Timewaster's Guide Archive
Local Authors => Brandon Sanderson => Topic started by: EUOL on December 28, 2005, 05:27:31 PM
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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.) ÂÂ
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. ÂÂ
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
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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.)
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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. Â
You don't have to do this, but I'm putting my money where my mouth is! Â 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!
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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! Â ;)
Edit: Oh, and I should be in Salt Lake at this point, finishing up my internship. So I can join in the carpool.
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Hm, maybe I can work out some kind of evil scheme using EUOL's receipt ID number...
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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.
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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?
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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.
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Good point. I just mentioned them because Joshua asked me if "The Chrises" were coming. That's what he calls them.
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I'll ask her. Need to call her back anyway. I'd love for her to come.
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Tell me, dear Brother of mine, do you ever see game companies at Worldcon? Â If so you'll be standing in line for a chance to get a Wizkids Con-exclusive Heroclix for me. :)
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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.
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Just wasn't sure if they had a dealer table or not.
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Just registered for the full con. Count me in for carpooling and hotels.
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EUOL, when it comes closer, I'm sure there's a possibility I can convince Chris and Kristy to drive down with me.
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I registered right after Boston, when it was tens of dollars cheaper. Didn't get Karen registered until a couple months ago, though.
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Put me on a room list
Im pretty sure I want to come...
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Count me in, too. Haven't paid the full amount yet, but I already paid the $50 installment a while ago. It's definitely in the cards for next year.
Oh, and I might even be able to drive a couple people. I plan on driving back here from Boston for a few weeks in August. But even if I don't drive back, I'll be around and would appreciate sharing a room/car.
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I'm going, though I have yet to register. Money is tight right now . . . But count me in.
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I'm going, and I have a roomy SUV that seats 8. Count me in on the carpool.
I just submitted my credit card Supporting Membership application, so hopefully it'll be in time to vote.
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Oldie,
One website I saw said you had until the 31st of January to get in on the nomination process, so you should be okay. Elsewhere, I'd heard January first--but that even if you missed the initial mailing, you could request a nomination card as long as you got it back by the end of the nomination process.
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We got our Dec. 2005 Worldcon report booklets yesterday or so. They've got the nomination forms inside, and you can register right on the form--but yes, they have to have received your registration by Jan. 31st, though the nominations don't have to be in until March.
On so many categories I don't know who to nominate!
[This is Ookla again...]
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Chris and I won't know if we can come until probably right before. Brenna will be 10 months old, but I don't know how she'd handle it. Also, depends on if we can earn some of that "money" stuff beforehand in order to pay for such a trip. :)
We'd like to go, but we'll have to wait and see.
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I hope you guys get to come. It'd be nice to catch up. Plus, I'd really, really like to see little Brenna! :D
(Is she sleeping any better at night now?)
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I nominate Tage to pay my way.
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Heck if Tage is paying I might end up going.
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I'm registered to attend.
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One thing we realized the other night is that this year's Worldcon is NOT over Labor Day. It's the week before.
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The only guest of honor I know is James Gurney, and he's not exactly a big draw (whatever draw he has, in fact, is cancelled out by the weird dude in the beanie in that picture). Also, they're giving out an award for an "interactive video game," which implies either that some video games are not interactive (a contradiction in terms) or that they don't know what they're talking about, or that they're inflating their language with needless adjectives. Again, none of that is making me excited about this thing.
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Jokes on all of you, I'll be attending the AWP conference in March, so hah!
Joked.
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One thing we realized the other night is that this year's Worldcon is NOT over Labor Day. Â It's the week before.
Really? Ah, man. That's cutting it close with my internship. I may have to do some overtime before, or work a week after. Hopefully they'll be understanding about me going to a huge writing conference.
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The good news is that my mail delivery service has resumed. The better news is that my Nomination Ballot arrived.
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Speaking of good news and bad news, the good news for me is that I have a car and a computer, where I had none. The bad news is that there's probably no way I'll have an extra $50 before the end of the month. I'm voting for you in spirit, though. :) I hope you get enough votes anyway. I still plan on going; I'll just have to register later.
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Important information added to the first post regarding hotels.
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What!!? How could you do this to me? Now I'm torn. I don't know which one to go to! I'll flip a coin, though I think my friend wants me to go with her to the other one...it would be the nice thing to do...
Steph
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Stacer, I will lend you $50 so you can nominate. Let me know how you want it.
(I once owed Brandon $200 for 2 World Fantasy hotel rooms...)
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Tuesday through Saturday? Great googly-moogly, I was assuming you (or we, if I come) would be leaving Utah Wednesday morning. That's an awful lot of time off work for those of us that are into that sort of thing.
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The Mariott practically touches the Hilton, so there's hardly any difference.
Tuesday through Saturday is fine--I'm already saving up personal hours for this trip.
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Tuesday through Saturday? Great googly-moogly, I was assuming you (or we, if I come) would be leaving Utah Wednesday morning. That's an awful lot of time off work for those of us that are into that sort of thing.
You could just dress Ethan in a suit and send him in your place, they'll never no and if there's a problem Batman will already be there.
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Stacer, I will lend you $50 so you can nominate. Let me know how you want it.
(I once owed Brandon $200 for 2 World Fantasy hotel rooms...)
Heh. Thanks, but I just found $50 to spare. Got reimbursed for some film I wasn't able to get to the wedding to use because my car broke down (poor little Jeep!). So I'm paid for a supporting membership, and will be voting! Yay! EUOL, star my name. :)
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Stacer, Will do. Also, did you ever look into getting yourself a SFWA membership?
Fell, I'm not convinced on dates yet. I thought it was better to have the early reservation just in case, especially since these kinds of things are very easy to change. I may need to be there early Wednesday, depending on what panels they put me on. Also, I could see different cars leaving at different times.
Guitar, it's a tough call. Depends on what you want out of the con, I guess. I tended to hit World Fantasy before I got published, since the editor-to-wannabe ratio was better there. However, there ARE more editors, agents, and writers at Worldcon. You just have to be able to find them. (Of course, with me, Ookla, Stacer, and Eric around, your chances of finding out who people are skyrocket dramatically...)
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Stacer, Â Will do. Â Also, did you ever look into getting yourself a SFWA membership? Â
Completely forgot about it. Remind me about that sometime. Which reminds me, there was something I was supposed to do tonight that has now completely slipped my mind. (And why am I up at 1:41, you ask? Or at least, I do. It's because I was hopped up on Prednisone till 3 last night, and now my sleep is all messed up, dangit. But hopefully after another week I'll finally be well again.)
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Heh. Thanks, but I just found $50 to spare. Got reimbursed for some film I wasn't able to get to the wedding to use because my car broke down (poor little Jeep!). So I'm paid for a supporting membership, and will be voting! Yay! EUOL, star my name. :)
Yay!!!! (I remember that breakdown thing, very sad...)
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Hello, was directed here by your website,
just letting you know I am considering paying the $50 voting membership just so I can nominate Elantiris.
I would appreciate it if you could let me know how many words it is so I know which catagory it fits into (I'm guessing it is a "Novel" not a "Novella" but it is best to be sure.)
I also plan on nominating you for the John W. Campbell Award (not a Hugo)
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Thanks for the vote. As for size, Elantris is far above and beyond the novella mark (though I suppose in fantasy, anything less than three inches thick seems small).
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Mav. Weirdo,
I really appreciate the thought. However, I don't know how I feel about someone paying fifty bucks just so they can vote for me for an award! If you're thinking of going to Worldcon, then that's one thing. Or, if you REALLY want to vote for the Hugos, and have a number of authors you want to support, I could see that working too. But just to vote for me? You've done enough for me by simply buying a copy of ELANTRIS and reading it!
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(not a Hugo)
*Fish falls over laughing
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*Fish falls over laughing
You have to go to the Hugo Awards Ceremony to understand.
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No, no, I don't think I do. And if I hadn't understood I wouldn't have laughed.
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I'm not doing it for "you"; I'm doing it for the book.
I have been a reader of Science Fiction & Fantasy for over 25 years (and for 4 of those years I worked for a bookstore.) I enjoy SF, however I prefer Fantasy, and I don't think it gets the credit it deserves. I have met a lot of people who feel that all Fantasy books are fluff and that SF is the real literary genre. Elantris proves that it is still possible to write great works of fantasy.
Of the novels to win Hugo Awards, most of them have been SF. I have been to World Con twice (the last 2 times it was in Boston) and both times I was disappointed at the lack of fantasy nominees. Historically the Hugos have gone to SF Novels more often than Fantasy Novels.
When I picked up Elantris in the store and read the back cover my reaction was, "Wow, This is not the work of a copy editor, the author wrote this himself." A couple of days later when I finished the book, I realized that it had a chance of winning a Hugo. Â
If I do not participate, and it does not win, I'll have to wonder if my vote could have made a difference.
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Well, cool! Thanks!
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Almost everyone here is a huge fan of the book, and would love for it to win, but odds are pretty strongly against it. First novel wins are pretty rare (aren't they?)...well, a writer's first novel did win last year, but that was Jonathan Strange, playing to a home crowd, and it had buzz extending beyond the SF crowd. Elantris hasn't quite gotten the word out there...starred review in PW, and big props on bn.com, but has it had any sort of coverage in the magazines the Worldcon crowd would be reading--Locus, F&SF, Asimov's etc?
Hopefully since the paperback is coming out before the con more people will have a chance to pick it up, especially if it or Brandon make the short list, but an actual Hugo is beyond most of our wildest dreams at this point. The Campbell, on the other hand, has a more even playing field since everyone's a newbie there, but we'll see...
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Crap, that reminds me . . . I still need to vote!!
