Grüße!
Today I am going to talk about something very important. Today I am going to tell you how to survive.
The nerd life isn't for everyone! ;)
Honestly, I am here to help with this one. If I hadn't had wonderfully experienced people give me tips before my first con, I don't know what I would have done - and I started big with the San Diego Comic Con! The con life gets you an injured tailbone, tired feet, a (seemingly always) hungry stomach, a poor sleep schedule... and a heart full of joy! But the pot at the end of the rainbow is much more fun to get to when you don't have to climb a mountain. I'm going to show you how to get around the mountain!
Bring a bag!
You can bring any bag you like, but my personal preference is this one... Outlander Lightweight Travel Backpack. Honestly, my biggest tip here would be to bring a bag that won't hurt your shoulders/back too much to carry around. Find something comfortable enough to carry around all day - it can make or break your back!
Fill your handy dandy rucksack...
1 - Water!
... or Powerade. Honestly, it doesn't matter, as long as you stay hydrated. Dehydration will only make you feel more tired than you'll likely already be, and not to mention that you'll be thirsty and probably give yourself some very unfriendly headaches. You can always buy a drink there, of course, but you'll save some major $$$ by packing ahead of time!
2 - Snacks!
Generally, when I pull out the snacks at a con, I can practically see half the line drooling over my food. You get hungry way more quickly than you think you will, and you will be happy that you brought those Cheese-Its and fruit snacks, trust me. *Bonus - If you really want to save money, bring your lunches as well. Good portable options are things like sandwiches and Lunchables meals.
3 - Wallet!
I don't really need to say this, but I also kind of do. Some stands don't accept cards, so make sure you have cash. Also, you might think you won't need your wallet, but if you want to buy something you didn't anticipate, you don't have to trek back to your room! Not to mention, most conventions have you present your ID when picking up your badges!
4 - Badge!
Do not forget your badge! I repeat... do not forget your badge. Sometimes you'll be asked to present your badge just to get around the convention floor, or to get into panels. It's always a good idea to have it with you. If you don't like wearing it around your neck, that's fine, but bring it in your bag! *Note - When you receive your badge, make sure it's the right one! The people that put the convention together work very hard, but they're human just as you and they make mistakes!
5 - Portable Charger!
You might not really be thinking about it if you've never been to a convention before, but you're doing a lot of walking and a lot of sitting (waiting in lines for panels and the like), and you'll be out there for a long time. You won't always be able to find an outlet to charge your phone, either! Invest in a good portable charger, and make sure it's full of juice before the day starts! It's a life saver! My personal favorite is the Anker External Battery. And it's a given, but don't forget the charger cord, either. Believe it or not, I've done it before. It's frustrating to say the least!
6 - Regular Batteries!
AA, AAA, whatever your camera happens to take, bring backups. When you get into a panel with your favorite people, you tend to use up more juice than you want! ;) It' s always nice to have backups handy.
7 - Map & Schedule!
Print out a map and schedule before hand, and make sure to bring them with you! Not only will you not mess up the ones you get if you get them at your con, but it's always a good idea to have a backup. I would also recommend looking at the schedule ahead of time and planning what you want to go to, and plan a back up. Sometimes you just won't get into a panel you want, and that's just how the con goes! It's good to have a second option lined up.
8 - Compact Mirror!
This is really for people who are planning on doing a cosplay. It's sometimes difficult to touch up with your front-facing camera, so I would bring this if you plan on touching up your makeup throughout the day and don't want to have to find a bathroom when you do!
9 - A Jacket/Sweater!
It's not this way everywhere, but at Dragon Con, inside the buildings it is ridiculously hot. The panels, however, can be frigid. If you don't want to freeze your butt off, bring a light jacket!
10 - Don't bring unnecessary items!
If you pack too heavily, you'll end up hurting and regretting it. Pack what you need, but try not to pack items you don't really have to have. Your back will thank you!
Clothing!
It's getting hot in here... so take off all your wigs! Cosplaying? Dress any old way you want, but wearers beware - magic always comes with a price, dearie!
1 - Wigs!
Wear any wig you like, of course! But remember, these suckers are hot. They can tangle easily, they can tug, and they can itch. I try to stick with wigs that aren't too long, but if you do, just remember their price! If you wanna be Legolas and wear a long wig though, don't let it rain on your parade!
2 - Shoes!
Break. Them. In.
You will be in these suckers All. Day. Long. Trust me, breaking your shoes in really helps if you want to be able to walk at the end of the day! *On that same note, if you haven't broken them in, bring some Band-Aids with you. You will probably end up needing them, plus they're always a good idea to keep around!
3 - Size!
Be aware that if you're dressing as a Klingon, your costume will be quite large. It might take a bit to navigate, and as I've said, there will be a lot of people. Be careful with your costume, you wouldn't want your hard work to get all dinged up!
4 - Weapon Check!
If your character has a weapon, go and get it checked before you try to walk around everywhere with it. It works differently at every con, but at Dragon Con, you have to get your weapon approved by security before you're allowed around with it. Trust me, you don't want to break this rule!
Human Needs!
They'll still exist, even if you're Nebula or R2-D2!
