The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

How do I tell my boyfriend I don't want to go to the Gathering this year? I start my new job 2 days after we come back - I'd rather spend the weekend prepping for the new role, reading the various trade journals on digital marketing and making sure I'm mentally ready. Spending 4 days in a field doesn't feel like good prep to me, but I've already missed 2 of the 4 annual events and I think he'll be pissed if I say I want to miss this last one :-(