Escape Artists

Administrivia => Escape Artists, Inc. => Topic started by: BrandtPileggi on June 25, 2007, 12:28:16 PM

Title: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on June 25, 2007, 12:28:16 PM
So. Who's coming with me!

I've heard several of Steve's talks about "First Cons". I think this may be mine if Steve and others are going. I'd like to make sure there are going to be folks there that I can get in trouble with rather than doing my first 2 cons milling about.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Listener on June 25, 2007, 03:08:40 PM
I will not be going -- we'll be in Minnesota -- but if you pass by a tall brown-haired girl playing guitar and singing, buy her CD.  Her name is Heidi.  I produced the CD (the multi-track songs, anyway, not the ones where she's just singing and playing into the microphone).  I don't get any kickbacks, but the music's pretty good.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on June 27, 2007, 12:44:36 PM
Perhaps this should be in Gallimaufery or something. Can we make a Cons section?
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Bdoomed on June 28, 2007, 05:49:09 AM
If there was enough threads about Cons there would be a cons section... but since there isnt, i think this is the best thread for em.

i WISH WISH WISH i could go to DragonCon... but alas... i cannot. (something to do with school i believe)
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on June 28, 2007, 07:56:18 PM
Boooo!!! (for not going, not about the no cons section)
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Creeperz on June 30, 2007, 09:14:42 PM
I'm going to be Trying my best to go this year.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: raygunray on June 30, 2007, 09:56:37 PM
Me and my wife will be there.  This time we're prepared.  I bought membership in advance so no 2 hour lines.  Also, I got banquet tickets as well.

My wife is going to dress like Tonks from Harry Potter and I'm still figuring out who to dress up as.  It would precedent saying since I've never dressed out at a Con. Used to go as the Drunkest Geek and crash room parties. I'll probably be more formal.

Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on July 02, 2007, 12:43:41 AM
What are banquet tickets for?
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: raygunray on July 02, 2007, 01:18:48 AM
The Guest of Honor awards banquet.  I think its a costume contest and party.  I thought I'd go all out this time around.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Listener on July 02, 2007, 04:30:16 PM

My wife is going to dress like Tonks from Harry Potter and I'm still figuring out who to dress up as.  It would precedent saying since I've never dressed out at a Con. Used to go as the Drunkest Geek and crash room parties. I'll probably be more formal.



Is she comparing to pics from the film, or just going on Rowling's description?

I've been to a few cons but the closest I ever got to dressing up was Shinji Ikari from Evangelion... I wore black slacks and a short-sleeved white shirt and whined a lot. :)
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BSWeichsel on July 05, 2007, 03:06:37 PM
Does anyone know cheap motels in the area?

Me and my friend want to go but where both poor collage students.

any one have ideas?
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on July 05, 2007, 04:50:41 PM
I think Steve said something about everyone too poor to find lodging can set up a shanty town in his yard.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BSWeichsel on July 06, 2007, 01:13:52 PM
how close does he live? id do it bring a tent camping stove id be set
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Creeperz on July 06, 2007, 02:18:55 PM
Woot! I do get to go this year my Wife was able to get off.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Listener on July 11, 2007, 08:38:35 PM
how close does he live? id do it bring a tent camping stove id be set

I don't know EXACTLY where he lives but I do know VAGUELY... it's about a half-hour drive, if there's no traffic.  Maybe closer to 45 minutes if you're not certain where you're going.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BSWeichsel on July 13, 2007, 01:07:37 PM
hmmm i'll have to think about that
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on July 28, 2007, 04:13:08 PM
Okay, I'm definitely going. I don't have my travel plans yet, but I'm gonna do everything I can to get there. Anyone have suggestions on where to stay?
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Jonathan C. Gillespie on July 31, 2007, 04:26:07 PM
I'll be at DragonCon this year.  Looking forward to meeting Stephen, if he winds up coming, and some of the other folks I've corresponded with.

FYI, Stephen is over in Stone Mountain, which is about 1/2 an hour from downtown.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Leon Kensington on July 31, 2007, 05:18:27 PM
Does anyone want to buy me a plane ticket to Atlanta?
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Russell Nash on July 31, 2007, 05:21:52 PM
Does anyone want to buy me a plane ticket to Atlanta?

Wait a minute.  If someone is buying, I'm in.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: goatkeeper on July 31, 2007, 07:47:04 PM
I'm originally from the area and know it pretty well if anyone needs help with directions/good places to eat and stay and so on.  Lookin forward to meetin some of you folks
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: raygunray on July 31, 2007, 11:45:56 PM
I have tickets for the Guest of Honor Banquet. Me and my wife can't go because I have a diabetic cat that needs a shot 2x a day and we can't stay late.

