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[Anthrocon] All Good Things...
6 years ago
About a week or so ago, I made a call to someone to share a decision I was hesitating to admit to myself I'd even made. It was the kind of call where you feel like you're letting someone down, regardless of what they say.
I've been attending Anthrocon since 2001. I've missed one, for one of my brother's weddings, in that time.
I've also moved something like 6 times between 3 states. For five of those addresses, Anthrocon was about a four hour drive from home.
Anthrocon is a 4 hour flight nowadays, or a three day drive.
Pittsburgh is not a major airport as things go. This drives the price of flying to or from Pittsburgh up. So does the convention happening around Independence Day in the US.
What's the price difference? For the first time since I moved to Colorado, an economy flight to Pittsburgh for Anthrocon in July is cheaper than a first class flight on the same airline to Chicago for MFF at the beginning of December. In previous years, the economy flight was $150-$200 more expensive.
I can't afford to keep paying $650-$800 to fly to Anthrocon when MFF has been $400-$550. I don't fly enough to be able to reduce the costs with points every year.
Ultimately, I had to evaluate non-monetary factors as well, but the end result is that barring a substantial pay increase, this year will be my last Anthrocon for a while. I've had a great time working that convention since 2002, and a lot of what I've learned working there I've put to good use with the work I do at MFF every year.
So, if you want to spend time with me at AC this year because you don't see me anywhere else, let me know. My boss at AC is aware of my future plans and won't begrudge me a goodbye with friends.
I've been attending Anthrocon since 2001. I've missed one, for one of my brother's weddings, in that time.
I've also moved something like 6 times between 3 states. For five of those addresses, Anthrocon was about a four hour drive from home.
Anthrocon is a 4 hour flight nowadays, or a three day drive.
Pittsburgh is not a major airport as things go. This drives the price of flying to or from Pittsburgh up. So does the convention happening around Independence Day in the US.
What's the price difference? For the first time since I moved to Colorado, an economy flight to Pittsburgh for Anthrocon in July is cheaper than a first class flight on the same airline to Chicago for MFF at the beginning of December. In previous years, the economy flight was $150-$200 more expensive.
I can't afford to keep paying $650-$800 to fly to Anthrocon when MFF has been $400-$550. I don't fly enough to be able to reduce the costs with points every year.
Ultimately, I had to evaluate non-monetary factors as well, but the end result is that barring a substantial pay increase, this year will be my last Anthrocon for a while. I've had a great time working that convention since 2002, and a lot of what I've learned working there I've put to good use with the work I do at MFF every year.
So, if you want to spend time with me at AC this year because you don't see me anywhere else, let me know. My boss at AC is aware of my future plans and won't begrudge me a goodbye with friends.
Dominus tecum