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I got a LACon booklet in the mail, but no pin. Is it in the booklet somewhere, or is it a postcard they send separately? Last WorldCon it was a postcard. Not sure what to look for.
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It's on your mailer label, I think. It says in the voting instructions where to find it.
The deadline isn't until March or something, is it?
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Aha. Found it.
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I still haven't received mine. If it's not waiting for me when I get back from St. George, I'm calling them. The whole point of registering early was so I could vote.
I hope the deadline isn't until March. Then there's still time for me to get it.
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The nominating deadline is in March. The registration deadline in order to be able nominate is January 31.
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Good. Because I'll have to wait another week before I can call them and request they mail another packet--I never did get it.
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This is Toad- For those of you who dont know me, I know oldielocks and the Kueglers from TLE.
I come reccomended by oldielocks, and I am hoping to go to worldcon 2006. If someone could e-mail me the information on hotels, travel dates Etc. I would be most appreciative.
Gah, idiot me- Email is [email protected]
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Hey, Toad! This is Sarah Bylund--I came to TLE quite a few times. (Actually, if I remember right, I nearly poisoned you with some "allegedly" soy-laced fat free brownies. haha. Fun times...)
So you're coming to Worldcon? Cool. Looks like we'll have a lot of TLEers there. :D
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Toad, all of the info is in the first post on this thread. Just read through that post, then go to the Worldcon site, and you'll have everything you need. Carpools haven't been set yet, and while I have two rooms reserved, I think they'll fill up quickly, so I've suggested that others get rooms also.
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This is Toad- For those of you who dont know me, I know oldielocks and the Kueglers from TLE.
I come reccomended by oldielocks, and I am hoping to go to worldcon 2006. If someone could e-mail me the information on hotels, travel dates Etc. I would be most appreciative.
Gah, idiot me- Email is [email protected]
Hey Toad! You know me too! (Janci from TLE) Welcome to the boards!
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I remenber you Shrain... Your right, fun times. I did appreciate the attempt to give me free brownies though :)
Janci- Hi! I like the "Ms Fish" name.
Since it looks like there are two many guys for a single hotel room, I will either be booking a seperate hotel room and finding room mates, or hopefullyjust joining someone elses room and paying a quater of the cost. (Having money is wonderfull I must say. Its even better when its someone elses money.) I just need to get in touch with said person so that I can get the information I need to be re-imbursed by my work for the fee's. (I am a Man In Black For Steve Jackson games.) In any case, would potental roommates please email me soon so that I can set things up.
Also, what is the plan on food? Are people buying in bulk, or catch as catch can?
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I will be going this year, and I intend to reserve a room over the next couple of days. Here's the thing, though: my daughter's first day of school is Wednesday the 23rd, and I don't intend to miss it; I'll be leaving Wednesday night, and arriving in LA early morning the next day. I believe some people are planning to drive out Wednesday morning, but if you can't get away that early, or want to take one less day off work, or whatever, please let me know so we can all carpool together and save on gas and driving time.
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I went to work like normal on my daughter's first day of school.
YOu wuss.
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I've always thought that it must be traumatizing to go to your first day of school by yourself.
Then again what isn't traumatizing now-a-days.
I wishfully plan to run a full psycho analysis on world con attendees before and after the con.
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I'm not saying I'm going to go with her, just that I don't intend to be gone for a week by the time she gets home.
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Awww. That's sweet.
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Hey guys. I was just pointed this direction tonight at LTUE. My name's Brian McClellan. I happen to be another TLE-er and I'm in Brandon's class for the second year (I'm a short guy with an on and off goatee and glasses). I'd love to go to Worldcon, and it would be great if someone could let me know what I have to do to jump on the band wagon with all of you. Thank you much.
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Send $100 and a self address stamped envelop to:
TWG Worldcon Extravaganza
P.O. Box Dan Wells' house
Orem, Utah
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Brian! Darned tootin' you should go to WorldCon. Go buy your ticket on the website and then you can consider yourself part of the brass section of the bandwagon.
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Is that Make Love the Spriggan way or Make Money the Spriggan way?
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Hi Brian! (This is Janci.) Welcome to the boards!
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Is that Make Love the Spriggan way or Make Money the Spriggan way?
Both equate to the same thing.
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It's not going to make spriggan much money. I happen to have rented out the PO Box Dan Wells' House at every post office in the country.
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Excellent. Who do I get in contact with for all the planning on this thing? I just like to make sure I'll have things like a hotel room and a ride to California.... You know, the little stuff.
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As stated above, I'm looking for room mates. I have gone ahead and reserved a room at the marriott from monday night to noon saturday, so anyone interested please e-mail me @ [email protected]. If you really need to stay for sunday, I cam most likely extend the reservation to then, but you pay for the extra day.
You might talk to oldielocks for a ride
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Rosencrantz, I added you to the list of those attending. If you decide to buy a membership early, let me know, and I'll add a '*' to your name.
Once we get a little closer, we'll start planning on rides and room accommodations. I have suggested that people reserve rooms, as we now have about twice as many people as room space, and rooms can be canceled up until the day before the con. (I have two rooms, one of which is already full.)
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Um...is one of those rooms for the ladies who are planning to come, or do we need to reserve our own room?
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lol. Excellent question. (Exactly what I was just going to ask, incidentally. ;))
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My rooms went fast, Chimera. I promised one of them to the writing group (Sally, Bryce, Isaac, Janci, Brad). They all felt it would be kind of cool to go have a room together as the writing group, and their room appears to be fairly packed. I set aside my other room for local pros I'm trying to recruit (this would include Eric Stone, Myself, Dave W, Dan W, Steve D., and Bob D.). That last one might have room, depending on which of the pros go and which don't. However, I'm feeling that the ladies should probably get a room of their own, so that they know they have a place to stay. You can request that they be near my room block, which is what I think the other people grabbing rooms are going to do.
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I will probably call and reserve a room or two, but honestly, I don't know if I'm going to go. I have a lot of things I need to do this summer, and I might not be able to fit it in.
EDIT: You know what? Let's just say I'm not going. As it is, I feel less and less desire to go at this point.
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:-[
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you know stacer you could do the Full Frontal Nerdery thing where the other con goers sneak in a webcam and you can participate via the magic of the Interweb.
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It's probably just the sinus infection talking. I'm exhausted, and it was a long, tiring weekend for which I don't seem to have gotten enough sleep to recover from, and I went to the ENT today and he recommended sinus surgery.
And of course, most importantly, I forgot Peter was going to be there! :D
I'll see what happens. I'll probably just make the reservations, trying to get close to Brandon's block, and the reservations can always be cancelled if I don't make it.
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Stacer, you've gotta come. It's in the con bylaws somewhere, I swear. And, believe me, nothing good ever comes of disobeying the fine print.
I really hope you can make it--and I hope you don't need that surgery. yikes. A good friend of mine always getting sinus infections and they're enough to make all her projects come to grinding halt.
I could put a room or two in my name, actually, if you want. Barring any insurmountable job or financial difficulties come August, I'll be there. And I'll definitely need to share a room w/ some other gals!
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eww - sinus surgery...
my wife had that last year; i understand it is fairly common. she was miserable for the first few days, but she says now that it is was the "best thing ever!!!"
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My impression of sinus surgery was similar to the torture thingy they put Han into in Empire Strikes Back. You know, not to freak you out or anything.
But, in other news: we registered Audrey for kindergarten today, and it turns out that kindergarteners start a week later than everyone else, so I can leave on time with the rest of you rather than waiting an extra day. Huzzah!
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Bonus!
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We just registered Sarah for Kindergarten too. I though Audrey was closer to ELizabeth's age for some reason.
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Okay. So I'm confused. Do I need to reserve a room? Or are there going to be some openings, like with stacer or fell and his wife? I'll pay for my part, don't worry. I just don't want to be stuck without a room.
Although, this is getting so complicated, I have to admit I'm having second thoughts as well.
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I say we start addending the first post with a list of rooms and who is in them. If EUOL's offer of a spot in his pro/semi-pro room is still open, I accept wholeheartedly.
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I may be able to join in the fun here. Waiting to hear from my Grandparents as to the date of the family reunion which I may not miss under penalty of badness.
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I say we start addending the first post with a list of rooms and who is in them.
Fell, that would be a big help.
As far as I know, I, Chimera, Stacer and JennaRay (if they come) still need a room. I'm fine with putting a room in my name if Stacer hasn't already. Like Chimera, I'm not too keen on ending up w/o a place to share.
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Well, here's another nail in the coffin on whether I'll be able to go. I've been going over my schedule, and due to some manuscripts needing later deadlines, etc., I'm going to have two first drafts and a final draft in that month, and I'm pretty much going to be swamped. I really doubt I'll be able to get away during the week for nearly a week on any day that month, just looking at the schedule. I'd probably be better off taking a vacation in July, which of course doesn't coincide with WorldCon, but... Hopefully, someone will turn in a manuscript early and my schedule will iron out, but as it is, it looks pretty heavy.
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Aww. :( Crummy nails.
As for getting a ms. in early, hmm. Do your authors have a track record for being miraculously unlike most other authors? Well, miraculous or no, I hope things work out so you can come.
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All right. I added a section for hotel rooms. Those who are in my rooms, you are hereby promised a spot--even if we have to sleep you on the floor. If people end up confirming for sure that they aren't coming, then I'll open those spaces up for others.
I'll add other rooms, with those who are staying in them, if you post here.
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Okay, here's what I've done. Even though it's unlikely at this point that I'll be able to go, I'd like to leave the possibility open. I reserved two rooms, which I requested to be near EUOL's, so we'll have a block of 4 rooms together. In the event that I can't go, one or both of the rooms can be cancelled (or, I imagine, transferred to one of the people going), but we'll have enough room to work with for everyone, I think.