So, If anyone is interested I can let them go for a reduced price.  Just message me and we can discuss terms. 
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on July 31, 2007, 11:49:25 PM
I'm originally from the area and know it pretty well if anyone needs help with directions/good places to eat and stay and so on.  Lookin forward to meetin some of you folks

That was my question goat! lol. Where's a good place to stay? I'm trying not to spend a mint on this thing though.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 01, 2007, 01:33:27 AM
Okay, folks. I've come to the conclusion that I wanna have fun with this AND I wanna be a cheap ass. So I'm gonna use my "broke-in-Vegas" days experience and propose about 4 of us get together and split a room at the hilton. Cost: about $37 per person per night. Downside is that we'll have to have a bed rotation (I personaly don't mind). upside is perhaps 4 people have an awesome time and they each make 3 decent friends. If it's not kosher with anyone, I'll split a 2 bed room with someone or get my own if I have to. It's just $150 looks alot better to me than $600. If we were to get enough people to book 5 rooms, we could get even get a discount on top of that.

Ps. If anyone is going from Austin or somewhere between Austin and Atlanta. Holler at me and we can split the cost of the car and gas or something. We'll figure it out.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 03, 2007, 03:01:06 AM
How to kill a thread Chapter 2: Suggest a bunch of guys sleep together for 4 days. Check.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Bdoomed on August 03, 2007, 05:25:04 AM
lmao.  either that or 'talk about actual money issues'
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Leon Kensington on August 03, 2007, 03:53:05 PM
or ramble on for about a page about something that really has very little to do with the current tangent on the thread but with the threads actual topic.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: goatkeeper on August 03, 2007, 03:59:27 PM
Haha!  nice.
 I think your Hilton split is a good idea and I'd be game for it if I wasn't crashing on my folks couch!
You can find cheaper than Hilton though for sure though- your best bet for cheap is to not stay downtown.  Find a Best Western, Holiday Inn Express, Quality Inn, Days Inn a few minutes down the road next to a Marta station
http://www.itsmarta.com/getthere/schedules/index.htm
Marta's a great thing in Atlanta and super cheap- it runs down next to the airport where there are assloads of cheaper joints to stay, it'll take you downtown and you'll save some $ not having to pay for parking.

Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 07, 2007, 02:39:37 AM
How's the parking lot where this thing's at? I'm pretty comfortable with pulling into the parking structure of buildings and getting my sleep in a reclined drivers seat. lol. Gonna have to bathe in the bathrooms though. Not as bad as you think.  ;D not looking forward to 15 hours of driving each way though. that'll suck. Especially when I'm tired. Might have to put up the 250-400 for that and rent a car/bed when I get there. WEEEEEEeeeee!!!!! seriously, I'm insanely excited.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: raygunray on August 08, 2007, 01:17:27 AM
Whatever Happened to crashing in the film room(s)? No one's there in the late hours.  I used to do that all the time.  I also just catnapped in the lobby.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 08, 2007, 12:37:21 PM
Perfect! They're open all night?!
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: goatkeeper on August 08, 2007, 04:19:45 PM
haha, don't like my Days Inn idea? 
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 08, 2007, 07:46:33 PM
I do but I'm balking at the total cost of this thing, in vacation days AND plane tickets ($400) AND Con tix ($70) AND food ($50) AND rental car ($60) AND hookers ($?) *sigh*. My hooker budget now only allows for toothless, old, French opium den whores. So 150-200 on a room is OUT.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: SFEley on August 10, 2007, 07:06:34 AM
I should have jumped in this thread before.  But better late than never:

I'm definitely going to be at Dragon*Con the entire time.  Minx (http://www.polyweekly.com/) and I will be producing the Daily Dragon podcast, and I'm on two or three podcasting panels as well. 

I don't have any specific party plans -- too busy to think about that -- but I think a lunch or dinner with everyone here would be terrific.  All in favor? 
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 10, 2007, 11:50:14 AM
Aye!

You might also want to note that some inconsiderate sob has volunteered your yard as a temporary shanty town for DC.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: SFEley on August 10, 2007, 03:40:33 PM
You might also want to note that some inconsiderate sob has volunteered your yard as a temporary shanty town for DC.

Saw that.  What do I care?  My house is too far away, so I'll be in a hotel room at the con.  Sharing it with Minx and possibly Anna.

(And no, you can't stay with us.)  >8-P
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: Russell Nash on August 10, 2007, 03:48:50 PM
You might also want to note that some inconsiderate sob has volunteered your yard as a temporary shanty town for DC.

