NOTOCON recap

[vixenesque93]

I created this post in so many forms in my head this weekend. I thought about whether or not to lock it, cut it, if I even had anything meaningful to write about. I just don't know if I have words to describe what this experience has been like for me. It wasn't just a weekend, it was a series of amazing moments and memories. And yet the only photos I have are of Scsi trying to get into my bag as I packed.

Thursday was when everything started for me, really. Checked into the hotel, got a pedicure (I may have to do this regularly now...my feet feel lovely!), got back to the hotel, changed clothes then up to the temple for open house and running an early check-in, which led to meeting LOTS of people for the first time! It was so incredibly strange seeing the temple space with no altar present. Really opens up the space. I really wish it hadn't been so busy up on the hill though--it made it difficult to find parking up there. Came back to the hotel late, had a bit of wine and chatted with people, then finally made it to sleep after my roommates arrived sometime between 1:30-2am.

In what would be an ongoing pattern over the weekend, I was up at some point between 6:45-7:00am. And what a busy morning it was! But the chaos was well-managed, nicely controlled, and came down to as normal as it could be. Actually, now that I think about it, that was an ongoing pattern: up early, crazy morning, eat lunch, make sure everything will go smoothly for the afternoon, then take a brief nap before evening festivities and head to bed between 1-2am. It *mostly* worked--I'm tired now but I'm also resting after what was essentially a year and then some of work. Naps and early bedtimes for the better part of the week are called for.

Sunday M came by to help with the Eleusyve table, and I stole him away for lunch after that. Was lousy Indian food but lovely spending some time with him away from the hotel. Made it back in time for Lon's workshop, which I'm immensely glad I was able to make.

By the time Mass happened, I was exhausted and relieved. And even a little homesick...Horizon hadn't done a mass since mid-July and I found myself missing it horribly! I can't wait to get back into performing the mass and my role as EGC sec. To everyday life. So lovely. And then the closing remarks at the end of Sunday...and so many hugs and tears.

I am so happy to have had the opportunity to meet so many brethren who in the past had only been LJ names to me. There were a couple moments of "oh, so *you're* so-and-so!". I love when that happens.

There's so much that made me so joyously happy this past weekend. I can't even pin down exactly what, or how. I spent today chilling out, running errands, thinking about what else needs to be done. And rereading Liber Librae.


I've had people ask me what I'm going to do now that NOTOCON is over. There's such a list!

-working out more regularly.
-taking the time to do cross-stitch. I haven't done any in weeks.
-remembering what it feels like to chill out.
-read for fun.
-clean!
-I may start dating again--I was actively trying to avoid it before NOTOCON because I didn't want the distraction of, well...dating and NRE. Now it's actually sounding like a good idea.

I'm sure there's more. I don't even want to think of all I'd put off until after NOTOCON...and now it's up for the doing!

Comments

[z111.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, but I can't figure out who you are. :-/

[vixenesque93.livejournal.com]

Ah--I do remember meeting you at NOTOCON, at the party in bioentropy's room if not sooner. I'd say "I was the redhead in the black dress on Saturday" but that doesn't really narrow it down much :-)

I'm Cristin, from Horizon Oasis. Hello! The icon is pretty much the only one I have that shows my face, if that helps.

[z111.livejournal.com]

I had a bunch of people who seemed to change their lj name recently and I couldn't figure out if you were one of them. I do appreciate having the photo, even if it's hard to make out what face it goes to in real life. ;-)

[vixenesque93.livejournal.com]

I was one of the ones running around like a chicken with her head cut off--my official title for the weekend was assistant onsite coordinator :)

[z111.livejournal.com]

Nice to meet you! thank you for all of your hard work!

[vixenesque93.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It was lovely meeting you as well.

[z111.livejournal.com]

p.s. no clue who bientropy is either...or what party I might have been at! Where is bioentropy from?

[vixenesque93.livejournal.com]

He and his wife are from British Columbia, they had an afterparty in their room on Saturday.

[z111.livejournal.com]

Oh! I think I know whose room that was. Does her name start with an N?

[vixenesque93.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's the one!

[z111.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Off to make a new lj friend.

[drawn-n-qrtered.livejournal.com]

It was so awesome to meet you IRL. The person in charge of the volunteers!!

...though I'm sure that your job required much more; things that I will just never know about. However it worked out - it worked out! Many kudos to you guys. I hope this is not the last that we will see of one another.

[vixenesque93.livejournal.com]

Volunteers and roommate matching--which I'm glad to see worked out well for you :)

I certainly hope the same and that we will see each other again soon!

[alexwilliams.livejournal.com]

I don't think I properly thanked you at the Con for your tremendous service to all of us. You did a wonderful job and having done conferences and such in the past, I know how much work is involved. Thanks so much!