life is what happens while you’re making other plans

For a couple of months, I’ve been making plans to return to the Tulsa Trek Expo as part of the 2008 Geektour.

I know there are a number of people who have been planning to come to the show because I’m on the guest list, and I know I’m going to disappoint a lot of people, but I’ve had to cancel my trip to the con.

I’m not going to go into details, because it’s awfully personal and none of anyone’s business, but I hope anyone who’s upset will try to understand and accept it when I say, "It’s personal, it’s family, and that’s all I’m prepared to say publicly about it."

I’ve already talked with the convention’s mysterious overlords, and we’re making plans to have me come out for the 2009 convention. In fact, Anne and I are already planning to make another road trip out of it.

I feel truly awful about this, and I’m incredibly sorry. I know that it’s going to be a great con, and I’ll definitely be there next year.

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56 thoughts on “life is what happens while you’re making other plans”

  1. As one of the many Tulsans who would go see you an a heart beat, I completely understand. Take care of your family first. I’ll just have to see you next year.
    – Chris

  2. Family comes first,full stop (maybe I should have put a full stop for a touch of ‘real full stopness’ rather than referencing it!!)
    Aaanyway, isn’t it maslow’s hierarchy of needs that puts
    Belongingness and Love needs – work group, family, affection, relationships, etc
    firlmly in the middle. Without that we wouldn’t expect to see you, as one doesn’t come without the other.
    Regarless of what’s occuring it’s all positive thoughts from here,

  3. Taking care of family should always be the top priority. We fans know how much your family means to know you. I hope things get better soon.
    =)

  6. Hope everything is okay!
    Our thoughts are with you!
    I’ll be sure to come track you down and say howdy at Comic-Con in July.

  8. Family always comes first. Will miss you at Trek Expo but will catch you at PAX. My thoughts are with you and your family in whatever y’all are going through. Take care.

  10. Family has to come first. I hope everything works out okay.
    (Also you gain points for using John Lennon lyrics for your title.)

  13. Just reiterating what most have said, family first. A heads up on your blog is always appreciated and while explanations are nice they are NEVER expected when it comes to family.

  17. Hey there Wil. It is understood, family always comes first. So glad to hear that you “make it so.” Thank you for letting us know. It is so appreciated. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully all things will fall in proper place and that your normal routine will be back in order soon. Take care Wil.

  18. if it were any less serious-sounding, i’d totally write something snarky yet good natured. instead, i’ll drop the snark and wish you (and your family) well and hope things work out as best they can.

  19. You’ve got your priorities in the right place, dude. Anyone who can’t grok that and respect your boundaries can just go fuck all the way off. Sending you and Anne my best mojo.
    (It was cool to see you in the hall on Friday at Book Expo, by the way; but you were in a hurry, so I didn’t stop you. Oddly, I’d just seen your Tweet about it a few minutes before you materialized.)

  22. I wish your family the best.
    Maybe next year I can afford to go out there, not like I can this year. That would be awesome.

  23. Completely unrelated: I think Amazon.com is hella promoting Just a Geek. Could be that it read the content on my page…but away from my blog, when I made the widget, Just a Geek was the first memoir to pop up–the other key words, besides “memoir” were “sex” and “literary theory.”
    Interesting…and a little weird.

  24. Wil, family always comes first. Anyone worth their salt lives that way, and anyone worth your time will understand that.
    Sending lots of positive energy your way.

  25. Wil, family always comes first. Anyone worth their salt lives that way, and anyone worth your time will understand that.
    Sending lots of positive energy your way.

  26. Wil, family always comes first. Anyone worth their salt lives that way, and anyone worth your time will understand that.
    Sending lots of positive energy your way.

  29. Just another Oklahoman adding my voice to everyone else who says of course, take care of your family first. Wishing that all is well with you & yours, and we’ll just catch you next year. Hopefully at Comic-Con though, it may be our family trip next year!

