Babytiger and I decided this year to skip AC for a number of reasons. The largest one being that we are both trying to focus on our finances a bit better, to help us buy a house. We are tired of this apartment that we are living in and really need to get back on track with the plan we had made years ago.

This merks the temporary end of an era for us though. For the last 8 years we have headed to Anthrocon and have enjoyed every minute of if we could. Things have changed though and that also plays into it all.

The cost of going to AC has steadily increased for us as we go along making it a lot tougher to justify it every year. The last 3 years that we have gone as well, we have had room mates stiff us for part of the room or bail on us a couple weeks or even days before the con leaving us on the hook for the room. This played heavily in the decision to not go. We used to go with very reliable people and knew that rooms and rides were evenly divided and payments happened quickly and in full now that is not so much the case.

I hope everyone has a blast at AC and unless things change drastically we will not be there. The $1000 or so that it costs for room, travel and food can be better put in a savings account for that downpayment that we need to make.

I will miss everyone and miss out on getting my 10 year badge but to be honest, the thought of having my own house far outweighs that little ribbon on my con badge.

I will still go to Furnal Equinox, that is a given, it is so close and I am part of the security team there so that is definatly on my list, but I will also be at Fur Fright as well, given that it is a lot closer and cheaper, and I have WAY more fun there then anywhere else. \

prplhaze