NLV And/Or LTR

If you were to meet a celebrity it would be brief. You might have a short yet memorable conversation. At a meet and greet at a concert you pay more to have your picture taken with someone high profile and there might be a brief exchange.

At Awesome Con some were upset that William Shatner was keeping the line moving and did not discuss his lengthy and interesting career. He has worked enough conventions to know he cannot stay all night; even if the fans are friendly and gracious.

Relationships usually do not last. Appreciate when someone rises up. I have written about great employees who worked with me twice. A lot happened on those two shifts and the various times I saw him. Many can leave a lifelong impression with one encounter.

Have I had a long term relationship? My record for dating is two months. No breakups- people move and/or go back to school losing contact. I return to No Longer Virtual every year.

Not to see the same people. I have worked with "The same people" who do "The same things" year after year. Some are nice. Others are as dull as dishwater. There were no dullards at Versante.

The restaurant in the hotel was all we really needed. I have not eaten much pizza in the pandemic. Over these three nights and two days I enjoyed enough pizza to make me regret Luke Matthews wasn't here.

Luke Freeman was and it would have been confusing. As confusing as seeing Neil Hughes and Melissa Hughes who are neither related nor married to each other? Coincidences aside: it is amazing how few people attend this conference.

It is purposely small. If one thousand people were there you would fall into a clique. There is a core group. I could mingle and meet all guests; enjoying their strengths and individuality.

The second and third conferences had more people. It was not always the merrier. It helped the bottom line. Some were not as nice as they should have been. Forget them. The Hardliners- the ones who attend every year- set the bar very high.

Most VIP sections are lame. Usually someone springs for bottle service and cheap chicks pitch in to stand behind the velvet ropes.Go in depth with Amy Blaschka, Heather Younger and Melissa Hughes and it's The Dream Team.

Sarah is there every year as is her husband Bob. She's the reason for the season. This conference is a non denominational, non commercialized Christmas. The presents are not what you get. It's who you meet.

I was aware of Amy before these conferences. Before she made worthwhile videos, before she published on Forbes.com. She's the same; consistent. I have never seen her upset. I have upset some of the other ladies.

That was the beginning of my relationship with Hannah. You cannot have impostor syndrome when you acclimate to women who treat you as an equal. The pandemic began with The Manifestation of Catholic Heaven.

I don't deserve them. They accept me, sinner I may be, and I act like I have been there before. In too many relationships I wind up a money lender. If I am not a financial institution I am a car service.

Part of the problem is relationships sprung from the success I had with my sister. I have had to babysit many adults. It never happens at this conference. If someone has too much to drink and loses equilibrium I would catch them.

Drinks were flowing. I did not notice "Stupid time". How do we inspire people to attend the next conference which is TBA? It is on par with the greatest parties I ever attended. Even the "Too Hot For LinkedIn" ones. I can say "It's like making twelve hundred dollars in an afternoon."

I had a paper route. Collecting meant I had a lot of cash on hand. I had to give my supervisor a certain amount- around four hundred dollars- and anything extra was what I made for the month. No more than two hundred dollars was mine. Really good tips at Christmas withstanding- the first priority was paying the amount on the bill.

Immature as I remain there was always fiscal responsibility in my life. How do you think I can afford these conferences? When I began working comic conventions I had many look through my collection and make large purchases. With the vague possibility of moving I wanted to lighten the load for the eventual relocation and making twelve hundred dollars which was all mine?

That's how No Longer Virtual is. Real success beyond your wildest dreams. It is like closing on your first house. At this point it feels like I have paid a lot towards the principle and by the next one I can live in it enjoying sanctuary and a tax shelter.

I have attended every conference. Why am I not in the Holy Trinity? I am not a fourth for bridge. I am not so old as to know how to play Bridge. Amy, Heather and Melissa have hundreds of thousands of followers between them. They will talk to you one on one. As would anyone else.

I am in the other category. You many not have signed up to meet me. It's not how you start. It's how you finish. No one is an "Influencer" at this conference. Everyone has a voice and a style. If you miss the next one you have no idea how inadequate your life will feel.

By now I am back at work and still a little tired from flight delays in an airport that is not enjoyable. The memories from the conference can help navigate rough periods and bridge to greater relationships. If I had to describe it in twenty-five words or less? It is Love Story without cancer. We maintain those relationships longer than I have had the luxury of maintaining something loving and high profile. Anyone can do it if they merely sign up and show up. You will be embraced, engaged and learn what you need to enhance your business. Whatever that entails.