km away, nothing I can do," then head off to a room party :)

[sonictail.livejournal.com]

You're going to farm out your young son? Isn't farming out services what telcos do to save money? And since when will Lex be able to teach a entire indian call center what his services are? Wouldn't there be a language barrier?

[dalekboy.livejournal.com]

Farming him out to grandparents. It's simple slave labour, so those other things aren't an issue.

[hespa.livejournal.com]

Looks like good planning to me.

I realise you'll probably want to stay closer to the venue, but if finances are an issue in February, don't forget you have a room with your name on it at my house!

(I'd make the same offer for September, but somehow I don't think you, Sharon and Lex would all fit in there entirely comfortably...)

See you in Feb! **happydance**

[dalekboy.livejournal.com]

I have to be at the venue, otherwise the travel kills me. So I'll have to see who I could stand sharing a room with, and who could put up with me, and do some good old fashioned sharing.

[hespa.livejournal.com]

Some to think of it, *I'll* be staying at the venue in February too...

Oh, I'm a twit.

The other bed in my room was originally claimed by Mikee, but now it looks like Cumber might want to stay at the venue too, finances allowing (I'd ask him to make a decision now, but he's neck-deep in Thesis Hell until Friday, poor dear). If that is the case, perhaps you and Mikee could share?

[hespa.livejournal.com]

(Come, even)

[arcadiagt5.livejournal.com]

Do you think you could stand sharing a room with me?

(And we really need to get together on the 2009 Awards soon...)

[angriest.livejournal.com]

I know how you feel. I'm trying to financially work out what Sonia and I can do next year too. Aussiecon is the cemented one - nothing on this Earth is going to make me miss it like I missed the last one. I also really want to go to Hong Kong again (kind of keen to do as much travel as possible while Sonia's health is going so swimmingly).

[arcadiagt5.livejournal.com]

This is all sounding far too sensible and mature.

Who are you and what have you done with the real Danny? :)

[jocko55.livejournal.com]

Good plan.

All of us are coming to Continuum 6, but not staying, as it is Melbourne. Trying to think about maskobolo costumes.

Not going to Swancon, much as I like Perth we cannot afford it.

Going to Seaworld rather than Aussiecon 4. The advertising has not convinced Jeanette any of us need to attend the Worldcon.