Antidilemma (and otherwise)

[garran]

I need to figure out what I plan to do this coming Summer; there are two trips that I might take, both of which would be awesome, so it's sort of an antidilemma*. First, there is Otakon '06, which, it looks like, is intended to play host to another great convergence like 2004's, and at which my attendance has been strongly suggested by some people I'd like to see. Second, there is a program at Langara where I could go to Japan for three weeks and study Buddhism.

(* Since they're also very likely mutually exclusive, it of course also contains the ordinary dilemma of having to give one of them up, but I hope you'll understand why I prefer to think of it this way.)

Let's look at how they compare. Japan is clearly preferable in terms of destination, because, Japan! Baltimore is too hot, and besides, I've been there already. It also wins out on the formal activities of the thing; con panels can be fun, but they clearly don't compare to wandering about Japan, visiting temples and talking about religion. (Have I mentioned Japan?) On the other hand, there is price - the Langara trip would cost me $2350 even before tuition and airfare, whereas all of Otakon could probably be done on less than $1000 - and - the real reason that Otakon isn't ruled out already - company; Marilee is going on the Japan trip, but she would probably be the only person I know, and Otakon is a chance to hang out with several awesome friends of mine I almost never get to see.

Does anyone reading this want to attempt to convince me one way or the other? Especially those who plan attendance at Otakon, since that is, at this point, a little bit the underdog?

The assorted otherwise:

Pictures J Pictures! The wedding pictures are still being sorted through.

Music/Circles I Know The first New Pornographers album began recording at the Gate; the latest one, I've just noticed, contains the musicianship of Todd McDonald, of The Winks and former Windsor House fame (also, Jim is thanked). The album is really good.

Election The Liberal government fell on Monday; yesterday morning, on the way to school, I saw the first few federal election signs already up. I guess that everyone was ready.

I have no idea yet how I intend to vote among the three parties that are not the Conservatives.

Comments

[mordath.livejournal.com]

I snicker madly at Baltimore being "too hot" when the comparison is Japan. ^_^

[garran.livejournal.com]

It was! It was much too hot. Of course, my comparison is actually Vancouver, since I've never been to Japan. If Japan is even hotter, I suppose that I'll just have to, like, catch on fire.


-Garran

[codepoetica.livejournal.com]

There's Fangirls in Baltimore, ne? But go to Japan. It's better. I won't be at Otakon anyway.

[chiave-trust.livejournal.com]

Depends on where in Japan you go, to study Buddhism. And keep in mind that for most Japanese, it is difficult even to express Buddhist ideas (which came from India through China, so a lot of phrases and terms are LOADED with other meanings and shades thereof) in Japanese, let alone trying to express them in English.

(It's even worse with trying to study Shinto - due to the nature of the language, it's difficult. The main difference though is that many peoples around the world are Buddhist, but the debate still rages on whether you have to be Japanese to be Shinto.)

For ease of understanding, and definitely for the price, I'd say go to Otakon. ^^;

[wizardofkitty.livejournal.com]

...How odd I'm having almost the same dillema. O_o; Dad wants to go on a vacation next summer and he's been really considering japan...

[haibane-rachan.livejournal.com]

This is a bit selfish, but I'm debating between "Otakon" and "Somewhere Else (no place in particular, though)" myself, and since "Somewhere Else" is winning, I'd feel better about not attending Otakon if a large portion of people I'd want to see there end up not coming. Which is to say, since I don't want to go to Otakon either, I'd prefer if you went on the Japan trip, so it will make my own "dilemma" easier, because you won't be someone I'll miss out on by choosing not to attend Otakon.

On a less selfish note, I totally get what you mean about "I've already been there." That's one of my main reasons for not wanting to go back to Otakon. I have limited time/money and it feels somewhat like a waste to spend it on someplace I've already been. Also, this Langara trip sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity. There will be other gatherings, so Otakon is no big deal, but I think you'd miss the Japan trip if you didn't go on that. It sounds like you really, REALLY want to go. So go. :oP

[garran.livejournal.com]

That's probably indeed the way things are going to end up going. (Though if I later find out that you were at Otakon after all, I reserve the right to puff my cheeks at you! I will puff them so hard.)

I don't mind revisiting places I've already been, so much, especially to see people; it just has considerably less draw than a new and interesting place.


-Garran

[bubbleteagirl.livejournal.com]

JAPAN WINS!

[garran.livejournal.com]

I find your new icon a little bit disconcerting. ^^;


-Andy H.

[bubbleteagirl.livejournal.com]

my icon ruffles you? or frustrates you by throwing you into disorder? but why!