So, at least one of those rooms is a girl room. Who else needs a room?
EDIT: BTW, EUOL, you can disregard my email needing the hotel info. I did a little detective work and found it.
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Bless you. I'm still waiting for word from the family, and seeing if the boss thinks I can have that much time off, but will hopefully know more soon.
~J
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So, at least one of those rooms is a girl room. Who else needs a room?
:) Awesome. I still do, if that's okay, stacer.
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I will need a room, if there's enough other guys to make a full one-- I hope so, it would probably make the Con a little less fun sleeping in the dumpster all week.
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Yeah, there are a lot more guys than girls, so the two I reserved should be one guy room, one girl room, I'm assuming. Unless we get a huge influx of girls. So I'll say first come first served, I suppose. EUOL, can you add whoever has said they wanted a room to those lists in the first post?
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I have reserved a hotel room. I would be fine with up to three male room mates.
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He puts no limit on female roommates, however. No limits at all.
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New hotel lists added.
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How can Alan be a "Possible Attendees Not Yet Contacted"? You see him every week! Does Worldcon not come up during your writing group? Or do you all just talk about it behind his back?
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Didn't Chimera need a room too?
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*pouts and didn't get put on any of the lists either*
Right now things are looking good for me to attend. So if there's a slot I can go in I'd appreciate it.
~J
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Stacer's First Room
Stacer
Shrain
Jenarey (?)
Um... yeah you did. See.
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Hrmmmm.... I blame the ice cream I ate this morning. It gave me hallucinations of not existing. Really...truly...dang.
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Ice cream for breakfast. Hmm. I could see how that might cause a delusional state. I'll have to try it sometime...
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He puts no limit on female roommates, however. No limits at all.
/me blushes
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There, there.
/me hands blcdrayco a soy-free smoothie, which ought to take care of the blushing. Won't do anything about fell, however... ;)
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I should have mentioned I have a reservation at the Hilton. So that frees up a spot in one of Brandon's rooms.
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Just a reminder that the deadline for Hugo and Campbell award nominations is Friday at midnight. If you're mailing it, it needs to arrive by then, so I suggest using the online form at http://www.laconiv.org/2006/hugos/hugoform.htm .
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Ah, I'd forgotten that you were one of those "People who has money" Eric. ;) I assume that you're not looking for roommates, or should I put you on the list as a potential place for people to stay?
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I'm not looking for roommates. But if there happens to be an odd man out, I'm willing to share.
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Ok, I have my Worldcon membership bought and paid for. I'll definately need a room and a slot on somebody's bumper from Provo to LA.
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Oh yeah, what's the estimated date of leaving for the Con? I need to buy my plane tickets home and back for the summer.
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I'll definately need a room and a slot on somebody's bumper from Provo to LA.
Hmm, I dunno. I think all the bumpers are taken. Could try for a roof I bet, though.
On a different note, I got all my Hugo and Campbell nominations done. Submitted online this morning. An entire day before the deadline! Amazing, I know. ;D
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I think most people are taking off the day before the Con. What is that, a Wednesday?
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Let's see... it starts on the 23rd and the 22nd is ... a Tuesday it looks like.
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Whoa, I forgot the deadline was tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder!!!
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De nada. Anything for a fellow procrastinator. ;)
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In just under the wire. I finally just voted at 11:43 p.m. I wish I had my bookshelf from work here at home with me, because I was forgetting titles. I was a rebel and nominated YA titles. Hey, Holly Black is up for a Nebula for Valiant, I figured I'd round it out and nominate her for a Hugo, too. :)
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Procrastination made possible by the following sponsors: the internet and users like you. ;)
Gotta say thank heavens for the net so we procrastinators don't have to rely on snail mail!
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Two things for EUOL: One, I have bought my ticket, and paid for the hotel room, two, I'm living in MD at the moment (just to clear up any confusion that might arise). I'll be in utah right before worldcon, and will be catching a ride with Charisa to worldcon.
I can't find a list of rides (who's going with who) and it might be nice to have a list up. Someone probably allready suggested that, but my flu fogged brain is to lazy to find out.
Also, as this is my first con more than a couple miles from where I live, I'm unsure of the food situation. I understand most people eat out a lot during cons, but for those who don't have a lot of money to blow on the con, it might be worthwhile to do a joint costco/sams club/whatever before leaving. I know this is a bit early to worry about that, I just thought I'd worry now wrather than being my typically ADD self and forget untill its to late.
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I agree it'd be a plus to start a list of road-trip arrangements. As for food, I planned on buying some grocery type stuff. hmm, I wonder if the rooms each have a baby fridge... I can't remember if that's an amenity, so I'll have to check on that.
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If it's not, a couple of big coolers would be another solution. Fill them up before leaving and that covers food on the road and for at least part of the stay, then a grocery run there if necessary.
Things are looking good for my attendance atm, though I likely won't be able to leave until Wednesday afternoon. I'm working on it.
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They do have mini fridges- I checked when I paid for the room.
There are also two pools at the Marriot.
Does anyone have a suggested list of stuff to bring for those of us who have never been to a con further than a few miles from home?
Are we going to hold a worldcon "room party"?
Does anyone know if there are laundry facilities avalable? Not having to bring a weeks woth of clothing would consideralby lighten the load.
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Ok, I'm brainless. I just called the anaheim marriott. Yes they do have self seve laudr rooms. 75 cents to wash, 75 cents to dry. Grrrr...
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that's cheaper then at the hotel where I work so don't complain, hotels always charge for laundry use.
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Its more the fact that I'm going to have to be carrying around a roll of quaters in my pocket than anything else.
Does anyone on this thread have a digital camera that uses SD cards? I'm looking into getting one in time for worldcon.
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.75 isn't bad and it's not that long of a con. If you're desperate not to pay for the laundry services you can always scrub things out in the tub and let them air dry, though may annoy roommates, if you have any.
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Its not the cost, its the jokes I have to deal with from female friends I'll be meeting there.
I will hear at least one joke along the lines of "is that a roll of quarters in your pocket or are you happy to see me". And it will be told specifically to make me blush.
Its not like anyone from timewasters would do that, but I'm meeting up with some friends I havn't seen in a couple of years.
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Jokes for doing your laundry? Erm...I suspect the jokes for NOT doing your laundry and walking around as 'stinko' for the con would be worse. :) Women appreciate a man that does laundry.
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Man? Am I missing something? I'm not a RM (Real Man) yet, nor will I be for about four years.
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Um, on the food thing, did anyone mention the con suite? You can nearly subsist for free at these things if you eat there.
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Nearly subsist for free. Close, but not quite. Its worth it to me to have a food stash in my room for several reasons. After all, am I not the bagel pimp :P
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Happy St. Patrics Day!
Also, as I am the pimp o' bagels, I need not to forget nutella
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Mmmmm..... Nutella. Is there anywhere you can buy that by the gallon?
On another note, the list of things for people who haven't been to a con before would be good.
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I spent a couple hours googling and cam up with this:
http://www.locksley.com/neofans/mainpage.htm?
and this:
http://www.neoengel.com/con_rules.html
they seem pretty complete. Any additions would be appreciated.
Warning: the fist list is not for those with slow web connections. Try the second one, its more dialup friendly.
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You know, if I had a lot of free time, a lot of money, and a lot of mechanics at my disposal, I'd show up to one of these in an AT-AT. I bet you'd really pick up the chicks in one of those.
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lol. You know, I'd definitely go for a ride with you in one of those... provided you let my wookie chaperone come with, of course. ;)
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you arn't refering to something like this are you?
http://www.shawnandcolleen.com/shawn/Pages/hwing/
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See, that's just a fancy painted car. Cool, yes. But I'm talking hydrolics (sp?), full scale, that sort of thing. Working duel head cannons.
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wouldn't it make more sense to get a vehicle without the terrible sense of balance?
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See, that's one thing you have to understand about every Crazy Galactic Empire. They may not be practical, but man do they have style. It's pretty much a requirement.
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It's pretty much why they always lose, too
Imagine if AT-ATs had a more circular or square shape, and an additional set of legs. They'd look more creepy, AND they'd be resistant to getting destroyed because of a stupid grappling gun on a snow speeder.
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And they'd be those walkers from Attack of the Clones.
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You didn't see any of those walkers falling over, did you?
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It depends on traffic.
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And the rebels would get their butts kicked even faster than they had been and there wouldn't be a Return of the Jedi.
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See. Stupid.
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Hey, I had a question about the Hugo Awards. I planned on going, of course, but does anyone know if we're allowed to bring one (non-registered) guest with us to the ceremony? I've got a good friend who'd totally love to come and lives in Ontario, CA. I thought maybe he could come with. Yet the con's site doesn't say anything about this sort of thing.... hmm.
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Well, unregistered people won't be let into the con. They can register in person though, but it's still expensive.
See this page (http://www.laconiv.org/2006/reg/oneday.htm) for one-day rates; they're somewhat cheaper and will let the person come in but not vote for anything.
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I'd think a taster membership is what you want.
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I think it's kind of lame you can't bring a guest to the awards, if there's a meal involved I could see that guest having to pay for that, but what about people who are nominated?
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I would think it runs differently if you're actually nominated. Then it would make sense to allow a guest to come, as well--although EUOL would have to say if this is the case or not. Then again, it also makes sense to me that they wouldn't let people bring unregistered guests to the banquet. That would double the number of people who might go.
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Um, I do not believe there is any banquet. There certainly wasn't one in Boston. They have a banquet at the Nebulas apparently, and long ago the Hugos had one, but not now.
I didn't notice the Taster memberships; found here (http://www.laconiv.org/2006/reg/taster.htm) they are apparently for people who want to get in and try the con out for 3 hours for only $20.
