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West Coast Train Trip 2009: Director's Cut
TimeCruiserMike
Past Organizer of the West Coast Train TripSan Fernando ValleyRegistered User regular
Past Organizer of the West Coast Train TripSan Fernando ValleyRegistered User regular
Greetings Fellow Traingoers!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJToC7jlvB8
What it is
Why the train?
How to get on the PAXTrain
Some Informational links on the status of the train
Stuff You Need
PAXtrain Gear
The PAXTrain Staff
The Rules
Booze
The Hot Spots - I'm Going off the Rails on this Crazy PAXTrain
Events
T-shirts
Be sure to track our progress north
Feel free to PM me if I left anything out or need to make any changes.
The last thread was getting rather long and important information lost in the many pages. Seeing as Transparent won’t be updating the original post, I have created a new thread to update some of the vital information that people will need to know about the West Coast Train Trip this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJToC7jlvB8
What it is
For those of you just joining us, the West Coast Train Trip, or "PAXTrain" for short, is a coordinated effort for PAX-goers to ride the same train at the same time going up the western coast of the United States - both as an alternative to driving or flying, and to enjoy an intimate "mini-convention".
Why the train?
Ask anyone who's flown, driven and taken the train up - the train was the best experience. We don't care if you're new - this ain't no private party, and all people going to PAX are welcome. We didn't even know anyone else in 2007 and have become fast friends. We invite you to join us!
How to get on the PAXTrain
We are riding Train #14 - Coast Starlight departing September 2nd, 2009. from California. If you are in Chico, CA or north, get on the same train, but on September 3rd, 2009. We're going back on Train #11 - Coast Starlight departing September 7th.
PDF of the train schedule
The following is a courtesy list of standard coach prices for a round trip as of this posting. They have gone up quite a bit since the last thread was created and they’ll go up even more as the departure date nears.
PDF of the train schedule
The following is a courtesy list of standard coach prices for a round trip as of this posting. They have gone up quite a bit since the last thread was created and they’ll go up even more as the departure date nears.
DEPARTS SEPT 2nd
- Los Angeles, CA (LAX) - $277 Departs 10:15am, Returns 9:00 PM
- Van Nuys, CA (VNC) - $277 Departs 10:47am, Returns 8:05pm
- Simi Valley, CA (SIM) - $277 Departs 11:23 am, Returns 7:38pm No ticket office (has a credit card kiosk), No checked baggage
- Oxnard, CA (OXN) - $277 Departs 11:55am, Returns 7:08pm
- Santa Barbara, CA (SBA) - $277 Departs 12:48pm, Returns 6:17pm
- San Luis Obispo, CA (SLO) - $272 Departs 3:43pm, Returns 3:20pm
- Paso Robles, CA (PRB) - $272 Departs 4:45pm, Returns 1:38pm No ticket office, No checked baggage
- Salinas, CA (SNS) - $272 Departs 6:36pm, Returns 11:48am
- San Jose, CA (SJC) - $270 Departs 8:39pm, Returns 9:55am
- Oakland - Jack London Square, CA (OKJ) - $261 Departs 9:47pm, Returns 8:35am
- Emeryville, CA (EMY) - $261 Departs 10:12pm, Returns 8:10am
- Martinez, CA (MTZ) - $252 Departs 10:54pm, Returns 7:34am
- Davis, CA (DAV) - $241 Departs 11:33pm, Returns 6:50am
- Sacramento, CA (SAC) - $236 Departs 11:59pm, Returns 6:35am
- Chico, CA (CIC) - $207 Departs 1:55am, Returns 3:50am No ticket office, No checked baggage
- Redding, CA (RDD) - $196 Departs 3:14am, Returns 2:21am No ticket office, No checked baggage
- Dunsmuir, CA (DUN) - $177 Departs 5:04am, Returns 12:35am No ticket office, No checked baggage
- Klamath Falls, OR (KFS) - $151 Departs 8:25am, Returns 10:00pm
- Chemult, OR (CMO) - $134 Departs 9:40am, Returns 8:05pm No ticket office, No checked baggage
- Eugene, OR (EUG) - $101 Departs 12:44pm, Returns 5:10pm
- Albany, OR (ALY) - $90 Departs 1:30pm, Returns 4:10pm
- Salem, OR (SLM) - $79 Departs 2:03pm, Returns 3:37pm
- Portland, OR (PDX) - $62 Departs 4:20pm, Returns 1:50pm
- Vancouver, WA (VAN) - $62 Departs 4:36pm, Returns 1:08pm
- Kelso, WA (KEL) - $51 Departs 5:14pm, Returns 12:29pm No ticket office (has a credit card kiosk), No checked baggage
- Centralia, WA (CTL) - $41 Departs 5:57pm, Returns 11:45am No checked baggage for trip up, you can check bags for return trip.
