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East 2015 - Boston/Local Regions Q&A

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  • DoctehDocteh Registered User regular
    Snow mounds everywhere? damnit I go to PAX East to get away from snow :bigfrown:

  • LoonyEclipseLoonyEclipse WWHRD? Montreal, QCRegistered User regular
    Wait, you go to BOSTON to get away from snow?

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  • KhadourKhadour Dinosaur Cupcake Hillsboro, ORRegistered User regular
    Docteh wrote: »
    Snow mounds everywhere? damnit I go to PAX East to get away from snow :bigfrown:
    I would recommend PAX South for that. Or PAX Aus.

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  • bz_sleeperbz_sleeper Registered User regular
    Docteh wrote: »
    Snow mounds everywhere? damnit I go to PAX East to get away from snow :bigfrown:

    Between Seattle, San Antonio, Australia, and Boston, you picked the wrong city to get away from snow.

  • DoctehDocteh Registered User regular
    Wait, you go to BOSTON to get away from snow?
    Yup, up in Northern BC there is typically snow on the ground from about November to end of April so around the time PAXEast hits I'm usually ready for a break from snow.

    I've done pretty well with PAXEast so far, in 2013 it snowed a bit monday night and was pretty much gone by the afternoon that i could tell. In 2014 i think there was a chance of snow but nothing hit during convention.

    Even if there is still a crapton of snow everywhere at least it'll be warmer.

  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    edited February 2015
    Well the problem now is that the temperatures keep dropping, meaning the snow never gets a chance to melt, which means those piles just keep on building.

    Who knows, maybe we'll be able to reenact the intro battle on Hoth.

    EVEN BETTER: Someone needs to dress up like Captain Grimyk and melt the snow mounds. Who doesn't like a Wookie with a flamethrower?
    CaptainGrimyk_zps0a55d8c2.jpg

    Le_Goat on
    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • InscrutableGamerInscrutableGamer IDLE ACCOUNT Registered User regular
    Fun Fact: It's gonna snow Thursday into Friday!
    And next Tuesday!
    And probably FREAKING ONCE A WEEK UNTIL PAX!
    Break out the waterproof clothes and snow equipment, travelers. There is too much of this stuff.

    PAX East 2015: Passes For All Days [X] -- Free Time [X] -- Pass For Girlfriend [X] -- Hype [X]
    PAX EAST 2015 IS A GO!
  • KaronethKaroneth Elder Scrolling Online Co-Host Lakehurst, NJRegistered User regular
    And its probably snowing up there right now in addition to all of that. As it probably won't be warm enough to melt much of it, either, I've resigned myself today to bringing snow boots this PAX. Hopefully snowshoes and skis won't become a requirement. ;)
    Was PAX East ever very snowy in the past? Last year it was almost balmy. I recall walking Boston in a long sleeved T-shirt.

  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    We have had snowy paxes east

  • vodelhausvodelhaus Registered User new member
    zerzhul wrote: »
    We have had snowy paxes east

    Last year was incredibly mild for March, but this year is shaping up to be pretty nippy. As dorky as it sounds, if you don't want to carry/wear heavy boots all weekend, a pair of grocery bags will do you nicely from your hotel to the center for any outdoor bits. Not the most fashionable thing in the world but works in a pinch.

    I'm probably going to bring at least two extra pairs of socks/day in preparation for getting my feet wet somehow.

  • SatoruSatoru Registered User regular
    edited February 2015
    The thing is snow in Boston rarely ever STAYS. In the suburbs its accumulates but not so much in Boston proper.

    Sure we get like a few inches here and a few inches there. But in between it'll hit 40F and most of it melts away. Boston's snow removal isn't designed around snow actually accumulating over time, because it rarely ever does. Boston just 'pushes around the snow' instead of actually removing it.

