Having at one point been an economics major, I recall that it is the obligation of every person who has money to make sure he or she gets the most utility and satisfaction out of each dollar spent. And with our economic situation so dire and money so limited, that obligation is even more obvious.

So when Yaoi-Con weekend arrived, I seriously had to think about how to spend my money for this convention. On one hand, Yaoi-Con is a convenient stop to meet my convention friends and have some really fun times during the night. On the other hand, there really isn't much for me to do during the day. As much as I support gay rights like same sex marriage and am pretty much the only member of my family who does, I simply have no interest in Yaoi and do not see myself spending money on it. So that cancels the need to visit the Dealer's Room, the Artist Alley, and the panels featuring anything Yaoi related. The Yaoi-Con Masquerade and the bishounen auction didn't entertain me last year and I didn't feel like giving it a second chance because I knew most of my friends were already at the lobby. I'll admit that Yaoi-Con has a more relaxing atmosphere that makes con antics easier to do than doing con antics during church services. But I could find no legitimate reason to spend money on the Yaoi of Yaoi-Con.

A full weekend registration of Yaoi-Con at the door ran for $60. For the two days I attended, that meant $30 for Saturday and Sunday. With $14 for parking each day, Yaoi-Con cost about $44 per day. Meanwhile, a ticket to "The Full Monty" cost $20 Saturday and featured a show that grabbed my interest. After the musical and with some creative parking practices, I was able to enjoy spending time with the friends at Yaoi-Con without getting involved in the Yaoi I didn't want. On Sunday, spending time with the Fanime staff and getting the face-up cost $25 before visiting Yaoi-Con for a brief moment. I managed to double my fun and satisfaction at nearly half the cost. I'll even be able to deposit the money I saved into a high interest savings account on a bank that isn't going under. Renowned economists would applaud my spending and saving actions.

I suppose I could feel a little guilty for not financially supporting a convention where I was present. But I don't. After last year's problem with the registration payment that took nearly a year to bring up, I can not morally support a convention with questionable billing practices. Yaoi-Con is a perfect venue to promote and support gay rights. If money from the Yaoi-Con bishounen auction went to charitable causes supporting gay rights instead of Yaoi-Con itself, I'd definitely open my wallet for Yaoi-Con. But it doesn't, so I don't.

I'm not advocating everyone to avoid paying registration for every convention everywhere. With the general state of the economy meaning less money flowing freely, you can't always get what you want. So I'm advocating the practice of making sure you spend your hard-earned money carefully and in what you truly support. And if you try sometimes, you just may find that you get what you need. That Jagger can be quite a philosopher.

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