- Lacey - Olympia, WA (OLW) - $31 Departs 6:22pm, Returns 11:21am No ticket office (has a credit card kiosk), No checked baggage
- Tacoma, WA (TAC) - $25 Departs 7:11pm, Returns 10:31am
Some Informational links on the status of the train
Stuff You Need
You'll need to be prepared to survive on PAXTrain. Following is a list of stuff you probably should bring if you want to have a liveable experience on the rails.
We also recommend the following items:
- You are allowed to carry on two bags, and check three (if you board at a station that allows checked baggage). We suggest checking a suitcase for your PAX supplies and packing a seperate carryon bag / backpack. This pack should contain personal effects and clothing, as well as everything else you think you'll need on the train.
- Earbuds and an eye mask. It is considered PAXTrain courtesy to be quiet in all coach areas, where people may be sleeping - but still, be prepared. If you're upstairs people will be walking through at all hours.
- A toothbrush and toothpaste, mouthwash, a comb, and if you need them, shaving razors and cream. No showers are provided for coach passengers, so if you're on the train for two days bring wipes or a sponge or something to wash the stank off in the bathroom sink the second day. Ignoring basic hygene highlights a disregard for your fellow gamers, who are great people who don't need to know what you smell like after two days without cleaning yourself in a cramped environment.
- Snacks. There is a snack cart and a dining car, but it's not cheap. You can save some money if you bring some food and water with you.
- Your meds. Nobody needs to see you off them.
We also recommend the following items:
- A power strip. We plan on bringing power squids and some power strips, but there are never enough outlets.
- A handheld system - a Nintendo DS is the preferred item for wireless gaming. A PSP is welcome but has more of a personal role rather than multiplaying with the cool kids.
- A book for pleasure reading. We advise everyone to take a break from train festivities to "regroup", and read a book or listen to music.
- Headphones, preferrably a pair of earbuds rather than studio headphones, but to each his own.
- Cash. Dining with fellow PAXtrain goers is a good way to relax and get to know some people. Expect about one breakfast (from the snack cart), two lunches and two dinners with each trip (either from the snack cart or the dining car), each meal running about 10 dollars. The food in the private dining car isn't bad. Apart from that, bring spare cash for snacks or bring your own in your travel backpack.
PAXtrain Gear
People's willingness to bring their expensive toys to share is part of what makes PAXtrain such an awesome experience. Please understand that if you are joining up any later than San Jose, it may not be "worth it" for the train trip. We need supplies on the front as early as possible. I have compiled a spreadsheet detailing who will be bringing what and where they get on the train. You can view and edit it here. If you are not sure what to bring here are some things we need.
This is all the essentials - if you want to burden yourself with bringing more, that's fine, but it's also window dressing. If you're thinking about bringing more shit and saying "I'll hook it up in my hotel later after PAX closes", you're so wrong - you should either be sleeping or heading to a bar or party, not going back to the hotel to play some video games. You just did that all day.
TNTTrooper will be, as last year, providing a spread of classic games for use in Headquarters. There are not enough props in the world, but pass 'em to him anyways.