    If it snows again during PAX the problem is going to be that the MBTA is probably going to shut down AGAIN because they're run by a bunch of idiots who apparently have never seen snow before. That's going to be a huge problem for a lot of people trying to get in from anything other than the glorified silver 'line' aka "we promised you a rail line but we lied so here's a bus lane"

    Satoru on
  • bz_sleeperbz_sleeper Registered User regular
    There is too much snow for it to all melt away in 2.5 weeks. At this point, I'm actually hoping it stays cold through PAX. If it warms up all of a sudden, it's going to get really messy and we'll have flooding. Believe me, one week before PAX if the temperature is still cold, you will want it to stay cold with all of this snow around.

    For the future, I hope they never do PAX east this early again.

  • KaronethKaroneth Elder Scrolling Online Co-Host Lakehurst, NJRegistered User regular
    Yeah, especially with PAX south now, perhaps in the future they can move East a bit later when their contract with the BCEC is up for renewal. Next year's PAX East is about a month and a half later which is a good time to hold it.

  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    edited February 2015
    Satoru wrote: »
    Sure we get like a few inches here and a few inches there. But in between it'll hit 40F and most of it melts away. Boston's snow removal isn't designed around snow actually accumulating over time, because it rarely ever does. Boston just 'pushes around the snow' instead of actually removing it.
    The big problem this year is that once the snow stops, the temperature drops into single digits or less, so this snow just keeps piling up. Usually we get a few days of 40+ weather which helps, but not this year. Hell, the high for the next 10 days is 30 and the low is -1. This snow isn't going anywhere.

    To add on to that, there are two systems moving in which have the potential to add on to what we have already. Look, I absolutely love snow and all, but it's starting to get ridiculous.

    Le_Goat on
    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • schussschuss Registered User regular
    Well, given the area it's in, they'll probably just dump it all into the water, so that area should be relatively clear?

  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    I don't think they are allowed to dump snow into the river/harbor/bay. It's not just snow in those mounds. There's all sorts of junk in there.

    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • bz_sleeperbz_sleeper Registered User regular
    schuss wrote: »
    Well, given the area it's in, they'll probably just dump it all into the water, so that area should be relatively clear?

    There is a law that forbids snow from being dumped into the harbor or other bodies of water unless it's an emergency and the last resort. Has something to do with environmental concerns related to the salt and chemicals in the shoveled snow disrupting the ecosystems of the water it's being dumped into. It's actually kind of being debated because some people just want them to dump all the snow into the harbor.

  • SatoruSatoru Registered User regular
    edited February 2015
    http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/regulations/snow-disposal-guidance.html

    its both an environmental issue (wetlands/marshlands/etc) and a public safety issue (contaminated snow entering the water supply)

    Note that even 'dumping it in the ocean' isn't as simple as it sounds since even in this kind of situation you can't just dump it where it's convenient. If the only place you can dump the snow si in the North End, you're basically screwed because getting there on a good day is like gouging your eyes out with rusty spoons covered in salt.

    Satoru on
  • schussschuss Registered User regular
    Huh. Kind of odd given that when it melts it will go through the drain system and into the harbor anyhow (at least for some population of drains)

  • InscrutableGamerInscrutableGamer IDLE ACCOUNT Registered User regular
    I think Le_Goat is correct - the main concern with more snow between now and PAX is going to be the MBTA. While his statement that the MBTA is run by idiots who have never seen snow before is correct, the issue that said idiots present is also reasonable. The MBTA - particularly the green and red lines - are the oldest subway lines in the United States. Subway cars and fundamental maintenance equipment are quickly reaching the end of their usable lives, and more snow on the tracks isn't helping the process at all. Barring the two systems moving in Thursday and Sunday, all we can really do is hope it doesn't snow the week of PAX. Any snow we get before then will mostly be out of the way.

    I'd like to personally set the "panic" date to Wednesday, March 4th.

    PAX East 2015: Passes For All Days [X] -- Free Time [X] -- Pass For Girlfriend [X] -- Hype [X]
    PAX EAST 2015 IS A GO!
  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    Wait... did I say that the MBTA is run by idiots? I hope not. I mean, things have been crazy, but I've defended the MBTA for doing a mostly good job because of everything InscrutableGamer said. The system's old and works for the most part. Even on days like today that took me over 3 hours to get to work because the Braintree line is down and my bus broke down in transit, I still don't think they're complete idiots.

