I had this urge to write
something with all of the little odds and ends that just weren’t
quite enough to make up their own posts. I didn’t think I could
crank out 1,000-plus words (my self-imposed minimum for a regular
article) about original tips and I don’t need to do a playlist this
year because DJ Spider is awesome and I’m just going to link to
some stuff she did that you can download.
This is an awesome mix of
nerd-oriented stuff that she put together prior to Dragon*Con 2012
(yes, I will still use the asterisk when I can). Listen while you
pack or finish your costumes or count your funds or whatever. It will
put you in the right frame of mind.
This is more of the same,
because all of that stuff above is going to take longer than two
hours.
This is recorded live
from Dragon Dance 2012. What she played as she played it and it is
badass. This will get you pumped up for Dragon Con. It is perfect for
the drive into Atlanta.
I have learned more about
Dragon Con in the last five years than I learned about life, the
universe, and everything in thirteen years of public school and two
quarters (or semesters; whatever – I don’t even remember) of
college. Every hour of every day at Con brings some new insight or
idea of a way to do things. Here are a few tips of my own that I
think are important enough to be Prime Directives:
- Bring cash. This will make it easy to budget.
- Make a list of stuff you want to buy/people you want to meet. This will also make it easy to budget. Okay, well, to know your budget.
- Make a list of your costumes and ALL of the parts you need for them. You do not want to get to Con and realize you have forgotten the leather underpants for your 300 costume.
- Stop by the store between now and Con and buy these things:
- Ibuprofen (or whatever your analgesic of choice)
- Imodium AD (or your poop controller of choice)
- Condoms (unless you’re a celibate old prude like me)
- Band-Aids (or the adhesive bandages of your choice – I try to avoid the variety packs because a regular old Band-Aid can take care of pretty much anything while those little fingertip ones and fucking useless and always get thrown out with the old box)
- Make a schedule ASAP and understand that it will be virtually meaningless. But at least you will have a guide of sorts. You don’t want to have to browse through the entire pocket program every time you want something to do.
- Download the app to do the above.
And now with social
networking the way it is, there are so many people way smarter than
me who are offering free advice about cons in general and Dragon Con
specifically. I’m going to turn it over to one of those people now
– the illustrious Shaun Rosado of Shauncastic!
Shaun is a Dragon Con-ning machine and has compiled a list of seventy
tips to help you have a safer, happier Con. These were originally
single-entry posts on hisTwitter feed,
but have been compiled here for the convenience of you, the
Phantomaniacs. Thanks, Shaun!
Side
Note: I have also added in a few notes of my own here and there
because I don’t want Shaun to feel like he did ALL the heavy
lifting on this one. Shaun – I am sorry for defacing your valuable
tips.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #1: Eat a large breakfast. Load up, and feel great when
others are hungry at noon and lose their place in line. Of
course, you might lose your place too when you have to run and take
that big breakfast poop break.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #2: Shower. Daily. Twice if you're spending lots of time
outside. When you can smell yourself, it's too late.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #3: Plan your day to include some downtime. Otherwise
you'll miss all the good stuff that goes on at night.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #4: Bring extra socks. Walking around for 18 hours a day
can bring an apocalyptic no one wants to experience. Seriously
– I buy new socks just for Dragon Con every year.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #5: Con Crud can ruin a weekend. Take your vitamins,
drink OJ, Wash your hands, and don't attend if you're sick! And
when you do need to sneeze – and you will; whether it’s from a
dose of cologne or a Pig-Pen-like miasma of body odor surrounding a
Con-goer – sneeze into your elbow.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #6: Make a budget & stick to it. It sucks when you
spend your rent money on a C-3PO replica. #ActuallyAwesome
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #7: Use the buddy system. It sounds silly, moving in
groups fends off local creeps. Plus it makes great photo ops.
