Well first off...never make actionable decisions based solely on advice of internet strangers.
I don't want to encourage or shame you into going. I don't know the specific details of your situation and you don't know mine. I will however provide some questions that might help you think it out and come to a conclusion of your own accord (a much better way to make this sort of decision).
Do you want to go? Can you afford to go?
How dire is your work situation in relation to your life currently? Are bills piling up? Is your fridge full?
Is #2 severe enough to take priority over #1?
Is #2 severe enough that the loss of 2 days would be unbearable? If so, gtfo off this board and figure that shit out NOW.
Will you regret skipping out on going to DC? Will you regret going to DC? Which regret is more salvageable than the other?
Lastly I'll say this. There's a lot going on in this country. There will always be a lot going on in this country. 4-12 hours a day keeping up with it might make you smart on current events...but realize it's putting you behind on being prepared for future events. If you see and know the bullshit going on....then you no doubt understand that TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. Feel blessed knowing you won't be blindsided in the future by ignorance.....but that blessing is all for nothing if you don't heed the warning of what you've discovered. You don't need to drop everything and focus on your financial situation 24/7.....but you need to make absolutely sure you're not squandering what precious time you have. 4-12/hrs a day while on unemployment is squandering it. You're in a great position (no debt) with no obligations to an employer. Use those unemployment free gibs to build your future in a way that puts you in control. It's a situation most will never be in. For those that are...most fail to comprehend the opportunity of it. DO NOT WASTE IT. If you don't waste it....then these sort of last minute, ancillary pro/con decisions won't even be a thought process you need to have.
I actually have quite a bit of real world experience in your area of expertise. First as a retail operations manager, then starting my own wholesale company (retail products), then manufacturing my own product and brand. We live in a special time (despite what people say). You have access to anyone and anything on Earth. For those inclined, tech is at a point where you can efficiently run a full scale business from top to bottom without having to hire or source somebody for every little task and nuance.
Product development/design/marketing is honestly the hardest piece of the pie due to the learning curve involved. I'd highly suggest expanding out on that and looking into/dabble with creating your own product/brand/whatever. If you're not sure where to start or what to create....just start peering through different wholesale catalogs of different companies. Research where/how they created their product, the ways they're presenting/offering it (b2b/b2c), and what it would take for you to do the same type of thing. Don't copy them obviously...but this will point you in a direction that will help spur on some ideas, fill in some blanks, and paint an overall bigger picture.
Well first off...never make actionable decisions based solely on advice of internet strangers. I don't want to encourage or shame you into going. I don't know the specific details of your situation and you don't know mine. I will however provide some questions that might help you think it out and come to a conclusion of your own accord (a much better way to make this sort of decision).
Lastly I'll say this. There's a lot going on in this country. There will always be a lot going on in this country. 4-12 hours a day keeping up with it might make you smart on current events...but realize it's putting you behind on being prepared for future events. If you see and know the bullshit going on....then you no doubt understand that TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. Feel blessed knowing you won't be blindsided in the future by ignorance.....but that blessing is all for nothing if you don't heed the warning of what you've discovered. You don't need to drop everything and focus on your financial situation 24/7.....but you need to make absolutely sure you're not squandering what precious time you have. 4-12/hrs a day while on unemployment is squandering it. You're in a great position (no debt) with no obligations to an employer. Use those unemployment free gibs to build your future in a way that puts you in control. It's a situation most will never be in. For those that are...most fail to comprehend the opportunity of it. DO NOT WASTE IT. If you don't waste it....then these sort of last minute, ancillary pro/con decisions won't even be a thought process you need to have.
I actually have quite a bit of real world experience in your area of expertise. First as a retail operations manager, then starting my own wholesale company (retail products), then manufacturing my own product and brand. We live in a special time (despite what people say). You have access to anyone and anything on Earth. For those inclined, tech is at a point where you can efficiently run a full scale business from top to bottom without having to hire or source somebody for every little task and nuance.
Product development/design/marketing is honestly the hardest piece of the pie due to the learning curve involved. I'd highly suggest expanding out on that and looking into/dabble with creating your own product/brand/whatever. If you're not sure where to start or what to create....just start peering through different wholesale catalogs of different companies. Research where/how they created their product, the ways they're presenting/offering it (b2b/b2c), and what it would take for you to do the same type of thing. Don't copy them obviously...but this will point you in a direction that will help spur on some ideas, fill in some blanks, and paint an overall bigger picture.