Flack's Daily Smack - Viva Las Vegas, Kinda

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There are two events taking place this summer in Vegas that I would like to attend. The first is Classic Gaming Expo, or simply CGE. CGE is "the world's first and largest event paying tribute to the people, systems and games of yesteryear." If you are into old videogames or computers at all, and I am, this is THE show to attend. The second is Defcon, the yearly Las Vegas-based hacker convention.

 

Choosing between these two events has been extremely difficult. I am involved in both communities. Both events take place at the same location, the Riviera, one week apart. I have a pair of passes to both events. After much struggling, I recently made the decision to attend BOTH events.

 

So why am I not happy about it?

 

01. I already know that I am going to feel guilty and depressed for being away from my family for 11 days. I can tell myself that I won't feel that way but I know that I will. Last year when Susan took the kids on one vacation and I went on another, I was miserable. I missed her and the kids greatly -- and that was only a five day trip. I'm not worried about the times when I'll be at the conventions, hanging out with friends and having a good time. I'm more worried about the time in between the conventions, the long stretches I'll have nothing to do and no one to hang out with. And by worried I don't mean "fling myself off the top of the Stratosphere" type of worried ... I just mean I know I'm going to be in the dumps and I'm not looking forward to it.

 

02. Financially and logistically, what makes the most sense is to travel out for the first convention and then stay through the second convention. This is actually cheaper than making two trips, either flying or driving. This brings me to the dreaded third point.

 

03. I'm driving. I'm not happy about it. I wish I could fly. I wish I could get anywhere near an airplane and not panic. Can this be overcome eventually? Yes. Is it going to happen within the next four weeks? No. I'm going to drive 1,100 miles each way, kicking myself the entire duration of the trip. Driving to Las Vegas won't be that bad. Driving home will be miserable.

 

I'm currently working on a deal that will get my dad out to Vegas for a few days during my visit. He's never been before and I think everyone should go at least once. Hopefully that will take away some of the "boredom dread" I'm currently experiencing. And speaking of that, I'm brainstorming things to do in Vegas to kill the time -- things to see, places to visit, etc. My bank account can't handle 11 days of boredom in the gambling capital of the country. Susan has suggested going to Los Angeles. I might hole up and finish writing one of my books. I haven't decided yet.

 

If you have ideas for Vegas activities, I'm all ears.

 

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