Saw that.  What do I care?  My house is too far away, so I'll be in a hotel room at the con.  Sharing it with Minx and possibly Anna.

(And no, you can't stay with us.)  >8-P

Are you making a video or something?   ;D
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: raygunray on August 10, 2007, 06:18:01 PM
Quote
I don't have any specific party plans -- too busy to think about that -- but I think a lunch or dinner with everyone here would be terrific.  All in favor? 

I'd love to meet ya'll and shake some hands. My wife and I can't stay too late because we have a diabetic kitty that needs her shot 2x a day. 
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 13, 2007, 01:38:05 AM
Damn. I'm getting hammered financially. I may have to do a 1-2 day trip. Steve, any idea when a good time for that dinner would be?
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: SFEley on August 13, 2007, 03:43:10 AM
Damn. I'm getting hammered financially. I may have to do a 1-2 day trip. Steve, any idea when a good time for that dinner would be?

Almost certainly Saturday or Sunday.  My suggestion was tentative, though -- please don't plan your trip around this alone.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 13, 2007, 10:03:36 PM
No worries.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: raygunray on August 14, 2007, 01:48:07 PM
Does anyone have any scheduling for podcasting forums, workshops and fourms.  I'm producing a podiobook and would love to hear from the masters.  I've got the gear, now I just need a clue.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: SFEley on August 14, 2007, 02:09:02 PM
Does anyone have any scheduling for podcasting forums, workshops and fourms.  I'm producing a podiobook and would love to hear from the masters.  I've got the gear, now I just need a clue.

Sure.  The podcasting track has a Web site, complete with the schedule of panels, at:
http://www.dragon-pod.com (http://www.dragon-pod.com)

This year it seems to be mostly live versions of people's shows -- it's a much ligter schedule than last year.  However, I can guarantee you that many of the podcasters will be hanging out together for much of the con, and my experience has been that this is a very welcoming group of people.  So feel free to introduce yourself, make friends, and ask whatever you'd like.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: goatkeeper on August 17, 2007, 03:39:20 AM
I'm really lookin forward to the con!  I know Steve mentioned some sort of possible lEP lunch in this weeks episode- I hope that happens (I won't be gettin there till Sat afternoon though)- but if any of you folks want to meet up over events or beer lemme know!
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 19, 2007, 02:10:16 PM
So is it a pretty sure thing that there'll be open "film rooms" and such that we'll be able to sleep in? If so I'm gonna goa ahead and book the car and DC tickets
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: raygunray on August 19, 2007, 03:44:19 PM
Quote
So is it a pretty sure thing that there'll be open "film rooms" and such that we'll be able to sleep in? If so I'm gonna goa ahead and book the car and DC tickets

Not to sure about that.  This is my second DC and in this case I'm a local.  I used to pull it off at Necrocomicon in Tampa all the time when I partied too hard to drive.  I don't know the policy at DC.  I knew a lot of people who slept in vans and trucks with caps but you had to be convert about.  Hotel management and security frowned on the practice.

Also, if you're budget conscious there is a food court downstairs so you won't get buggered by hotel food prices.  Also the ConSuite has PB & J fixins.  I would pack a bunch of granola bars and peanuts and found a Subway.  I can make a loaded footlong sub last all day.  I also brought a fifth of cheap vodka or rum or some HerbaLife to proffer at room parties.

It can be done on the cheap.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: SFEley on August 19, 2007, 04:03:45 PM
So is it a pretty sure thing that there'll be open "film rooms" and such that we'll be able to sleep in? If so I'm gonna goa ahead and book the car and DC tickets

Are there film rooms running all night?  At least some nights.  Could you sleep in them without getting kicked out?  I have no idea.  I wouldn't suggest counting on that as a primary strategy.  Security at Dragon*Con is an amorphous mix of con volunteers, hotel security, and Atlanta police, and they're bigger bastards about some things than you can expect from other cons.  That's mostly because of the size of the event.

And...um...how can I put this delicately...  If your plan is to wander the con for four days without access to a shower, you're probably not going to make a lot of lasting friends.  I say this because there are fans who go without basic hygiene every year, and you can usually smell them from halfway down the hall.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: raygunray on August 19, 2007, 07:52:38 PM
Quote
If your plan is to wander the con for four days without access to a shower, you're probably not going to make a lot of lasting friends.

