I didn’t expect to have my kids get sick just before I left them for 5 days.
I didn’t expect to get tangentially attacked as a result of Howard’s departure from Keenspot. I was extremely heartwarmed at the number of people who were offended in my behalf. Fortunately have so little respect for the person who did the attacking that I was completely uninjured by the comments. Besides sticks and stones can’t hurt me when they’re so poorly aimed.
I didn’t expect to sit parked in traffic for an hour on the way to the airport.
I didn’t expect to be on the same plane as my backyard fence neighbor.
I somehow failed to realize that for Howard conventions are for working, not playing. Once things got going, he wasn’t in social mode.
I didn’t expect to find myself so socially lost without Howard to guide me. He introduced me to lots of people, but they were all people who are very busy and involved in making this convention run. They don’t have time to be social either. It is dismaying to realized how isolated I am here at a convention where everyone seems to run with groups of friends and have worlds of fun.
I didn’t expect to get so exhausted.
Hopefully I’ve now filled my quota of unexpected events and I can find more of the things that I expected from this weekend.
Well, to be fair, watching Kurtz go at it with Pupkin WAS kinda funny… if your definition of funny includes that type of thing. As far as everything else goes, I have but a few suggestions, including experience as a solo con-goer (I usually go to cons by myself, which means I don’t bring a circle of friends with whom to share the experience).
– As far as the sick kids are concerned, not much I can offer there – y ou’e probably more experience dealing with that sort of thing than I, so probably know what to do better than I do, even if it’s worry about such or call every day.
– As far as the convention is concerned, my advice is to visit the dealer room first just to see what they’ve got. You don’t have to buy anything, but I find people can be a bit more sociable in there, if only because they want to talk about how cool something is, ask opinions, or they expect to get asked questions about various things. Also, the ampshere in those places is like a cross between a flea market and a farmer’s market, so the energy of the place may be enough to get you a little more excited about being around.
– Next, look for things which either fascinate you in the displays area, or else look for things which you know you’ll enjoy first… and then move into exploring everything else. You may meet people who want to start up a conversation that way, and thorugh shared interests or development of new ones start up an instant friendship, or at least an acquaintanceship which means you’ll have someone to talk to for part of the time you’re there. Bonus points if they introduce you to other friends or acquaintances so you get a circle to run around with of your own.
– Sleep and eat well; if you don’t, then you’ll miss half the con when it is up and running, if only because you either don’t have the energy to do half the stuff you want to do, or else you’re too tired to enjoy it while you’re there.
– Try to relax for at least five minutes, each hour. A con goes by much more quickly when you’re not tense or worried or upset or insulted by something you see or don’t see there. 😀
Good luck at Penguicon and hope things improve for you.
Con advice
Rest your feet often. If you bought new shoes for the con, make sure they’re not laced too tight. Take your shoes off once in a while. If your feet go “OHHHHHHhhhhhhyeahhhhhh” then your shoes are too tight. Don’t just loosen the knot–loosen the laces all the way down. I was literally crippled at the Vegas ’03 con for failing that check. I missed the second half of every single day after day 1, because my feet were swollen and bruised.
As far as being in continuous unexpectation mode: push into it. Find the wonder. Revel!
Play made-up games, like “Collect all the brochure cards”.
Remember the magic rule of social awkwardness: “they feel it too”. Find somebody that’s looking overwhelmed or bored, and introduce yourself–they’ll be relieved that you did it first. Tell them you’re about to go see (insert interesting Con thing here), and ask them if they wanna go with.
There have got to be other con widows there. Organize a
supportplay group. 🙂 Consider fun things to do away from the Con. Think restaurants and tourist attractions. Rental car with unlimited mileage? Drive the city just to see it.Finally, and perhaps most importantly, don’t place too much stock in Chalain’s advice. Just go have fun!
*Hugs* Hopefully the rest of the event went better for you?
I’m sorry you’re not having as much fun as we’d expected the weekend to be. And I’m very sorry to not have been able to make it up there as planned. By the time I knew I’d be free to go to the Con, the dealer’s room had already filled.
*big hugs* again.