I think I've decided to give the San Diego Comic-Con a pass this year. I know it's the 40th Anniversary, and it's the place to meet other artists and make contacts, etc., etc., but I did the convention last year and came out of it with nothing aside from a single constructive portfolio review with Dark Horse. It was the most crowded place I've ever been to, and cost us a significant chunk of change. If I were able to attend as a geek and nothing more, I could have had a grand old time, I'm certain (my wife got to attend several great panels, such as ones featuring most of the casts of "Battlestar Galactica" and "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog"), but going as a professional looking for work was, I think, a waste of time. There's nothing I can do there that I can't do from my computer at home aside from shake hands and submit my portfolio to DC. It's just not worth the investment; certainly not now.

Besides, my parents are offering to pay for us to go on vacation with them in the Grand Canyon that same weekend. Which would I regret missing more, an overcrowded sensory overload or time with my family in a beautiful natural locale?

Instead, my beloved and I are considering trying out the Alternative Press Expo. I've never been, though I've always been curious about it. I've had a friend or two whom I respect go to show his stuff there, so it's always been on my to-do list. Since my wife and I spent our honeymoon in San Francisco, this would also be a nice opportunity for us to try a do-over (I got sick during our first visit).

Speaking of getting sick, my wife and I just recovered from having El Influenza. That knocked me out for a week, which was more of a problem for her than for me, since I'm currently unemployed. Still, I don't recommend it.