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oooh, "taster" memberships. hmm. Hadn't seen those, though I checked out the day rates. I wonder if that'll apply to the Hugo ceremony though... (As an aside, I sure hope the ceremony's not a four-hour affair like the Oscars or something. Sheesh.) Anyway, I kind of figured that we couldn't bring someone, but at least now I know about the "taster" memberships. So, thanks Ookla and Toad! :)
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How do they keep track of someone being there for only 3 hrs?
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Guns.
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It gives all those details at the link Ookla provided. You pay the day rate, and if you come back within 3 hours, you get all but $20 refunded.
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It would be cooler if they made the conference attendees wear bracelets that injected them with a lethal poison once they exceeded 3 hours.
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Much, much cooler.
Three hours at a con with possible death involved: $20. One day at the con: $75. Impersonating an author, Ethan Hunt style, and getting in for free: priceless.
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What's this about Ethan Hunt?
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Last time EUOL gave him a book to read it self destructed after he finished reading it.
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Just got an invitation to be on the program. Huzzah! It includes two free memberships, too, which is awesome. Now maybe I can get Mrs. EUOL to go. (Who, by the way, has yet to pick an internet nickname. Can't just call her Emily. It...just doesn't seem right.)
It might be time to start talking about who is going to go up when, and start arranging preliminary car rides, so I can know when I'll be available for paneling and when I won't.
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Which reminds me--I really won't be able to go. I'll have 4 books to edit that month, and after going to ALA and going home the previous month (about 2 weeks out of the office), I'll probably be behind.
So, I'm going to cancel at least one of my rooms. Of the people that will be in the other, would someone like to take over the reservation so that it's no longer in my name/credit card?
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Well shoot, it really is time for me to buy my membership. I'm pretty flexible on when I can go up and come back; the school issue is long since resolved. I can't drive, though.
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The days the driving groups leave for LA and leave from LA will determine whether I ride/drive or just get a plane ticket. Do we know what day/time we're tentatively going to depart?
Hmm...I need to fix my avatar.
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My room reservation runs Thursday-Sunday.
I plan to drive down, leaving either Wednesday after work or Thursday morning. (If I leave Wednesday, I'd stop in Vegas overnight, then hit Star Trek: The Experience in the morning before continuing to L.A.)
I plan to drive back starting Sunday morning.
I should have room for up to three passengers both ways.
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I'd like to leave Wednesday morning, if possible, and stay over Wed night. I'm fine coming back Sunday.
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Wed. morning to Sunday is fine with me.
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Haven't heard a reply from the people in my reserved room. Was it anyone besides Shrain? I probably won't call for a while--I have up to the day before to cancel--but I'm not waiting till the last minute. I'd like to take care of it before I head out for ALA at the end of June.
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Leaving Wednesday and returning Sunday works excellently for me.
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I'm still planning on driving, and I'm open to leaving whenever. I can safely take two people, four if we squish, and depending on how things go, I may be able to take up to 6 people.
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I could take four people, too, except I've got an elephant in the glove compartment.
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I can't go, as I'll be starting school on the 23rd and will be in San Jose, and thereby unable to get a ride to LA.
Anyone want to transfer my membership? I'd love to get my money back. I'm not sure if transfering is even possible, but I could look into it if anyone hasn't paid yet.
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I'm pretty sure you can transfer memberships. There should be some information about that on the website.
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You can. Its explicitly stated you can on the website.
Anyone have any idea what local stores are within walking distance of the con? I want to eat a reasonably (for a con) healthy diet.
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Heeeeeeey. I'm fine with riding there and back at any point, I just need someone to ride with. I could even take someone's glove compartment, if it's not full of elephants.
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Which reminds me--I really won't be able to go.
Awww, rats! Too bad that you and MsFish can't make it. :( Dang it.
So that leaves Jena, me, and um, what about you, Oldie? Hmm. I am not sure I can afford this trip after all. I also hadn't known I'd be working full time, either, so I have limited paid days off...
I might only be able to come on Fri or Sat if that's the case. But if the other gals bail too, then I'll need to find someone to buy my membership. If I can't split the room 3 ways, then I'll probably need to bow out myself. Shoot.
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Fish, I still haven't coughed up the money for a membership, so I'd be happy to pay you to transfer yours into my name. We can talk at writing group.
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You can. Its explicitly stated you can on the website.
Anyone have any idea what local stores are within walking distance of the con? I want to eat a reasonably (for a con) healthy diet.
If you're thinking grocery stores in the area . . . IIRC the closest are going to be at least a half mile away or so. The city of Anaheim likes to encourage tourists to use the local restaurants (tourism tax) and has zoned the area accordingly. But if you're looking for restaurants and have deep pockets, Downtown Disney is across the street-ish from the convention center, and there are plenty of other restaurants in the area.
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Fish, I still haven't coughed up the money for a membership, so I'd be happy to pay you to transfer yours into my name. We can talk at writing group.
Sweet. I've only paid the $50 up front, so it's only a little bit, but still. Thanks Parker.
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Okay, I've had to make a regrettable decision: I can't make it to WorldCon after all so I have to sell my membership. Can't really take that much time from work now that I'm F-T, and I can't afford splitting a room only two ways. Any takers? Heck, I'll even give a discount or something. I just don't want to be stuck with an unusable ticket.
Fell, are you buying Stacer's membership or are you still needing to buy one?
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I never even thought of selling my membership. I only bought the supporting, so I think I'm going to keep it. I think I'll cancel the room, then. I'm assuming OldieLocks will be able to get a place in one of EUOL's rooms, if MsFish isn't going?
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For attending members, and I'm pretty sure for supporting members too: if you pay the $50 or so to vote in site selection for Worldcon 2008, paying to convert from that to an attending membership later on is the cheapest way to go for anyone who wants to go to Worldcon in 2008...for anyone who is planning that far in advance.
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Shrain,
As of right now I only have a supporting membership. If you have a full membership you'd like to transfer, we may be able to work something out.
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Sure, Oldie. That would be much appreciated.
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So... Oldie, did you still want to buy it then? Or does anyone else want my ticket?
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I'm late to the thread and late to the party, but...
I'M IN.
I'm planning on heading to WorldCon.
I haven't made any arrangements yet, but I'm ready to split gas costs, room costs, food, whatever (and, of course, vote for Brandon for that award ;))
Oh, and Brandon. Thanks for getting back to me with the e-mail so I knew to post here.
So...let me know what's happening and I'll keep checkin back.
FINAL WORD: Death to the United Protectorate ;D. Ask me later and I'll explain it to you.
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Cant vouch for how you'll get there, but when you are there I have up to two slots open in my hotel room for guys. I'm planning to costco for food, so you (and anyone else who wants to) is welcome to join me in that.
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Well, I made my decision, and I'm not going to be able to go. I need the money, and I don't really want to take time off from work. Besides, the agreement I made with myself was that I'd go if I had something finished and ready to send off to the editors and agents I'd meet. I didn't reach that goal, so I'll wait for another year or another con.
I guess I lose the $50 I put down, but I knew that was a risk when I signed up in December. I hope you all have a fun and productive time, though!
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I know I was put on the list, but I'm not sure if I ended up in a room or a car driving down from Provo.... it looks like some poeple are still in limbo, but I have to figure out when I'm flying out to Utah (I'm guessing around the 19th or 20th, but I need to know when the wagon train is leaving too) Thanks.
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As soon as EUOL gets back from his honeymoon, next week, it's time to sit down and figure out once and for all who's driving with who and staying where and so on and so on.
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Since we moved to a smaller place 80 minutes away instead of 13 minutes away, it's no longer practical for people to camp out on our floor.
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I know of a couple of people in the OC area who *might* be willing to let a couple of people crash at their place. Maybe.
And I still have room in my car.
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If I haven't said it yet or if anyone forgot, I'm definitely *not* going. This month has been too crazy, and next month will be even more so, I think. I have three books to edit before next Tuesday at this point. I'm thinking long hours and working through the weekend, so that I don't have to take anything to Comicon with me. But anyone in the SD area going to Comicon should definitely give me a heads up so we can try to get together. I'm working retail at the Wizards booth, which means I'll be crazy busy at the show too, but I'll be trying to carve out time for schmoozing and seeing whether the show will be a good place to be for Mirrorstone.
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If me and Fell had the money we'd so have you get us a Parallax from WK at Comicon. But neither of us have $100 to spare.
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Probably just as well, because I have no idea what a Parallax is. Game?
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http://www.wizkidsgames.com/heroclix/dc/products.asp?cid=40502
Also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax_%28comics%29
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I am going to be there at Comic-Con, I assume working the booth. I don't really know what places in SD are good for hanging out though.
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I hear the whole place is going to be packed. And I'm going to be working some long hours (retail at the booth, which means being *in* the booth most of the show hours). But we should try to get dinner one night or something. I'll try to stop by the Tokyopop booth, but that all depends on just how much floor time I'll have.
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Oh my gosh! I just realized something! I'm going to be in California when you are at Comic Con. I may be able to meet up for dinner one night!
Now, this may not be terribly likely. I fly in to California Saturday morning, July 22, and I'm pretty much at the mercy of my family. The whole point of the trip is to spend time with them, and I don't know if I can slip away. San Diego is kinda far from Valencia. However, we will be in Newport Beach on Sunday the 23. Newport is closer to Sand Diego. But that's the last day of the con. Stacer, when is your flight that day?
But, my friend Paul is going to be at Comic Con. Even if I don't get to see you, I'll tell him to stop by. You guys can discuss publishing stuff. ;)
I'm jealous. I would love to go to Comic Con. I can tell you all my favorite webcomic artists to check out, though--a lot of them will be there. ;D
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I don't fly out till Monday morning, so if you came to SD Sunday night that would be fun. I won't have any transportation so you'd have to meet me there. I'm staying in the Marriott by the convention center.