    Plus, I work in IT so I'm very familiar with what it's like in providing a service: no one ever praises your good work, but they'll make sure to damn you every time something goes wrong.

    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    Lol, I was telling someone at work about the dash that people were making to the shuttle buses when one would announce that it was a shuttle bus. I struggled for an analogy other than "pack of fire ants," but said "man, the last time I saw that mad of a dash for anything was... huh, I guess it would have to be last year at PAX when the new D&D line was let loose."

    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • hsuhsu Registered User regular
    mbta.jpg

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  • GHOST.OneGHOST.One Registered User regular
    UPDATE:
    26 days away from PAX East, with another snowstorm expected this weekend into Monday evening. Anybody travelling to Boston from anywhere outside Massachusetts should consider cold- and snow-based clothing. While it is unlikely that the snow conditions will be as abysmally bad as they have been, travelers should still expect some cold temps and residual snowy conditions.

    YOU WILL NEED:
    -long-sleeve shirts or hoodies underneath mid-level jackets
    -work boots (snow boots are not too necessary unless it literally snows the day before PAX)
    -gloves (thinner "work gloves" are probably ok)

    YOU WILL NOT NEED:
    -heavy winter jackets
    -winter hats (unless you're bald/low on hair or you just like wearing them)
    -hiking/heavy socks

    I'd also like to recommend that anybody travelling from out-of-state keep up-to-date on the weather conditions in Boston up to and including the week of PAX. Those snow boots may need some room in your suitcase at the last minute.

    Anyways, let the questions continue.
    UPDATE:
    26 days away from PAX East, with another snowstorm expected this weekend into Monday evening. Anybody travelling to Boston from anywhere outside Massachusetts should consider cold- and snow-based clothing. While it is unlikely that the snow conditions will be as abysmally bad as they have been, travelers should still expect some cold temps and residual snowy conditions.

    YOU WILL NEED:
    -long-sleeve shirts or hoodies underneath mid-level jackets
    -work boots (snow boots are not too necessary unless it literally snows the day before PAX)
    -gloves (thinner "work gloves" are probably ok)

    YOU WILL NOT NEED:
    -heavy winter jackets
    -winter hats (unless you're bald/low on hair or you just like wearing them)
    -hiking/heavy socks

    I'd also like to recommend that anybody travelling from out-of-state keep up-to-date on the weather conditions in Boston up to and including the week of PAX. Those snow boots may need some room in your suitcase at the last minute.

    Anyways, let the questions continue.

    At this point its probabaly a good idea to have a winter jacket handy cuz its cold... like... cold

  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    In addition to the above, there is a coat check at PAX. I do not recall the cost to check your stuff in, but it does exist. Keep in mind that the line for said coat checks is usually pretty crazy in the morning, so factor that into your schedule.

    Tip: The first coat check you come to while walking indoors clockwise from the entrance of the BCEC to the line queue room is the longest of the lines. In the past, you can go downstairs, still following the crowd to the queue room, and there is another larger coat check there which tends to be shorter of a line. Also, be patient with the coat check personnel; they are people too and are trying their best to move things along while also not losing your things. As per the traditional PAX saying goes: Don't be a dick.

    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • DisruptedCapitalistDisruptedCapitalist I swear! Registered User regular
    It gets really windy off the harbor too, so expect it to be quite frigid even from brief exposure.

    "Simple, real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time." -Mustrum Ridcully in Terry Pratchett's Hogfather p. 142 (HarperPrism 1996)
  • monkoshmonkosh NYCRegistered User regular
    Any good coffee near Boston Common or near the convection center? I do not drink it but my friend survives with it.

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  • gunadicgunadic Registered User regular
    monkosh wrote: »
    Any good coffee near Boston Common or near the convection center? I do not drink it but my friend survives with it.

    Barrington Coffee on Congress is the go-to for all the people who work in the area. It's a little out of the way, on Congress which is a block over from Summer, but in the same general direction as the BCEC if you're walking from South Station.

  • DisruptedCapitalistDisruptedCapitalist I swear! Registered User regular
    IN BOSTON YOU DRINK DUNKIN' DONUTS COFFEE.

