OMG Squeeee! (aka what the hell am I doing?)

[littleheaven]

I'm going to LA!

Well, hopefully. Contingent upon finances and getting time off work approved and conquering my intermittent agorophobia.

I'm hoping to go to this: http://www.creationent.com/cal/sgbur.htm with starlet2367 and maybe juliefortune. This is probably my last chance to do something wild and whacky before I settle down and have kids (which is on the agenda for later this year). After all, I am 34.

My main stumbling block at the moment is the agorophobia. I've done long flights with it, but always had my family with me. This time I'll be travelling alone.

So, anyone on my lovely f-list ever had an anxiety disorder? Any hints and tips? Things that worked for you? I'm not, nor have I ever been, on any medication for it, but now I'm wondering whether letting it take all the enjoyment out of things that most people like (going to concerts and movies and clubs) is just stupid, when there is something I can do about it.

Also, anyone who knows LA... how far is it from LAX to Burbank, and how much would a taxi cost?

I really want to do this! :breathes deeply:

Comments

[whitetower.livejournal.com]

Oh, squee! You so definitely need to do this! LA must see your cuteness first-hand! And you'd have so much fun! And I need an Antipodean to tackle Kel and hug her for me, so I nominate you!

My best friend Alisha was hit very hard by a mini-breakdown in late 2003. When she recovered from the inital stage, it developed into a full-blown anxiety disorder. She practically couldn't leave the house without fretting that it would burn down in her absence, or she would run over and kill somebody in her car and not notice, or that she'd done something wrong at work months ago that might end up affecting other people in a terrible way. Thing was, she knew she was being unreasonable, but she couldn't stop herself. She eventually went to counselling, and her doctor prescribed her some anti-depressants. She took them reluctantly at first - but the change was incredible. Really, really incredible. She's now off them and doing amazingly well. Very occasionally she has small episodes, but nowhere near as badly as before.

Every case is different of course, and you're no exception. But I guess there's no harm in talking to your doctor about it. You never know, right? And maybe some small steps might help - like asking Kel or Julie to meet you at LAX?

Feel free to pfft at me and move on, since I have no first-hand experience. And I'm really sorry if it sounds like I'm trivialising something so important to you, sweetie.

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

No, no, your comments are helpful. I know my fears are silly, but I can't stop them. Most of the time I'm fine, if a little highly-strung (always have been), it's just when I get into situations where I can't just walk out and go home, I freak out. I will definitely go see the doctor. I've battled this thing for 9 years with nothing more than willpower and homeopathic sprays. I'm stupid for thinking it's weak to get more help. I don't want this wonderful occasion to be spoiled.

Assuming I can afford to go *g*

[damnskippytoo.livejournal.com]

Can't help you with the anxiety, but I lived in North Hollywood so I can help you a little with the logistics. If I recall, it's about 15 to 20 miles from Burbank to LAX. I'd say taxi would cost you $30 to $40. There's a bus shuttle from LAX to Van Nuys and you could take a taxi from there if money's really tight. That would probably cut your fair in half.

You're going to have a blast!

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Ooh, thanks for the taxi info :o) All I need's drugs and money, and I'll be sweet *g*

[karendreamer.livejournal.com]

Sorry, no help on the anxiety disorders.

Burbank is too far to take a taxi. I live in San Diego. Others on my f-list live and work in the Burbank area and, along with me, are going to that con. Let me know when you are getting in, we might be able to arrange something. And, wow, I get to meet you.

Karen

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Oh, excellent! That's cool that you're going too. If I make it as far as actually booking everything, we may need to talk! :o)

And, wow, I get to meet you.

Boy, isn't that a weird thing to hear someone say? LOL.

Have you been to cons before? Met Michael? What's he like with the fans?

[karendreamer.livejournal.com]

Been to a few cons, and Michael is adorable and wonderful. The whole experience is incredible. Meeting all your online friends is the very best! We have a group here in So Cal and we get adjoining hotel rooms, so there will be a party. We've been trying to get JoMadge here for ages.

Ooooooo, wow, Jo, now will you come to So Cal!!!

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Adorable and wonderful... :melts:

I have to come now. I just went out and bought a whole load of clothes for the event. How hot will it be there in July? I guess the con will be airconditioned.

[karendreamer.livejournal.com]

Definitely hot in July, but yes, con air conditioned. Hopefully it will still be hot enough however that we get MS in a muscle shirt. He seems to wear them when it is hot outside, even if the building is air conditioned.

I have a feeling I'm going to be telling you to relax for the next 6 months. It is definitely something to get excited about, though. And you'll have lots of friends to help you through.

