Best-laid BasedCon Plans...

A black cat crossed my path numerous times...coincidence??

It’s BasedCon time again! The time when busy authors and readers mingle and inspire each other in Grand Rapids.

Last year, I had a blast meeting so many wonderful people and discussing literature and ideas that were both stimulating and fun and looked forward to returning.

So this year, I began prepping months in advance. With the Real ID finally kicking in, I had decided way back in February to get a passport instead of a Real ID—because who knows, I might actually leave the country someday and visit some of the places I write about. The passport renewal process went smoothly, and I put the dark-blue booklet away in a safe place, with other important family documents, very pleased with myself for how forward-thinking and organized I’m finally becoming.

As zero hour for BaseCon approached, and “aided” by my daughter’s cat, who kept nesting in my bag and had to be tossed out, I packed and unpacked and repacked and rearranged all the contents of my check-in and carry-on luggage until everything was assembled and in place. Timelines were coordinated with my ride to the airport—my daughter drove our minivan, full of the rest of the family who wanted to see me off.

We said our farewells, and I was dropped off at the curbside check-in. I stood in a brief line, feeling smug that I was so well prepared. That smugness dissolved into dumbfounded horror when I pulled out my shiny new passport, opened it, and saw a boy’s face staring up at me.

I had grabbed my eldest son’s expired document. The internal artwork was similar enough that when I had glanced at it earlier, I thought it was mine. Stupid? Yes, very. I can’t blame the cat for this one.

And no, I didn’t get a selfie of my horrified reaction—you’ll just have to imagine it.

I made a frantic explanation to the staff member, then made the mental calculations as to whether it was possible to collect the right document in time to make my flight.

It just might work.

I called my family, instructed them to head straight home, and provided directions on where to find the current passport.

Meanwhile, I was on pins and needles, constantly checking the app to see how the boarding process was going, watching the minutes drain away. When the family finally returned in triumph and delivered the passport, I continued the check-in process, to the scorn of the staff who couldn’t believe how old my phone was. They had to find a workaround because it wouldn’t scan their QR code.

Anyway, inside, I found the TSA line wasn’t too terrible. Once through, I sped down the concourse to board with my group.

Unfortunately, since the Portland airport had been remodeled, I couldn’t easily spot the signs to the correct concourse, so I ended up sprinting down the wrong one—while carrying my heavily-laden bags (more books).

No time to use the restroom or fill my water bottle. I’m not used to running while hauling that much weight. Again, you will have to imagine the uncomfortable looks thrown my way by fellow passengers when I finally queued up, flushed and out of breath, perhaps on the verge of a stroke.

But I made it in time.

Fortunately, after that rough beginning, the flights and connections to Grand Rapids went smoothly, and I’m relaxing a bit before the event commences.

I’ll update later, but in the meantime, be sure and check out the incredible deals in the sale that’s being run in conjunction with the convention: HERE.

cross-posted at You Might Like This (Substack)