Hyya WD
I am willing to share my experience. I kinda had the illusion, I had most if not all my shit in one sock, so to speak. I had discussed it (Straight) with as many people as would listen. I did not expect to experience the emotions that I did experience over the course of fri/sat/sun. To be sure....Monday, was a wash out...I was spent, beyond description. Teusday, was better, at least I could describe my emotions. And today, Wed...damn near my "normal" self.
As with any "gathering" we have...yes....it's alot of fun, the excitement is unreal. And yes, the nature of this "gathering" is unlike most, if not all we have ever had. There was no issue, no question, as to if I would be attending the St.Pete shoot! The question is, would I make the effort to get to DC, for the DC shoot. I am entertaining the thought. However, aside from the wife being ill, aside from the finacial aspects, aside from the emotional hangover...I have to ask myself, do I wanna go? Yes! Am I able to go? Eh. What good would it do, if I were to go? Well, here is a crucial question, for me. I had my interviews. I went thru what I went thru afterwards. Is it worth it for me, to risk those same emotions for the sake of being there....if my only reason is to offer support?
As uncomfortable as it was, post interview, yes, I would risk having those same emotions again....and travel some good distance just for the sake of being there. I dont see it as an issue, of "my emotions" now. To me, it's the next group of folks being interviewed....it's thier emotions, thier experiance...Good people surrounded me during the St.Pete shoot, no doubt! I was as safe as I could possibly be, as was everyone else. I wanna return the favor, for the good folks in DC.
I think ya have a valid concern, what with school, and the need to keep focus etc. I wish I could say it was a flat out cake walk. It was intense, no doubt!!! This is something ya really have to weigh out the pros and the cons. And you sound as if thats what your doing, very wise!
Trust your heart on this one WD. You know yourself far better than anyone else. You know your strengths, you know your limits. What ever descion ya make, no one will think any differently of you.
Pirate called ya did he? Would you mind calling him back and asking him to call woof?...I can not for the life of me find his damn number