Official Worldcon 2006 Thread

[EUOL]

I'm putting it here because I think it will be easier to keep track of without it getting lost, and because I want to link people through to it from my site.

This thread is the official "Let's go to Worldcon" thread.  I would like to try and get several car-loads of people and drive down together to save on gas.  The con is in LA this year, and is likely to be the largest Worldcon in years.  Should be a fun time!  More information here:  http://www.laconiv.org/

I also have an ulterior motive for trying to get people to this convention.  I'll be eligible for the Campbell award.  This is kind of like the "Rookie of the Year Award" for sf/f authors.  Our good friend Eric James Stone is also eligible.  And, anyone going to Worldcon can nominate and vote for the Campbell award.

I honestly don't expect to be able to grass-roots drum up enough votes to win.  However, last I heard you only needed about twenty or so nominations to get on the ballot, and I'd really like to be there.  So, if you're thinking of going to Worldcon, I would really appreciate a nomination.  (Plus, you can nominate multiple people, so you can put down both me and Eric.  Everybody wins!)

The catch is that if you want to be in on the nomination process, you have to be a member by the end of the year (or at least by the early beginning of next year.)  That means dropping $180 in advance.  (Or, you can pay $50 right now for voting rights, then upgrade that later for $130.)  

Anyway, enough shameless self promotion.  Who's planning on going?  I'll keep a running tab here in this post.  I'll place where you will be leaving from, so that we can organize rides.  

HOTEL INFORMATION:
As of January First, the hotels opened for reservations.  I have reserved two rooms under my name at the Marriott.  The rooms are $99 a night.  The Hilton has rooms for one person at $99, but that goes up to $160 when you have four people, while the Marriott is the same no matter what.  The Hilton is closer, but the Marriott is only across the street, so it should be plenty close.

You should note that I may not have room for everyone in my hotel rooms!  I intend to wait until later to determine who will sleep where, but if you're worried, you are welcome to make your own reservation.  They can be canceled up until the day of arrival.  (My rooms, by the way, are for Tuesday through Saturday.)

ATTENDEES:  (Those marked with a '*' have already bought their tickets, so they're almost certain to be going.)

Solo Guys:
*Brandon/EUOL (Orem, Utah)
*Isaac/CtrlZed (Provo, Utah)
*Bryce/Parker (Orem, Utah)
*Eric James Stone/EJS (Orem, Utah)
*Steve Diamond (Provo, Utah)
*Dan Wells/Fell(Orem, Utah)
*Brian McClellan/Rosencrantz (Provo, Utah)
*Toad (Provo, Utah)
*Bob Defendi (SLC, Utah)

Solo Gals:
*Charisa/Oldie (Orem, Utah)
*Janci/Ms. Fish (Orem, Utah)

Married Couples:
*Peter & *Karen / Ookla and Origamikaren (LA Maybe.)


Rides
EUOL's Car (Five spots, three remaining. Leaving Wednesday morning. Driving straight to LA. Coming back Sunday late.)
 *EUOL
 *Fell
 *Ms. Fish
 *CtrlZed
 *Parker

Oldie's Car (Seven spots, going, five spots coming back. Leaving Wednesday morning. Coming back Sunday Late. Caravaning with EUOL.)
 *Oldie
 *Christopher
 *Rosencrantz
 *Bob Defendi
 *Steve Diamond
 *blcdrayco (UT to CA)
 *blackdove (UT to CA)

Rental Car (Two to four spots, coming back only. Coming back presumably on Sunday in the caravan.)
 *blcdrayco (CA to UT)
 *blackdove (CA to UT)

EJS's Car (Four spots. Leaving Wednesday after work, staying overnight in Vegas, hitting Star Trek. Coming back Sunday. Possibly Caravaning on the way back.)
 *EJS
 *Howard Tayler
 *Spencer
 *Kimball


Hotel Rooms
(Four each.)

EUOL's First Room
 *CrtlZed
 *Ms. Fish
 *Parker
 *Kimball

EUOL's Second Room
 *EUOL
 *Steve Diamond
 *Bob Defendi
 *Fell

blcdrayco's Room
 *blcdrayco
 *blackdove
 *Rosencrantz
 *Christopher

EJS's Room
 *EJS
 *Howard Tayler

Staying elsewhere:
 *Spencer
 *Oldie

[Peter Ahlstrom]

Karen and I are going, but...we quite possibly will be moving before then, so if anyone was planning on staying at our place in Anaheim, that's no longer an option you can count on. (We may still be in the LA area, but possibly not.)

[EUOL]

Gotcha, Ookla.

Also, I'm going to add something here where we can tell everyone when we've paid, to kind of indicate that we're going for certain, and can be counted on for rides or sharing hotels or the like.  

You don't have to do this, but I'm putting my money where my mouth is!  Here's a screenshot of my receipt:

Here it is:

http://www.brandonsanderson.com/images/Worldcon.JPG

So, we know at least one person is going for certain!

[Chimera]

I'm going. I committed to the Installment plan and paid the $50 so I can vote for EUOL and Eric.

I was able to do this because Santa gave me some cash. Otherwise, this would not have happened. Yay for holidays with worldly undertones!  

Edit: Oh, and I should be in Salt Lake at this point, finishing up my internship. So I can join in the carpool.

[Fellfrosch]

Hm, maybe I can work out some kind of evil scheme using EUOL's receipt ID number...

[stacer]

I plan on going one way or another. I may get a supporting membership now and wait and see what happens with work, but I have a feeling if anyone is sent from my work, they'll be more senior than me.

[EUOL]

Fell, come on.  You gotta go.  

Anyone know how to get in touch with Chris and Kristy so that they can take a look at this thread?

[MsFish]

Kristy reads the boards, she just doesn't post almost ever.  

This might not be the best time to discuss Worldcon plans with her, though.  They're moving, and have an infant who never sleeps.  

[EUOL]

Good point.  I just mentioned them because Joshua asked me if "The Chrises" were coming.  That's what he calls them.

[MsFish]

I'll ask her.  Need to call her back anyway.  I'd love for her to come.

[Spriggan]

Tell me, dear Brother of mine, do you ever see game companies at Worldcon?  If so you'll be standing in line for a chance to get a Wizkids Con-exclusive Heroclix for me.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

YOu don't see Whizkids at World con usually.

I shan't be going unless something dramatic happens. It's too far and too much. I just don't have that kind of cash available.

[Spriggan]

Just wasn't sure if they had a dealer table or not.

[CtrlZed]

Just registered for the full con.  Count me in for carpooling and hotels.

[stacer]

EUOL, when it comes closer, I'm sure there's a possibility I can convince Chris and Kristy to drive down with me.