I can echo many sentiments: I had my Homestar Runner messenger bag with me the whole time and it was awesome for carrying swag (even the plastic bag they give you when you register gets annoying after a few hours) and in it I had:
Cosmic Wimpout - A dice game for making friends in line.
Bottled Water - I bought 3 or 4 liters at the Au Bon Pain across from the Hynes' entrance over the weekend.
Overshirt - For the walk to/from the hotel.
And any other assorted swag I had gotten that day.
Also, something VERY worth investing in - Dr. Scholls gel inserts. I recently worked as a waiter, and I bought the "athletic" inserts... They saved my life. I wore flip-flops on Saturday last year, and I'll tell you, by 2am my feet and legs were so sore I barely made it back to the hotel. Comfortable shoes, socks and those magical little inserts will be your best friends, I promise. I bought my pair for $11.00 at Target.
I thought places near the water got more snow. At least that's how it is on Lake Erie. Don't know much about the ocean.
I get that places near big bodies of water get more snow (ie. Buffalo), but I though ON the water got less. How often do you see snow on the beach? Even a beach in the northern parts of the country.
It's called nor'easter, and I can't rule one out during the convention.
Does the water make it harder for snow to form? Definitely. Is it a guarantee it won't snow? Definitely not. If it snows a couple of inches on the water then it snows a foot further inland.
Unfortunately, March is still, fully, in winter. April is when things start to warm up (and even April has been known to hold a massive snowstorm once in a while). Prepare for cold, prepare for snow, and hope it's not needed (well, at least the snow part).
If you've never heard of a nor'easter, these are bad storms with the potential to act like hurricanes. The difference is they rotate counter-clockwise and do not suffer the fate on dry land as hurricanes do. These have been responsible for some very memorable snow and rainfalls over the years. The flooding last year was caused, in part, by one of these.
They form when multiple storm systems get together and mix along the jet stream. The New England area is dead center in the barrell as a result.
If one hits during the con, expect very high wind gusts and either feet of snow or a lot of inches of rain.
Despite the doom and gloom of this post, I'm happy to say, in the last 10 years of attending conventions in and around Boston, only one that I attended was effected, dramatically, by a storm. There have been others with bad weather, but not bad enough to keep people in their homes and away from the convention.
Oh, one more problem you may have to deal with: ice. I specifically refer to drivers who's cars may be covered in it upon trying to get into them in the morning. And, if your car is covered in it, don't think the road isn't.
undead on
As I am, so shall ye be.
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BekerChild's Play Program DirectorSeattleRegistered User, Penny Arcade Staffregular
So you say Boston will be quite cold, what about the convention hall? Will I be fine continuing to wear a coat, or would end up lugging it around?
At the hynes there was a coat check for a reasonable price. I assume there would be something similar at the BCEC
I would not assume this. PAX itself has not run a coat check for many years. There was one at East 10 because the Hynes provided and staffed it. WSCTC does not provide one for Prime. I'm not sure what the BCEC will be doing. Perhaps because the weather out east is more severe its a standard thing convention centers offer out there, perhaps not.
So you say Boston will be quite cold, what about the convention hall? Will I be fine continuing to wear a coat, or would end up lugging it around?
At the hynes there was a coat check for a reasonable price. I assume there would be something similar at the BCEC
I would not assume this. PAX itself has not run a coat check for many years. There was one at East 10 because the Hynes provided and staffed it. WSCTC does not provide one for Prime. I'm not sure what the BCEC will be doing. Perhaps because the weather out east is more severe its a standard thing convention centers offer out there, perhaps not.
Assumption is the mother of all Goose-ups.
None the less I hope someone will consider that it will be held during Winter and that 50,000 + attendees may not want to lug their winter gear for the entire day.
Something else I just thought of, and this is probably just me, but I'd definitely stay away from those huge Sumo beanbags they have lying about. Sure, they look super comfy and inviting, but just think about how many asses have plopped down on those things... asses FESTERING WITH DISEASE.
I sat in less comfortable places but I didn't get sick like many other people do after PAX so while I can't prove that's what kept me healthy, it certainly didn't hurt.
I don't know what the specific rules are on pirated games like if someone has a flash cart for their DS.
I know it is HEAVILY frowned upon though.
I had mine with me and never heard any comments. I live in fear of my DS collection vanishing so I brought only my flash cart and the copy of Pokemon HeartGold I bought at the mall while there. I certainly didn't whip it out at the Nintendo booth or anything but when travelling light it just makes sense.
I thought places near the water got more snow. At least that's how it is on Lake Erie. Don't know much about the ocean.
I get that places near big bodies of water get more snow (ie. Buffalo), but I though ON the water got less. How often do you see snow on the beach? Even a beach in the northern parts of the country.
It's called nor'easter, and I can't rule one out during the convention.
Does the water make it harder for snow to form? Definitely. Is it a guarantee it won't snow? Definitely not. If it snows a couple of inches on the water then it snows a foot further inland.