#DragonCon
Tip #8: Make sure your costume has a "quick escape" built
in. The need to use the restroom can come on quick and fast.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #9: Saturday is the busiest day by far, be prepared for
large crowds. Carve out a little time to breathe. #NoReally
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #10: If possible, wear comfortable pants with many
pockets. You'll have pocket guides, wallets, cell phones, & swag
to carry. But sometimes you
just have to bust out a fanny pack.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #11: Registration is supposed to be quick and simple but
it never is. Show up early and make friends. You have lots of time
together. You will still
spend a lot of time in line, but not nearly as much as you used to.
The Con has been amazing
about streamlining this process. But I will say that I have met some
very interesting people in the Sheraton cattle pen.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #12: Bring a handheld to Registration. A DS, Smartphone,
or PSP can make the difference in your quality time
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #13: Sleep is your friend. Make sure to set aside at
least 5 hours a day. Not all at once of course, things to do.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #14: Real food is key to survival, an all booze or chips
repast is just ASKING for trouble! Every
year I stop at Kroger on the way downtown and stock up on trail mix –
the real stuff, nothing with M&Ms; that’s candy – and other
easy but not-too-terrible-for-you non-refrigerated snacks.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #15: Set some goals, not a schedule. If you schedule out
the whole day you'll miss the fun random stuff.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #16: Use Twitter hourly. Check the Hashtag DragonCon and
see what random events are taking place.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #17: Follow/Build lists of attendees/people you want to
meet or hang out with. Twitter is awesome at Cons
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #17: Get to registration early. The longer you wait, the
longer the line. Remember 30,000 + people annually.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #18: If possible, arrive on Thursday. It maximizes
Dragon*Con and allows time for you to familiarize yourself with the
area. This is what I call
my Sober Time. Before I start drinking I hit the Dealer Room and the
Walk of Fame and make a run or two through the main three hotels –
Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt – to refresh my brain as to where
everything is. I usually do it Friday during the day after
registering on Thursday.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #19: Keep your Pocket Guide close. The app is great, but
a paper backup marked with favs is ALWAYS a good idea.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #20: While most of your time will be indoors, make a
note if you'll be outside. Keep Cool, it gets broiling.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #21: Make a survival kit. Pack sanitizer, adhesive
bandages, small tube of ointment, moleskins for blisters, travel
packs of pain meds (aspirin), allergy meds, talcum powder, sunscreen
and deodorant.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #22: Wear Comfortable Shoes. 3+ Hotels, Multiple Floors,
Parades and parties. Do the math.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #23: Keep moving when you get off an escalator. Stopping
leads to traffic jams & pisses off the rent-a-cops. There
is nothing more humiliating than getting yelled at by one of the
Dragon Con staffers. This will make them yell at you. So don’t do
it.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #24: Elevators, prepare to wait on them. Be patient. The
stairs are your friend if you can handle them.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #25: This Con is VERY different night vs day. If you
have kids, make sure they're in bed when night arrives.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #26: Bring Cash. It covers unexpected expenses and it
allows you to keep track of how much you spend. Get your cash from a
bank early. ATMs will be drained by Saturday afternoon. Keep it in
the hotel safe.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip 27: Bring a jacket/sweater. It's hot outside but some
rooms are FRIGID, if you get cold easily, be prepared. I
don’t do this, but ESO’s own Mike Gordon said that he has started
setting the thermostat in his hotel rooms at around 77 degrees. He
said it helps him sleep better and he doesn’t wake up all sniffly.
I haven’t tried it because I can’t sleep unless it’s cold and I
have eleven blankets on top of me.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #28: Costumers, carry a Sewing Kit. Include: Needle,
Thread, Safety Pins, Spare Buttons and Stain Remover
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #29: If you plan on wearing a costume multiple days use
Febreeze/Odor Remover. It's as important as Showering
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #30: Label your luggage! Saying "it was black"
won’t help in the check in/out chaos!
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #31: Be considerate for our disabled attendees! Let them
have the elevator first. #GoodLifeRule
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #32: Your BADGE is essential! Wear it on a lanyard the
whole time. If you lose it, you have to buy a new one. If
you need a lanyard, go to Offworld Designs in the Dealer Room.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #33: Get familiar with the hotel floor plans. Nothing
sucks more than missing an event cause you're lost. You
might miss a few minutes of talking, but it is a very good idea to
plan out the route to your next event during the last bit of a panel.