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Cant vouch for how you'll get there, but when you are there I have up to two slots open in my hotel room for guys. Â I'm planning to costco for food, so you (and anyone else who wants to) is welcome to join me in that.
Blcdrayco, you still have space in your room? I need a place to stay. What kind of money are we talking about?
I know of a couple of people in the OC area who *might* be willing to let a couple of people crash at their place. Maybe.
And I still have room in my car.
Oldie, you still have space in your car? What day are you leaving and what day are you coming back? Also, where are you leaving from? I'm in Kaysville.
ALSO, I STILL NEED A TICKET/MEMBERSHIP/OR WHATEVER else I need to actually get in the convention. I saw that some people here on the thread need to sell their tickets. Anyone still got one I can buy? Let me know what I need to get in. Is there a deadline to buy the tickets?
I'M GOING.
On the cheap would be good.
I like Costco food
;D.
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Costco actually has really good food. Still have two slots in my hotel room to fill- if you go, then only one more.
See you there, I hope.
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Christopher: you're in luck! I am broke and can't go to WorldCon. :( So if you wanna buy my membership, that would be awesome! Just email me and we can work out the details to transfer the membership. shrain78 @ yahoo. com
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I don't fly out till Monday morning, so if you came to SD Sunday night that would be fun. I won't have any transportation so you'd have to meet me there. I'm staying in the Marriott by the convention center.
Uh, I realized that San Diego is still 2 hours away from New Port. So it's looking kind of unlikely. But I'll keep in touch with you--maybe it will work out!
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Stacer, I dropped you a private message.
I kind of assume chimera isn't anxious to meet me...
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Actually, I'd be happy to. ;D
I assumed if I could get together with stacer, if you were available, you and your wife would come along too.
But, like I said, it's looking less and less likely...
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Maybe it's a little too late, but shouldn't you three make a comic-con thread for this discussion?
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There actually was one somewhere, but we lost it. Sorry for the tangent. I'm leaving this afternoon, so that conversation is essentially over.
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And I still have room in my car.
Oldie, do you still have room in your car? How I'm going to get to LA is still my biggest question.
Anyone else driving down who I could catch a ride with if Oldie isn't driving?
Costco actually has really good food. Still have two slots in my hotel room to fill- if you go, then only one more.
See you there, I hope.
Yes, I need a place to stay. Let me know on a guess on splitting room cost so I can budget for it.
Christopher: you're in luck! I am broke and can't go to WorldCon. :( So if you wanna buy my membership, that would be awesome! Just email me and we can work out the details to transfer the membership. shrain78 @ yahoo. com
Shrain, sounds good. I'll send you an e-mail later today. That's an "attending" membership, right? Do you know how to transfer those? What was it? $150, $175?
Thanks to everyone. It will be fun...I'm looking forward to it.
Here's the e-mail address to get ahold of me: EDITED ON 1/24/08 . E-MAIL NO LONGER USED
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Okay, let's do this official like. I'll start listing the cars on the first page. Oldie, who's in your car, and how much room do you have, and which day are you leaving?
Everyone else, post if you have room, if you are driving, and which days you'll be at the con.
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Email sent, Christopher. I'm sure everyone will help you get the ride and hotel sorted out. :)
Oh, and EUOL, can you remove me from the list since I'm too broke to make it there? (I spent my last penny on two copies of Mistborn, you see. What a great wedding present, huh! ;))
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Okay, let's do this official like. I'll start listing the cars on the first page. Oldie, who's in your car, and how much room do you have, and which day are you leaving?
Everyone else, post if you have room, if you are driving, and which days you'll be at the con.
Ok. Here's the rundown:
My SUV seats 8 including the driver. I have room for 7 people on the way up, but I'm picking up my three boys in California for the return trip so I'll only have room for 4 on the way back. We can stagger between coming/going or I can do 4 people round-trip. The only person that has a confirmed spot right now is BLCDrayco.
My departure times are negotiable. Right now I'm planning on leaving for Cali on Tuesday (the 22nd) morning-ish, and leaving to return to Utah on the 27th. My only reason for leaving on Sunday is that I'd like to visit the ward I grew up in, but I'm willing to forego that since there are extenuating circumstances. (Don't ask.)
Any takers?
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I'm leaving Wednesday after work (5pm or so) from Orem. Staying in Vegas overnight, hitting Star Trek: The Experience Thursday morning and plan to arrive in LA in that afternoon.
Driving back all the way on Sunday.
I've got room for three more each way.
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Hey Euol, can I jump in your car for a ride both directions?
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EOUL.....I would also like to ride with you...because if would be better for me to leave Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Please put me on your list.
Also, I have a question about WorldCon memberships for you. I just sent you a PM.
Chris
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Folks,
Problem is, the entire writing group hit me up for seats. How about this. Oldie, why don't we caravan? That's better anyway. We'll all meet in a central location, split up by car, and keep an eye out for each other as we go.
EDIT
I added Old One's car and Eric's car. I just assumed that Old One would be able to chance leaving until Wednesday, since she said she was flexible. Eric, I think that I'll have at least one taker for your car on the way out. Either way, would you be willing to take back the extras from Charisa's car who can't come back in her car because of the kids? If you decide to caravan back with us, that might be really convenient.
Charisa, I'm thinking that we might be able to work sending seven with you on the way, then having Eric grab the extras on the way back.
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It might be best to break it up by rooms, one car per room, to make sure that no one gets left behind on the assumption that "someone else is taking him." Of course, with Eric offering to drive and Charisa having muchos extra seats, it might save us a full car if we group together.
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Caravaning on the way back sounds good. And if some people want to drive down with Charisa and back up with me, that's fine.
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Bob Defendi is confirmed for wanting a ride in the caravan.
Edit--
By my count, we have room for fourteen total people
5 in my car
5 in Charisa's car there and back
1 in Eric's car there and back (Eric himself)
3 in Charisa's car there and Eric's car back.
I'm assuming it's going to be more tough to get people to go with Eric Wednesday night, but there might be some. If they do comme along, we'll adjust.
Of those fourteen spots, we have filled 10:
*EUOL
*Fell
*Ms. Fish
*Ctz Zed
*Parker
*Charisa
*Christopher
*Rosencrantz
*Bob Defendi
*EJS
And have another three or so that may need rides:
Toad
Brian
Kimball
Did I miss anyone?
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Now, in a separate email, let's talk hotels.
By my count, we have 13 spots.
8 in my rooms
4 in toads room
1 in Eric's room (for Eric.)
Of those in my rooms, I'm thinking that we can squeeze a fifth person into one of the rooms, thereby making it cheaper for everyone in the room. I know Ms. Fish and some others have expressed a desire for this.
So, we can really get up to 14 pretty easily.
So, is anyone going to be driving separately? And who doesn't need a room? Somebody poke Toad to make sure he still has his room and that he needs a ride. Charisa, did I hear that you'll be staying with people? Please remind me. Also, is Toad Blkdraco?
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So MsFish will be able to go after all? That's good.
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OK, a guy in one of my writing groups has decided he wants to go, so that takes one of my car spots there and back.
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Leaving Wednesday and caravaning is a great idea. Like I said, I'm flexible. I'm all for taking seven on the way down, too. But I do need to point out that I only have room for four on the way back, not five.
And yes, BLCDrayco is Toad. And as far as I know, he still has reservations for a hotel room.
As for hotel rooms, I still haven't decided whether I'm going to stay in a hotel room or see if I can crash with a friend. I'd rather stay at the hotel, but it depends on how much the hotel room will be and whether there's room. If there isn't room, I'll just make some phone calls and see who can lend me their couch.
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It occurs to me that the free airplane ticket I got this week from Alaska Airlines would be something that would get me to where I want to go.... Hm.
But no. I think I'll save it for another trip. I will still be overwhelmed with manuscripts by the middle of next month, I think. But maybe World Fantasy.
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The deadline for Hugo & Campbell ballots is tomorrow night at midnight--that's when they have to be RECEIVED in Oregon, not postmarked. So it's too late to mail them--but there is an online voting form at the laconiv website. Just need your membership number and PIN from your progress report mailing labels, and you're set.
As for me, I wasn't able to read all the novel nominees like I wanted--just had too much stuff to do. I did read one novel I thought was worthy of a Hugo. (I did actually see all the nominated movies, though!)
Also interesting is that Cheryl Morgan, who was in Diann Thornley's writing group in Ohio lo 12 years ago when I was also in it, is nominated in two categories. Pretty cool.
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Nice Reminder, Ookla. Thanks.
Mine is sent. Everyone who registered, please vote!
Brandon
Edit--Oh, and also, Emerald City just did a review of Elantris that was only so-so. Cheryl didn't write it, though, someone else did. She does a lot of reviews. Maybe you could put a good word in for MISTBORN.
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I would say the review is rather un-flattering, and probably the most negative review of Elantris I've read.
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Room fee with me is 25$ per night (one quater of the total fee).
I am draggig a friend/fiend along-Blackdove. He will take up one of the spots in my room.
That means my room (as I understand it) is:
Me (Toad)
Rozencranz
Cristopher
Blackdove
I am indeed in the pool for the caravan on wensday morning-so is blackdove.
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Room fee with me is 25$ per night (one quater of the total fee).
I am draggig a friend/fiend along-Blackdove.  He will take up one of the spots in my room.
That means my room (as I understand it) is:
Me (Toad)
Rozencranz
Cristopher
Blackdove
I am indeed in the pool for the caravan on wensday morning-so is blackdove.
Toad, is that "Cristopher" me? $25 dollars? Cool, more money for beer. Oh, wait... I'm a teetotaler. I mean Root Beer ;D.
