San Diego ComiCon

A friend asked for advice for her first SDCC and here's what I said (sorry for the repeat post, Kim!)

Friday's the best shopping day: Thursday is the busiest day (people rushing to be first to buy "X"); Saturday is like human head-cheese: a mass of bodies jammed together barely able to move and stuck together with sweat (they had to stop selling memberships on Saturday for the first time last year); Sunday is pretty good (crowd-wise)-- but a lot of stuff is sold out by then. Friday is the only real "dead day". This has been learned by having a dealer's table there for 15 years.

Stuff to know:

Things that can get you injured/killed: Standing in a busy aisle talking on a cellphone. But people will let you know that you are blocking the path by simply rolling over you. Eventually you will become part of next year's carpet.

Beware of mega-backpacks: owners will spin unexpectedly and knock you silly. People trying to squeeze in front of you going sideways-- when they're wider with the backpack this way and take your face off.

Don't be short (sorry, s'true!).

SUV-strollers: WHY do people bring babies/infants to ComiCon?!? And then expect you to make way for them (when you can't move yourself)!

Food: the stuff in the convention center has gotten better (won't make you sick), but is also $$$. You can do a LOT better walking across the street/trolly line to the fish-taco place or the Quiznos. Save your money for dustcollectors and get better food to boot!

You will never get a seat alone on the shuttle. Rather than look for an empty row, pick a seat next to a skinny person with no bags. On the other hand, if you are skinny/small, a fat guy with huge bags will sit next to you. Hello.

Water-water-water: hydrate! Carry a bottle or hit the drinking fountains. Often.

Wear the most comfortable shoes you own-- it's like walking a marathon every day on hard, unforgiving cement.

A comfortable shoulder bag or backpack with help avoid having your fingers cut off by the multiple razor-edged bags you will end up carrying.

Network: talk to friends often-- you'll find out where the cool freebies are being given out!

San Diego ComiCon

A friend asked for advice for her first SDCC and here's what I said (sorry for the repeat post, Kim!)

Friday's the best shopping day: Thursday is the busiest day (people rushing to be first to buy "X"); Saturday is like human head-cheese: a mass of bodies jammed together barely able to move and stuck together with sweat (they had to stop selling memberships on Saturday for the first time last year); Sunday is pretty good (crowd-wise)-- but a lot of stuff is sold out by then. Friday is the only real "dead day". This has been learned by having a dealer's table there for 15 years.

Stuff to know:

Things that can get you injured/killed: Standing in a busy aisle talking on a cellphone. But people will let you know that you are blocking the path by simply rolling over you. Eventually you will become part of next year's carpet.

Beware of mega-backpacks: owners will spin unexpectedly and knock you silly. People trying to squeeze in front of you going sideways-- when they're wider with the backpack this way and take your face off.

Don't be short (sorry, s'true!).

SUV-strollers: WHY do people bring babies/infants to ComiCon?!? And then expect you to make way for them (when you can't move yourself)!

Food: the stuff in the convention center has gotten better (won't make you sick), but is also $$$. You can do a LOT better walking across the street/trolly line to the fish-taco place or the Quiznos. Save your money for dustcollectors and get better food to boot!

You will never get a seat alone on the shuttle. Rather than look for an empty row, pick a seat next to a skinny person with no bags. On the other hand, if you are skinny/small, a fat guy with huge bags will sit next to you. Hello.

Water-water-water: hydrate! Carry a bottle or hit the drinking fountains. Often.

Wear the most comfortable shoes you own-- it's like walking a marathon every day on hard, unforgiving cement.

A comfortable shoulder bag or backpack with help avoid having your fingers cut off by the multiple razor-edged bags you will end up carrying.

Network: talk to friends often-- you'll find out where the cool freebies are being given out!

San Diego ComiCon

A friend asked for advice for her first SDCC and here's what I said (sorry for the repeat post, Kim!)

Friday's the best shopping day: Thursday is the busiest day (people rushing to be first to buy "X"); Saturday is like human head-cheese: a mass of bodies jammed together barely able to move and stuck together with sweat (they had to stop selling memberships on Saturday for the first time last year); Sunday is pretty good (crowd-wise)-- but a lot of stuff is sold out by then. Friday is the only real "dead day". This has been learned by having a dealer's table there for 15 years.

Stuff to know:

Things that can get you injured/killed: Standing in a busy aisle talking on a cellphone. But people will let you know that you are blocking the path by simply rolling over you. Eventually you will become part of next year's carpet.

Beware of mega-backpacks: owners will spin unexpectedly and knock you silly. People trying to squeeze in front of you going sideways-- when they're wider with the backpack this way and take your face off.

Don't be short (sorry, s'true!).

SUV-strollers: WHY do people bring babies/infants to ComiCon?!? And then expect you to make way for them (when you can't move yourself)!

Food: the stuff in the convention center has gotten better (won't make you sick), but is also $$$. You can do a LOT better walking across the street/trolly line to the fish-taco place or the Quiznos. Save your money for dustcollectors and get better food to boot!

You will never get a seat alone on the shuttle. Rather than look for an empty row, pick a seat next to a skinny person with no bags. On the other hand, if you are skinny/small, a fat guy with huge bags will sit next to you. Hello.

Water-water-water: hydrate! Carry a bottle or hit the drinking fountains. Often.

Wear the most comfortable shoes you own-- it's like walking a marathon every day on hard, unforgiving cement.

A comfortable shoulder bag or backpack with help avoid having your fingers cut off by the multiple razor-edged bags you will end up carrying.

Network: talk to friends often-- you'll find out where the cool freebies are being given out!