    "Simple, real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time." -Mustrum Ridcully in Terry Pratchett's Hogfather p. 142 (HarperPrism 1996)
  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    edited February 2015
    IN BOSTON YOU DRINK DUNKIN' DONUTS COFFEE.
    Unless you enjoy ordering things with weird names that require a quick breather in the middle. I'm a Bud Light coffee drinker, so Dunkin's Dunkachino is all I ever need.

    Le_Goat on
    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • gigabraingigabrain Some guy...yknow New HampshireRegistered User regular
    Le_Goat wrote: »
    IN BOSTON YOU DRINK DUNKIN' DONUTS COFFEE.
    Unless you enjoy ordering things with weird names that require a quick breather in the middle. I'm a Bud Light coffee drinker, so Dunkin's Dunkachino is all I ever need.

    LARGE ICED BLACK!

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  • EagleAlphaXEagleAlphaX New JerseyRegistered User regular
    Le_Goat wrote: »
    sfford2008 wrote: »
    If you plan on using the transit system a lot....there is a 7 day pass for $19....it is worth it since you can use it for the subway and local bus system, or the other option is to pick up a Charlie card which provides a discounted fare plus allows you to transfer free to the local bus system. I received my Charlie card for free and i believe you just need to pick one up at one of the subway sale windows.
    For those that are curious about the differences between the two types of physical passes offered by the MBTA,

    Charlie Ticket:
    • paper
    • metallic strip on the back
    • requires inserting it into the slot before the door will open
    • sometimes is not read, requiring you to reinsert, or move to another path and try again
    • obtained from the automated kiosks
    • Subway & Local Bus

    Charlie Card:
    • plastic
    • requires only tapping it on the pad
    • can be read through most wallets, so no need to pull it out each time
    • same day/week/month rate, but reduced per-use cost*
    • cannot be obtained at the automated kiosks; must get them from the sales window (click here for locations***)
    • can be refilled at automated kiosks
    • Subway & Local Bus

    The choice is totally up to you. Most people prefer the Charlie Card because it's easier in general to use, but I can attest that both work absolutely fine.


    *You save $0.45 per use if you only put a dollar value on the Charlie Card. Day/Week/Month rate is the same, no matter which medium you choose.

    ***These are the Financial District locations; the Financial District is the one nearest to South Station. Use the menu on the right if you need to find one closer to where you are staying.

    @Le_Goat thanks for the info on Charlie cards! I plan on using the subway at least twice the weekend of PAX. Is it worth it to get a Charlie card or should I stick to individual tickets?

    wjxmaepqs9k1.png
  • Sgt.MaysSgt.Mays Ontario, CanadaRegistered User regular
    Last year i got a charlie ticket, just made things easier and let me use the T whenever i needed.

    Too bad we could not use our local transit cards (PRESTO card here in Southern Ontario) in other major cities somehow.

    Gaymer, Nerd and Fan of Freeman's Mind/Half-life/GTA/Red Vs Blue

    Attended: East 14, 15 and West 16
    Attending West 2019
  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    Le_Goat wrote: »
    sfford2008 wrote: »
    If you plan on using the transit system a lot....there is a 7 day pass for $19....it is worth it since you can use it for the subway and local bus system, or the other option is to pick up a Charlie card which provides a discounted fare plus allows you to transfer free to the local bus system. I received my Charlie card for free and i believe you just need to pick one up at one of the subway sale windows.
    For those that are curious about the differences between the two types of physical passes offered by the MBTA,

    Charlie Ticket:
    • paper
    • metallic strip on the back
    • requires inserting it into the slot before the door will open
    • sometimes is not read, requiring you to reinsert, or move to another path and try again
    • obtained from the automated kiosks
    • Subway & Local Bus

    Charlie Card:
    • plastic
    • requires only tapping it on the pad
    • can be read through most wallets, so no need to pull it out each time
    • same day/week/month rate, but reduced per-use cost*
    • cannot be obtained at the automated kiosks; must get them from the sales window (click here for locations***)
    • can be refilled at automated kiosks
    • Subway & Local Bus

    The choice is totally up to you. Most people prefer the Charlie Card because it's easier in general to use, but I can attest that both work absolutely fine.