- Power strips and extension cords. A number of people have already said they are bringing some, but it is better to have too many than not enough. Power management becomes a problem on the train. If you can, grab something from home before you go, or go buy a cheapie power strip for 15-20 bucks. This seems small and unimportant, but it's the foundation of all of our operations!
- Card games. Bring your Magic deck, your Fluxx deck, your Curses deck, your WoWTCG deck, your Pokemon deck, or shit, even a Sailor Moon TCG deck, I don't care. Bring it. If you have a silly game that's easy to learn bring it, We didn't Playtest This was a big train hit last year.
- Fans. We are going to need at least two. An electric fan can reduce the temperature of a room by up to 10 degrees, the arcade cars will need them.
- Television sets (optional). Small, lightweight affairs. Don't bring anything you can't afford to replace if it breaks, but don't bring some ancient monolith because you were planning on giving it to Goodwill anyways. If you're BYOC and have a big monitor that can double as a TV, we'd apprectiate you offering it's use for the good of the Party. Tek is bringing a projector, PGmighty may be bringing a 27” TV and I’m going to try and pack my 19” TV. The arcade car has a (small) television if we need it. Extra TVs and monitors are optional, not a necessity.
- Consoles, mainly two Wiis and two XBoxes. Seeing as we have a limited number of available screens, having a million consoles seem redundant, and let's face facts - people are going to be getting the most into Smash Bros. Brawl and Rock Band. Squirminator2k will be providing the rock band experience this year. TNTrooper has the hookup with a classic gaming setup.
- RCars2, who provided our internet in the past, will not be making the train trip this year, though we hope to “acquire” his equipment.
- You win 10,000 internets if you bring snacks to share with everyone during the trip. Whatever it is, we don't care, as long as it isn't hilariously messy or unsafe. Please do not bring home-cooked goods - we have no way of knowning what's in your killer brownies, duuuuuude. (Cookie Brigade excluded of course. People selling cookies for charity are surely trustworthy)
This is all the essentials - if you want to burden yourself with bringing more, that's fine, but it's also window dressing. If you're thinking about bringing more shit and saying "I'll hook it up in my hotel later after PAX closes", you're so wrong - you should either be sleeping or heading to a bar or party, not going back to the hotel to play some video games. You just did that all day.
TNTTrooper will be, as last year, providing a spread of classic games for use in Headquarters. There are not enough props in the world, but pass 'em to him anyways.
The PAXTrain Staff
I know that a small percentage of people have issue with an organized "PAXTrain Staff." There was some drama last year. "You are on a power trip and need to settle down." Please understand that to keep good relations with Amtrak and not have a bunch of people booted off the train in the middle of buttfuck nowhere we present the Amtrak Staff with a Face (or faces) who represents us a group. This helps keep the staff more at ease and provides everyone on both sides with a goto guy(or goto people) with whom they can speak if there is a problem. If any of the PAXTrain staff seems at any time to be rude or powertripping, please know that it is because we don't like being yelled at by Amtrak Staff, and yes Amtrak staff have on occasion asked PAXTrain staff to quell some problems that have come up. (noise, crowding the isle, hogging the obs deck, etc.)
The Rules
We have some rules on PAXTrain. They're simple. Don't sweat it. But if you break them we will be miffed and we'll find appropriate punishment for you. These rules mainly apply in Headquarters (the Arcade cars or obs deck) as that's where most of the magic happens.
Again, we've never actually had to do that! Everyone's been cool and has watched each other's back, kept everyone else in check and been real champions, doing their duty to assist their fellow gamers when they are falling out of line. We work better as a loosely organized motley band than as a full regiment. We've done terrific! Just keep diligent - we have a legacy to consider, and we want to keep good relations with Amtrak.
