Lots of good points in this thread.

I have mixed feelings about the "conference" idea. Conferences and parties are always a trial for me. Too many people in one place. I spend hours hiding out in my motel room bec. I need the "down time." Which is, apparently, a feature of being an introvert.

I'm not sure how much it would add to the richly textured emotional and intellectual feedback here. As said -- once it is done, can't be undone. And of course, the extroverts will self-select to attend, the introverts will hang back. And some without money to attend will be exluded.

Sqrlb, I like your thoughts about the difference about pre- and post-break-down life. I am making many adjustments myself. Have to accept many things that previously were "unacceptable." And now, after a period of grieving and processing and accepting, coming to believe that it was many of the old parts of my life that are "unacceptable."

Not sure how it's all going to shake out in the end -- but then no one ever is, are we? We just think we know how it's supposed to shake out. And some of us go to pieces if it doesn't. Or if it does, but we planned too stressful an existence for ourself.

Oh heck, I am just blathering now. With apologies to gender-neutral language --

Man plans. God laughs.

gtg