Unfortunately, March is still, fully, in winter. April is when things start to warm up (and even April has been known to hold a massive snowstorm once in a while). Prepare for cold, prepare for snow, and hope it's not needed (well, at least the snow part).
If you've never heard of a nor'easter, these are bad storms with the potential to act like hurricanes. The difference is they rotate counter-clockwise and do not suffer the fate on dry land as hurricanes do. These have been responsible for some very memorable snow and rainfalls over the years. The flooding last year was caused, in part, by one of these.
They form when multiple storm systems get together and mix along the jet stream. The New England area is dead center in the barrell as a result.
If one hits during the con, expect very high wind gusts and either feet of snow or a lot of inches of rain.
Despite the doom and gloom of this post, I'm happy to say, in the last 10 years of attending conventions in and around Boston, only one that I attended was effected, dramatically, by a storm. There have been others with bad weather, but not bad enough to keep people in their homes and away from the convention.
Oh, one more problem you may have to deal with: ice. I specifically refer to drivers who's cars may be covered in it upon trying to get into them in the morning. And, if your car is covered in it, don't think the road isn't.
I fully support this. In fact, I was looking for it and wondering when it would show up, if at all. If it didn't, I was going to say something.
Yes....it's the middle of winter in NE. We have been known to get snow until MAY. Nor'easters are few and far between and not likely, but it could happen. Ice is DANGEROUS and if it looks like it's raining outside in March in MA, I can guarantee it's FREEZING rain and not just rain. I would bring comfy walking "boots," as in something that isn't going to get sopping wet if you have to walk outside through some puddles and slush of snow.
And just for all the out-of-staters or out-of-NEnglanders that came last year...that was a mildly warm winter for us. The joke was on the rest of the country last year as when it was snowing everywhere else, we were laughing because we didn't get any. This year, the almanac says we're supposed to get slammed. So...bring your hats, scarves, sweatshirts, sweaters, sweatpants, and gloves. =D
Personally....I'm fond of wearing two pairs of pants and a sweatshirt. I just lose the top layers, pants in the bag and sweatshirt around my waist.
So you say Boston will be quite cold, what about the convention hall? Will I be fine continuing to wear a coat, or would end up lugging it around?
At the hynes there was a coat check for a reasonable price. I assume there would be something similar at the BCEC
I would not assume this. PAX itself has not run a coat check for many years. There was one at East 10 because the Hynes provided and staffed it. WSCTC does not provide one for Prime. I'm not sure what the BCEC will be doing. Perhaps because the weather out east is more severe its a standard thing convention centers offer out there, perhaps not.
Never safe to assume but Hynes and BCEC are run by the same people so the chances of the coat check are higher than if it was ran by a completely different company.
A comfortable pair of boots is almost an oxymoron in my line of work (Army, lol), but comfortable footwear is a must for long distances. This is my first expo but I am no stranger to walking long distances. Especially make sure the shoes fit correctly or else they will rub and cause blisters, which sucks since you're supposed to let them pop on their own.
Also, for the carrier bag idea, I've seen bags with CamelBaks built into them. A bit pricey, but totally worth every penny, especially in the summer.
largo233 on
We may understand technology, medicine, the world, and the universe, but if we don't understand ourselves, we are destined to fail.
A comfortable pair of boots is almost an oxymoron in my line of work (Army, lol), but comfortable footwear is a must for long distances. This is my first expo but I am no stranger to walking long distances. Especially make sure the shoes fit correctly or else they will rub and cause blisters, which sucks since you're supposed to let them pop on their own.
Also, for the carrier bag idea, I've seen bags with CamelBaks built into them. A bit pricey, but totally worth every penny, especially in the summer.
I would also caution against one other thing that isn't well known (so it seems) outside of New England about winter.
The term is 'black ice'. Normally, you can see a patch of ice on the ground as you approach it and thus avoid it. I do not know the reason why but in this area, ice can form and be completely unvisible, until you're walking or driving on it. It doesn't reflect light, thus the name of black ice. This makes driving hazardous to say the least.
In April this is isn't a big concern but in March you still have to keep your eyes open for this. Again, only one time in the 10 years I've been attending cons has the weather actually prevented people from getting to a convention, but it's better to be safe then sorry and plan for the worst.
I would also caution against one other thing that isn't well known (so it seems) outside of New England about winter.
The term is 'black ice'. Normally, you can see a patch of ice on the ground as you approach it and thus avoid it. I do not know the reason why but in this area, ice can form and be completely unvisible, until you're walking or driving on it. It doesn't reflect light, thus the name of black ice. This makes driving hazardous to say the least.
In April this is isn't a big concern but in March you still have to keep your eyes open for this. Again, only one time in the 10 years I've been attending cons has the weather actually prevented people from getting to a convention, but it's better to be safe then sorry and plan for the worst.
Yup, this is quite the common thing around my parts and it's known under the same term.
