Got a bittersweet email at work yesterday. The conference I’d been looking forward to in France this October – which in my heart of hearts I knew I wasn’t going to make it to, due to COVID – is going to go ahead but entirely online. Of course, this is fabulous news – especially as registration is completely free. No 24 hours of expensive flights there and back, no jet lag, no uncomfortable uncatered conference venue, no queuing to register and get your ID, no struggling to find accommodation, you can watch all the lectures in the comfort of your own home – in bed even! And did I mention it was free?
But but but… I’m not entirely happy about it.
I want to go on a trip. I want to go overseas. I want to have fun with my friends. I want to see that hunky course convenor again. I want to practice my French. I want to eat delicious food and drink too much wine. I want to be too hot. I want to get ripped off. I want to have an adventure. Waaaah! I know my trip would be partly funded by the taxpayers dollar – but that money is ringfenced in my MECA – you can’t have it back. I also know that climate change is real, and flying internationally is bad, and tourism destroys the things it loves. But I miss the way things used to be. Fucking virus.
In summary: conflicted and sad.