Various Advice Sought.

[Mytical]

Ok, I am looking for some general advice about a few things. Getting kind of nervous, because soon I am going to be experiencing a LOT of firsts (despite being 36 years old).

I am looking for advice on a decent Camera (prefer digital, and *crosses fingers* under $100), not sure the combo is possible.

Looking for general travel tips, especially packing..as packing space will very limited.

My social skills are a bit..*thinks of the word* limited. So any advice for a crazily shy person, who is a bit naive, and always looks for the good in people ... would be good. I am going to a convention, lots of people..at least there are a lot of people I 'sorta' know going.

It's weird, I can handle huge crowds of angry/upset people without blinking an eye, but when it comes to conversation or interpersonal discussions (not over the internet) I freeze up. Years of hearing how utterly terrible I am from my dad I guess. Though I do make a terrific listener :lol:

Hmm, any other advice would be great. I know I am forgetting something. Oh yeah..how to dress for Atlanta Georgia during September..that might help. I've gotten some advice from other forums, but need all the help I can get, cause the closer it gets the more I will panic.

Me + Crowds where I am NOT on the job = Not good for my nerves. At all.

[MaggieTheCat]

Looking for general travel tips, especially packing..as packing space will very limited.


Gonna need more info for this one...how are you traveling? Where are you going? (Okay, I see now, probably Dragon Con?) How long will you be gone? What are some things you need to bring with you? (Cosplaying?)

Regarding conventions, what kind of convention is it? (I'm going to guess Dragon Con since you said Atlanta in September...) Generally people at cons (in my experience at anime cons but I think this is true of pretty much any con) are going to get along well since they obviously all have some sort of similar interest: whatever the theme of the con is. I don't want to get into too many of my experiences unless it actually is an anime con, since I've never been to any kind of con and not sure how similar they would be. But, here is some advice in general...

Stick close to your friends, at least at first till you get more comfortable. Bring lots of water with you. You do not want to get dehydrated. I like to bring food with me as well when I go to cons. If you can't bring food with you, then at least know where the nearest food court is so you can grab food fast. Always keep an eye on your stuff. Don't put a bag down and then take a few steps away from it. Bring a bag or backpack with you to put merchandise in, if you plan on shopping at all, otherwise you may end up with a bunch of small plastic bags that you have to keep track of. Always keep your cell phone with you and charged and have the number of a few of your friends handy in case you need to meet back up with them. Don't be shy to report something to security if you think something is getting out of hand or could be a fire hazard. Security is there to help you, so even if it turns out not to be a problem, better safe than sorry. And if you ARE going to Dragon Con, look for a security guy named Miles...he is hard to miss 'cuz he is built like a brick house, but he's quite friendly (to people who aren't getting into trouble.) He's a friend of mine and my husband's. :)

That's all for now. I'm sure I'll think of more stuff later.

[KiaKat]

(NOTE: The following is from someone who knows Mytical from Devil's Panties, and has access to more info than he's shared here. People who are not on CS are referenced.)

And don't forget, you'll be in contact with around 30-40 people who know you, know your issues, and are able to be on the lookout for you.

When the schedule comes out, sit down and pinpoint the panels you want to see. Grade them (MUST SEE, Really Want To See, would like to see, can miss with no problem). Factor in waiting time. Then figure out who else from the group will be going to them, and arrange a meetup time/place. Once you have that schedule figured out, then allow time for the dealer rooms, the art rooms, the wandering around, and the random enjoyment of the environment.

Coordinate all of the above with the rest of us. This is why there's the phone number thread in the other forum, and why I'm making a concerted effort to make sure there's a group mindset. We have a LOT of newbies this year (we did last year, but at least most of them weren't total con newbies), and I don't want anyone to go missing or get upset. Between you, Raven, Tipouf, and Sarah, there's going to be a bit of chaos going on ;)

That's the other thing - you have Sarah. Presumably she knows more than a bit about your issues, and knows what to look out for. On the first day, maybe you should make sure the two of you are sticking close, just in case.

Things to Pack: In addition to the usual toiletries, summer clothes (and Atlanta? It gets HOT. Think 90*F with 90% humidity), and any costume pieces, make sure you have something to entertain yourself with. Cards, books, Kindle, iPod, RPG supplies, whatever. Have a smallish bag with a lot of zippered pockets that can fit across your body (like a messenger bag, but smaller). Pack ID, money, and entertainment in there. Leave an emergency credit card in the room, locked in the safe (if there is one) or well-hidden in your luggage. Yes, I know you're sharing with a bunch of military guys, but you never know who they might bring back. Don't leave any valuables sitting around.