1- You can predict the formation by knowing your weather and checking the forecast, but better yet...
2- Have a good set of actual winter tires. Four seasons don't do.
3- Drive smartly. This means you should stay under the normal speed limit, keep your distances and don't do any sudden moves like accelerating quickly as soon as the green light goes on. Remember what they told you in Grand Turismo about how gripping works!
(Just kidding... although, I am from the south and have never actually used a coat check)
Is is possible to check say, a duffel bag at a coat check?
sure sure. Also, I do understand what the folks were saying about assumptions with the coat check. It's possible that they will not provide this service at BCEC. I'm guessing that it was provided at and by the Hynes due to cold weather and an extra $$ making opportunity.
Some coat checks will check a bag for you as well, but it depends on the service. I don't remember if the Hynes coat check would check bags or not. I personally am too paranoid to check a bag with any valuables inside just in case security isn't top notch, but most services that are run at reputable locations are fairly safe.
Honestly, the coat check service would be a great piece of information to have available from the event planners if there's a way to contact them since due to the time of year and avg temp it makes a big difference in planning.
Something else I just thought of, and this is probably just me, but I'd definitely stay away from those huge Sumo beanbags they have lying about. Sure, they look super comfy and inviting, but just think about how many asses have plopped down on those things... asses FESTERING WITH DISEASE.
I sat in less comfortable places but I didn't get sick like many other people do after PAX so while I can't prove that's what kept me healthy, it certainly didn't hurt.
I loved the hall of Sumo sacks. I had a good time just relaxing there, gaming, and people watching.
I always have some napkins, handi-wipes, and sanitizer in my backpack though so I am ready for a potential de-germing emergency if need be. However I just plopped down on them like everyone else, and I made it through alright.
Something else I just thought of, and this is probably just me, but I'd definitely stay away from those huge Sumo beanbags they have lying about. Sure, they look super comfy and inviting, but just think about how many asses have plopped down on those things... asses FESTERING WITH DISEASE.
I sat in less comfortable places but I didn't get sick like many other people do after PAX so while I can't prove that's what kept me healthy, it certainly didn't hurt.
I loved the hall of Sumo sacks. I had a good time just relaxing there, gaming, and people watching.
I always have some napkins, handi-wipes, and sanitizer in my backpack though so I am ready for a potential de-germing emergency if need be. However I just plopped down on them like everyone else, and I made it through alright.
I can sympathize. I remember seeing how hygiene was on everyone's mind. I caught some nasty bugs myself in large public places. Personally speaking though, I would not go as far as avoiding the bean bags. They were an integral part of the convention in my opinion, and besides we do use other people's seats on a regular basis. From the Bus to McDonalds, to Schools to Public Bathrooms, etc.
In fact I remember having a very brief case of the sniffles during Pax Eeast 2010. I was sitting in a Bean Bag and with each sneeze or wipe of the nose I could feel the guy on my right looking at me with intent. After about five sneezes he packed up and left. I dig it, in fact I kind of felt ashamed. However I knew I was not being sick, it felt more like allergies and was not concerned. I was right as it only lasted a few minutes.
Something else I just thought of, and this is probably just me, but I'd definitely stay away from those huge Sumo beanbags they have lying about. Sure, they look super comfy and inviting, but just think about how many asses have plopped down on those things... asses FESTERING WITH DISEASE.
I sat in less comfortable places but I didn't get sick like many other people do after PAX so while I can't prove that's what kept me healthy, it certainly didn't hurt.
I loved the hall of Sumo sacks. I had a good time just relaxing there, gaming, and people watching.
I always have some napkins, handi-wipes, and sanitizer in my backpack though so I am ready for a potential de-germing emergency if need be. However I just plopped down on them like everyone else, and I made it through alright.
I can sympathize. I remember seeing how hygiene was on everyone's mind. I caught some nasty bugs myself in large public places. Personally speaking though, I would not go as far as avoiding the bean bags. They were an integral part of the convention in my opinion, and besides we do use other people's seats on a regular basis. From the Bus to McDonalds, to Schools to Public Bathrooms, etc.
In fact I remember having a very brief case of the sniffles during Pax Eeast 2010. I was sitting in a Bean Bag and with each sneeze or wipe of the nose I could feel the guy on my right looking at me with intent. After about five sneezes he packed up and left. I dig it, in fact I kind of felt ashamed. However I knew I was not being sick, it felt more like allergies and was not concerned. I was right as it only lasted a few minutes.
I'm going to feel tempted to take my antimicrobial Febreze with me. I just might. I'm not really a germophobe, but in Boston, I always feel gross (especially after touching anything on the T).
I would say hand sanitizer is pretty much all you need. I'm hoping that my three years at a hospital has pretty much made me immune to anything. HAHA. Granted, I will still have alcohol wipes and hand sanitizers. Public bathrooms just give me the heebee jeebees, so I generally have that stuff.
