Convention Recap: Dragon Con 2026 - A Struggle with Balance?

So each year I have talked about have I have struggled with maintaining a balance. Dragon Con is part of my job now, but for much of my adult life it hasn't been work, it's been the best time of the year I have hanging with my closest friends. And every year I struggle with balancing those two competing desires. So how did I do this year?

About the same as last year, which is to say: meh.

What I Did To Try And Have More Balance:

• Once again I gave up all my signing times in the Sidestreet Book Market. I knew I was doing more panels, so I knew something had to give. So that is what gave. I told Ben he could give out my hours to whoever he wanted, however he wanted.

• Thursday I reserved as time I spent only with my friends. I didn't do any panels, I didn't go hang out in the Westin Bar, I just did things with my roommates, friends, and most importantly, LadyWife.

• The LadyWife made a lot of meal time reservations where I had gaps in my schedule, so we could eat meals with our friends.

• I didn't have a totally full schedule. I am allowed to be on ten, and I was put on eight. Rather than try to fill those last two slots, I just let it ride in order to have more time available.

Did It Work?

Meh.

When it came to spending time with the non-convention friends, other than one panel I only ever saw them at some meals (except for the couple we share with of course). The other group marches to their own beat these days, and that's fine. I wish we could spend more time together, but I've learned now that unless we are in adjacent rooms, it just won't happen. 

But also, this year further confirmed what I have been thinking since last year: maybe there just isn't a full balance to be achieved. For good or ill, this is my job now. I just don't see a path forward where I satisfy my career goals, and get to hang out with my friends like I did when we were younger.

And that really does suck.

And sadly I just don't see it changing for years to come, at least not until I become a lot more famous and acquire some minions.

I made moves to help, and while they didn't pan out like I hoped, I think they are the best I will be able to do for now. In future years, maybe these moves will help more. I am slowly making my peace with that. 

Even as it makes me sad.