    *You save $0.45 per use if you only put a dollar value on the Charlie Card. Day/Week/Month rate is the same, no matter which medium you choose.

    ***These are the Financial District locations; the Financial District is the one nearest to South Station. Use the menu on the right if you need to find one closer to where you are staying.

    @Le_Goat thanks for the info on Charlie cards! I plan on using the subway at least twice the weekend of PAX. Is it worth it to get a Charlie card or should I stick to individual tickets?
    The plastic Charlie Cards do not cost anything extra and actually save you money. If you are only going to use the card a couple of times, then a week pass won't be worth it. Sadly, whatever money you put on the card (be it plastic or paper) is there and I don't think you can get it refunded, so you'll have to make sure you don't go adding $10 if you will only be using $5.

    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • LoonyEclipseLoonyEclipse WWHRD? Montreal, QCRegistered User regular
    IN BOSTON YOU DRINK DUNKIN' DONUTS COFFEE.

    Just for that, I'll smuggle in some Tim Horton's coffee and drink NOTHING BUT that.

    My pin lanyard
    PSN: L00nyEclip
    Steam: Loony Eclipse
    Twitter: @Loonyeclipse

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  • hsuhsu Registered User regular
    Note that the funds on one Charlie card can be transferred onto another Charlie card at the MBTA office next to the downtown crossing T stop. Not really useful info for visitors, but as a local, I've taken advantage of the service to consolidate cards.

    iTNdmYl.png
  • EagleAlphaXEagleAlphaX New JerseyRegistered User regular
    Le_Goat wrote: »
    Le_Goat wrote: »
    sfford2008 wrote: »
    If you plan on using the transit system a lot....there is a 7 day pass for $19....it is worth it since you can use it for the subway and local bus system, or the other option is to pick up a Charlie card which provides a discounted fare plus allows you to transfer free to the local bus system. I received my Charlie card for free and i believe you just need to pick one up at one of the subway sale windows.
    For those that are curious about the differences between the two types of physical passes offered by the MBTA,

    Charlie Ticket:
    • paper
    • metallic strip on the back
    • requires inserting it into the slot before the door will open
    • sometimes is not read, requiring you to reinsert, or move to another path and try again
    • obtained from the automated kiosks
    • Subway & Local Bus

    Charlie Card:
    • plastic
    • requires only tapping it on the pad
    • can be read through most wallets, so no need to pull it out each time
    • same day/week/month rate, but reduced per-use cost*
    • cannot be obtained at the automated kiosks; must get them from the sales window (click here for locations***)
    • can be refilled at automated kiosks
    • Subway & Local Bus

    The choice is totally up to you. Most people prefer the Charlie Card because it's easier in general to use, but I can attest that both work absolutely fine.


    *You save $0.45 per use if you only put a dollar value on the Charlie Card. Day/Week/Month rate is the same, no matter which medium you choose.

    ***These are the Financial District locations; the Financial District is the one nearest to South Station. Use the menu on the right if you need to find one closer to where you are staying.

    @Le_Goat thanks for the info on Charlie cards! I plan on using the subway at least twice the weekend of PAX. Is it worth it to get a Charlie card or should I stick to individual tickets?
    The plastic Charlie Cards do not cost anything extra and actually save you money. If you are only going to use the card a couple of times, then a week pass won't be worth it. Sadly, whatever money you put on the card (be it plastic or paper) is there and I don't think you can get it refunded, so you'll have to make sure you don't go adding $10 if you will only be using $5.

    I guess any extra money will be ready on the card for PAX East 2016. :biggrin:

    wjxmaepqs9k1.png
  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    IN BOSTON YOU DRINK DUNKIN' DONUTS COFFEE.

    Just for that, I'll smuggle in some Tim Horton's coffee and drink NOTHING BUT that.
    Now all I need is a picture of you in a Habs jersey drinking Tim Horton's and me in my Bruins jersey drinking Dunkin'.

    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
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