Also, I would be worried about those that don't dress properly and catching a cold. It's easy to catch a disease through its non-descript signs and symptoms phase, which is when no one actually realizes their sick. >.<
I got flu vaccinated last year and used sanitizer. I never got sick. Not so scared of getting sick myself but don't want to bring the paxpox home to my kids.
Cosmic Wimpout - A dice game for making friends in line.
On the "games for the line" note...yes, generally, bring stuff to do in line. A book if you're antisocial, a couple games if you see queues as a chance to meet new people. Zombie Dice and Cthulhu Dice were big hits at the SJ Games booth last year and are now out on the market; I know I'll probably bring my Zombie Dice, anyway. It's a fast, simple game that can handle a potentially infinite number of players, so it's great for pickup games.
Themiscyra on
PAX EAST 2011 Omegathon Finalist - PAX East 2012 Omeganaut After time adrift among open stars
Among tides of light and to shoals of dust
I will return to where I began
Cosmic Wimpout - A dice game for making friends in line.
On the "games for the line" note...yes, generally, bring stuff to do in line. A book if you're antisocial, a couple games if you see queues as a chance to meet new people. Zombie Dice and Cthulhu Dice were big hits at the SJ Games booth last year and are now out on the market; I know I'll probably bring my Zombie Dice, anyway. It's a fast, simple game that can handle a potentially infinite number of players, so it's great for pickup games.
I got to try Zombie Dice and Cthulhu dice last year as well, it was great. I bought both games a while ago and we can't get enough 'Zombies.
I bought "We did not playtest this game" and "We did not playtest this game either" at PAX last year. It's surprisingly fun, but much better if you have large groups (especially if you booze it up a bit). It's easy to play with virtually no setup, you can pick up and leave quickly too.
I'll have all three games on me at all times, should be perfect for the waiting queue and beyond.
Frugus on
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sary100% pure awesomesaucemanchester, nhRegistered Userregular
edited October 2010
Figured I'd chime in:
Making Friends
Vistaprint (and many similar places) will give you 250 business cards, just pay for shipping. GET SOME. Stick your email address, gamertag, forum name, whatever on them. Hand them out to all the awesome people you will most certainly meet. No need to fumble around with a pen or scraps of paper that will most likely be thrown out accidentally, and no worries about crappy handwriting.
Carrying Your Stuff
Come Friday night, your one shoulder will be KILLING you. Trust me, you want to evenly distribute the weight. Go for a backpack, not a messenger bag. Last year I rocked http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/c616/]this leg holster for quick access to my cell phone, ds, ipod, and those aforementioned business cards.
And speaking of ds's, and ipods - LABEL YOUR STUFF. either get a label maker, or some sharpies - I highly recommend putting your phone number on them. Your Hello Kitty sticker or whatever might differentiate it, but it does nothing in terms of helping it get back to you.
Get some minicards from myminicards.com or moo.com.
Pack snacks and food that travels. I can't tell you how happy I was to have snacks at my hotel room last year. I got stuck in unplanned tournaments and concerts and missed meals. I'd just eat my travelin' food at the hotel and then splurge on nice breakfast or dinner.
Get some minicards from myminicards.com or moo.com.
Pack snacks and food that travels. I can't tell you how happy I was to have snacks at my hotel room last year. I got stuck in unplanned tournaments and concerts and missed meals. I'd just eat my travelin' food at the hotel and then splurge on nice breakfast or dinner.
Wow, those minicards from moo.com look pretty awesome. And that's great that you can design your own! I can have some fun with that.
So you say Boston will be quite cold, what about the convention hall? Will I be fine continuing to wear a coat, or would end up lugging it around?
At the hynes there was a coat check for a reasonable price. I assume there would be something similar at the BCEC
I would not assume this. PAX itself has not run a coat check for many years. There was one at East 10 because the Hynes provided and staffed it. WSCTC does not provide one for Prime. I'm not sure what the BCEC will be doing. Perhaps because the weather out east is more severe its a standard thing convention centers offer out there, perhaps not.
Never safe to assume but Hynes and BCEC are run by the same people so the chances of the coat check are higher than if it was ran by a completely different company.
the BCEC does use the same coat check service as the Hynes. their website is here: http://bostoncoatcheck.com
it's actually pretty awesome, they have a map of the convention center that indicates where coat checks are located (as well as other stuff) and what their capacity is. however, it seems the combined capacity of all coat checks is about 5600 spots, and there are sure to be more attendees than that, so jump on 'em when you can.
The coat check is going to fill up very, very fast.
I'd just assume leave the coat in the car and take my chances, but I do not advocate this in any way for anyone who gets a cold easily or who can't handle below 0 temperatures for short periods of time (if you run you can go from the far end of the parking lot to the entrance in about 60 seconds).
Also, one thing about the BCEC and the second floor:
I assume the Sumo bags will be against the outer wall, which is one giant window. The insulation is good, but it's not 100% (based on an event I attended there in March of last year). I'd suggest having them rest along the line the benches are at as opposed to having them right up against the window.