Once the room lets out it might take several minutes for you to find
somewhere to stop and look at your app or Program. And then you have
to waste time looking at your app or program.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #34: The Daily Dragon updates you with last minute
changes/additions. Keep up with it! @daily_dragon on Twitter
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #35: The Con ends Monday afternoon. But it's doesn't
have to be over yet! Find stragglers & have an impromptu "after"
party!
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #36: Have some music on hand to set the mood. Playlists
are awesome.
Example:http://thatdjspider.podomatic.com/entry/2012-08-14T16_51_40-07_00 courtesy
of DJ Spider
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #37: Badges are made of a semi-sturdy plastic but have
been known to break. Clear packing tape is great for reinforcing the
top loop.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #38: Stay Hydrated! @DragonCon has free water
refreshment tables on most floors. Use them.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #39: Take Photos! You want the memories! Plus it's great
material to convert your friends to attend next year! TAKE
MORE PHOTOS THAN YOU WILL EVER NEED. This is a busy scenario and
there’s a good chance that a lot of your pictures will end up
blurry. If you can snap a couple of shots of something; do it! You
will never, ever think to yourself, “Man, I shouldn’t have taken
that second picture,” but I bet you have thought “Dammit, I
should’ve taken another one,” many times.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #40: Plan for different types of weather. Ruined cosplay
makeup can be easily avoided with an umbrella.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #41: Don't forget the exhibit halls. Artist Alleys,
Walks of Fame and Panels are great but excellent SWAG awaits!
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #42: Check out all the T-Shirt booths. You can buy a
year's worth of great geek clothes in 20 minutes. Yeah,
and you can also blow through about $500 in twenty minutes. Be
realistic – think about whether or not you will be able to get the
shirt you want online at a later date; possibly for less money.
Remember – there is so much more at Dragon Con that you simply
can’t get anywhere else – art, crafts, stuff signed by Famous
People.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #43: There are great deals in the Merch/Exhibit Halls
but the price almost ALWAYS gets better on Monday. BUT
– be aware that the item you want might also be gone on Monday; if
not sooner. Be thrifty, but also figure out how much your
disappointment that you held out for that Limited Edition Platinum
Dalek that’s gone now and you will NEVER SEE AGAIN is worth.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #44: Bring a Con Folder. If you like to pick up celeb
signatures, this is key to keeping them safe/dry. I
use an 11x17 acrylic sleeve. There is usually a Dealer selling these
alone or with miniaturized movie posters in them. Find a print you
like and then use the sleeve for your stuff.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #45: bring clear acrylic covers and slips to hold your
new items in case you get impromptu swag. Oh
– well, yeah.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #46: If you plan to bring, buy posters - bring a poster
roll! It makes transportation a lot easier. And
chose the biggest poster tube you can reasonably carry. Small posters
will fit in big tubes, but big posters, well – you get the idea.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #47: Look Around! You're at one of the largest cons in
the world. This is a life experience. Enjoy it!
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #48: It's been said before & I'll say it here.
"Costumes do not mean consent. Ask before you touch!"
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #49: Ask before you photo. It's just polite. You'll go
far if you don't randomly blind folks. Also,
if a costumed group or individual is already posing for other
photographers, go ahead and get your pic and be quick about it.
Clearly they have already consented, so don’t be slow and make
those nice people re-pose and stuff.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #50: Have the numbers of everyone "in your group".
You WILL get separated.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #51: Remember to bring extra batteries and memory cards
for your camera, especially if you take tons of pics. I
bring three extra batteries for my phone and camera. One in the
device, one charged in my bag, and one in the room charging. I also
have plug-in chargers for both types of batteries.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #52: The Parade is a HUGE event, make sure to wake up
EXTRA early if you want a good spot on the route.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #53: If you get claustrophobic, avoid Saturday
afternoon. It's the most crowded time. Instead, get some coffee.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #54: Carry a ICE (In Case of Emergency) card with you.