- Don't be a dick
Just don't. Play nice, children. And if you don't like someone, don't start shit stirring and backtalk. - Don't be an asshole to the Amtrak staff
Train staffers are generally pretty cool and will let us do what we want with little explanation. Be nice to them, and if they tell you to do something, do it. - Don't be a loud prick
Other people may be sleeping in other cars. Or whatever. We usually sack the arcade car and half of the observation car as our Headquarters and keep it there - that muffles the sound pretty well, it’s been tested, even when shouting. Still, noise discipline. Be quiet in the coach areas and sleeper cars, be polite in the dining cars and don't try to overrun the observation deck during the day if other people are using it. - Don't be a freak to kids
When kids are around, mind your tongue. Pretend Mommy's right behind you. Don't give anyone a reason to complain about PAXTrain. - Don't get too hammered
WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS SO FAR AND WOULD TO KEEP IT THIS WAY. I'M NOT POINTING FINGERS, THERE'S NOBODY TO POINT THEM AT! Let's just keep it that way.
Again, we've never actually had to do that! Everyone's been cool and has watched each other's back, kept everyone else in check and been real champions, doing their duty to assist their fellow gamers when they are falling out of line. We work better as a loosely organized motley band than as a full regiment. We've done terrific! Just keep diligent - we have a legacy to consider, and we want to keep good relations with Amtrak.
Booze
Amtrak now has a policy against outside alcohol on the train. They probably just want to sell more of the overpriced stuff in the snack bar. We won't tell you what to bring or not bring, but know that the risks / consequences of bringing alcohol are your own, as we aren't condoning private stashes this year. Openly drinking your own stuff in public areas is discouraged. If you choose to do so please do it discretely. If keeping it out of sight is a problem for you I would suggest that you check out these links
These sites offer a variety of inconspicuous covers for your beer cans
http://thebeermall.com/beercancovers.html
http://www.ezcom.com/hideabeer.htm
or if you would rather make a cover your self
http://www.instructables.com/id/Snea...Beer-Anywhere/
or . . . you could bring the brand of beer they sell on the train.
As for the other variety of beverage(aka hard stuff), just premix your drink of choice into a inconspicuous container before you board and you're set. We’re still not condoning it though.
These sites offer a variety of inconspicuous covers for your beer cans
http://thebeermall.com/beercancovers.html
http://www.ezcom.com/hideabeer.htm
or if you would rather make a cover your self
http://www.instructables.com/id/Snea...Beer-Anywhere/
or . . . you could bring the brand of beer they sell on the train.
As for the other variety of beverage(aka hard stuff), just premix your drink of choice into a inconspicuous container before you board and you're set. We’re still not condoning it though.
The PAXTrain "staff" will be assessing the situation and reacting appropriately. We got some rookie drinkers on PAXTrain '07 (the only year Amtrak allowed outside booze). If you're new to drinking, we have some info for you right here to help you get in the swing of things - most vets already have some sort of system on how they handle the booze. Here are the four levels of inebriation as we will ID them:
Anyone who is really wasted will be asked to leave the festivities - sit in your coach seat for a while and maintain. You wanna drink on the PAXTrain? Fine. Just don't be a little newb about it.
Also remember:
- Not Drunk - You've had one, maybe two. You're not feeling it. Drink a little more, if you want, or not. Maybe you're just not a beer (or liquor) guy. You don't need to be drunk to enjoy PAXTrain. Most people weren't drunk at all last year. It's overblown how drunk we were. (Or I am cleaning our images up and rewriting history.)
- Buzzed - You've had a few and you're feeling pretty good. Bit of a headrush. Congrats - you're buzzed! Now slow down and enjoy it. Drink a bit after an hour to keep the buzz going. Don't feel like you need to drink a lot to look like a big man.
- Drunk - Congrats, you're drunk. Now sit your ass down. Being drunk is not a good thing. Lay off the booze and get some chips. A pro alcoholic can "maintain", cutting through his drunkenness and working with his lack of motor skills to help him calm down and get it out. Be careful - we'll try to help keep you quiet and unseen, but if the train guys spot you drunk, they can call the cops at the next stop and have you hauled off to the drunk tank. That means no Paxy Pax for you.