Charisa's Car (Four spots. Leaving Wednesday morning(?) Coming back Sunday Late. Caravaning with EUOL.)
*Charisa
*Christopher
*Rosencrantz
*Bob Defendi
Charisa. Is there somewhere I can leave my car while we're gone? I'll be driving down from Kaysville.
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Christopher, I have room in my driveway if that will work. However, the "who's going in whose car" thing is still up in the air. We'll probably work it out when we meet for the caravan.
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Mmm... Root beer...
Yes indeed that is you Christopher.
Doh! I cant count. Need to figure way to get blackdove up to anaheim.
Christopher, might you be willing to drive if I paid gas? And possibly reduced your share of the room fee?
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Wait...so blackdove isn't in the area? Do you need a ride or not?
Steve and Kimball both want in on the carpool. (Though Kimball probably wants to ride up with Eric, so that he doesn't have to skip work on Wednesday.) So, the ride situation is as follows:
(NOTE: Charisa. When I say Five in your car there and back, I'm including you. I'm counting us in these numbers. So, that's the right number, right? You have three kids, eight spaces total?)
By my count, we have room for fourteen total people
5 in my car
5 in Charisa's car there and back
1 in Eric's car there and back (Eric himself)
3 in Charisa's car there and Eric's car back.
Of those fourteen spots, we have filled 13:
*EUOL
*Fell
*Ms. Fish
*Ctz Zed
*Parker
*Charisa
*Christopher
*Rosencrantz
*Bob Defendi
*EJS
*Steve Diamond
*Kimball
*Eric's Friend
And have another two or so that may need rides:
Toad
Toad's Friend
Did I miss anyone?
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I mentioned earlier that a guy in one of my writing groups is going there and back with me. So put Spencer Ellsworth on the list.
That means I have (comfortable) room for only two more coming back.
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Mmm... Root beer...
Yes indeed that is you Christopher.
Doh!  I cant count.  Need to figure way to get blackdove up to anaheim.
Christopher, might you be willing to drive if I paid gas?  And possibly reduced your share of the room fee?
I don't think my car would make it. It's got about 250 thousand miles on it. That's the last thing we need...to be stuck in Death Valley with a broken old car.
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(NOTE: Charisa. When I say Five in your car there and back, I'm including you. I'm counting us in these numbers. So, that's the right number, right? You have three kids, eight spaces total?)
Ah. Got it.
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What kind of limited space are we looking here for luggage? Obviously we are going absolute minimum, but should I be wearing all of my clothing at once and hoping that the cars are airconditioned, or am I fine with a laptop bag and small duffle?
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I've arranged for a car-top carrier, so there should be plenty of room. As long as no one brings a trunk full of cosplay supplies.
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I'm bringing a full Optimus Prime suit, and it's pretty bulky, so we'll ahve to spreadit across all of the cars to fit it. No one else is allowed to bring any luggage, I'm afraid, and we might have to kick a few of you out altogether.
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Can our car carry the trailer with the missiles?
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Yes, but if you touch them so help me I'll take it out of your hide.
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Can our car carry the trailer with the missiles?
Only if you install the missiles on my car as a security feature.
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OK, my car is now full there and back.
EJS's car:
EJS
Spencer
Kimball
Howard Tayler
I tried to get President Bush to come, so I could have Spencer, W., Kimball, but I guess he's busy.
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Mmm... Root beer...
Yes indeed that is you Christopher.
Doh!  I cant count.  Need to figure way to get blackdove up to anaheim. Christopher, might you be willing to drive if I paid gas?  And possibly reduced your share of the room fee?
I don't think my car would make it. It's got about 250 thousand miles on it. That's the last thing we need...to be stuck in Death Valley with a broken old car. ADD: And it doesn't have aircon either.
So do we have blackdove's situation/ride figured out? Or are we still down one spot?
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Still down a spot. Looks like someone will need to volinteer to drive- we dont have enough seats for the people.
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OK, my car is now full there and back.
EJS's car:
EJS
Spencer
Kimball
Howard Tayler
I tried to get President Bush to come, so I could have Spencer, W., Kimball, but I guess he's busy.
And if you'd gotten Cheney, you would have had a hunter. Oh well.
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And if you'd gotten Cheney, you would have had a hunter.
Heh. ;D
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Where does blackdove live?
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Blackdove lives in Provo, UT.
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Seems a shame to waste another whole car's worth of gas just for one person. Eric, how uncomfortable would it be to squeeze one more in the back of your car on the way back only?
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Hmm. There is a third seatbelt in the back seat, so the car manufacturer obviously contemplated putting a third person there. But I'd be hesitant to put three people back there for an all-day drive.
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I've updated the rides list in the first post, and we're down more than one spot. Still unassigned are Toad and blackdove. I don't see how we can fit them in, though we might have room in Oldie's car on the way up (but not on the way back).
EJS, I just want to confirm that those three passengers are in your car both ways, rather than going up with Oldie and back with you.
I'm about to go through and update the room list, because it seems to have people on it who are not driving with us. Are they meeting us there? Were they originally going and have since bowed out?
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Me thinks this road trip has gotten a little too big to manage especially considering several people only pop-in once in a while to check on the plans.
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All right, you people. Pick one name and stick with it--this list is hard enough without realizing that I'm trying to make room for a jillion different names that only refer to one person.
I think I've got it figured out, without duplicating anyone or leaving anyone out.
For rooms, we can fit everybody in what we have if we put Oldie in EUOL's first room, Christopher in Toad's room, and then Howard Tayler wherever he wants to go (I assume he'll be in EJS's room, since he's coming up with him, but that's just a guess).
For rides, we're two seats short and probably need an extra car.
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You do have trunks, they could be comfortable enough.
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Note that when I say "figured it out," that doesn't mean I have a seat and a room for everyone, just that I have an up-to-date list of everyone who needs seats and rooms.
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Ah. I hadn't noticed that EJS had found TWO friends to bring, not one. That makes things even more tricky.
Eric, why do you have to be so darn popular?
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Christopher added to Toad's room.
Oldie added to EUOL's first room (tentatively).
Do we have an idea of the cost breakdown for rooms with four and five people in them?
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My rooms are $100 per night, no matter who we stick in them. So, wed night-Saturday night=$400, or $100 per person for a room with four. $80 for a room with five. That is BEFORE taxes, which are probably around %15.
NOTE--I just emailed my Conduit contacts and asked if either of them (Charlie or Helge) have room in their cars for two more people.
NOTE2--the Worldcon rooms ARE sold out, so just be warned!
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It looks like we're okay for rooms, just not cars.
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EJS, I just want to confirm that those three passengers are in your car both ways, rather than going up with Oldie and back with you.
That's correct.
Regarding rooms, Howard will be in my room. Spencer will be staying with people he knows.
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Hey, Christopher, I got that check today. Thanks so much for taking the ticket off my hands. Have FUN! (Hope all the car rides work out!)
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Since people's rides and rooms are mostly worked out, how about...the schedule?
The official schedule is up. (http://www.laconiv.org/2006/sched/)
What are the most important panels to go to? Other events? What panels are people here on?
I only started getting vacation hours recently, and I'm not going to have enough saved up to go to the whole con. I might be able to go in to work early and leave early. I might take a sick day. I might be able to take a partial. But anyway, it looks like among Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, I can pick only one day to be there the whole time. Which day should I pick?
The shedule's format is not incredibly friendly to read. The tab-delimited text file you can download is even worse. I've seen much better before, convention schedules you can glance through and quickly pick out what you want to read up on in more detail.
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** Your Complete Schedule **
You are on a total of 7 program items.
----------------------------------------
Item 1: Thu 8/24 1:00 PM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: WHAT IS EVIL?
Precis: Novels seem to always pits good versus evil, the
hero/heroine (who must do battle, sacrifice endlessly,
travel to the ends of the earth to save the world) and the
evil protagonist. Sounds simple. But how do you define what
is truly evil? And are your characters black and white or
many shades of gray? How bad is the bad guy? Is evil marked
by character, action, the enormity of destruction, the
totality of deceit, or is it possible that evil is in the
perception?
----------------------------------------
Item 2: Thu 8/24 4:00 PM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: THE WORST IDEAS IN FANTASY OR SCIENCE FICTION
Precis: We're always hearing the science fiction is a literature of
ideas. And that this or that was a great idea. What just
didn't work? What seemed like a good idea at the time
but...
----------------------------------------
Item 3: Thu 8/24 5:30 PM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: GOOD ENDINGS
\
Precis: Writing is hard. There's lots of work, lots of thought that
goes into every sentence. But no matter how good your story
is, how compelling your characters are, if your ending
falls flat, so does everything else. How do you make your
ending work?
----------------------------------------
Item 4: Fri 8/25 11:00 AM, 60 minutes.
Title: AUTOGRAPHING: BRANDON SANDERSON
Participants: Brandon Sanderson
Precis:
----------------------------------------
**** You are MODERATOR of this panel. Please see below.
Item 5: Sat 8/26 1:00 PM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: WRITING NON-HUMAN CHARACTERS
Precis: We're all people so we really can't think like an alien or
a demon or an anthropomorphic dog. So what do we do to make
non-human characters real without making them just seem
weird? How do we bring them to life?
----------------------------------------
Item 6: Sat 8/26 4:00 PM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: HARD FANTASY
Precis: Is there such a thing as "hard" fantasy, like "hard"
science fiction? Is it just a matter of research or better
world building? What does it take to make a fantasy
"hardcore"? Who's writing hard fantasy, what is it, and how
does it work?
----------------------------------------
**** You are MODERATOR of this panel. Please see below.
Item 7: Sun 8/27 11:30 AM, 60-90 minutes.
