Yeah. Yeah. A bunch of adult webmasters got together and had the time of their lives at a convention on the beach. Big deal. So what? I’m not bitter!
Okay, I’m a little bitter. Sure, I would love to go to each and every adult webmaster convention, gathering, seminar, function, drunkfest and orgy. They’re all cool. They’ve all got something to offer from dealing to learning to socializing. I wish I could attend them all and I feel a little sad when I read about notable occasions that I didn’t get to share.
In reality, I’d probably suffer a stroke if I actually had to show up for these many adult webmaster affairs. I’ve only been to two shows. I’m happy with that. One show a year and then the rest of the year to recover. I’m a little bitter but not so much since I’ve been to a couple of events and will again in January. Still, I remember what it felt like to be alone and wonder what I was missing.
First thing you notice when there’s a really big convention is the obligatory "Who’s Going?" thread on your favorite message board. Then come the questions about hotel choices, flight info and in-room Internet connections. After that you read last-minute cancellation postings and last-minute confirmation announcements. In sequence come the "See you there!" and "Have fun while I’m away!" threads.
Once the big show is on you notice your ICQ contact list is less lively. You visit your favorite board and it’s either a ghost town or markedly tamer. When you try to get hold of your sponsor or host you find that help is a little short because of the conference. It seems like there’s no one there because they’re all off in fantasyland and you’re not.
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Then during the show you read postings about how this webmaster got crazy at a party or that webmaster just met a pornstar. They post pics and tell of outrageous soirees and impromptu sex acts. They say, "Just posting an update. Now back to the festivities!" Those damned bastards.
When the convention is over and they come back, it’s even worse. Pictures. Pictures. Pictures. Stories. Stories. Stories. Shout outs and thanks galore. More pics. Bitching about the venue or a vendor. Eventually the gossip takes hold and you’re all but shut out for the next week.
It would be easy to harbor a bit of jealousy in your heart towards your show-going comrades. One might take that resentment and direct it at the idea of the conventions. There are all kinds of unproductive ways to expend your negative energy. But you’re better than that, aren’t you?
Instead of stewing in the marinade of your frustration and bitterness make the most of convention time.
If the boards are slow and your ICQ buddies are offline, so what? You should be working anyway!
Sure, it’s a blast to read the gossip and get involved in the boisterous discussions of the adult webmaster community. Yet life doesn’t begin and end with the boards. You’ve got sites to build and tutorials to read.
How about that free site you’ve always had trouble with? Wouldn’t this be a great time to buckle down for an overhaul? How about that elusive niche content you’ve been dreaming of? Maybe this could be the week that you finally scour the content provider sites and find it. Or perhaps this time would be a good time to take all those images, HTML pages, notes, contact info and other webmaster accouterment and put them in some sort of order. When you’re done with that, you could spend some time creating backup copies of all your data.
You’ll get there. I promise. Maybe not this year. Maybe not this time. Your time will come and it will come faster if you stop wasting it by ruminating on other people’s fun. Webmasters don’t get to go to Vegas or Hollywood, FL or anywhere on the power of dreams. They get there by working hard, saving their money and planning ahead. In fact, some of the most successful people in our business never go to shows. They believe that their time and money are better spent on their collective ventures. You’ll go to an adult webmaster event when you’re ready and not a moment sooner.
So stop feeling sorry for yourself and go get ready!