- Wasted - What the fuck is wrong with you? If you're clearly wasted we're throwing you out of PAXTrain events and the word will spread you're persona non grata. Go to the bathroom quietly and puke before the train personnel eject you from the train - and into the arms of the police, who will arrest you for being drunk in public.
Anyone who is really wasted will be asked to leave the festivities - sit in your coach seat for a while and maintain. You wanna drink on the PAXTrain? Fine. Just don't be a little newb about it.
Also remember:
- "You just want to be with that ugly bitch WHO ISN'T PRETTIER THAN ME!!!" (New Years party reference, this chick was a horrible drunk) If you've battled with depression before, you might wind up being an overemotional drunk. So unless you're certain you can maintain, if you feel weird about it then don't get drunk so you don't embarrass yourself.
- Don't feel pressured to drink more to seem hardcore. A pro alcoholic will tell you that a low alcohol tolerance is actually very good thing, and look back to the time when a few beers would buzz them as their salad days.
- Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Liquor before beer? You're in the clear. Be sure that you remember this rhyme, or else you'll wind up doing time - puking up your guts all over the stall, in the bathroom straight down the hall.
- Since we won't have a PAXtrain alcohol stash we can't exactly cut you off. Just remember if you're out of hand you'll be asked to go somewhere else until you can maintain.
The Hot Spots - I'm Going off the Rails on this Crazy PAXTrain
The majority of all PAXTrain activities happen in two locations: The coach car with the arcade room (which will likely be the home of Rock Band), and the Obseravtion Deck (which will be designated as the Obs Deck or simply as Obs). These areas are beehives of activity and the "home" of most of our console systems. We'll have to play it by ear, balancing the use of the arcade cars and observation car between PAX goers and the rest of the passengers took a little doing last year.
The Arcade Car(s): These are private rooms, allowing us to speak freely with no cause for the concerns of other passengers and is fairly soundproof, allowing us to get a little loud (not too loud). Here you can find our primary console setups. It is on the first story of a coach car, with no other passengers to heed, and has a luggage rack for storing our critical gear, a water dispenser for more drinkable cold water, and doors to exit in case of a smoke break. When the door opens to the arcade car, get quiet for a second until it closes; otherwise, speak away. Amtrak closes the arcade cars at 11pm
The Obs Deck: Obs is a public area for all passengers. It was the only suitable area for us to use as the main areas of our activities on PAXtrain '08. We have to be conscious of the other passengers during the day, but last year we pretty much had it to ourselves at night. Obs has a large, spacious observation deck on the top floor with a number of private tables, benches and seats to view the countryside, use a laptop, play cards or do whatever, but due to the furniture it is not a good place to hold a mass congregation unless everyone sits down. The first floor of the obs deck has a commissary for buying snacks, drinks, booze and small meals. The prices are a little high, but not complete robbery - still, it's advisable to bring your own foodstuffs. Also on the first floor are more tables and furniture and more observation areas, we tried to leave this area open last year as we pretty much took up all the tables upstairs. Wireless connections (assuming we have the equipment we need) will be set up and administrated from a table on the upper floor, you can take advantage of it from the whole obs car. At night, we appropriate obs for PAX-y uses, but it is still a public area, so don't be a total boor or drunkard. This is when we typically chill and watch movies.
The Dining Car: The onboard restaurant of the train is pretty good. Or, at least it was last year. Be sure to bring cash as the magic plastic cards seem to confound the servers here.
The Obs Deck: Obs is a public area for all passengers. It was the only suitable area for us to use as the main areas of our activities on PAXtrain '08. We have to be conscious of the other passengers during the day, but last year we pretty much had it to ourselves at night. Obs has a large, spacious observation deck on the top floor with a number of private tables, benches and seats to view the countryside, use a laptop, play cards or do whatever, but due to the furniture it is not a good place to hold a mass congregation unless everyone sits down. The first floor of the obs deck has a commissary for buying snacks, drinks, booze and small meals. The prices are a little high, but not complete robbery - still, it's advisable to bring your own foodstuffs. Also on the first floor are more tables and furniture and more observation areas, we tried to leave this area open last year as we pretty much took up all the tables upstairs. Wireless connections (assuming we have the equipment we need) will be set up and administrated from a table on the upper floor, you can take advantage of it from the whole obs car. At night, we appropriate obs for PAX-y uses, but it is still a public area, so don't be a total boor or drunkard. This is when we typically chill and watch movies.
