When I attended TC 2018, I was in the midst of an important decision that would have me out of work for some time in 2019. I had taken a voluntary separation from my current (at that time) employer. I knew that if chosen I could be out of work right at christmas time, the end of march or end of june.

I was part of the group at the end of march… which meant that I worked 4 months knowing that my time would be ending at this employer. I had still remained committed to attending CAPCon and TeddyCon both.

While I was unemployed when I bought my ticket, I was hopeful that I would have found work by October. While I had some leads, they wouldn’t hire somebody who was going to need 4-5 days off work shortly after starting and I was not going to loose the money that i had to pay for the ticket, hotel room and miss the fun time with friends.

As the date got closer, my friends Will and Casper and I figured out what the room arrangements were, I had booked a room as had Will. The plan was for me to room with Will and Casper was going to find a roommate and take mine.

I loaded my vehicle up on Tuesday night the best i could, so that I could head out bright and early Wednesday morning. I wanted to leave around 5:00 am, being a 9 hour drive. I ended up leaving at 6:15 am, but I was on the road.

The entire trip was 500 miles one way, and probably 400 of it was some sort of rain, with 100 of them being heavy rain. By the time I got to the hotel I was done with driving. I met up with Will and Casper.

Casper then informed me that he was not able to find a roomate, and wasnt able to afford the room. He wanted to stay with another group. That was fine, but the hotel had already billed my credit card for the $500+ charge. Luckily we found two people who agreed to take the room and just pay me back for it.

Will and I went to the pre-con munch and saw many familiar faces there, when we came back the registration was open for us to get our badges.

I had a very great time at the campfire each night. I did some great arts and crafts that I intend to incorporate into our next OhioABDL party as well.

Best of all I got to meet friends that I only get to see one or two times a year. Great friends are hard to find.

The drive home was bittersweet. Casper flew out sunday morning and Will flew home (can’t recall if I took him to the airport this year or not). I think I was gone from the hotel by noon, as I had a 9 hour drive home.

On the way back I stopped at a travel plaza and got food from Roy Rogers – it was different and good. Talked to my ‘brother’ about the convention, and got calls and texts from others as they got home.

On a bright side, i did not fall and injure my ribs this time!

I think I will certainly be back again if they will have me.