1 - Potty break!
Identify where the bathrooms are and how long they take to get to! Trust me, it will be right as the panel room is about to open when you have to pee! Don't put it off or you might miss Loki. "Say! My! Name!" *If you have no idea what I am referencing, Tom Hiddleston appeared at Comic Con a few years ago and it was awesome. Trust me, as I was in the room! You can check out the video here.
2 - Take a seat!
You'll be doing a fair amount of walking and standing, so sit down when you get a chance. Your tailbone will get tired, but your feet will thank you. The trade off is worth it!
3 - Eat it!
Don't put off your meal times to see John Barrowman! I know that it'll be hard to remember to when you're focused on him, but make time for your stomach. It'll turn on you real quick! We don't want that, you're there to con!
4 - Sleep!
You'll wonder where it went. Did someone steal it? Why are you unable to catch up on it? Trust - get in as much sleep as you can!
Manners, Manners!
Please, please, please! I beg of you! Please have common courtesy towards others! Everyone else is in the same hot, crowded boat that you're in, and everyone else has waited two hours for that same panel, too. Don't be a beef jerky.
1 - Hands off!
Cosplay doesn't equal consent. Ever. It doesn't matter who they are or what they're wearing, if they don't give you permission, you don't get it. Don't grope, don't grab, don't tug, don't pull... Have common decency, you're an adult, not a toddler.
2 - Ask before you take a picture!
It's important to remember that someone being dressed up does not give you permission to take their photo. Ask them first! Chances are, they've worked hard on their costume and they'll be thrilled to pose for you. They don't want a sneezed up picture of their hard work, and more than that, they just might not want you to, which is something you should respect!
3 - Pose accepted?
When you're taking pictures with celebrities, keep in mind that each of them have their own rules for picture taking. Some are very lax and will do just about anything in a picture, while some are more reserved. Have a plan in mind for what you want to do in your picture, but if you're unsure of their rules, have a backup plan in case they aren't comfortable with it. People like to forget it, but celebrities are just people, too!
4 - Wheelchairs - Be aware of them!
The crowds are thick and the elevators are crowded, but you can walk with the crowd and you could take the stairs. Try to be aware of the people in wheelchairs, and move out of the way when they're trying to get past you, or make room when they're trying to get on the elevators. They're trying to enjoy the con, too!
5 - No ands, buts, or shorty-cuts!
The smaller panels at conventions won't be such a problem, but the big name panels with celebrities and the like will always be crowded. There will be a line, probably wrapped around many corners. You wouldn't be very happy if people were constantly squeezing into the line and bumping your seat in the room farther back every time! Please don't do it, and respect the line!
6 - Personal space!
Conventions get very crowded, so often personal space is violated. Many people apologize when they accidentally squish your toes, but it happens either way! That being said, in situations where you get the freedom of personal space, perhaps when you're sitting down in a panel or in a line, try to mind the bubbles! No one wants your foot in their lap!
Good to remember!
The con is about fun! Try to maximize it!
1 - Thou shalt obey thine convention rules!
I put this here for your own good! It's an intense need (at least for me!) to be able to come back to the con again, year after year! Don't do anything stupid like try to bring in a dangerous weapon or sell your ticket off for a profit - some conventions will ban you from their event for life for pulling something stupid like that. Don't get yourself kicked out, please!
2 - Allow time to walk around!
There are tons of other super awesome cosplayers, and you'll want to check them out and take pictures! I would try to leave a little time for this, maybe when nothing super important to you is going on!
3 - Photo op!
If you're dressed up yourself, chances are someone is going to ask to take a picture of you! Chances are, it will be more than one someone! Be prepared to be asked and pose for awesome shots of your cosplay!
4 - EARLY SHOWTIME!
I can't stress this enough - SHOW UP EARLY. If you want to get into that panel, show up early. Repeat after me - 'If I want to get into that panel, I'll show up early!' Remember this. I once camped out for a panel at the San Diego Comic Con from 7pm until about 9am when they let us in, and I was still about halfway back in a room made to hold 7,000 people.
5 - Does the room empty?
Find out ahead of time whether your convention empties the room after every panel or not, because it will have a definite effect. For instance, San Diego Comic Con does not force you to leave the room after every panel. This means that if you want to see the panel at the end of the day, chances are to see it you'll have to spend your whole day watching the panels in the convention hall. At Dragon Con, they do empty the room after each panel, which usually results in a line for the next panel coming up, and a separate line for the panel afterwards right behind it. (Even though they don't like that!) This does make it easier to get into the panel you want if you're only after one, though. But be aware what policy your convention follows!
6 - Autographs!
If you're planning on meeting anyone that you want an autograph from, remember to bring whatever it is you want them to autograph! If you want it done in a silver sharpie on an old picture, bring them!
7 - Don't be shy!
If you see someone with an awesome costume on, don't hold back! Ask them if you can have a picture! You'll regret it if you don't!
Most importantly, have a ton of fun experiencing something you'll remember for a lifetime! Have a wonderful convention, my fellow nerds!
And a special thanks to my fantastic nerd friends that helped me compile this list!
Bis zum nächsten Mal,
RayKay
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