anyone going to Con in atlanta?

POSTED BY: haslinger
UPDATED: Friday, September 3, 2004 12:08
VIEWED: 39550
PAGE 2 of 17

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NEXT PAGE

RAWDEAL

Sunday, July 18, 2004 5:15 PM

take lots of pics and post them

FIREFLYGAL

Sunday, July 18, 2004 5:33 PM

Count me in, it'll be good to see you Browncoat1 and your wife again! We may want to think up an idea so that we can all identify each other at DragonCon. Like a brown ribbon, similiar to the AIDS or Breast cancer symbol, subtle yet identifiable. Yeah I know it's somewhat morbid and creepifying to use a memorial type symbol but it's all I could think of off the cuff. I'm sure some of us will be obvious with t-shirts and the like but on the days when we're not so obvious. Thoughts?

AURAPTOR

Sunday, July 18, 2004 5:55 PM

Hey, I like the idea of wearing some sort of browncoat identification thingy. Well, a Blue Sun T-Shirt will be well enough, but something easy and clever would go over well.

BTW, having never BEEN to one of these things...can anyone fill me in on how it works? I've been to fan fares before..when the Super Bowl was in town. What should I expect ?

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

FIREFLYGAL

Sunday, July 18, 2004 9:36 PM

AURaptor, you are in for one mighty fine shindig! How does 20,000 sci-fi fans between 2 hotels grab ya? Crowded, crazy, zany, fun are a few words that come to mind after having been to 4 so far. Bring plenty of film (or memory discs) and money! There's stuff going on 24 hours a day, mostly that's the video rooms and drinking (which does not show up on the official DragonCon schedule). If you've not been to a Con before there's not much to compare it to. How about a really big costume party. There's also the talks and panels going on, art room, dealers room, fan tables. Do you live in Atlanta or are you commuting?

A Blue Sun t-shirt will definitely label you Browncoat but for the days when we're not obvious, we need something, as you say, easy and clever.

SHINYHAPPYKLIN

Monday, July 19, 2004 1:03 AM

Hey Fireflygal...contact me in private...I need to work something out re: crash space for moi (Astriana was supposed to let you know but didn't..so much for Goddess of Communication!) Am I still on the Van list?

As far as an identifying item, I like the brown ribbon thingy, but maybe not the "loop" like the memorial, but more like an award ribbon? OR...how about making a little "brown coat" out of felt or paper and wearing that as a pin? Just a thought...

"We gotta go to that crappy town where I'M a hero..."

FIREFLYGAL

Monday, July 19, 2004 1:50 AM

Yo SHK, Astriana did her job, I just didn't have your new e-mail, sorry gal! Didn't know SHK was you! There's van space and crash space, not a problem. DragonVan meeting will be beginning of Aug since we don't yet know how many definites we have and we can't rent a van without a count. We can talk off line, I'll get your number from Astri.

I'm open to any idea where we Browncoats can ID each other, the simpler the better, even a brown scarf or arm band.

SHINYHAPPYKLIN

Monday, July 19, 2004 1:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fireflygal:
I'm open to any idea where we Browncoats can ID each other, the simpler the better, even a brown scarf or arm band.

I like the scarf idea (you could tie it around your arm if you like). Talk to you re: the other stuff shortly!

"We gotta go to that crappy town where I'M a hero..."

RANGRBOB

Monday, July 19, 2004 7:00 AM

I'll be there.

TAUSETIPRIME

Monday, July 19, 2004 12:44 PM

Having never gone to this Con before, I was wondering if anyone had a website that had good recommendations/info on what to do, what to bring, what parties are going on....etc.

Basically, Ive gone to the Dragoncon site, and I was wondering if there were other resources out there for planning purposed....

Thanks!

I wasn't askin'.....I was tellin'.....

SHINYHAPPYKLIN

Monday, July 19, 2004 1:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TauSetiPrime:
Having never gone to this Con before, I was wondering if anyone had a website that had good recommendations/info on what to do, what to bring, what parties are going on....etc.

I don't know of a site to help you out, but those of us who have been there before can answer questions...it really depends on how wild or mild you like your cons! You won't be able to avoid crowds and long lines, so if you're claustrophobic, agorophobic, or have a low frustration factor, don't bother going

During the day, the big things going on are the panels, guest talks, and some contests (see DragonCon schedule for details). You can go to as many as you can fit in, and that is the scheduling challenge every one of us faces. There's always 2 or 3 places you want to be at once, and then suddenly you'll have a big wide open spot in your schedule...well, that's a great time to go to the art show (which really kicks) or to the dealer's room (bring LOTS of money....this place is HUGE!)

Nighttime brings out all the strangeness you can possibly imagine...it's generally not a time for the kiddies at DC (costumes can get a bit risque and/or scary at times). The big event (that you need to get seating about 2-3 hours in advance for) is the Costume Contest (usually on Sat. night?). Another big event (for those of the Trek persuasion) is the Miss Klingon Empire contest (usually Sat. or Sunday afternoon in the past, check the schedule).

There are live concerts, dances, movie screenings, series marathons, other types of unusual entertainment (check the schedule, and look around for flyers for last minute or unsanctioned activities), and things to intrest all types of fans. Usually there are impromptu parties held around the pool in the evenings, many room parties (if you hear some one talking about one, just politely ask if it's an open party and where and when it is). Sleep is an optional accessary at DC, but I find I must do it or I'm miserable the next day and blow off things that I regret missing later. Of course there are hotel bars, but you may want to bring your own if you choose to imbibe, and a really nice big drinking vessel to carry around. However, see the paragraph below regarding getting back and forth to your room...

If you are staying in the Hilton or the Marriott, you're in like Flint (ok, I just showed my age...). HOWEVER, the Hilton has the slowest elevators on the face of the earth, and they always break. There are no guarantees that you can get to your floor in under 30 minutes. The Marriott has better elevators and a "semi-express" system with elevators assigned to 10 floors only (1-10, 11-20, etc.), so you can get back to the room quicker. Be prepared to do stairs at the Hilton!

If you're not staying in the con hotels (or even if you are and don't want to deal with the elevators!), bring a backpack with a water bottle, some protein bars and fruit (food is a little expensive in the hotels and if you're on a schedule, you don't want to have to try to venture out to find somewhere you can get in and out quickly), a jacket (air conditioning!), and any "persona changes" you may need. A pen/pencil and scrap paper would be handy also, as well as plenty of aspirin...comfy shoes...you may have to walk to get to the hotels, as well as the walking you'll do inside them.

Back to food...It's nice to take at least one night to go with your friends to a good restaurant and decompress(and there are some good ones around and in the hotels). If you like to eat big, the Hilton has a nice buffet for breakfast and lunch (not sure if it runs for dinner or not). Eat there for breakfast, and you can skip lunch!

If you're going with a group, walkie-talkies or cell phones are a necessity so you can find each other, because you WILL get separated, and you'll want to go to different programs anyhow.

DC is a totally insane experience, but if you take the time to plan your attack you'll enjoy it more. Sit down with the schedule when you first get there and circle things

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NEXT PAGE