  30. That just means it’s 365 more days until we get “Road Trip on Route 66, the sequel”.
    If I remember correctly, we used to hurl Monkey Mojo to folks on the WWDN Soapbox, so all the MM to you and yours, Wil. Take care.

  31. Lots and lots of monkey mojo to you and yours for whatever you’re going through. This too shall pass! Like everyone said, family comes first and the way it is. Where would we be without our families?

  34. I’m going to be bold and say that anyone who doesn’t understand that life and family must come first, even over the joys of fandom or nerdgasms, needs a life. Tulsa will wait for you Wil. Best wishes to you and your family. 😀

  36. Wil, I’ll be at the con this weekend, thinking positive thoughts for you and your family.
    For those thinking about going to the con, the lineup of guests and stuff sounds pretty good to me despite Wil having to cancel. I’m especially looking forward to seeing the Enterprise Blues Band. I might just have to wear my “Expendable” shirt like Wil and I did at the Las Vegas con last year. If you see me, please say hello!

  38. Let us all know if you’ll be heading down Route 66 again next year. We can all come out and wave as you drive down the road! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your last Route 66 road trip experience, since you drove through some areas that I’ve driven through so many times.
    Sending positive family outcome vibes your way. You wouldn’t be who we all know and love if you didn’t put your family first.

  40. The small figure slips lithely through the darkness, pausing in the shadows. In range now, he starts *flinging* handfuls of Karma at the house. Satisfied, he nods, and slips away.

  42. Hey – hope whatever it is works out; however here’s an idea:
    You know how web comics folks do “guest strips” for each other? Maybe you could find someone to do a “guest geek week” for you!

  43. Wil, look at all the comments from fans who were going to see you in Tulsa…if ever there was a place to punk out of a commitment due to family issues, it’s Oklahoma – they understand family there (coincidently, my family is from there, too).
    Take care of yourself and your family and don’t worry about it. We all love you, and love to see you, but real life sorta trumps everything else, yes?

  44. It sounds serious. The literary world and geekdom can get along without WW for a month or two while you work these family issues. You’re a fortunate man, with a nice family. They need your time and energy right now.

  46. Do what you gotta do, Wil. The fans will understand. And if they don’t, well, fuck ’em.
    I suppose it would be too much to hope that you’re going to try to make Denvention/Worldcon in August?

  47. My faith in people is sometimes called by close friends as “Idealistic”, and even sometimes “A waste of time”.
    It is good to know that my faith is warranted, especially in your case, in placing your family and their needs above all else. As stated by many others here on this comments sections, though it would have been a honor to meet you, our needs pale in comparison, and our mojo is being sent to add to your own.
    As always a pleasure to read, and my fondest wish that you and yours are well, safe and happy, even in the most trying of times.
    Leo Romero
    Philadelphian fan of the talented Mr. Wil Wheaton.
    P.S. Minute Maid Berry Punch. That is what came out of my nose after watching Goregous Tiny Chicken Machine Show. Damn you Wheaton. Damn you for your funny.
    I smell berries…ugh…

  48. One of the many things that makes the Internet great:
    20 years ago, if you don’t show up to a con & the organizers cite “personal reasons,” you’re a jerk, and everyone who was at the con spends the rest of their lives telling everyone they meet about how Wil Wheaton’s a jerk because he blew off this con I once went to, etc.
    Today, you post a personal message to your fan base explaining yourself, and now we all tell our friends about what a good father, husband, etc. you are.
    What was that Louis Armstrong used to say? Oh yeah – What a Wonderful World…

  49. As just about all have previously said, your priorities are in order. There should be no expectation on anyone’s part that you should reveal any more than you already have.
    I wish you all the best in dealing with whatever has been unexpectedly thrown your way.
    And, if you need something to take your mind off of whatever it is for a brief moment, I offer the following link to a light-hearted D&D-related ficlet I came across today (http://ficlets.com/stories/32791).
    Again, take care, and all the best to you and your family.

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