So we have clothing & entertainment covered, as well as money.

RE: Camera

Talk to Tipouf. PM me if you need her email address.

Mainly, just remember that most people at D*C either have social issues, or know people with social issues. If you go into a conversation with the fear that you're going to screw up, you won't enjoy yourself, and will end up reinforcing the negative. Instead, go into it with the attitude that you're going to learn some very interesting things, and have a great experience.

The whole point of D*C is to have fun. If you're not having fun, re-evaluate what you're doing and why it isn't fun, and go do something else. Whether it's a panel, get-together, or just walking around. You are capable of changing what you're doing, going with the crowd isn't a requirement.

[Rapscallion]

Things to Pack: In addition to the usual toiletries, summer clothes (and Atlanta? It gets HOT. Think 90*F with 90% humidity),

I was there in Feb 2006. Everyone else was wrapped up. For me, it was T-shirt weather.

Rapscallion

[jedimaster91]

September can be hit or miss as far as the heat is concerned. I'd pack a jacket just in case. Keep an eye on the weather forcast, too.

[Whiskey]

I am looking for advice on a decent Camera (prefer digital, and *crosses fingers* under $100), not sure the combo is possible.

I'll get back to you on this one. I have a friend who does (semi-professional) photography and has sold cameras (on commission) for years.


Looking for general travel tips, especially packing..as packing space will very limited.
Dont forget clean underpants!


My social skills are a bit..*thinks of the word* limited. So any advice for a crazily shy person, who is a bit naive, and always looks for the good in people ... would be good. I am going to a convention, lots of people..at least there are a lot of people I 'sorta' know going.

Be someone else. These people "sort of" know you. Just create a new persona and be that. Or toss back 2-3 beers before going out. Or pretend you ARE on the job. You think people care/notice 100000x more than they do. People are just as preoccupied with themselves and what other think.

Fake it till you make it.

[bookworm]

I have a great little Casio that only cost about $125.00. It's a 10.1 megapixel, does videos, and I've had really good luck with it. I left it at home today, but I'll let you know what model it is later.

[Treasure]

Dragon Con is Labor Day weekend - the 1st weekend of September so its still going to be in the "dog days" of summer - GA is in the south - HOT, GA is on the east coast - Humid. That is all i can tell you for now.... but keep talking to the other folks on DP board - they sound like they've done this a time or 2 before.... oh yeah
check EBAY for a camera - its where my mom got her's.

[Bardmaiden]

Yeah, I've been for the last six years and will be going again this year. Being a brit the heat is amazing, lowest temp I've seen was about 27 and the highest was 42. Going to have my B/f this year, the tall -H- (6'7") and little old me. :D

[KiaKat]

Sadly, my favourite Tall Couple (DragonCon Goddess & Kilt-Wearing Husband) will not be making it this year.

Most of us geekgirls seem to be little tiny girls with big tall hubbies. It amuses me.

[Rapscallion]

DCG is not, from the pictures I've seen, a tiny girl. Striking is a good word. One of these years I'll make it across the pond to meet up with y'all.

Rapscallion

[BookstoreEscapee]

My parents got me a Canon Powershot ... I haven't used it much but I got some good shots at my friend's brother's wedding. I don't know what it cost (and they got it in St. Thomas while on a cruise, so they certainly paid less than it would sell for here). It's a good size if you're looking for something easy to carry ... it would fit easily in a jacket pocket or purse/backpack.

I'll bet if you google tips for packing light, you'll find plenty of helpful hints.

Can't really help you with the rest. Let's just say I might keep an eye on this thread for myself.

[KiaKat]

DCG is not, from the pictures I've seen, a tiny girl. Striking is a good word. One of these years I'll make it across the pond to meet up with y'all.

Rapscallion

You're absolutely right.

That was actually supposed to be two distinct statements. I'm in the middle of filing a year's worth of invoices (don't ask. Really.) so I'm not being as cautious with my words as I should.

[Mytical]

I will have one suitcase, be gone for four - five days, no cosplay (because I am not sure what I would look good in..no fashion sense), and yes it will be for Dragon Con. For me this is going to be something similar to aversion therapy. I've been trying to break out of my shell lately. Thanks for all the tips..mostly just minor panic on my part. Will also have a cooler (9 qts 8L), with Ice and bottled water. One thing I will have to fix is the fact that all my coats are black with the word "Security" on them..not a good thing hehe.

