I have to admit, I was a little bummed out this year when I confirmed the dates for Long Beach Comic Con 2019 and realized that it was the earliest it had ever been scheduled: August 31st and September 1st. In other words, my birthday weekend.

I resolved to follow through since Dawn and I have yet to miss a Long Beach show since they started, but I can’t deny there was a twinge of mopery since exhibiting at a convention just isn’t the same sort of freewheeling feeling one has for attending. You’re holding down a table for hours, and while it’s hardly something I’d compare to 9-to-5 cubicle drudgery I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t get slow at times, not to mention the effort of load-out and load-in and, in the case of Long Beach, the driving back and forth since the time and distance doesn’t quite justify the expense of a hotel.

And then maybe a little over a month ago I had an obvious epiphany: the convention by itself may not have justified a hotel, but the convention combined with a birthday? How ’bout that?

Luckily this wasn’t San Diego or even WonderCon so it wasn’t beyond question trying to find a nearby place. Even snagged one with a nice pool that was open late. We actually managed to spend an hour or so (literally) cooling our heels in that pool, and let me tell you that’s almost as rare a feat for exhibitors as being able to take advantage of a happy hour. Also on Saturday we had enough friends come by it still felt birthday enough, especially when some stayed long enough for a few drinks after.

Conventions are work, no doubt, and this was no exception. But if you work it well enough, they can still be a kind of vacation.