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Definitely hot in July, but yes, con air conditioned

That's good. The tops I bought all had shoestring straps (bar one). But I bought a wrap as well. If Michael wears a muscle shirt I may well overheat anyway *g*

I have a feeling I'm going to be telling you to relax for the next 6 months

If you can get me to relax, I'll bottle you up and bring you home with me! Bloody anxiety disorder. I am already freaking, but determined not to let it ruin my plans.

[karendreamer.livejournal.com]

Go to ashtonpress.net and check out the con reports, and especially the con pictures. That way any time you feel panic you can just stare at some good arm porn. Maybe that will help a bit. I also have some good pics I've taken if you want me to send them to you.

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Yay, pics and arm porn! I shall bookmark for future therapy *g*

I'd love to see your pics! My e-mail is (without the *'s) littleheaven70*@*yahoo.co.nz. Thank you :o)

[crazymadjo.livejournal.com]

We've been trying to get JoMadge here for ages.

(To everyone else) That's me. JoMadge is my sekret identity. Or vice versa. Haven't quite figured it out, yet.

Ooooooo, wow, Jo, now will you come to So Cal!!!

Yeah, as long as I can bag a decently-priced flight when the time gets a little closer, I'm so there! Also need to work out the transportation situation. Dumb question: Is there a major airport in Burbank, or does one have to arrive at LAX and then wing it from there?

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

The con hotel is right across the road from Burbank airport main entrance. You should have no trouble getting a flight that takes you virtually into the lobby *g*

Also, did you know that the lovely lady in your icon is a New Zealander? We're everywhere! Mwaaahahahahahahaaaa!

[crazymadjo.livejournal.com]

You're going to knock Michael's socks off with your beautiful NZ accent.

Slut. ;-)

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

You're going to knock Michael's socks off with your beautiful NZ accent.

:chokes: Have you heard a New Zealand accent? I don't find my accent very attractive at all. Not like Anna-Louise, who's lived in England long enough to have a very posh English accent. Kiwi accents are all flat vowels.

Um... Lani Tupu (Pilot, Crais) in Farscape is a Kiwi. His accent is a bit more cultured than most, because he's done theatre. If you've heard Rachel Hunter talk, it's more like that. :cringes:

I'll just be happy if Michael can understand me!

[crazymadjo.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow. This happens to be the one long-distance con I'm seriously considering for this year (waves at karendreamer). I'd be so excited if you could go, too!

I've struggled with anxiety and sometimes still do. The only thing that has ever really worked is just pushing myself to do what I want, and allowing myself permission to just go ahead and be nervous! Eventually I acclimate - at least to a degree. On planes it helps to bring along magazines and music with which to distract myself. It's too hard to concentrate on a full-length book when I'm nervous.

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, wheeee! You too? This would be so much fun if there was a whole bunch of us. I think the more I am looking forward to it, the easier it'll be to deal with the travelling. Like Rox said to me earlier, the carrot at the end really helps with the trauma *g*

I know you've met Michael at cons before... would I be disappointed? What's he like with people? Because I am sure gonna blurt out how far I've travelled to meet him, if it's the only think I get to say. Do the celebrity guests usually stay at the con hotel? Ooh, I'm all a-bubble with questions!

[crazymadjo.livejournal.com]

Michael is just charming. Of course, that at an event like this you're lucky if you get three seconds of any guest's time. Even in the autograph lines they really have to hustle to make sure everybody gets their moment. Even so, I was really impressed how Michael managed to give each person being ushered by him a warm smile and a kind word or two. If you're anything like me, he'll melt you down into your socks! ;-)

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Oh well, if I get two words and a smile, it will have been worth it. Just to be in the presence of those beautiful eyes :sigh: And hopefully closer to the date they'll be selling photo ops, which I will of course buy! Then perhaps we'll get up to four words *g*

The "I'm from New Zealand" line worked on John Taylor and Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran when I ambushed them in the middle of a London street. Nick even went so far as to start cracking sheep jokes. I just want Michael to know I like him enough to have come all that way!

[crazymadjo.livejournal.com]

I just want Michael to know I like him enough to have come all that way!

Damn, she's got an edge on the rest of us. GET HER!!!

And oh, yesss - photo op! I'm not sure how Creation con handles them, but at Trek Con in Tulsa we got to put an arm around him, and he us. OMG!!! I'd say it was like being sixteen again, but I never got any thills that even come close to that when I was sixteen.

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Dude, you're making me dribble.

Creation said the star would be seated, when they advertised the photo ops for the Dallas con, but I guess it would ultimately be up to Michael and his firm little waist *g* I hear he's quite the hugger :thud:

[algor.livejournal.com]

Hmm...maybe I can drive down and have a meal...

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

That would rock! How much fun would it be for us all to meet up?

[macgyvergal.livejournal.com]

Dag nab it, wish I could join ya'll, but LA/Burbank just isn't in my budget for this year.