The Dining Car: The onboard restaurant of the train is pretty good. Or, at least it was last year. Be sure to bring cash as the magic plastic cards seem to confound the servers here.
Events
We will be having the following events on PAXTrain:
D&D :Weenog42 will be running atleast two separate games. Click here for details.
Tournaments: TBD. At the very least there will be Super Smash Brothers Brawl, and Rock Band 2 going on.
Meals: Amtrak takes Lunch and Dinner reservations before meals happen. Find some people and make a reservation for four. It's a great way to commiserate with people in a more relaxed environment than the public areas.
Movie Night: CURRENT FILM LIST: TBD. Do you have something you want to watch at night in the observation car? Bring it with you and / or let us know. Last year Dr. Horrible was the big hit of movie night.
Tournaments: TBD. At the very least there will be Super Smash Brothers Brawl, and Rock Band 2 going on.
Meals: Amtrak takes Lunch and Dinner reservations before meals happen. Find some people and make a reservation for four. It's a great way to commiserate with people in a more relaxed environment than the public areas.
Movie Night: CURRENT FILM LIST: TBD. Do you have something you want to watch at night in the observation car? Bring it with you and / or let us know. Last year Dr. Horrible was the big hit of movie night.
T-shirts
Tek is in charge of ordering and distributing PAXTrain T-shirts. They cost $10 each. Tek is no longer accepting new T-shirt orders so if you missed out, tough shit. Maybe you can convince some one else to give up their shirt . . . for a price, or be one of the lucky few to zerg rush Tek on the train to buy one of the few extras that were made.
FYI: where the shirt says "put something here" it will say "West Coast Train Trip 2009"No $10, no shirt.. In other words please be prepared . . . . . . I'll have SOME $10's for change, but please try to bring a ten dollar bill, instead of twenty..
Totals:39 Small:4 Medium:11 Large:9 XL:7+1 XXL:8 :: 1 Extra XLWho/Qty/Size(s)
tek/2/XL,XL
SpaceGhost2k/1/XXL
chaoisisorder/4/XXL,XXL,L,L
Squirminator2k/2/L,M
Arikado/1/XXL
contrefait/1/XL
TimeCruiserMike/2/XL,M
TNTrooper/1/M
bookofnerds/1/XXL
Highfire/1/L
GR_Zombie/3/XXL,M,M
nemaihne/1/L
SlickShughes/2/M,L
Torgen/1/XL
Weenog42/2/M,S
slap.your.mammy/1/L
Scoota/2/M,M
MoreGrease/1/S
Raiden333/1/XL
Arco/1/XXL
Eugal/1/M
Novex/2/S,M
Yamara/1/S
Qapf/1/XXL
Kwisatz Haderach/1/XL
mike varner/1/L
The_Reflection/1/L
The Logo :: Shirt color - Smoke GreyHUGE props and thanks to Weenog's Significant Other for the artwork.
Be sure to track our progress north
If you won't be joining us on the train or are waiting patiently for it to arrive in your area Tek has stolen an idea from CCST
Thanks too Google Latitude (apart of Google Maps), our trek northwards will be tracked..
I've put it up in the mean time with some position 'ambiguity', but come trip time I'll set it so it shows the best 'closest' location. If you have a cell phone that can run Google Maps, and a data plan.. I can include you on that page.
http://wctt.aurekx.net/
The CCST is also going to be using latitude to track their progress, Moe is working on how he wants to show it thou.
Feel free to PM me if I left anything out or need to make any changes.
{Fondly remembers the PAXTrain}
TimeCruiserMike on
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This discussion has been closed.
