For me it was a close one. I was on the bench waiting for my next project (a consultant for a software company). So while I was waiting, I had my tickets, hotel, rental car, chips cataloged - everything.

So I get a call at the end of last week. I get started on a new project on Wednesday. Not Tuesday (after the holiday), not the first full week of the month. They chose the day I was going to leave for the convention.

So long story short, I will be home and have some tickets to Vegas to use up within the next year.