While today is officially the start of GenCon Week for most, it's a very bizarre time. Most folks won't be leaving for Indy until either Wednesday or Thursday, others have actually already started to make their way to Indianapolis, but I will be heading for Indy early mid-morning tomorrow for a mass date with all my geek (and I mean that in a good way!) and gamer friends. In the meantime, I have a few thoughts on the whole GenCon experience to share.
I attended GenCon last in 2012, having gone before that in 2008 and 2011, and before that I hadn't gone to a GenCon since it had been in Milwaulkee. (Yes, that's a long time between conventions prior to 2008.) While the convention has changed over the years, certain rules of etiquette and behaviour have not, but as the convention has gotten larger, the scope of these basics of etiquette and behaviour have been modified somewhat. I'm not going to talk about these, so much as I'm going to talk about stuff that is important to me, and things about how I intend to enable a good time for myself this year at GenCon. One of the nice things about my attendance in 2008, 2011, and 2012 is that I've learned a bit more about some of this stuff.
The first thing I'm doing for this year's visit to Indianapolis is to pack relatively light. Being diabetic there are certain medications and the like that I have to take with me, not to mention this year the insulin and needles, but from the point of view of clothing, I'm taking twice the number of pairs of socks and underwear that I need, two sets of comfortable shoes, and several pairs of pants and t-shirts along with me. The two pairs of shoes is a necessity, since one does a lot of walking at GenCon, and being able to change shoes each day is a desirable thing. Same thing with the extra pairs of socks. It's going to get pretty warm (actually, hot!) at the convention, and changing socks halfway through the day does wonders for keeping the feet relatively comfy. Comfy feet make for happy feet!
The second thing I intend to do is to take care of my health. With over 60,000 people attending GenCon, there are bound to be some health issues and the like. There are some basic guidelines that I intend to deal with in regards to my health this year. Same as I did last time around. First off, I plan to wash my hands regularly. Second, I'm bringing a small bottle of hand sanitizer; while there is some debate as to whether it works in helping to kill off germs and all, this is still a good move. Third, I'm bringing with me a box of kleenex. Fourth, I'm bringing a mask or three with me (just in case). Finally, I'm planning on exercising common sense in this regard.
Part of the common sense aspect of taking care of your health also involves what is called the "3-2-1 Rule". Simply put, this means that in a twenty-four (24) hour period, you should get 3 hours of sleep, eat 2 meals, and take 1 shower, MINIMUM. Personally, I'm going to practice the "8-3-1 Rule". Sleep is good for you, and with the sheer amount of gaming and walking and all one is going to do at the convention, sleeping makes you healthier and happier. One of the things I plan to do in this regard is that if I don't catch enough sleep at the convention, I'm going to take short naps if possible. Food? Well, one needs it. Eating three meals per day is better than eating two, since you'll need the fuel to keep going at the convention, and we're not talking about snacking here. Snacking is all fine and good when you need it, but to stay healthy and keep the energy up, you need to eat real food at sit-down meals. I'm planning to eat good breakfasts, light lunches, and a healthy hot evening meal each night come hell or high water, and will have some healthy snacks with me as being diabetic, I need to keep an even level of blood sugar in my body if possible. Planning to buy some foodstuffs for the refrigerator that I asked for in the hotel room. Healthy stuff, of course. Oh, and bottles of water or other stuff to drink. Everyone needs to remember to stay hydrated at the convention. I plan to buy a 24-bottle case or two of water for the convention to have to drink when I need it. Speaking of water, Shower. It's going to be quite warm in Indianapolis (as it always is at this time of year) and there are going to be around 60,000 people at this convention, and they're all going to sweat. You don't want to smell bad (or worse, stink) while talking to old friends and possible new friends, and so showering at least once a day (more often, if your body type needs that) is a good idea. Showering is good for your health, and will make you more friends. Not to mention a good, hot shower can ease those tired and sore muscles that you're bound to develop. Depending on how grotty and gnarly I feel, I plan to shower once every morning, and then take a quick wash down in the hotel room if I need to during the course of the day. (The latter probably isn't practical this year, since I'll be staying in a hotel some 13 miles from the convention centre.)
The third and final thing I plan to do this year at the convention is to pace myself. I didn't figure this out back in 2008, but that experience proved valuable in this respect in 2011 and 2012. Part of the thing about GenCon is that the convention is just way too big. In many ways, this is more of a trade show than it is a gaming convention, although all manner of games are extremely well represented.
I've got the two scheduled games I'm running at the convention, and am hoping to get into a couple of other games, but there's also so much to see at the convention! Between the games, the seminars, and all the other stuff going on, one can easily forget about the Exhibit Hall. Dealers from all over gaming goodness will be represented there, and some who deal in merchandise peripherally related to gaming as well, and it would be easy to miss all manner of goodies. I'll try to see the whole Exhibit Hall, for example, but I won't hold my breath that I'm actually going to manage it - it's just too big. My key goal this year in the Exhibit Hall is to purchase the stuff that I came for as early as I can get it, and then just browse, mosey around, and see what else there is. Might buy a few other things, might not. I've left some time during each day (other than the Friday and Saturday) for taking in some of the other sights and sounds of GenCon, but whether I manage to succeed in this regard is anyone's guess.
And there are just a few other basic rules of etiquette.
First off, be polite to people. Courtesy is something that we all owe each other at GenCon, and given that there will be over 60,000 of us, politeness is a necessity. That and the "1" of the "3-2-1 Rule" (see above). This politeness takes the form of both the mental/social politeness but also the physical politeness. One tends to stand close to friends, not strangers, when talking to them. And people like their physical space. This also needs to be considered when one is walking around at the convention carrying one's bag of stuff or backpack. If you've got a backpack on you, bear in mind that it takes up *room*. When you swing around to talk to someone, that backpack swings with you - and if you're in tight with people, it's going to hit someone. Be considerate, and economise your movements. Or better yet, use a shoulder bag, and still consider your movements.
Second, don't monopolize peoples' time. While I know that you want to spend the next hour talking to the poor game dealer guy about your character in his game or your thoughts about their new line of products, bear in mind that others are waiting to talk to this poor fellow, too, and he wants to sell some product so that he doesn't have to travel back to his offices/warehouses with it at the end of the convention. Know when to say goodbye, and move on.
That's all I can think of for now, but this is a pretty long post. So that will do.
Back to packing for the trip.
However, anyone who wants to offer some thoughts or advice in the Comments section is welcome to do so. :)
Current Mood: busy busy
Current Music:Kate Bush - "Rubberband Man"
Tags:
advice, etiquette, health, primeval rpg, thoughts