And I have to say that We Didn't Playtest This is one of the greatest games ever made. If you get the chance to play it, do not hesitate to jump in. Zombie Dice is also good for large groups.
For smaller groups, may I suggest Fluxx (the base version will work best for lines) as it's another game where people can literally join in at any point.
If you BYOC, can you leave your coat at your computer station? I read that some people use the BYOC as a place to leave their swag and other belongings (not valuables hopefully) there.
Carrying Your Stuff
Come Friday night, your one shoulder will be KILLING you. Trust me, you want to evenly distribute the weight. Go for a backpack, not a messenger bag. Last year I rocked http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/c616/]this leg holster for quick access to my cell phone, ds, ipod, and those aforementioned business cards.
I love that holster idea! Even though I had a backpack with my stuff in it, I still wished it were easier to access. Sometimes stopping, taking my bag off my back, finding what I want, and slinging my bag back on feels like a nuisance. I was planning on opting for some sort of cargo pants this time around, but maybe I'll try to holster.
That holster is awesome, but a bit on the expensive side. Anyone have any smaller, subtler ones for cosplayers?
Go to an Army/Navy surplus store. They'll usually have an assortment of pouches that attach to tactical vests or web harnesses, you can probably modify those as long as you have a belt and leg strap to attach them to.
If you are flying, check your airline's baggage limits. Last year I booked my ticket before I learned that Delta doesn't allow any checked bags w/o an additional fee, and their carry-on sizing frame is smaller than other airlines. I was able to get myself packed into a small carry on suitcase and a laptop backpack. I'm glad I researched ahead, because it could have added $30+ each way to my flight costs to check a bag at the counter.
Pack lighter if you can. It's only 3-4 days, carry the minimum stuff you need to get the job done. You really don't want to have to lug your stuff around and keep track of it.
If you're flying in you might try: http://www.ultimateshuttle.com/
I used them last year and they were good. You can book online. It was like $15. They can run 15min late or so, depending on if the folks ahead of you are on time, so just allow for it in your schedule.
If you're flying in you might try: http://www.ultimateshuttle.com/
I used them last year and they were good. You can book online. It was like $15. They can run 15min late or so, depending on if the folks ahead of you are on time, so just allow for it in your schedule.
or, if you're willing to put in more time & effort to save a few bucks, there is an airport subway station. take a free shuttle from any of the terminals to airport station on the blue line (pay attention; some shuttles only go between terminals and not to the station). then take the blue line inbound to government center, switch to green line and take it to arlington. you'll be just a few blocks from the convention center.
OR, take the silver line from any terminal to the world trade center stop, but i personally don't like the silver line and never use it.
i personally don't like the silver line and never use it.
I don't really understand that; I never had a problem with it last time I was there. Sure, it's a bus, but it's more direct than using the train part of the subway and cheaper than anything else.
i personally don't like the silver line and never use it.
I don't really understand that; I never had a problem with it last time I was there. Sure, it's a bus, but it's more direct than using the train part of the subway and cheaper than anything else.
yeah, i should probably clarify that my reasons for disliking it are pretty irrational. it's relatively new, so i inherently distrust it, and the fact that it's sort of a bus but not really is just confusing. i just generally don't bother with it, so i don't have much info on it. it will probably serve others well, though.
tvethiopia on
Daintier. Smarter. Better dressed.
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sary100% pure awesomesaucemanchester, nhRegistered Userregular
That holster is awesome, but a bit on the expensive side. Anyone have any smaller, subtler ones for cosplayers?
It was worth it, considering i could hold: small moleskine, multiple pens, business cards, ds, smart phone, spare battery for phone, keys, cash, pill case, ipod, earbuds, 6 game case for the ds, lip balm, small altoids, and a small thing of purell. and i think i'm forgetting some things.
the one thing i've had issues with as far as getting an army/navy surplus leg holster is they're much more heavy duty - and thus, much heavier. this one is just nylon.
Had an issue with stitching coming loose though (5 second fix, once i actually find a needle and thread) - but thinkgeek's twitter support was SUPERB, and shipped me a new one w/out asking for the old one back.
Only other problem is i'm average chick size, and it was made for someone much larger in terms of how long the belts were - but i just snipped off the excess and melted the ends with a lighter. problem solved, in less than a minute.
i'm sure you can use your mad cosplay sewing skills (not sarcasm, i honestly get jealous of cosplayers!) and rig something similar up that would blend...
If you BYOC, can you leave your coat at your computer station? I read that some people use the BYOC as a place to leave their swag and other belongings (not valuables hopefully) there.
i did that last year - only thing i did (and honestly it was probably a bit overkill) is i threaded a lock through my backpack zippers and locked it to the lock cable for my laptop.
just introduce yourself to the people around you, everyone i met last year was really nice - i'm sure if someone was going through my bags they would have been stopped by someone, if not someone sitting by me then one of the enforcers.
it was nice - dumped my coat, some spare soda and snacks... only thing you need to be cautious of is what time the room gets locked - make sure you bring your keys/wallet/jacket/whatnot to the concerts, if you go, b/c you won't be able to get them after.
your most expensive stuff (computer, monitor, whatnot) is going to be asset tagged, anyway, and the only people who can get into that room are enforcers/staff and people with a byoc pass.
