Well, first off, breathe! This is a convention, it's not moving into a new home! It's a blissful few days spent participating in events and activities that bring some small bit of happiness to your little life!
I suppose I should backtrack and explain a little of where I will be going and participating in during my own little bit of Geek Nirvana. I will be attending the Best Four Days of Gaming in the U.S., Gen Con! Currently, I only live approximately three hours from Indianapolis, Indiana where the convention is being held. Our current plan is to stay all four days, going up early Wednesday night, and staying through Sunday. There is a group of us going, my husband and I, my best friend and her boyfriend; all traveling in one car and sharing a hotel room. This is going to be a wild ride! So back to the original thought process: how do you begin preparing for a long gaming filled weekend? Well, I have found the best way to organize it all is very simple, lists! I start making lists for EVERYTHING almost as soon as our hotel is booked, and badges are purchased. It may seem like a little overkill to make so many lists, but trust me it helps to break it all down, and to help remember things from year to year. So, you're probally wondering what type of lists I make, even if you're not, I'm going to fill you in anyways. :)
The Lists:
*To Pack (in suitcases, in a car bag, things to go in the car, in the backpack)
*Groceries (food for hotel, in car, drinks)
*Gaming (all things gaming, books, dice, costumes, etc.)
*Paperwork (hotel reservations, tickets, other important documents)
So these may seem like pretty vague lists, and as title holders, they are. But I even go a step further and break each list into subcategories. This is of course why it helps to keep a small composition notebook or binder to keep it all together in one place.
The Breakdown:
*To Pack
-By Person
-By location (either suitcase, car bag, backpack)
*Groceries
-By Person (favorites and requests)
-By location (either food suitcase or car bag)
*Gaming and Paperwork
-I always keep my gaming supplies in my backpack, at least until the hotel. As for paperwork, depending on how important depends on if it goes in the car bag or backpack.
I suppose I should stop and explain what I mean when I say "car bag" and various things. Every time we go on a long trip, there always seems to be three pieces of "luggage" that end up being packed in the vehicle. The suitcase that has all the clothes and such in it. The car bag, which has all the things you know you're going to need in a hurry while on the road. Then there is the backpack. This is one of the top things I recommend for any convention goer! If you are able to pick up a sturdy one from a discount store, or even get one for free, DO IT! I picked mine up for $8 before my first Con from Big Lots and it has lasted and lasted! You would not ever realize how tired you get of carrying things when you are walking miles and miles by the end of the first day!
I'm sure that there are a few other little things that I have a list or two floating around of, like music that everyone can agree on, where to order pizza from, and which gas station bathroom we should stop at. But those can be added and deleted by personal discretion. For now, for all those keeping track, I recommend lists, even lists for your lists, however it helps you keep it all together.
So for the first blog I didn't mean to ramble on, but I figure get the hardest part out first and then the rest will come easier. I have ideas what the next blog could be about but until I sit down at the keyboard and begin typing, I can't be a hundred percent what I will say. So for now I will just say, goodnight and I will have more, hopefully helpful, tips and tricks next time!
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