[Seshat]

Take one good multipurpose coat or jacket. Carry or wear it on the plane.

Pack one more set of clothes than you have days, in case something gets dirty. However, khakis or other casual pants can usually be worn for two days in a row unless they're spilled on, as long as you wear undies. And undies take up little packing space.

Take two pairs of shoes. It's a con, so make sure they're walking shoes.

Every outfit can be casual, at a con. Maybe take the accessories to turn one casual outfit into 'smart casual', so if a group of you go to a restaurant you don't feel underdressed. But you'll probably head to a restaurant with someone dressed as Sailor Moon and someone else dressed as Luke Skywalker, so it really won't matter much.

Note that you're going to Georgia, so anything that you need and didn't pack, you CAN buy. That said, you don't want to buy everything. :) Take basic toiletries for the trip, jewelry if any (costume, don't take anything valuable). Use travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, etc. Don't bother taking soap, the hotel will provide that.
Don't bother forcing your luggage to fit anything both bulky and disposable. Make plans to buy it there. If you DO end up with the space, pack it - once you arrive at the con hotel, you probably won't want to leave.

Take your medications, AND take your doctor's and optometrists' name and contact details. If your medications are lost, or your glasses break, having the contact details will be important.

If you have space left in your luggage, good. You'll use it to carry home stuff you bought. Pack some food - hotel food is expensive. Contact the hotel and find out if there's kettles or microwaves in the rooms: heat and eats, or ramen cups are often con food staples.

If there isn't space left in your luggage, figure out which bulky items you can replace with less bulky items. Khakis take less space than jeans. Polar fleece usually squooshes better than knitted wool sweaters. Slip-on shoes usually take less space than sneakers.
Remember your first day clothes you'll be wearing when you get on the plane. If you've packed for that day as well, you can take one outfit out.
Plan to wear the bulkiest of your stuff - wear the sneakers, pack the slip-ons.
If all else fails, take out your extra-day 'in case of spills' outfit. Plan to wash the first day's clothes in the hotel bathroom instead, and wear them on the last day (they should dry fine hanging in the bathroom - as long as they're not denim).

[Peppergirl]

We live close to each other, Mytical.

If you ever wanna hang out and go shopping or whatever, let me know. I'm not the most social of people, but I manage. :)

[AdminAssistant]

Take one good multipurpose coat or jacket. Carry or wear it on the plane.

In September in Georgia a jacket will not be necessary. Trust me. :D Unless the place where the con is has really severe air conditioning.

When I was prepping for LA, I just watched the weather for a few days, and that gave me a good idea of what to pack.

Are you flying or driving? I'm assuming since you mentioned a cooler that you'll be driving.

Also, of course, be nice to the hotel staff and tip them well, and they will be nice to you.

[ArcticChicken]

My social skills are a bit..*thinks of the word* limited. So any advice for a crazily shy person, who is a bit naive, and always looks for the good in people ... would be good. I am going to a convention, lots of people..at least there are a lot of people I 'sorta' know going.

You may be surprised, the one time I actually was able to go to a con, I felt entirely comfortable. I usually hate crowds and have difficulty talking to strangers, but there was no one I couldn't talk to, and I was entirely at home in the most crowded of panels. I don't think my issues are as bad as yours, but you may surprise yourself with how comfortable you are in a crowd of people who are like you.

As for packing, my priorities are underwear, shirts, pants. You absolutely need a clean pair of underwear for each day, 2 if you're going to wear them to sleep. Shirts can usually be worn for a few days, and jeans or other sturdy pants can be used longer than that, barring spills.

If I'm packing for a week, I usually pack 8-15 pairs of underwear, 3-4 shirts, 2 pairs of jeans, and a heavier shirt for nightime/freak cold spells, then pajamas if I have room, then I add more shirts and pants.

[Mytical]

I am driving. Wish it wasn't the case, but it is. Flying would take way to much, and I need the money for the shiny things at the Con. With no rests it is 8 1/2 hours drive, so 10 hours has been given + emergency time.

[Bardmaiden]

You may be surprised, the one time I actually was able to go to a con, I felt entirely comfortable. I usually hate crowds and have difficulty talking to strangers, but there was no one I couldn't talk to, and I was entirely at home in the most crowded of panels. I don't think my issues are as bad as yours, but you may surprise yourself with how comfortable you are in a crowd of people who are like you.

