We All Get Sick Sometimes

I was really disappointed when I had to cancel my trip to the Miami Book Fair this past weekend…sadly, I’d been sick for nearly two weeks, a sinus infection turned bronchitis at the very least, possibly even walking pneumonia.

I really am far too human for my own good 😉

The sad thing is, my illness affected more than just the Miami Book Fair. While I’m still participating in NaNoWriMo, I don’t really expect to win – I was ahead at the beginning of the month, but the past week has seriously affected the amount of time I’ve had to write, so at this point it’s a very big “we’ll see” with the probable outcome being no, I won’t make it to 50,000 words.

Really though, I’m okay with that. I’m going to keep writing, but if I don’t make it this year, hey, it’s nothing that’s never happened before 😉 Considering I have a nearly-finished manuscript that I was working on before November hit – and another one that’s in the final stages of editing – I know I haven’t been slacking, and for me that’s the important thing.

I’ll be honest, a big part of why it took me so long to feel better is the fact that I would rest for a few days, and then “play hard”, as it were. I came back from MegaCon Tampa Bay, started feeling awful that Wednesday, and then that Sunday I spent the day at EPCOT with friends.

Last weekend was Pride, which I absolutely couldn’t miss considering it was originally scheduled for when I was in Vegas and was REscheduled for November 12th because of the hurricane.

A Geek Saga Orlando Pride Come Out With Pride Pride Orlando

A Geek Saga Orlando Pride Come Out With Pride Pride Orlando

And then I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet up with Sam, my best friend from high school, last week. I don’t even want to admit how long it had been since we had seen each other, but I had an amazing day hanging out with her, her husband, and their two beautiful children! I even got to say hi to her parents, which was awesome!

A Geek Saga High School Best Friend

The very next day, tickets went on sale for Beach City Con! I also had tickets to an early screening of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that night, so it was just “one of those days” all around…

A Geek Saga House Hufflepuff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

If I thought things would slow down after that, I was wrong. I’ve had a lot of writing to do, a lot of shows to catch up on, and I’m *still* not over this cough from whatever illness I contracted. On top of that, I’m *months* behind on my “This Week on The Geekiary” posts…so for now, hey, if you’re on Reddit, please subscribe to our sub! I share what I consider my best articles there, anyway.

At least I’m finally, let’s say…95% better. Perhaps the amazing Beach City Con ticket sales have helped? Or the fact that we’ve had a successful Ice & Fire Con ticket push, too? Between that and my writing, it’s hard not to feel great right now…and as always, if you have questions about either of my conventions, I’m here to answer them!

I have to talk about the Pulse Orlando Atrocity

stand with orlando

Photo Courtesy of http://www.scoopnest.com/user/dreynders/742026024574156800

No, I’ve never been to Pulse in Orlando. I moved away from the Orlando area nearly a decade ago, and when I visit, I rarely have time to visit downtown at all.

But I’ve heard good things about Pulse, and if I was back in Orlando and had a chance to go, I would. Not only because it sounded fun, but because, being part of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I would have been a person who would have likely called Pulse a safe haven of sorts.pulse orlando

There, I’ve said it. Not that I’ve ever really hidden the fact that I am not straight…it’s just not something I often state in a public forum. Not for any bad reason, not because I’m trying to hide it, but rather because it’s a part of me, it’s who I am, and I don’t think I should have to constantly explain that. I believe that my general opinions (which I’m not shy about sharing) and even at times my writing show who I am well enough.

But right now, this is different. I woke up yesterday morning and the first thing I saw was a post from a friend in Orlando, someone who frequented Pulse, telling everyone he was okay. I saw that many of my friends had already used the safety check-in feature on Facebook, and seriously, I have never been happier that that feature exists, even if I don’t like that it has to exist in the first place.

Unfortunately, as yesterday wore on, it was impossible to ignore the articles, the cries for help from those who wanted to find missing friends or family members. Especially when one of those missing people is a friend of a friend. Not someone I’ve ever met, but a beautiful young woman who went to Pulse Saturday night and was confirmed dead early this morning. My heart goes out to those who know her, as it does to everyone who is missing or mourning a loved one after this truly horrific event.

pulse orlandoLet me get this straight: I don’t care what the killer’s motives were. I don’t care whose name he is working under or apparently working under or whatever the newest news about that is. I care that this was a terrorist attack no matter WHO he was, and one that specifically targeted Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community. As an acquaintance of mine said, “These people are my people, and we are dying.” And then another person got pulled over on his way to the LA Pride parade with a car full of weapons. So that person got caught, but that doesn’t make up for the fact that he existed, and it doesn’t make up for the fact that the terrorist in Orlando made it through our “gun control” system despite having been under FBI surveillance not once but twice, and it doesn’t make up for the fact that any citizen of this country is allowed to purchase a FUCKING ASSAULT RIFLE.

And it doesn’t make up for the fact that over a hundred people were killed or injured when that man burst into Pulse nightclub and committed an act so full of hate that it literally makes me sick to my stomach.

I wish I was in Orlando. I wish I could do more RIGHT NOW. I wish I didn’t have to make these wishes, because tragedies like this should not still be happening. Wake the fuck up, America. A large portion of your population was just directly attacked for who they are, whether they are LGBTQ+ or those who support their LGBTQ+ friends or family.

In the end, I don’t feel like anything I write about this will never be enough.

I’m a writer, and yet I somehow can’t find the right words to express how I feel about this tragedy.

My thoughts and prayers are with anyone who was directly or indirectly harmed by these events.

pulse orlando