I thought places near the water got more snow. At least that's how it is on Lake Erie. Don't know much about the ocean.
I get that places near big bodies of water get more snow (ie. Buffalo), but I though ON the water got less. How often do you see snow on the beach? Even a beach in the northern parts of the country.
Re: Buffalo... The beach itself? no snow... Across the street? Literally? (so not kidding...) pounded.
Posts
Cosmic Wimpout - A dice game for making friends in line.
Bottled Water - I bought 3 or 4 liters at the Au Bon Pain across from the Hynes' entrance over the weekend.
Overshirt - For the walk to/from the hotel.
And any other assorted swag I had gotten that day.
Also, something VERY worth investing in - Dr. Scholls gel inserts. I recently worked as a waiter, and I bought the "athletic" inserts... They saved my life. I wore flip-flops on Saturday last year, and I'll tell you, by 2am my feet and legs were so sore I barely made it back to the hotel. Comfortable shoes, socks and those magical little inserts will be your best friends, I promise. I bought my pair for $11.00 at Target.
It's called nor'easter, and I can't rule one out during the convention.
Does the water make it harder for snow to form? Definitely. Is it a guarantee it won't snow? Definitely not. If it snows a couple of inches on the water then it snows a foot further inland.
Unfortunately, March is still, fully, in winter. April is when things start to warm up (and even April has been known to hold a massive snowstorm once in a while). Prepare for cold, prepare for snow, and hope it's not needed (well, at least the snow part).
If you've never heard of a nor'easter, these are bad storms with the potential to act like hurricanes. The difference is they rotate counter-clockwise and do not suffer the fate on dry land as hurricanes do. These have been responsible for some very memorable snow and rainfalls over the years. The flooding last year was caused, in part, by one of these.
They form when multiple storm systems get together and mix along the jet stream. The New England area is dead center in the barrell as a result.
If one hits during the con, expect very high wind gusts and either feet of snow or a lot of inches of rain.
Despite the doom and gloom of this post, I'm happy to say, in the last 10 years of attending conventions in and around Boston, only one that I attended was effected, dramatically, by a storm. There have been others with bad weather, but not bad enough to keep people in their homes and away from the convention.
Oh, one more problem you may have to deal with: ice. I specifically refer to drivers who's cars may be covered in it upon trying to get into them in the morning. And, if your car is covered in it, don't think the road isn't.
Yahoo group GCIACST
I would not assume this. PAX itself has not run a coat check for many years. There was one at East 10 because the Hynes provided and staffed it. WSCTC does not provide one for Prime. I'm not sure what the BCEC will be doing. Perhaps because the weather out east is more severe its a standard thing convention centers offer out there, perhaps not.
Assumption is the mother of all Goose-ups.
None the less I hope someone will consider that it will be held during Winter and that 50,000 + attendees may not want to lug their winter gear for the entire day.
I sat in less comfortable places but I didn't get sick like many other people do after PAX so while I can't prove that's what kept me healthy, it certainly didn't hurt.
http://www.pkbloggin.net
I had mine with me and never heard any comments. I live in fear of my DS collection vanishing so I brought only my flash cart and the copy of Pokemon HeartGold I bought at the mall while there. I certainly didn't whip it out at the Nintendo booth or anything but when travelling light it just makes sense.
I fully support this. In fact, I was looking for it and wondering when it would show up, if at all. If it didn't, I was going to say something.
Yes....it's the middle of winter in NE. We have been known to get snow until MAY. Nor'easters are few and far between and not likely, but it could happen. Ice is DANGEROUS and if it looks like it's raining outside in March in MA, I can guarantee it's FREEZING rain and not just rain. I would bring comfy walking "boots," as in something that isn't going to get sopping wet if you have to walk outside through some puddles and slush of snow.
And just for all the out-of-staters or out-of-NEnglanders that came last year...that was a mildly warm winter for us. The joke was on the rest of the country last year as when it was snowing everywhere else, we were laughing because we didn't get any. This year, the almanac says we're supposed to get slammed. So...bring your hats, scarves, sweatshirts, sweaters, sweatpants, and gloves. =D
Personally....I'm fond of wearing two pairs of pants and a sweatshirt. I just lose the top layers, pants in the bag and sweatshirt around my waist.
I love me some winter.
Never safe to assume but Hynes and BCEC are run by the same people so the chances of the coat check are higher than if it was ran by a completely different company.
Also, for the carrier bag idea, I've seen bags with CamelBaks built into them. A bit pricey, but totally worth every penny, especially in the summer.