Posts
Passes: ☑ ▬ Hotel: ☑ ▬ Flight: [color=red]☑[/color]
100% Cotton shirt.. Depending on how you wash and dry it, it might shrink..
(And yes, for those of you that do the math, I am eating the tax)
No $10, no shirt.. In other words please be prepared. Now is the time to change your mind if $10 is not reasonable. I'll have SOME $10's for change, but please try to bring a ten dollar bill, instead of twenty..
For my sanity, when I go to bed tonight the list is locked. I'd say about 4 hours from now(2250).
The order will be placed first thing tomorrow morning.
Full Breakdown: Setup/Side/Color $25, Per Shirt: $3.84, Print/Side(3 Colors): $3.80, Flash charge $0.50/Shirt.
Front Only, Centered, Big - $10/Shirt - $412.95(based on 40)
Teh List(so far): (last update: 8/23 2250)
Totals:39 Small:4 Medium:11 Large:9 XL:7+1 XXL:8 :: 1 Extra XL
tek/2/XL,XL
SpaceGhost2k/1/XXL
chaoisisorder/4/XXL,XXL,L,L
Squirminator2k/2/L,M
Arikado/1/XXL
contrefait/1/XL
TimeCruiserMike/2/XL,M
TNTrooper/1/M
bookofnerds/1/XXL
Highfire/1/L
GR_Zombie/3/XXL,M,M
nemaihne/1/L
SlickShughes/2/M,L
Torgen/1/XL
Weenog42/2/M,S
slap.your.mammy/1/L
Scoota/2/M,M
MoreGrease/1/S
Raiden333/1/XL
Arco/1/XXL
Eugal/1/M
Novex/2/S,M
Yamara/1/S
Qapf/1/XXL
Kwisatz Haderach/1/XL
mike varner/1/L
The_Reflection/1/L
The Logo :: Shirt color - Smoke Grey
Also wanted to mention that I'll be bringing along a plug-in hot water heater. It holds 2L at a time and heats fast, so if you want to smuggle some cup-noodle or ramen onboard to avoid the horrendous cafe prices, you'll have a source of hot water with which to make it.
PSN: Quintonious
Organizer of the Post-PAX Party. You should come!
Satellite Theater for life!
Is that safe? don't those draw a lot of amperage? could they trip a circuit?
Passes: ☑ ▬ Hotel: ☑ ▬ Flight: [color=red]☑[/color]
As much as I love me a cuppa, I second these concerns.
Hi, new PAXTrain thread.
Unless someone decides to pull out their welding equipment Amtrak doesn't really have to worry about our power consumption tripping their circuits.
Worse case, you trip a local circuit only in that car...
Actually I think the circuit breaker in the surge protector is built in so that doesn't happen. Plus if everything goes well we will be on Amtrak's monstrous 20-amp outlet.
edit for actual content: Can we get a link to the google roster of who's getting on where and bringing what?
i already linked it in the OP . . . maybe i should make it bigger, and for your convenience .. . i'll link it here as well
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AkuKVD3HVYB0dFVWUzdTUVhyVUtKVG5YemRkMTFiQ1E&hl=en
{Fondly remembers the PAXTrain}
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avdxTfEit-c
That shirt is sure sweet. How do I get one in medium. 10$ now, or on the train.
$10.50 on the train, hence the comments about fumbling with quarters. Also, huge thanks for stepping up to the plate and securing us another TV!
Sure thing. Does that make two tvs? And is someone bringing a Wii? I'll have Sports resort with two remotes w/ motion+.
Not true, Getting a shirt required getting on the list before the order was finalized.
That being said, there are VERY few extra's, so if you are not on the list.. You might be a lucky one, you might not..
Next year, I'll start the t-shirt process earlier to allow more time for "getting on the list" heh..
Do we have a volunteer who's bringing Rock Band yet?
Organizer of the Post-PAX Party. You should come!
Satellite Theater for life!
Union Pacific didn't nail us with a giant delay this year, right?
Damnit! I strive to be one of the lucky ones.
