(no subject)

[rivka]

"Maybe LJ wasn't the best place to go for impartial advice," I said to curiousangel after a few hours had passed and a few comments had appeared. But by then it was too late. We've decided to go to Worldcon.

Now the attack of anticipatory shyness occurs.

But seriously. Worldcon seems like the kind of thing we should do at least once in our lives, and given that (a) if we miss this year, the next two Worldcons are both thousands of miles away, and (b) we're hoping to be burdened with small, expensive, difficult-to-transport creatures in the not-too-distant future, the Boston Worldcon seems like the one to try. So there we go.

Plus, I haven't seen papersky in way too long, and I want to meet ailsaek, and I want to attend one of marykaykare's famous parties, and I want to hang out with pnh, and so on for probably zillions of other people. And Michael has gaming people he's been corresponding with for years who will probably be at Worldcon, and... and... and so.

My sister lives a bus ride away from the Convention Center, so we're thinking we'll stay with her on Thursday and Sunday nights and get a hotel room for Friday and Saturday nights. (Anyone interested in quiet, nonsmoking roommates who have good personal hygiene?)

Yay! Worldcon! I'm excited.

Anyone have helpful advice for a Worldcon newbie, though? I'm pretty inexperienced with cons.

Comments

[marykaykare.livejournal.com]

Noreascon is planning a whole bunch of Orientation to Worldcon type things. John Hertz is going to be in charge so it'll probably be very good and very useful.

Don't try to do everything, you just can't. Especially a Boston Worldcon. Don't get frustrated and don't wear yourself to a frazzle. Go with the flow.

The rule we used to use in the Midwest was 5 hours of sleep, and 2 meals, but we were younger than. And don't get the 2 mixed up was usually appended.

I wouldn't commute myself, because I like being out really late to the parties and/or having breakfast in the hotel and being able to go back to my room whenever I want. However, everyone's circumstances are different. I believe at this point all the Sheraton is sold out and the Marriott almost is. Also note that there is a department called handicapped services. I don't know how well you and the SO get around, but I've arranged to rent one of those electric carts for the week. There is a LOT of walking involved, not to mention standing around, and my knees just won't take it anymore though the rest of me is ok.

Try not to be too shy.

MKK--I'm going to get talked into doing another party aren't I?

[rivka.livejournal.com]

I believe at this point all the Sheraton is sold out and the Marriott almost is.

That's what it said on the Noreascon website, but on a whim I decided to check - and managed to reserve a two double bed, no smoking, non-party-block room in the Sheraton. (We decided that it would be better to have a reservation we might partially cancel later, than it would be to want a room later on and be unable to find one.)

MKK--I'm going to get talked into doing another party aren't I?

I certainly hope so, because I've been reading about your room parties for years. I'd be delighted to help out. What do you think, a bloggers' party? LJ? Rasseff?

[papersky.livejournal.com]

I might well be on for sharing that if you want a non-smoking room-mate who tends to get up insanely early.

[elisem.livejournal.com]

The rule we used to use in the Midwest was 5 hours of sleep, and 2 meals, but we were younger than. And don't get the 2 mixed up was usually appended.

That's exactly what Lois said when I asked her if she had any advice to you for your first Worldcon. With the coda about not mixing them up, too. She also strongly recommended stresstabs with zinc. (I had dinner with her and Pat tonight. I can't remember what Pat recommended besides seconding Lois on the food and sleep thing, but I'm sure it was sensible. It probably involved pacing yourself, given the length of the convention.)


Me, I'd also recommend watching out for dehydration, because a lot of hotels and convention centers have very dry air inside them. (This is the one I always forget about until it bites me.)

Oh! I remember what Pat recommended: she said, "Volunteer! If you have any shyness, having a job is really useful, and it's also a nice way to meet people at the convention." She did go on to tell a story about someone who had volunteered for a bag-checking job in the art show, thinking it would be a nice quiet place to hide and be comfortably shy, but that the person found out they wound up checking everybody's bag and getting all endearingly tongue-tied around authors they admired, because of course they all went to the art show too, but then, every job has its downsides, and getting tongue-tied in Pat's presence is not a bad one to have to deal with. She's a gracious soul, and so are most of 'em.

Lois says hi, by the way. She'll be there.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

*waving hi to Lois*

I, for one, am grateful that a personal hygiene recommendation has been added to the bit about meals and sleep. I do tend to forget carrying drinking water around with me, so thank you for the reminder.

I should, in fact, volunteer. That would be a sensible thing to do. When I'm not, for example, hanging out at my friends' dealer tables, keeping them company while they sell necklaces.

[marykaykare.livejournal.com]

Well, you know, Lois and I both lived in, or near, Columbus so we were seeing the same people and getting the same advice and so on. You'll note that neither of us lives there now....

MKK