It's time to start planning...

[Hida Ryushi]

I've missed out on Gencon on the past couple of years. Mainly due to lack of funds and other situations, but I want that to change for Gencon 2011. I want to head back to Indianapolis next year and re-experience what I did a couple of years ago, when I last went.

It's all just a matter of saving up the money (which I will by taking little chunks from each paycheck starting with the next one coming up), and then praying that nothing else will arise before then. Then it's all just a question of what I should do there. L5R? Warmachine? Both? Neither? Decisions, decisions...

[Yasuki Kanosei]

As someone in a situation very similar to yours (only, never been to GC, or hell, out of the country), I can sympathise. As for GC, I'd say have at least one day dedicated to hanging out with friends, with another day for whatever you feel like doing. I'm probably going to have a look-see at the Privateer Press booths myself in 2011, though I won't have the models there to compete.

[Rixy]

I have been to gencon six times now and have, barring getting sick a few times, enjoyed every one of them. These are the things I try to keep in mind when preparing:

1. Pick one or two days to have events, no more, and make them Thursday and/or Friday. Take events that intrigue you, regardless of system, and understand when you do that you're likely to miss about 30% of them from getting distracted by other things and that's ok . Try not to schedule really late or really early 'cause that makes missing much more likely.

2. Find out where your friends are staying and try to get a nearby hotel. It's quite likely the things you'll most remember will come in the hotelrooms of those you party with each night so it's useful to not have to stumble too far when your drunk, exhausted, foot-sore, or any combination thereof.

3. Pack snacks. Seriously. A giant pretzel in the hall is $3.50 and sodas are $3.00, just like at ball games. There's a CVS in walking distance but the hours are horrible and the selection poor. When you are up drinking until 4AM, you'll be glad you remembered. Remembering band-aids for blisters from too much walking is also usually a good idea.

4. If you costume, leave yourself a 'normal' day if you also like to take pictures. Taking pictures and being in them is pretty much mutually exclusive. Alternatively, make arrangements with a buddy to follow you around with a camera and do it for you. I neglected this one this year and am left with NO pictures of my own of my getup and I'm rather bummed about that. Learn from my failings!

[Hida Ryushi]

I'll wait and see what's available for events, perhaps I'll try to have one day L5R and one day Warmachine. Maybe other things that pique my curiosity.

Depending on how life treats everyone here in Thunder Bay, there may be a small handful, including myself, who go down to Indianapolis. One capable of getting hotel rooms at a cheap rate compared to the normal rate. If they fall through, I might ask some people here if they're willing to take in a poor, old, lonely brethren into their rooms...

What usually happens is we tend to stop in Grand Portage after we cross the border, either at Ryden's or the Casino. They're like BIG convenience stores, bordering close to grocery stores with their selection, so I pick up some big bags of snacks to eat along the way there and while there. And I remember going to the CVS last time, it was OK and I got what I needed. Let's just hope that if I go there again, it won't be because my foot is in extreme agony...

I don't wear costumes, so that's no problem there.

So let's just hope life is good to me from now until then, and I can be there for 2011!