I’ve been working on it for the last few weeks, but an hour ago, all of my pieces fell suddenly into place, and I’m going to Vegas!

I’m going for a water conference, and I’m looking forward to it like crazy. The conference too, not just the Vegas part. I’ve been to Vegas a fw times, and I’m not much of a gambler, or into crowds, or a big fan of strip shows. I’ve only been there in the winter, so it will be cool to see it when it’s decent outside.

This conference is a deductible expense for me, and will net me the rest of the continuing education credits that I need to renew one of my licenses. And it’s just plain going to be interesting. Every presentation that I have marked on my calendar is one that  I made sure that they knew that, and knew just who was paying to send me there for their benefit, when I arranged to take the time off.

Taking the time off is tricky, with Jeff in Iraq. I haven’t had a full weekday off since he left. The guy he’d set up to be our backup operator turned out to be a huge flake, so it’s a good thing I found out now, and not in an emergency situation. But I found another one, a better and more knowledgable guy, who’s happy to do it, and isn’t quite such a direct competitor for me anyway. Maybe I can back him up one day.

But the best part of all, is that this conference, which I have chosen and paid for out of the profits from my own business, is but one more step in my career drive. For once, I’m not sitting back and letting the rest of the world do things to me. This time, I’m going to take the reins, and take myself where I want to go. If I fail, that would suck, but at least I will have tried, and any failures, I can own wholly by myself.

It also doesn’t hurt that there’s an operator’s tour of the Hoover Dam in the program. Man, that will be cool! I hope they let me bring my camera in.

I checked the prices of the resort where the conference is being held. Sure, the trip is deductible, but I can’t deduct what I don’t have, so I’m staying at a much kitschier place on the old strip for a more authentic Vegas experience.

The conference ends on Friday, but since I’m driving myself there, I’m going to take advantage of the trip and stay until Sunday. I’m hoping to do a little walking, although I don’t have any serious hiking planned by myself. I’d love to see the desert, especially in the springtime. I’m considering Red Rock Canyon, but I’m open to suggestion. That’s one of the best things about travelling alone; plans are infinitely flexible and subject only to my own whim.

Man, I can’t wait. Yes, I’m a water geek, going to Vegas to look at valves and gauges, but it’s good to be passionate about something, no?