Title: IN DEFENSE OF ESCAPIST LITERATURE
Precis: Science fiction has had a moniker of being junk food for
the mind; escapist fare only. Is that true? Not all of it
is literature but surely some of it must be? Mustn't it?
What literary trends can be found? What will withstand the
test of time? And does it matter?
-
Cool panels.
So in the worst idea one are you going to bring up vamipres that are scared of cheese?
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Don't mess with vampires that are scared of cheese. That is gold, Jerry. Gold!
Thanks for the confirmation, Eric. Now we have everyone in a room and taken care of, so we're set for that. We still don't have rides for Toad or blackdove. Have you heard from your Conduit buddies, EUOL? Any room in any other cars we know about?
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I'm still working on that. Charlie isn't going down, but Helge might. And, Eric Swedin is. I don't have his email, though. I just asked Charlie for it.
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I'm still working on that.  Charlie isn't going down, but Helge might.  And, Eric Swedin is.  I don't have his email, though.  I just asked Charlie for it.
When I talked to Eric a month and a half ago, he was planning on flying. I don't know if that has changed. I know he checks his Weber State e-mail address frequently. EUOL, If you still need it.... I just sent you an IM with Eric's contact info.
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Brandon, I'm sorely disappointed that you aren't on any panels regarding alien sex.
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No but "HARD FANTASY" is code for naked elves.
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Speaking of alien sex and drunk panelists, I ran into him at Comic-Con.
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First, an apology to those organizing this. I didn't mean to confuse. My friends call me Toad, my user is blcdrayco. Also, I have been in the middle of moving three households, so I have not been able to be at the computer when needed. That is now over. Once again, my apologies for any inconvienences.
Second: Renting a car looks like it may be what needs to happen. Any ideas on a driver?
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so... you're one of them polygamists?
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Ignore e, he likes making sarcastic comments. You'll have much better luck pulling off a converstaion with me. /sarcasm
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Orvill southerland Cox (my umteenth great gradfather) had something like five wifes. Most of his sons where poligamists as well. So draw your own conclusion.
I understand that you where joking, but I dont understand the connection between poligamy and my post.
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you moved three households. A polygamist would need such space.
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He was helping move all his sleeper cell buddies.
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polygamists have sleeper cells?
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Ha. Ha.
So, yes, Eric IS flying. Helge isn't going. We're still down two seats.
But, let me try one more thing. Sally Taylor is going down, and while I think she's going early, she might be coming BACK at the same time as us. If that's the case, then you two could ride down in the caravan, then come back with Sally.
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Sally's coming back . . . Saturday, I believe. She has a grandson's farewell, or some other church thing on Sunday, and hence the early departure.
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Losing a day would still beat renting a car, though. I hope it works out.
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You can rent an economy car for 24 hours for a one-way trip from LAX to SLC for under $60 through Southwest.com. There may be other places you can find it cheaper. That would be cheaper than renting a car for the whole trip down and back.
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Oops- misspost.
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Every post is a mispost!
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POSSIBLE RIDE SOLUTION ON THE WAY BACK:
First, an apology to those organizing this.  I didn't mean to confuse.  My friends call me Toad, my user is blcdrayco.  Also,  I have been in the middle of moving three households, so I have not been able to be at the computer when needed.  That is now over.  Once again, my apologies for any inconvienences.
So this means that we are only 1 slot short, not two.
Hmm.  There is a third seatbelt in the back seat, so the car manufacturer obviously contemplated putting a third person there.  But I'd be hesitant to put three people back there for an all-day drive.
We're coming back as a caravan, right? So what if we squeeze Toad (or whomever) into that third seat....but then trade off every couple of hours so that no one gets stuffed in for too long. Most of us can handle the three-in-the-back-seat thing for a few hours at a time.
If we do this, then no one will be too uncomfortable for too long...
How many cars are caravaning on the way down?
Any chance of a solution like this for the way down?
Not an ideal solution, but might be better than trying to come up with another car no one seems to have.
What does everyone think?
--------------
ADD: Or....does anyone else have a car? Only two requirements?
1) Reliable enough to make it there and back
2) Some kind of air conditioning....it's hot as Hades going through the desert this time of year.
A vehicle your grandma isn't using....anything.
Times running short. We need to come up with a solution.
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> So this means that we are only 1 slot short, not two.
No, we're two slots short: Toad and Toad's friend.
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Also known as blcdrayco and blackdove.
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Let's establish something here. Toad, Blkdraco, is not the one who doesn't have a ride. Toad is a placeholder--meaning, he is the name we're using to represent the fact that SOMEONE in our group doesn't have a ride. Toad has been with us from the beginning, and asked very early on if he could have a ride. That means, if we get technical, he should probably have a ride before many others who have joined later. So, I think we should look at this as one of US doesn't have a ride, rather than "Poor Toad, no ride for him!"
I'm less concerned about Blackdove. I thought I had everything worked out for rides, then we started adding a lot more people. Toad, is this friend someone who already has a ticket? With enough begging, we might (MIGHT) be able to get Eric to take a fifth. It's that extra person who is making things crazy.
I have a few options we still can work out.
First, does anyone WANT to come back on Saturday? If there is, things will probably work out, as I think that's when Sally is coming back.
Second, there has been talk of Christopher or someone else driving? Is this a possibility?
Third, if we absolutely have to, I might be able to convince my mother to take my Mercedes in exchange for her SUV so that I could drive it down. I think it might seat six or seven. I resist this for several reasons. First, I'd rather take my sedan, as it is a business expense, so I can write off some of the cost. Second, I don't mind having people drive my car--but I'd be more worried about having them drive my mother's.
Toad, don't worry about not having a seat. We WILL find one for you. In fact, as I've said, you probably have dibs on a seat over someone else. Really, what I'm trying to do is find a seat for Bob Defendi or Steve Diamond or one of these other friends of mine whom I've invited. If you can find another ride, that would be great--since it makes my job easier--but when push comes to shove, even if we WERE to have to leave someone, it wouldn't be you.
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If necessary, I'd be willing to pay for the 1-way car rental from LAX to SLC in order to get the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit. So that would open up three round-trip spots, I believe: 3 in Oldie's van on the way down, and three in the rental car on the way back. (I just went ahead and reserved the car, just in case. I can cancel it if it ends up we don't need it.)
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I will know by tomorrow if I'm going down. If I am, I would be able to drive a minivan.
Eric said there were two folks with a room looking for rides. Would this solve the issue? Would I be welcome to hook up?
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John,
This would solve a LOT of problems on our end. Plus, it might help you with gas and driving!
Do you already have a place to stay?
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If he dosn't John can stay in my room- I still have a slot.
EUOL- Thank you for clearing that up.
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So I'll be wandering my way out to Salt Lake on Sunday and then down to Provo on Tuesday and I was wondering, what's the deal with our departure point? Are we meeting at someone's house or something? And at what time on wednesday? (Wednesday is the first day I can move into my apartment and I need to figure out if I will have an hour or two in the morning to move a couple boxes in)
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I don't know who you are, John, but if you are coming and driving that would be a great help. We can definitely get you into one of our rooms.
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I can vouch for him. Good guy; often comes to LTUE and Conduit.
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I don't have a place to stay yet. I don't even have a membership yet, so I'm trying to figure everything out.
Tell me this: when is everyone I'd be traveling with expecting to leave and come back?
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The caravan leaves Wednesday morning and comes back Sunday. Eric's car will be driving separately--at least on the way out--as he is going to leave after work on Wednesday and come back Sunday.
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Okay. This all sounds very good.
I know I promised to confirm today. But we've had an unfortunate development. We're building our home (up at the south end of Bear Lake). All our subs locked in to finish Friday. Meeting that date would allow me to go. Well, we got a call this afternoon that doesn't bode well.
I'm trying to work it out. Tomorrow by noon I'll know for sure if this is going to work and post my confirmation. So I'm still tentative. I hope this hasn't caused problems. Give me 12 hours.
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Hey John, is the home being built in Laketown?
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Folks, it appears my window of opportunity opened ... and then closed again <sigh>. I so very much wanted to go this year (needed to). I'm so sorry if I created more problems by providing a possible solution to your travel issues and thereby caused you to miss others that now might not be available. Please accept my most sincere apologies.
Fellfrosch, yes, Laketown is the spot. Do you know the area?
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John,
Don't feel bad at all! A chance of having our problems solved was certainly worth it. I don't know if it could have anything to do with your decision, but I'd be willing to get you into the Hugo ceremony pre-party (I can bring a guest) and into the Tor party (where I can bring a guest) as well as give you firm introductions to my editor and my agent. With the number of people going to worldcon this year--and with next year being in Japan--there should be some really nice opportunities in LA. I think I could make it worth any inconvenience.
However, assuming that he can't go, we have to consider my earlier questions.
1) Is there anyone who would want to come home on Saturday?
2) Toad, who is Blackdove, and does he already have a ticket?
3) Eric, having you rent a car is all fine and good (particularly if we all chip in a few bucks to pay for it.) However, I don't think Toad would be able to drive it. Wouldn't we have to pay a lot more if we stuck an 18 year old on the driver list? So, if we do rent one, it means sending back someone else with them as the driver.
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Well, I'm sure we can find someone over 25. If necessary, someone else can drive my car while I drive the rental.
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Agreed. At sixty bucks, with Toad and friend chipping in a good portion, I'm sure we can make this work as a backup.
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EUOL-
1./2.- If he has to, blackdove has a ride with his family (apparently his mother thinks the rest of the family would enjoy disney land). He was planning to obtain a ticket at the door, so if he goes with his family, then it wont be a problem. The only drawback is that he would only be ably to attend Thurs-Fri-Sat instead of Wed evening onward.