My personal quote.
You should ask BigRed about his camelback. :P
My personal quote.
Also, what's a coat check?
(Just kidding... although, I am from the south and have never actually used a coat check)
Is is possible to check say, a duffel bag at a coat check?
The term is 'black ice'. Normally, you can see a patch of ice on the ground as you approach it and thus avoid it. I do not know the reason why but in this area, ice can form and be completely unvisible, until you're walking or driving on it. It doesn't reflect light, thus the name of black ice. This makes driving hazardous to say the least.
In April this is isn't a big concern but in March you still have to keep your eyes open for this. Again, only one time in the 10 years I've been attending cons has the weather actually prevented people from getting to a convention, but it's better to be safe then sorry and plan for the worst.
Yahoo group GCIACST
Yup, this is quite the common thing around my parts and it's known under the same term.
1- You can predict the formation by knowing your weather and checking the forecast, but better yet...
2- Have a good set of actual winter tires. Four seasons don't do.
3- Drive smartly. This means you should stay under the normal speed limit, keep your distances and don't do any sudden moves like accelerating quickly as soon as the green light goes on. Remember what they told you in Grand Turismo about how gripping works!
sure sure. Also, I do understand what the folks were saying about assumptions with the coat check. It's possible that they will not provide this service at BCEC. I'm guessing that it was provided at and by the Hynes due to cold weather and an extra $$ making opportunity.
Some coat checks will check a bag for you as well, but it depends on the service. I don't remember if the Hynes coat check would check bags or not. I personally am too paranoid to check a bag with any valuables inside just in case security isn't top notch, but most services that are run at reputable locations are fairly safe.
Honestly, the coat check service would be a great piece of information to have available from the event planners if there's a way to contact them since due to the time of year and avg temp it makes a big difference in planning.
I loved the hall of Sumo sacks. I had a good time just relaxing there, gaming, and people watching.
I always have some napkins, handi-wipes, and sanitizer in my backpack though so I am ready for a potential de-germing emergency if need be. However I just plopped down on them like everyone else, and I made it through alright.
[ XBL: NemesisFuzz | PSN: Deefuzz ]
I can sympathize. I remember seeing how hygiene was on everyone's mind. I caught some nasty bugs myself in large public places. Personally speaking though, I would not go as far as avoiding the bean bags. They were an integral part of the convention in my opinion, and besides we do use other people's seats on a regular basis. From the Bus to McDonalds, to Schools to Public Bathrooms, etc.
In fact I remember having a very brief case of the sniffles during Pax Eeast 2010. I was sitting in a Bean Bag and with each sneeze or wipe of the nose I could feel the guy on my right looking at me with intent. After about five sneezes he packed up and left. I dig it, in fact I kind of felt ashamed. However I knew I was not being sick, it felt more like allergies and was not concerned. I was right as it only lasted a few minutes.
Also, I would be worried about those that don't dress properly and catching a cold. It's easy to catch a disease through its non-descript signs and symptoms phase, which is when no one actually realizes their sick. >.<
After time adrift among open stars
Among tides of light and to shoals of dust
I will return to where I began
I got to try Zombie Dice and Cthulhu dice last year as well, it was great. I bought both games a while ago and we can't get enough 'Zombies.
I bought "We did not playtest this game" and "We did not playtest this game either" at PAX last year. It's surprisingly fun, but much better if you have large groups (especially if you booze it up a bit). It's easy to play with virtually no setup, you can pick up and leave quickly too.
I'll have all three games on me at all times, should be perfect for the waiting queue and beyond.
Making Friends
Vistaprint (and many similar places) will give you 250 business cards, just pay for shipping. GET SOME. Stick your email address, gamertag, forum name, whatever on them. Hand them out to all the awesome people you will most certainly meet. No need to fumble around with a pen or scraps of paper that will most likely be thrown out accidentally, and no worries about crappy handwriting.
Carrying Your Stuff
Come Friday night, your one shoulder will be KILLING you. Trust me, you want to evenly distribute the weight. Go for a backpack, not a messenger bag. Last year I rocked http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/c616/]this leg holster for quick access to my cell phone, ds, ipod, and those aforementioned business cards.
And speaking of ds's, and ipods - LABEL YOUR STUFF. either get a label maker, or some sharpies - I highly recommend putting your phone number on them. Your Hello Kitty sticker or whatever might differentiate it, but it does nothing in terms of helping it get back to you.
PAX East 2012 Omeganaut. Awesomest. Time. Ever.
Pack snacks and food that travels. I can't tell you how happy I was to have snacks at my hotel room last year. I got stuck in unplanned tournaments and concerts and missed meals. I'd just eat my travelin' food at the hotel and then splurge on nice breakfast or dinner.
