Saturday Morning Post: Early Edition The Ten Things You Need to Survive Con

We here at SciFi4Me are finishing up getting ready for tomorrow, which is the start of Planet Comicon here in Kansas City. This year is going to be bigger and better than ever and the excitement is a palpable feeling of anticipation reeling through all of our senses. Since we’ll be live on the floor tomorrow morning (watch for a special live edition of Week in Review!), here’s an Early Edition of your Saturday Morning Post.

Everyone has their own strategy for surviving conventions. Let’s face it, there’s a million things you COULD bring. However, this is MY essential list which I’ve perfected over working various conventions.

10. The obligatory geeky t-shirt and/or accessories.

Let’s face it, this is the one place where nearly everyone is going to get the reference on your “define: interesting” shirt. This is also the place you’re going to get the most compliment on your d20 earrings or geeky buttons. To leave them at home is a shame (unless you’re cosplaying, of course, but that’s a WHOLE different level of awesome).

9. A good memory or a small notebook

Let’s face the obvious: you’re going to want to remember a lot of the experiences. One of the things I love taking away is quotes from panels. There’s nothing quite like getting writing advice from Laurell K. Hamilton, for instance, and it’s a shame if you can’t remember what your favorite icon has said. I’m not trying to brag or anything, but I’ve got a great memory (I mean, come on, I was varsity Scholar Bowl in high school) and I still write things down, just in case.

8.  Mints or gum

If you’re going to eat on the convention floor, then turn around and spend some time talking to your favorite artist or writer, it’s simply polite not to have terrible breath. Thankfully, there’s several products which can help you save face, so to speak. Mints and gum work, but I’m also fond of using those “wisp” things that are basically mini toothbrush/picks with a solidified thing of minty goodness. Mind you, those are best for use in a bathroom, because they just look odd out on a convention floor (even though it’s a place where both Stormtroopers and Starfleet Officers roam), so they’re mostly handy if the line for the bathroom isn’t as wrapped as the line to get inside the convention.

7. Patience

Yup. You’re going to wait in line at some point. It’s inevitable, even if it’s just for the bathroom. Heck, you’re probably going to be waiting in a room for the start of a panel. Being impatient is just going to ruin your experience and the experience of your con companions and who really wants to be that jerk?

6. A camera

Even if it’s just the camera on your phone, you’re going to be walking around a convention where there’s awesome things you’re going to want to remember, show off, or even prove. If you don’t have at least SOME sort of a camera, you might be SOL.

5. Cash

This one’s a no-brainer. A lot of merchants cannot accept cards, or it’s simply easier during some of the rushes. It’s also an easy way to keep yourself on budget for the weekend (after all, nothing kills a savings account like a convention shopping spree).

4. Water, water, water

I can’t stress this one enough. You NEED water throughout the day. Most of us don’t spend our days running around in crowded convention halls and some of us don’t even talk as much as we do during conventions. Because of these factors, we lose more water than normal and most of us forget to compensate. Water is ESPECIALLY important if you’re diabetic, or suffer from any other metabolic disorder. Effects of dehydration include dry mouth, dry eyes, muscle cramps, weakness, lightheadedness, heart palpitations, nausea, and vomiting. Not having enough water can trigger migraines, vertigo, and symptoms in various diseases. Don’t ruin your own experience by passing out from something that’s easily prevented. Drink your H2O.

3. Vitamin C and other immunity boosters

While it’s already been covered that most of us don’t walk around crowded convention halls on a daily basis, I’m going to stress one part: crowded. Being around that many people exposes you to so many more diseases, germs, and more. And, yes, hand sanitizer is one thing, but it doesn’t stop the airborne stuff, nor does it cover your clothing. Of course, you could cosplay as Bubbleboy, but I take a less extreme route in avoiding the dreaded Con Plague: I boost my immune system. Usually starting at least the week before, I increase my intake of vitamin C and start drinking a lot more tea. I like to be in top shape going IN to the convention. Once I’m at con, I’m usually using vitamin C flavor packets in my water and I use a daily nasal spray (I know, gross) to keep my allergies in line.

2. Good shoes or insoles

Okay, I realize, 95% of female characters wear heels. It’s not cool. Heels hurt. Especially after being on a concrete convention floor for more than eight hours. If you’re not going to go the route of wearing sensible shoes, at least have really good insoles (they make them especially for heels) to take at least some of the pressure off of your spine. Your chiropractor/massage therapist/entire body will thank you for that consolation.

1. An awesome bag

A good bag is my essential need for any convention. A good bag should have many pockets and zippered areas for easy organization, shouldn’t pull too hard on your back even when it’s full, and should have plenty of room for the stuff you’re intending to carry around all day. Most of us don’t have the luxury of setting stuff down and have to carry our purchases around everywhere, so it’s especially handy to not have your hands be so full you have to set stuff down to even use your camera. I bought a fairly cheap tech gear bag for Wizard World St. Louis and the only modification on it is that I will be adding a pad to the shoulder strap (aside from the awesome decoration completed by Brie Clemens). And this was a bag I carried a video camera, a microphone, and all of MY stuff in.

Hopefully this list will help you in your last-minute preparations, and hopefully we’ll see you this weekend at Planet Comicon!