Unless you learn to EuroShower aka Ho-Bath aka Racial Epithet Shower and bring deodorant.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 19, 2007, 10:47:59 PM
Ha! yeah. I'm actually pretty practiced and good with that. I have heard about some of the fans at these things. I won't be counting myself with them. lol. If worse comes to worse I'll just have to find a motel/hotel somewhere.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 20, 2007, 12:59:42 PM
Got my tickets and the rental! Woohoo!
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 23, 2007, 04:20:02 PM
Bump that crap. Went with the Airplane and hotel. Damn near the same cost. If you're thinking the same, I found out by booking everything on priceline, I was able to get everything for about the cost of the car rental and gas, AND cheaper than a round trip, non stop airplane ticket from priceline, weird. About $700 for everything *sigh* damn that's alot of money. It'll be nice to sleep in a bed I reckon.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: raygunray on August 24, 2007, 10:41:34 PM
So is there any confirmation that the Escape pod folk will be having lunch or dinner?  BTW, I still have banquet tickets I cant use if anyone is interested.  Message me if you're interested.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: SFEley on August 28, 2007, 09:06:02 PM
I just sent this out in e-mail to the people who had responded that way:


Hi folks,

This is a form letter going out individually to everyone who's expressed interest in a meetup at Dragon*con.  Sorry about the impersonal nature of this.

I've made reservations at the Gordon Biersch Brewpub for SUNDAY, 1 PM.  The brewpub is at 848 Peachtree Street -- it's about a mile due north from the convention hotels.  You can walk it fairly easily, take a taxi, or drive and use their valet parking.  I chose this place because the food is excellent, and it's reasonably close to the con while being just far enough that it won't be completely swamped.

The party name is "Escape Pod."  I made reservations for 30 people.  Only a dozen people responded to me, but I know how these things go and how word spreads, and we may get a *lot* more people showing up.  Unfortunately I can't guarantee seats for anyone; it's unlikely that the whole restaurant will fill up at that time of day, but if you'd like to sit with the crowd, you may want to show up a few minutes early.  I'm going to try to be there by 12:30, along with my wife Anna and Cunning Minx of the Polyamory Weekly podcast.

There's no agenda or topic to this; just good conversation and getting to meet fun people.  We may have some of Minx's listeners there as well, or friends of friends, or anyone else who shows up.  I go to cons largely to socialize, so this'll definitely be fun for me, and I hope it is for you too.  And if you need to reach me with any questions, my personal e-mail address is sfeley@gmail.com and my cell number is 678-517-2350.  A text message to the phone is usually more efficient than calling.

If this sounds good to you, we hope to see you there! 


Have Fun,
 - Stephen Eley
   Editor, Escape Pod
   http://www.escapepod.org

Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on August 29, 2007, 01:04:00 AM
Count me +1. I'm not sure exactly at what time it is but I think Mur's autograph session is right around the same time. If we can get some folks together, it'd be great to declare shinanigans in that general area. It sounds like no one showed up to her last one. That's just rediculous.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: raygunray on August 29, 2007, 01:41:25 AM
You sold me at Brewpub. I'll be making my own private production of Wingin' It. Beer is life, life is beer.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: SFEley on August 29, 2007, 01:43:00 AM
Count me +1. I'm not sure exactly at what time it is but I think Mur's autograph session is right around the same time. If we can get some folks together, it'd be great to declare shinanigans in that general area. It sounds like no one showed up to her last one. That's just rediculous.

Mur's signing event is at 2:30.  Brewpub standard time being what it is, making it back in time for the start might be pushing it, but you could certainly make it back before the end of her hour.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on September 03, 2007, 01:26:24 AM
So... awesome... so... tired...
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: SFEley on September 05, 2007, 05:29:09 AM
Yes!  It was a great time, and cool seeing you there, Brandt.

By the way, my con report (http://sfeley.livejournal.com/43960.html) is now up on my LJ if anyone cares to read it.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on September 07, 2007, 12:34:04 AM
Sorry if much of my fanboi got accross. Thanks for dealing with it so gracefully ;)
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: raygunray on September 07, 2007, 02:20:25 AM
Brandt: Shame we didn't meet up at the Brewpub lunch. I didn't work the room like I should've. I didn't get to meet a lot of other people but perhaps next time.

Steve: You're a true gent and I enjoyed speaking with you. You should be seeing my submissions soon enough.


Here's my podcast report: http://diabeticincandyland.com/. (http://diabeticincandyland.com/.)  Also this is posted at podcast pendantry.  Critique invited.
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: BrandtPileggi on September 09, 2007, 01:52:37 PM
Yeah man! It woulda been nice to meet you seeing as how we must've been sitting 10 feet from each other. We'll catch up at the next one ;)
Title: Re: DragonCon 2007 - Atlanta - Sept 1-3
Post by: goatkeeper on September 14, 2007, 08:01:27 PM
Yah ray, sorry I didn't get to meet ya either.  Damn you Brandt for being so interesting and conversational! ;D