3. If it means being able to leave sunday evening, I will happily pay the 60 for the rental plus my share of gas.
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Blkdraco,
Wednesday night is usually the least important of the nights. So, if Blackdove were to miss one, that would be the night to miss. Honestly, there's rarely much going on.
Saturday, however, is a big deal. Usually has the Hugo awards. So, if I were you, I'd not want to miss it. If you're willing to foot the bill for the car, then that's great. Though, I still think that some of the others of us should chip in--particularly those who aren't themselves driving.
So, the rental seems the best choice. You ride down with Old One, then drive back up in the rental. (Though, there is usually a rides board and the like up at one of these things, and so I can look and see if there are any other Utah people I know who have driven down.)
Though, as I think about it, Blackdove could always catch a ride down with Old one, then back with his family (if they stick around Saturday night.) One reason I mention this is that sometimes these things sell out, and so he will want to be there Wednesday if possible so that he can be sure to get a ticket.
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Blackdove requested that he ride to worldcon with his family and back in the rental if possible. (He's flexible for whatever though.)
I'll get his ticket wensday evening.
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My grandmother's family comes from Laketown (the Kearls). I used to go their all the time, but it's been a while. I love the area, though, it's absolutely gorgeous.
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Fellfrosch, yes, Laketown is the spot. Do you know the area?
I highly suggest that if somone named Bard runs for mayor, you elect him. ;)
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but I'd be willing to get you into the Hugo ceremony pre-party (I can bring a guest) and into the Tor party (where I can bring a guest) as well as give you firm introductions to my editor and my agent.
You're killing me. Killing me.
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I'll ro-sham-bo anyone for EUOL's guest slot to the Tor party ;D
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Brandon,
I need some advice about this trip. My wife made a huge concession tonight and I *could* go, but I need to simply run my situation by someone who's been there done that to see if it's worth it this year or if I should just wait for next. Wondering if you might feel comfortable emailing me offline or giving me a call.
Thanks,
John
([email protected] or 435.757.0746)
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Next year's worldcon is in Japan, so unless you're willing to shell out a lot of money then its now or in 2-years.
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Yeah, that would be a heck of a travel bill. Not to mention the small seats in the Asian airlines that would probably traumatize me.
Of course, I was assuming NASFIC next year and World Fantasy. Worldcon with you guys sounds like a no-brainer-idiot-if-you-miss situation. But there are complications. I just need to know, on a scale of 1 to 10, how to gauge this opportunity. And then I can weigh it against the other things that are pressing me.
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If you have a novel ready to submit now, this is a good place to go and strike up conversations with editors (get them to talk about themselves) and if they seem not to be completely annoyed with you then casually say "Oh, I have a novel I'd be interested in mailing to you, are you currently looking at submissions?"
If you don't currently have something, or aren't brave enough for something like the above, it's not hugely worth it. I mean, you'll have a good time, but unless you're going to do something to actively further your career, it won't...further your career. And it's expensive.
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Darnit Ookla, we're trying to convince him to go ;). Whether John has the nerve to talk to editors or not, he will be popular with 14 of the greatest writers ever....us. And as far as expensive....we're all splittin' on gas and rooms. I'm doubting that WorldCon is going to be in Utah any time real soon; being in Cali, it's close enough to drive to. So for a convention like this, this is probably as inexpensive as it is ever going to get.
NOTE: Ookla is right, but FUN....fun is priceless ;D.
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I would point out that at 20$/night for a room translates out to 80$ for the hotel- the cost if he stayed in my room. Thats 20$ more than a rental car, but a much more comfortable trip up here and back, and it would allow someone to go who might not otherwise.
I was planning on footing the bill for the rental car anyways (because it would primarily happen because of my friend), so it would be reasonable to have him just pay the difference for the room (20$) while at worldcon. Having a total hotel bill of 20$ is not to bad for a scenario like this.
Also-
The things they have scheduled are just incredible. Some of the authors at worldcon are going the only con they do all year.
The sheer list of avalable panels to sit in on is incredible, with subjects ranging from building matiriels of the future to Hard fantasy to "Buffy the masters thiesis" and all thats in between.
Who can ignore insane and bizzare "The Dungeonmaster", where the audience is actually part of the set, and the actors are monsters?
This is really a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don't think that the next worldcon will be even close to this one. They are each incredibe unique opportunities.
In short, go.
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Wow, I would love to get in on at least one of those guest thingies with EUOL. With two completed manuscripts I'm trying to sell, I want all the editor chat-time I can get.
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John,
There are several ways to look at this. It really depends upon what is most important to you about a convention. You obviously think attending them is important, so I'll look at this from the viewpoint of how much better would this con be for you than attending, say, World Fantasy this same year.
Criteria: Cost, Paneling, Access to Agents and Editors.
Cost.
This will probably be one of the cheaper big conventions to attend, though not by a huge amount. Being able to drive instead of fly will probably save a couple hundred bucks. However, going this late and buying a ticket at the door will cost you a pretty penny--and Worldcon is already more expensive than World Fantasy. Still, if you decide to stay in the rooms with other people, this could get relatively cheap for a big con experience. As much as a couple hundred dollars cheaper.
Paneling.
This will have more diverse paneling than World Fantasy. However, I don't know that the quality will be better. There will definitely be more options, and simply MORE going on. If you want to have fun, Worldcon will be far more fun. If you want to learn about writing, I'd say that they're both probably going to be equal. WFC may be slightly better.
Access to Agents and Editors
I would normally say WFC would be better than this one. However, if you go with me, then your chances go up a bit, since I can introduce you to people. The trick is, I go to a lot of cons--at least one a year. So, if you waited to go to one with me another time, you could reasonably assume you'd get the same access.
So, what is the conclusion? Well, that this would be a good con to attend. Not terrible to miss, but not at all a bad investment. It's cheap (for a con) should have good paneling, and should have good access. However, all around, I'd give this one an eight on a one to ten. WFC is consistently a six or a seven, however. If you're looking to shop something, this Worldcon will be an excellent opportunity--but not one that won't come again. (Though you'll probably have to wait a while.) If you're looking for fun, it's likely to be one of the best in a while, but fun probably isn't worth the inconvenience.
I'd be happy to call if you still want to chat about it.
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Brandon,
Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I think you've given me the answer, but it would be helpful to chat for 5 minutes to be sure if you have the time. I'm working on the house today and should be available anytime you want to call.
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After talking to Brandon and making a difficult choice, I'm sorry to say that I won't be going to Worldcon this year, alas. I am mightily bummed, but that's life.
However, I do want to attend World Fantasy. I heard some of y'all are planning on going to that as well. Perhaps we can work something out there.
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Well, since John isn't going, we're still 2 seats short, right?
We're okay on rooms....just not rides.
How much time do we have left? Like three days?
Any final suggestions?
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Looks like we'll use the rent a car idea. I have a few other contacts I might be able to use once we actually get there, but as long as Eric has the car reserved, I'm not worried.
I do believe that we should start organizing where to meet and the like. I propose this:
My place, 8:00am for those in my car or Old One's car. EJS, obviously, will be leaving at a different time, and has already arranged things with his group.
I suggest carpooling over so that fewer cars have to be left on my street. My address, then, can be obtained by emailing me. brandon at, well, brandonsanderson dot com. Easy.
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If necessary, I'd be willing to pay for the 1-way car rental from LAX to SLC in order to get the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit. So that would open up three round-trip spots, I believe: 3 in Oldie's van on the way down, and three in the rental car on the way back. (I just went ahead and reserved the car, just in case. I can cancel it if it ends up we don't need it.)
Someone explain this to me. How does the rental car open up spots on the way down? I'm sure it does if Eric and EUOL say it does...
So, we should be good, right? We have enough slots on the way down and we chip in for the rental car on the way back. Right?
Alright, EUOL. I just sent you an e-mail for your address. I might need some basic directions too. All you guys live in Happy Valley it seems. I'm sure you guys know the place like the back of your hands. Livin' up here in Davis Country, I know how to get to a BYU game...that's about it.
WORLDCON.
This should be fun.
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EUOL, I sent you an email regarding info about WorldCon for you to be aware of. Just to let you know so it doesn't get lost in your email abyss. :)
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Christopher,
I got the email. Will respond.
The thing is, we have three more spots DOWN than we have BACK because Old One won't have her kids until she picks them up in California. So, it was always the way back that we needed more space.
Stacy,
Never got your email. ????
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EUOL--tried again. My Outlook did funny things and sent it to the wrong address.
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The first page has been updated to reflect the rental car and the ride solution. I imagine that we'll have more than two coming home in the rental, just because it will have an empty back seat and Oldie's van will be stuffed to the gills.
Everyone please review the first page and make sure that you are on the list for rooms and rides, and that you know who you're driving with and when and where to meet them.
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My rooms are confirmed for the right days (just checked.) Whoever has the other room, it might be cool if you called them and asked to be placed near my rooms.
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What room number do you have? I'm happy to request it, I just need the right info.
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I don't know if they have assigned room numbers yet. They may have. Either way, they didn't give me one when I called.
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Should I try to show up at the Manga panel tomorrow and see if they'll let me on? Or would that be totally bad form?
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I did that (not on purpose) at Cascadiacon last year. I was able to answer more questions than any of the panelists, who didn't even know the definition of YA.
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I should've just e-mailed the panels coordinator long ago and volunteered to be on anything related to what I do. But nooo...I never got around to it.
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I want to hear a full report from Dan on his potential big break. I only heard short secondhand mentions of it.
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We're also expecting writeups on worldcon from Fish and Fell.
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For those who were planning to contribute toward the car rental, you can do so through Paypal if you wish. (Send it to worldcon followed by the at symbol followed by ericjamesstone.com) Otherwise, you can just give me cash sometime when you see me.