As one expects, ConGregate was a very nice experience. Going in, I was, as is ridiculously common in the current age, extra stressed and anxious for all kinds of reasons that any regular reader here (assuming there are any) can surely identify. But, since I’m somewhat of a professional at this, I put on the mask and faked it, and by the end of things, I was mostly making it.

One potential stressor I had going in was the fact that we took the dog with us (we’re going to be gone for a bit a few times in the next little while, and figured we’d try an experiment at this smaller event in a pet-friendly hotel). I was worried she’d be overstimulated, but she was almost completely okay the whole time; holding court in a corner of the conference space where she could observe everything, and accepting gracious pets and attention from the assembled throng. She was very popular; I’m pretty sure James and Tera are going to put her on staff next year.

But, we survived. My shows and panels went well, and I sold a whole bunch of stuff (I only need about 87 more weekends like this per year and I can quit the day job). Of course, we also bought a bunch of stuff. Apart from our usual books and a trinket or three, I left the hotel Monday morning carrying an extra guitar.

One of my fellow performers who’s had some medical issues over the last few years and can’t really sing anymore, brought a couple of instruments with him in the interest of finding them new homes in the community before branching out further. A beautiful 2009 Martin DC-1E with a very attractive asking price spoke to me, and now I own the serious, grown-up, aspirational heirloom instrument so many musicians pine for, with the bonus of having a nice, personally significant history. I promised to do my best to keep her making music in our circles for years and years to come, and I’m going to do just that.

I mean, I still agonized over the whole transaction, because that’s how I roll, but all told, I’m glad I settled on going through with it.

I’m back to the usual work-a-day grind for a bit now, though there’s one last bit of promo. Though I did a bit of a soft mention a week or so back, as of Tuesday morning, I’m “officially official” for Dragoncon, as they’ve added me to the performers page on the web site:

So that’s out there; and in spite of the life going on around me right now, it’s an honor to be part of something this big once again, and I’m looking forward to a fun Labor Day weekend in Atlanta.