Just in case.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #55: Saving places in line, don't do it. Want to see how
fast a Klingon can yell? Let 20 of your friends in.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #56: If a spouse or friend has to leave a line for a
moment, tell the folks behind you. Cuts down on drama later.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #57: After using the restroom, flush. Seriously. The
sensors sometimes miss it, and that's gross. Especially
after your giant breakfast.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #58: Prop weapons are great, but make sure they adhere
to @DragonCon regulations for peace binding.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #59: Compare prices! Vendors bring great items, but you
could find a better deal. Check other booths first. Again,
use your best judgment here. A couple of years ago I found the
Rassilon figure at one Dealer for what I thought was a steep price. I
went just a couple of booths over to check another Dealer and
Rassilon was almost twice as much. By the time I got back to the
first place, he was gone and I ended up spending more. So know how
hard to find your item is before you spend too much time comparing
prices.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #60: When in doubt, improvise! @DragonCon can be
overwhelming. Relax, wander, find something interesting. Repeat as
needed.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #61: Donate Blood. Every year @DragonCon has a blood
drive. Help save a life, you get good Karma and Swag.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #62: Have "emergency money". This is not for
spending! This is for food, water, transportation, etc.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #63: The PDF & Pocket Guides are officially out of
date. To stay 100% current, get the @DragonCon App! And
do not wait until the last minute before a panel or event to consult
the app. Every time you open it there will be an update that will
take some time to apply depending on what kind of service you have.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #64: Cosplay? Wanna get in a group photo? Ask similarly
dressed people. There's usually a group shot planned.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #65: Be outgoing. You're surrounded by over 40,000+
like-minded people. Easiest. Friends. To Make. Ever. Also,
be inclusive, not cliquish. If somebody you don’t know comes up and
wants to ask you about your costume or events or just talk; be cool.
There’s no need for anybody yo be a dick at Dragon Con. We’re all
into the dork stuff.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #66: Baby Powder - the secret weapon to shoe blisters
and heat rashes. Bring some.
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #67: Gum. Keep some on your person. You may not have
time to brush after your last meal. #LineWaitingEtiquette
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #68: Being a very social event, you should always bring
protection in case you make a new "friend". #BeSafe
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #69: If you're not native to ATL, bring Visine &
Allergy meds just in case. Sometimes you can have a reaction
#DragonCon
Survival Tip #70: Before you pack tonight/tomorrow. Make a list of
everything you need. Check it off. #GoodPrep
Be
sure to check back in tomorrow for an excellent Q&A with Mr.
Rosado.
If you haven’t seen it
yet, here’s my panel schedule as of this writing:
Saturday
1 PM – Kung-Fu Grip:
Action Figures and Toys of the 70s to 90s and Beyond!
This is my panel. It’s
big. It’s gonna be great. Also, I will be giving stuff away. It’s
in Marriott M-303-304
(The Marquis level where they keep the Famous People).
10 PM – Earth
Station Who: The Past, Present, and Future of Doctor Who
We’re recording a LIVE
ESW episode. I think some of the folks from The Forgotten Doctor
will be joining us. Director Faber may end up ejecting me because,
let’s face it – I am not going to be sober at 10 PM at Dragon
Con. That’s just ridiculous. This one is in the Sheraton Grand
Ballroom.
Sunday
5:30 PM – Masters of
the Universe: 30 Years of the Power!
This panel is also mine,
all mine! Come see me, Mr. Beau Brown, and William Stout(!) talk
about the greatest sci-fi/fantasy toy franchise of all time. There
will be fabulous prizes here, as well! It’s in Marriott M-303-304.
7 PM – GI Joe
Anniversary: Celebrating is Half the Battle
Me, Gary Mitchel, and
Gnoll will be talking GI
Joe: A Real American Hero.
Expect an awful lot of nice talk about Larry Hama. I have prizes for
this one as well. Because I feel it is important to bribe your
audience.
-Phantom
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