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06/05/2004 Entry: "Sweden... maybe... someday?" I should be asleep, but I hurt my back shopping today, and I can't lie down in any comfortable position. Add to that I have laundry to do, and since my back hurts, I have to do it real slow. I am certainly going to be traveling a lot in the next few weeks. This weekend, West Virginia. Next weekend, work is sending me to Norfolk. The weekend after that? Las Vegas. Then later I only plan to hit Otakon (if Katsucon pays my way and I get work at the table, by no means a certainty), maybe TCEP (if money allows), and then...? In some weird way, I am still hoping to make it to Sweden. My main two cost issues are lodging and transportation within Sweden. I can fly there and back for next to nothing, due to my frequent flyer miles, but my usual places to stay may not be open, and cost of living in Sweden is really pricey. I really have to make a commitment, and it all relies on what my relatives are doing over there. My usual host has gotten a girl and moved in with her, and I don't want to just barge in between them as the obnoxious American cousin. Some people here pooh-pooh the cost, claiming I can stay in youth hostels and use the rail. That's still about $1000 for a week, not a cost I can easily part with and justify to my family here. But frankly, I need a break. I need a break from the US something bad. I love my country, but sometimes you have to spend time alone from those you love to keep sane. You have to be in Europe where people are insane in a different way, and then you come back and have better perspective. But we shall see. If it doesn't happen this year, 2005 is a definite.