I'm a bit like you too and at Dragon*Con I've done stuff I wouldn't even think of doing in regular life. :lol:

[AdminAssistant]

I am driving. Wish it wasn't the case, but it is. Flying would take way to much, and I need the money for the shiny things at the Con. With no rests it is 8 1/2 hours drive, so 10 hours has been given + emergency time.

Ah, okay. Well, you're taking a cooler, so that's covered. For the trip, I might suggest using cool packs or putting ice in zippy bags to contain meltage and potential mess until you get to the hotel. Also, lots of easy to munch snacks, and a bit of money to get some hot food on the trip. On a trip that long, I would suggest actually stopping to eat a sitdown lunch someplace, even if it's McD's.

I have no idea how one gets from Ohio to Georgia, but if you drive through the Smokies, take lots of gum or Twizzlers or something to chew on to help your ears pop. Whenever you stop for gas or potty breaks, make sure you've got a snack/drink prepped if you want it, so you don't have to dig around for something while doing 80 on the interstate. (If you're driving with friends, ignore that, as they can open your bag of chips for you.)

Make sure you've got some kind of map in addition to your Google/Mapquest directions, and map out major towns along the route. I make an 8 hour drive between here and my parents, and it helps to mentally break it up into sections. Like, "Okay, it's so much further to Columbia" then, "Now to St. Louis" etc.

Also, don't be afraid to stop in a smaller town in the South. Deliverance was just a movie, yaknow. :p People may ask you where you're from if you have a different accent, but that's all. However, you will likely not run into that in Atlanta itself. They don't call it the "New York of the South" for nothing.

[KiaKat]

Great advice, AA. I drove (from NYC) last year, and I'm doing it again this year. Broke it up into two days, because otherwise the total trip is 16-18 hours. Within those two days, I broke it up into "Ok, first bit is through Jersey to the Del. Mem. Bridge. Second bit is through to Baltimore. Third is the DC area. Fourth is my aunt's house. Next day!" etc. Create a schedule (I expect to be at X point by 11AM), and try to stick to it.

Mytical, are you picking people up along the way, or doing it all yourself? If you're doing it all yourself, take a lot of breaks. Plan out exactly where you want to take said breaks, and mark them on your map or GPS.

Don't worry about getting in "late." Unless you're the only one on the room reservation, you can get in whenever you want, and the others will be understanding. Besides, I doubt any of us will be sleeping much, if last year is any indication ;)

[Mytical]

I am the one with the room reservation, but as two of the people I am sharing with are riding with me, and one won't be in till the next day..that won't be an issue. From what I know there will be two drivers, and a navigator, so we can switch off to have a break. Breaks are also counted in the time. I have a GPS that I am taking with me also. Mytical is not getting lost :p.

[Seshat]

I've done plenty of loooong drives. The most important bit of advice is to make sure your brain is active and functional while you're driving. Micronaps can be fatal.

[Mytical]

One of the things that concerns me is that the person picking me up has mentioned that they will be driving around 8 hrs to get HERE, with another 10 (ish) hours to get to Atlanta. Now I can do most of the Driving from here, that is not a problem..so they can rest..but 18 hrs total (not counting breaks, etc) is a LONG haul.

[MaggieTheCat]

Any way the person driving 8 hours to get to you can come the day before and crash at your place for the night so they're starting out fresh on the trip to Atlanta?

Whenever my husband and I take a relatively long trip, he always brings sports drinks or life water with him; stuff to replace electrolytes. It's not as big of a concern as if you were outside in the sun sweating like crazy, but even in the car he sweats a bit and he likes to drink stuff that replaces the salts and stuff rather than just plain water.

If you're looking for a list of food that you can bring that is good for cons and will survive either without refrigeration or in a cooler for a few hours, let me know...when we went to A-Kon this year, I brought a ton of food and it all worked out great. We didn't buy any food at all the entire time we were there.

[kpzra]

When I drove from Michigan to Columbus Georgia to visit hubby, I got stopped for construction for a total of a few hours, in blast zones where you could not get out of your vehicle, or use a cell phone. I'd plan for some sort of delay like that, it is summer time. The rest stops are nice, some had great views. It's not too bad of a drive, I did it in one day by myself.

As for the weather, I'd bring a light jacket and a pair of pants if you are planning on mostly shorts. It was humid until mid-October when I lived there, but not super hot (compared to July). Don't forget a good pair of sun glasses.

