Non-Con (or How I Discovered I'm Not a Total Dork)

Okay, so.  I SURVIVED NON-CON!!  I didn't exactly take it by storm but I survived and I met some incredible people. People who took me in, took me under their wing, and made me part of their tribe. The incredible Don't Speak Whinese even let me take business cards out of her cleavage with my teeth.  See??  My tribe!!

This wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done.  I talked before about how I never, EVER go anywhere by myself. I'll admit it, I like having a security blanket person with me.  Someone to walk into a room with me so I'm not walking into a room alone.

I didn't have that person with me at Non-Con.  I had myself, a cute dress, and some sparkly shoes.  They almost weren't enough.

Friday was day one of the convention.  I went down to breakfast and talked to the people at my table. I then went back up to my room to take some medicine and brush my teeth before I headed down to the roundtables.

My first foray into the conference room was very nearly my undoing.  I walked in. I was late. All the tables were full.  SHIT!!

So I fled.  I fled back to the safety of my room and my laptop.  I pulled up my e-mail and sent TWH the following message:

"I don't know what I'm doing here.  This was a bad idea. I've made a mistake and should just come home."

I did all this while weeping in both fear and frustration.  Fortunately, it didn't send.

I eventually pulled myself together, re-did my mascara, put on my big-girl panties, got over myself and went downstairs. I got a cup of coffee and sat down at a table by myself. Partly because I was raised not to interrupt and partly because I was no where ready to engage.  The awesome Anissa came over to me and started talking to me as I sipped my coffee.  She somehow managed to keep me in the room until someone at the closest roundtable looked at me and said "Get over here woman!!" as she scooched her chair over to make room.

My time  at Non-Con had begun.

I had the most incredible time once I took a breath, let my guard down, and ENGAGED.

These people were kind, funny, smart, and encouraging. They got the whole thing in a way that members of the non-blogging community don't.  Like I said, I found my tribe.

And I can't wait for the next opportunity to get together with them.

I'm gonna be all over it.

*Thank you to all the awesome people at Non-Con who showed me that being who I am is enough.