CONvergence survival tips, part 2

Update: Even more helpful advice can be found here.

So many people commented on my first post with great additional survival tips, I felt a part 2 (Electric Boogaloo!) was due.

My good friend Mark chimed in with the slapping-my-head-it's-so-obvious-why-didn't-I-think-of-that tip "Wear comfortable shoes!" Yes. Very yes.

Footnotegirl, who's on the planning committee for the event, had these words of wisdom to share:

• Eat at least one real meal a day, with vegetables even. This usually can't be managed at con suite, but there are several food establishments just across the parking lot of the hotel where you can get a hot meal (Subway, BK, D@, and TGIFridays every day, and Eddingtons on Thursday and Friday).
• Bring a checkbook, because you will want one to pay for your pre-reg for next year at the special at-con prices (cash is often all spent by the end of con).
• Bring singles and fives, both to tip your bellman and the room staff, and to have available for parties. If you get a drink at a party, tip for it.
• Take a nap if you find yourself with an hour or two where there's no panels you want to go to and parties haven't started yet. Taking a nap (or even getting away to a quiet place to unwind) will make you feel much less harried by Sunday, and less likely to miss something good by getting a headache or being wrung out later.

Loner Zombie adds,

• Don't just poke your head into a party room, explore the space and say hello, sometimes the hosts are just shy.
• Take the stairs, you can generally beat the elevator and the movement gives you time to sober up.
• Take a walk outside, the grounds are lovely when you're in an affected state.
• Cinema Rex usually gets a large donation of Pizzas from GreenMill, keep an eye out. (Footnotegirl corrects him in a later comment: "Unless I am far wrong, those pizzas are not donated. They are paid for by the con.")
• Splurging on pastries is ok, it's Con.
• If you're done socializing, the dance-room is perfect for late night motions. (Editor's note: Um...I hope he saw my post on not appearing creepy...)
• The best bathrooms are located in the short tower, much less traffic. (Footnotegirl chimes in with: "Short tower bathrooms are better, but! 22nd floor bathrooms are best. Seriously, if you can get up there, take a look. They are super luxe."
• Make eyes at every cute person you see, there are plenty! (Editor's note: Again, see the creepy post.)

FalnEdn says, "I learned my first year - have a place to crash! It is nearly impossible, let alone hazardous to your health, to try to stay up the whole time!"

And Katriniac wisely says, "Bring your cell phone charger. And a laptop to download all the photos you'll be taking on your digital camera."

Lots of tips were shared about how to handle your cell phone:

• Footnotegirl says, "Get a bluetooth headset, especially if you are going to want to keep in touch with other people at the convention. Being able to walk and talk is a huge plus, and it is likely that you will find yourself carrying things. However, if you need to keep in touch with people while you are in a panel or movie, please use text."
• Katriniac also notes: "Have your cell phone on vibrate. If you are in a panel, it is rude and distracting to have a ring tone drowning out the speaker. If you are in a party room or even just walking the halls, chances are you won't even hear your phone ring. It would be a bummer to miss the call that told you there were egg rolls and cream cheese wontons at Consuite!"

And here are some additional tips from me:

• Pack a "CON Wallet." This saved me last year when I was party hopping. If you plan to drink, bring your ID. Parties check it (as well they should). You'll also need your room key, a little cash (tipping your favorite parties is a nice thing to do), and probably a credit card in case you want to buy some extra eats at the hotel restaurant. I took all these things, rubberbanded them together and stuck them in my boot (no pockets in my costume, alas). This year I'll probably use a binder clip, but the idea is the same. You don't need your whole wallet or purse to get through CON - just a few staples will do.
• Use CON's sweet new personalized scheduling utility and sync with your mobile device before you go. Remember what I said about picking a few highlights and going with the flow? It's easier to go with the flow if you've got an idea of the cool stuff going on at any given time. Hit up http://schedule.convergence-con.org/, build a schedule of lots of stuff that interests you, and sync it to your mobile device so you can access it during CON. (I downloaded the iCal file, uploaded it to my Google Calendar, and then synced that with my Blackberry...complicated, but worth it.) Short of that, they produce a mini schedule in old school paper format - tuck that in your name badge and keep it with you.
• If you're staying in the hotel (which, IMHO, is the only way to go), grocery shop ahead of time and keep some healthy (and not-so-healthy) snacks in your room, plus a granola bar or two in your CON bag.

Oh, and probably the most important tip was shared by Chebutykin, who encourages you to bring single-malt scotch to Melissa Kaercher. "Bonus points if you bring it to her during a panel. It's good karma."