First there's getting there. Air travel has become, for want of a more descriptive, less PG term, difficult. I've trying to do my packing in one suitcase, having bought my ticket before the airline instituted the charge for the first piece of checked luggage. That means minimum survival packing and not picking up the usual income from taking books and CDs for consignment sales. The good news is that I've located a Walgreen's in the immediate vicinity, so filling in any blanks I thought I could make do without shouldn't be a problem.

This is the first time I've done a WorldCon without my usual "support system". George's new job meant he had to cancel convention travel.

I'll be spending much more time "on the streets" than is usual for even a WorldCon. Initially, there was going to be some of that, what with some of the programming and the SFWA Suite being 3 - 4 blocks from the Convention Center. But I was booked into the Hyatt Regency attached to the CC, so time on the sidewalk would be minimal. Then someone at the Hyatt Regency decided to be "helpful", and the "fix" for that "helpfulness" involved changing to a hotel 4 - 5 blocks from all the places I'll need to go. Additional prayers for dry weather and a fully-functioning, not-dropped-by-the-airline wheelchair would be appreciated.

There's a possible plus to being bunked in a hotel that far away from things. It's been my usual practice to be tucked safely in my room before the Hugo ceremony and the Masquarade, thereby avoiding the mess at the elevators. This year, with the Saturday night Improv Theater, I'd be right in the middle of it. I'm hoping that there will be less of said elevator madness at the hotel I'm in.

That lighter-than-usual schedule I mentioned upstream could have some advantages, as well. More time visiting with folks, actual meals, spending quality time in the dealer's room, time and opportunity to lay a little business groundwork with editors and publishers, volunteering some time at the SFWA Table, and enjoying a few panels and readings as audience.

As with any trip, it's going to be an adventure.