Counting Down to Four Days of Fun

Conference starts tomorrow. Nervous upon nervous. Still fighting writer’s block for this other project I have to finish this week. It’s just stress city today . . .

The Random Non-profit got rid of its meeting planner, so we are all flying by the seat of our pants. We have much less staff now, trying to put on a conference over four days. Not that many people are coming either, in comparison to years past, since DC is extremely expensive. We are also cutting back on the number of meals that we will be providing, which kind of sucks – food is rather expensive near the hotel and there aren’t that many alternatives . . .

It’s also a big bummer that Mr. Random won’t be at the conference with me this year – he helps calm me down when I go too stressed out or too annoyed by random staff members who feel they are too good or too high up to help out. That drives me crazy – if something needs doing, I just roll up my sleeves and do it. We are down more than 10% of an already small staff – every little bit helps. Someone higher up once told me that if I wanted to advance seriously, I needed to stop helping out on administrative tasks. I can’t bring myself to do that. I remember how worn and tired and angry I felt when I had to assemble or collate some large project that was dumped on me at the last minute and then no one would help me. They would just sit there and read or go get coffee as I was sprawled on the floor trying to get everything straight. I know how it feels much too well – it was not too long ago. Also, I know quite a bit about event planning and conferences, so it seems silly to have people reinvent the wheel . . .

Anyway, I know I should have some interesting stories when this is all over. I hope everyone is having a good week . . . Wish me luck . . .