unconventional conventionalists

I received a text from hbergeronx at the end of a very long day letting me know that I'm soon to be an aunt (!!). My brother-in-law had called earlier to let us know that he and his wife are now expecting.

I was brought up as an only child, and since my only sibling is about 14 years younger than I am, in the important ways I've always felt like one. My brother hasn't even had a significant other, that I've known of, so the opportunity to have a nephew or a niece is something that's never really occurred to me. Kind of neat, though, and I wish them all the best!

I'm currently on a brief visit back to the east coast, selling crafty magnets and beaded type stuff at a very small but very friendly little con in the northern reaches of Florida. It's my second year here and I have a blast. It's an excuse to visit gen, hang out, meet fun people and earn some pocket change. Technically I'm here to sell things, but selling things is secondary. The fun I've had and the friends I've made and gotten to see are what really make this a tradition for me.

Sales are going relatively well, too. I adapted based on last year's constructive feedback from the attendees, did a little better... And this year I took some chances, some worked and some didn't, and I've learned more about what this audience wants to see. Constructive stuff I can build on for next year. It's all good.

Business has been a little slow, but that's given me a chance to visit the rest of the dealers' room and take advantage of their lulls. I'm requesting mermaid art this year, and I've gotten two gorgeous commissions from two very talented artists that I'm glad to have discovered. I'm trying not to blow ALL my profit on art, but I think a little gift for myself isn't out of line!

Last night after things wrapped up, I decided I'd splurge on a drink to celebrate the family news. I learned that my alcohol tolerance, which was never great to begin with, has really plummeted. The first sign of this was accidentally ordering a "Parrot Bay and rum" instead of a "Parrot Bay and coke". Yes... Rum and rum. It's, um, balanced, or something!

When alcohol lowers my inhibitions, I end up being much more overtly flirty, especially with women. (It's just ingrained in me to rein that in strictly the rest of the time, unless I know the person and know it'll be okay with her.) So when a lovely woman in lingerie and an apron licked her lips at me and asked me if I'd fill in a minor cast spot in Rocky Horror, I couldn't refuse her. It's a weakness. What can I say?

It was just a minor thing, and I'm sure I stood there looking lost, but it was fun! My part ended and I went back to my seat and yelled my throat hoarse. A few wanderers from a cheerleading group came in and joined us enthusiastically, and that was great to see, too.

I'm paying for it this morning, but not too badly. I'm not hungry in the slightest, but breakfast is here and I know I'll feel better with something gentle in my stomach. Today is my last day selling crafty things, and then tomorrow I'm heading down south to visit with my mom.

Now I go to sip my orange juice and let gen have at her mail. The clock on my computer says 5:30am. The clock in my body does, too, so it takes me a little extra time to wake up.