Wow, those minicards from moo.com look pretty awesome. And that's great that you can design your own! I can have some fun with that.
the BCEC does use the same coat check service as the Hynes. their website is here: http://bostoncoatcheck.com
it's actually pretty awesome, they have a map of the convention center that indicates where coat checks are located (as well as other stuff) and what their capacity is. however, it seems the combined capacity of all coat checks is about 5600 spots, and there are sure to be more attendees than that, so jump on 'em when you can.
I'd just assume leave the coat in the car and take my chances, but I do not advocate this in any way for anyone who gets a cold easily or who can't handle below 0 temperatures for short periods of time (if you run you can go from the far end of the parking lot to the entrance in about 60 seconds).
Also, one thing about the BCEC and the second floor:
I assume the Sumo bags will be against the outer wall, which is one giant window. The insulation is good, but it's not 100% (based on an event I attended there in March of last year). I'd suggest having them rest along the line the benches are at as opposed to having them right up against the window.
And I have to say that We Didn't Playtest This is one of the greatest games ever made. If you get the chance to play it, do not hesitate to jump in. Zombie Dice is also good for large groups.
For smaller groups, may I suggest Fluxx (the base version will work best for lines) as it's another game where people can literally join in at any point.
Yahoo group GCIACST
(This will be my first PAX so I ask...)
I love that holster idea! Even though I had a backpack with my stuff in it, I still wished it were easier to access. Sometimes stopping, taking my bag off my back, finding what I want, and slinging my bag back on feels like a nuisance. I was planning on opting for some sort of cargo pants this time around, but maybe I'll try to holster.
Go to an Army/Navy surplus store. They'll usually have an assortment of pouches that attach to tactical vests or web harnesses, you can probably modify those as long as you have a belt and leg strap to attach them to.
If you are flying, check your airline's baggage limits. Last year I booked my ticket before I learned that Delta doesn't allow any checked bags w/o an additional fee, and their carry-on sizing frame is smaller than other airlines. I was able to get myself packed into a small carry on suitcase and a laptop backpack. I'm glad I researched ahead, because it could have added $30+ each way to my flight costs to check a bag at the counter.
Pack lighter if you can. It's only 3-4 days, carry the minimum stuff you need to get the job done. You really don't want to have to lug your stuff around and keep track of it.
If you're flying in you might try:
http://www.ultimateshuttle.com/
I used them last year and they were good. You can book online. It was like $15. They can run 15min late or so, depending on if the folks ahead of you are on time, so just allow for it in your schedule.
or, if you're willing to put in more time & effort to save a few bucks, there is an airport subway station. take a free shuttle from any of the terminals to airport station on the blue line (pay attention; some shuttles only go between terminals and not to the station). then take the blue line inbound to government center, switch to green line and take it to arlington. you'll be just a few blocks from the convention center.
OR, take the silver line from any terminal to the world trade center stop, but i personally don't like the silver line and never use it.
I don't really understand that; I never had a problem with it last time I was there. Sure, it's a bus, but it's more direct than using the train part of the subway and cheaper than anything else.
@Durinthal
yeah, i should probably clarify that my reasons for disliking it are pretty irrational. it's relatively new, so i inherently distrust it, and the fact that it's sort of a bus but not really is just confusing. i just generally don't bother with it, so i don't have much info on it. it will probably serve others well, though.
It was worth it, considering i could hold: small moleskine, multiple pens, business cards, ds, smart phone, spare battery for phone, keys, cash, pill case, ipod, earbuds, 6 game case for the ds, lip balm, small altoids, and a small thing of purell. and i think i'm forgetting some things.
the one thing i've had issues with as far as getting an army/navy surplus leg holster is they're much more heavy duty - and thus, much heavier. this one is just nylon.
Had an issue with stitching coming loose though (5 second fix, once i actually find a needle and thread) - but thinkgeek's twitter support was SUPERB, and shipped me a new one w/out asking for the old one back.
Only other problem is i'm average chick size, and it was made for someone much larger in terms of how long the belts were - but i just snipped off the excess and melted the ends with a lighter. problem solved, in less than a minute.
i'm sure you can use your mad cosplay sewing skills (not sarcasm, i honestly get jealous of cosplayers!) and rig something similar up that would blend...
i did that last year - only thing i did (and honestly it was probably a bit overkill) is i threaded a lock through my backpack zippers and locked it to the lock cable for my laptop.
just introduce yourself to the people around you, everyone i met last year was really nice - i'm sure if someone was going through my bags they would have been stopped by someone, if not someone sitting by me then one of the enforcers.
it was nice - dumped my coat, some spare soda and snacks... only thing you need to be cautious of is what time the room gets locked - make sure you bring your keys/wallet/jacket/whatnot to the concerts, if you go, b/c you won't be able to get them after.
your most expensive stuff (computer, monitor, whatnot) is going to be asset tagged, anyway, and the only people who can get into that room are enforcers/staff and people with a byoc pass.
Re: Buffalo... The beach itself? no snow... Across the street? Literally? (so not kidding...) pounded.
PAX East 2012 Omeganaut. Awesomest. Time. Ever.