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PAX East 2012/Anime Boston overlap
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It was actually pretty cool at PAX East 2010, where they fell at the Hynes back to back weekends. It took me months to recover after that, ha.
PAX Prime '10-'13 Triwizard Drinking Tournament || Hufflepuff Head of House!
Twitter: @jujukoo
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So what are the chances that PAX might consider doing one of the following:
1) Offering a Sunday shuttle service to/from local churches for Easter Mass. Signup in advance to secure seating.
2) Invite some local religious leaders to PAX and convert some unused meeting rooms into a temporary chapel.
These might be options to help some people who wish to attend PAX and worship on Sunday. It also seems to fit in with PAX's policy on inclusion.
Disclaimer - I realize that I only mentioned Christian religions in my suggestion. The suggestion also applies to any faith one might choose to practice. Having no working knowledge of any religion other then Christianity I choose not to mention any others for fear of misrepresenting something I don't understand.
As an atheist I think it's a really unfortunate weekend to put the whole event on, given that the reality of the situation will almost certainly complicate travel, ability of people to attend, availability of hotels, etc.
Even for the non-religious, it's significant holiday, and that will have consequences. I can only imagine that the BCEC is booked for months on either side (or, too booked to get the 10-ish days PAX needs including setup/teardown), for PAX to have to take Easter weekend.
Wow, yeah, that really, really sucks... Maybe PAX and the BCEC can have a special Passover section in the cafeteria? (But would you really trust that?)
Considering how many churches and synagogues (have you people never seen Brookline?) there are plenty of places that are T accessible that someone can go to. There is no reason for PAX to spend money on someones religious services.
It's a nice thought, but considering PAX is a secular event you're bound to get people bitching about them spending money and resources on someone's religion. People hating on religion is just as inevitable as religious people hating on...anything else. I'd rather PAX avoid that level of controversy.
At most, having an Easter guide for families and religion might be helpful, with a few nearby locations holding religious events or family events. Ultimately, though, if people care that much they will either look into those options on their own or just won't go.
PAX East 2014 Checklist:
[X] - Pre-registered | [ ] - Train tickets | [ ] - Time Off
As people correctly pointed out earlier, Easter is for some just as much a "you need to be with your family" holiday as Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Hanukkah. I myself was raised Roman Catholic, but it's been a good decade since I decided I was agnostic. I subscribe to no religion, no longer attend mass, etc etc, and my family is cool with that. However, Easter has ALWAYS been a weekend when the entire extended family gets together, one of the 1-2 times all year that that happens. It's the same for all of my friends, and I'd assume the same for anyone whose family is fairly religious, whether they themselves are or not.
As I said, I don't pretend to believe that it would be easy to reschedule, nor do I expect them to. Holiday or no holiday, they'll sell out regardless, and I'll be happy for each and every person who gets to experience PAX. I just think it's important to differentiate between something like a conflict with SXSW or an anime convention (where you get to make a conscious choice about which is more important to you), and a conflict with a major holiday (in which the choice is out of one's hands).
I just really hope that the people who do get to go really appreciate what they're experiencing, instead of looking for handouts.
That being said, for some people (not so lucky myself, lol), Easter will be at least partially doable, with them being able to go to friday/saturday before leaving, and for that I am happy.
As someone who is also an agnostic (I am an agnostic-atheist for full disclosure) the only reasons I am happy that PAX falls on Easter is that I use 1 less vacation day and if AB and PAX overlap and do a honoring of badges I can access AB's very sweet Artist Alley.
As to your point that people are going to be happy that their is going to be more swag because of the less people I have not heard this sentiment but I have not been following the forums as closely as I normally do. I am pretty sure anyone who is coming that can't be there Sunday will pass off their badge or sell it for sunday.
Lastly I think that you are conflating your inability to attend on Easter Sunday and the truth in which you state:
I made a conscious decision to attend PAX East Easter Weekend and attend all 3 days. It was not a choice that was out of my hands, I am just able to accept the consequences of my decision. The statement you made make it seem as if Easter carries a special weight that SWSX or Anime Boston do not.
In summary, I can't wait for PAX Prime in August and PAX East in April 2012 (The 2nd to last PAX before the Apocolypse) and I hope everyone is going to enjoy the convention even if they can't attend all 3 days.
Ricin
my choice was easy
I imagine this is because when dresses are made entirely of Magic cards, they breathe easier and don't overheat the poor lass.