[Jester]

I am going to be experiencing a LOT of firsts (despite being 36 years old).

I'm 40 and still experience firsts all the time. Part of the fun of life!

I am looking for advice on a decent Camera

Can't be very helpful there, no real knowledge on that.

So any advice for a crazily shy person,

Major extrovert here, so can't help with that either.

Looking for general travel tips, especially packing..as packing space will very limited.

Ah, something I know a bit about! :lol:

Since you're driving and not flying, wasn't sure why you have such limited packing space, but then, I don't know what kind of car you have, and I saw that there will be three of you in it. Still, you should have more space than if you were limited by airline limitations.

So, since it seems you'll be there a few days, pack enough clothing for that day, with an extra 1-2 of shirts, socks, and underwear. You never know what's going to happen. (On my last trip, I was very happy to have extra stuff, since one day was ultra-sweaty (Miami in July--'nuff said), and I went back to my hotel to shower and change for the night's festivities.)

For a trip of a few days, you should only need one bag.

One important thing I learned while traveling the country a few years ago is I had a plastic drinking cup with a lid and straw that was in a beverage holder on the center console. I bought a twelve pack of soda at a grocery store, and then would merely get some ice in my cup at gas stations to pour my soda into. Very few places had a problem with this. Even the anal places that charge for cups, you're not using a cup as you brought your own. And if the place is so anal that they won't let you have some ice, shove off....they're not worth bothering with.

One other travel tip: when you stop for food, whoever is driving should probably not eat anything huge or heavy. Food coma can be bad, mmmkay?

Was there something specific you were wondering about as far as packing?

Most of us geekgirls seem to be little tiny girls with big tall hubbies. It amuses me.

As a guy who is neither big nor tall but who loves "tiny little girls" as you call them, I absolutely hate guys like this. Bastids! :lol:

[Mytical]

Wow, a bit to cover here, with a few edits as my memory is not the best sometimes (so lots of going back, reading what people have posted..and then answering).

Maggiethecat (Can I call you maggie? ) I offered, and they said no (them crashing at my place). Think it is because they are on leave from the military so will have a limited amount of time. At least I can drive most of the way from where I am, so they can catch some zzz's then. Only can't really drive in heavy traffic (same issues I have with crowds..just not a good idea). As for packing food..between Diabetes and NASH my diet can be very limited. Even the food that I can eat, doesn't always agree with me. Still any suggestions are more then welcome.

24601. I would not subject my worst enemy to seeing me in shorts. The one exception I make is when going swimming. I am going clothes shopping for the con wednesday, just wish I had somebody who had fashion sense to go with. My idea of fashion is "Close? Check. Clean? Check. Good enough."

Jester - Nothing specific, just general tips. I've packed once to go into the Military (and had a huge dufflebag so that was easy). I've never had to pack for anything else in my entire life. This is the first 'away from home' vacation ever. (My last vacation was a hotel in the town I lived in that had a Jacuzzi..I am a wild man lol). As for drinks, mostly water for me. Not fond of diet drinks, and am told soda is a no no. Juices are not to bad though. May have to stock up on some fruit punch (100%, no extra sweetner).

To all, thanks for all the tips. This will help a ton.

[Seshat]

One of the things that concerns me is that the person picking me up has mentioned that they will be driving around 8 hrs to get HERE, with another 10 (ish) hours to get to Atlanta. Now I can do most of the Driving from here, that is not a problem..so they can rest..but 18 hrs total (not counting breaks, etc) is a LONG haul.

Okay. My husband and I have driven 14 and 16 hour trips, so here's some advice.

1. Take walking stops. Get out and walk. Don't just go to loo and fill the tank, walk around. Do stretches, do a bit of exercise.

2. Take a pillow and blanket. The passenger/s may find that helpful when napping.

3. The passenger in the front seat is responsible for the comfort of the driver. The driver is responsible for safe driving and nothing else.

4. If the driver finds themselves getting tired, getting road hypnosis, or otherwise not being alert, stop by the side of the road, have a walk, maybe swap drivers. (Maybe not.)

5. Change the temperature every hour or two, even if only by a couple of degrees. Change the music periodically. Have no music sometimes. Talk. Sing. Go silent. Changing the interior conditions will help keep the driver alert.

6. If there is any internal-to-the-car emergency, the driver must ignore it. At most, the driver should pull over and handle it after he's stopped. The front seat passenger is responsible for handling internal emergencies until the car is stationary.