No one knows.. lol
Passes: ☑ ▬ Hotel: ☑ ▬ Flight: [color=red]☑[/color]
According to the spreadsheeet, Squirminator2k is bringing Rock Band + Controllers.
http://www.amtrakdelays.com/
http://72.148.42.113:8080/Amtrak/status/StatusPages/CoastStarlightStatus.htm
http://72.148.42.113:8080/Amtrak/status/StatusMaps/AmtrakStatusMapWest.htm
Raiden said they are RB1 drums, minus a foot pedal, however, so if anyone has RB2 drums (or the pedal?), I'm sure they'd come in handy.
Also, are any of the other San Jose PAXTrainers still planning on eating at the Poor House Bistro before boarding, and if so, when shall we meet? Since we'll be departing at 8:39, and I'd say we'd want to be there at least twenty minutes or half and hour early, plus another 45 minutes or so for food... would 7 or 7:15 be a good time?
No promises. Could remedy our sit-on-a-suitcase-with-wheels-on-a-moving-train problem.
And again, is someone bringing a Wii? I didn't see it on the spreadsheet, but there was talk of a Smash Bros. session on the previous thread.
If the last two years are any indication, Highfire and I will probably show up at the train station at about 5-6 and just hang out.
I'll likely bring some snacks to share, and will try to remember to cram a power strip into my bag, though I don't hop on until halfway.
This thread will be updated regularly. If you have a specific question you may PM or email me (weenog42@yahoo.com) - please don't bog up this thread with a flurry of questions that may not be of interest to everyone.
Update 8/30/09 ALL GAMES ARE FULL! If want nifty game aides as detailed in my Generous Offer below, the cutoff is 5 p.m. Monday!
"How do I get a spot to play?"
Into the Haunted Forest - An introductory adventure for 1st level PCs
The heroes inadvertently cause the destruction of a priceless relic. Now they must chase down a host of ancient artifacts, lost in a haunted wood, to repay their debt. While the heroes search for the items to clear their name, another group of scoundrels plots their downfall from the depths of the mysterious forest. Only one group will emerge victorious - if at all.
The Forge of Fury - An adventure for 9th level PCs.
Two centuries past, the dwarven smith Durgeddin the Black carved a secret stronghold from the caverns riddling a hill known as the Stone Tooth. Laboring ceaselessly in their halls under the mountain, Durgeddin’s clan forged enchanted weapons for use in their vendetta against the orcs that had driven them out of their old homes. Durgeddin and his followers are long dead, but the dwarf-hold is not empty. Deadly peril waits in the caverns beneath the Stone Tooth, as well as Durgeddin’s hidden armory of matchless weaponry.
Ability Scores: Standard 22 point buy.
Starting Equipment: For 1st level characters, you have 100gp to spend on mundane equipment. For higher level characters - you begin with one magic item of level N+1 or lower, one item of level N or lower, one item of level N-1 or lower, and gold equal to the cost of an item level N-1. So for The Forge of Fury, you have one item each of level 8, 9, 10, and money equal to the value of a level 8 item. You should probably choose a weapon, armor, and neck slot item, as these are most important.
Cheese/Powergaming Factor: I don't anticipate problems, but this isn't an RPGA game, so I reserve the right as DM to make a ruling on anything that becomes problematic. If you're an experienced enough player to create that Bloodiron/Reckless Dual Wielding Avenger Crit-Fisher, then you're experienced enough to reroll a new character when I ask you to.
Current Signups:
Haunted Forest, Wednesday: Tek, Stalefish, Eugal, TnTrooper, BookofNerds, Waffleboi9
Haunted Forest, Thursday: Raiden333, MoreGrease, SlickShughes, Kytarowolf, Lunch, GR_Zombie
The Forge of Fury, Thursday: MoreGrease, Eugal, TnTrooper, Lunch, Waffleboi9, Smerk
A Generous Offer
1 - A picture of your character. Vertical orientation works best. I recommend deviantart, and of course google images.
2 - A copy of your character sheet. If you used the Character Builder, go one better and email me the save file!