Fan Convention Tutorials for n00bs: The Final Countdown Pt. 1
*This series of articles will concentrate on that critical 30-day countdown leading up to a convention and will concentrate on the logisitics of planning travel with friends, shopping, and items any self-respecting Con Slut will have in his or her possesion.
That’s right, babies. You’ve got about a month to go until con and you’re about to lose your freakin’ mind, aren’t you? Yeah, I know how it is. I’ve been doing this for over a decade now and I still get just as excited as anyone else. You’re almost on the brink of the convention, so now it’s time to start making some very important preparations.
Okay, there’s a lot you’ll need to do to get ready especially once you get about a week out from con. So, what’s the most logical thing to do? That’s right, my friends. Make a list. This is all too important. Like it or not, you’ll most likely end up running around like a ferret on crystal meth while you’re trying to get everything done. You’ll certainly forget both big and small things if you don’t stay organized. (Article Continues After Cut…)
I know that a very large percentage of you will be driving in from at least a few hours away. Bearing this in mind, one of the things you should add to your list is to have the car you’ll be driving checked out and maybe do some general maintenance. Have the oil changed, check your tires, and while you’re at it, go ahead and clean the damned thing out. You’ll need the space, right? As much as I hate to admit it, my car only gets a good, solid cleaning once a year… the night before Dragon*Con. In any case, there are few things in this world that sucks more rocks than finding out something is wrong with your vehicle the day before the convention or worse, when you’re already on your way. Also, have another car lined up, if you can. If you’re traveling with others, make sure those folks have something you can switch over to in an emergency.
Hint: When you’re going to a fan convention for anywhere from 2-5 days, accept the inevitable fact that you or someone in your party (or most likely, all of you) will severely over-pack. Keep this in mind when you start discussing which vehicle you’ll be taking to the convention. Four people and all their luggage probably isn’t going to fit into a normal sized car.
Speaking of traveling with others, now is a good time (as in say, about a month out) to start collecting money if you haven’t done it already. If it is at all possible, do not wait until just before the convention or when you arrive to start getting cash (and I mean cash) from the people you’re sharing expenses with. Even though you probably like these people, trust them, and in some instances, even love them, there is nothing wrong with asking people to cough up the dough a month ahead of time. This is especially the case if you’re the one who has the hotel reservation on your credit card because you were the one who took the initiative to make this happen. Hell, I think they owe you that much. And if you’re one of the folks chipping in, do your best to get them the necessary monies as soon as possible. It’s just the right thing to do.
And on the topic of money, you again need to make absolutely sure that your own financial situation is sorted out! I’ve seen it a million times. People think a check is supposed to be direct deposited on a certain day and they find out they’re mistaken. They go to buy something with their credit card and it gets rejected. They look in their checking account only to realize the balance is next to nothing because something was debited 3 weeks ago and it’s just now showing up or because an automatic bill was paid and they forgot about it. Every year I know someone who goes through this. Don’t get yourself stuck because you weren’t paying attention. God knows you don’t wanna sell your body to someone like me (or my wife) for a night so you can get a cheeseburger and a Vodka Red Bull.
It ain’t worth it.
To Read Part 2 of this article, please click here!
-Scott “Scooter” McGowan
