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DragonCon 2023

That'd be really cool!
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 5:07 PM on August 4, 2023

DragonCon 2019 Pseudo-Meetup

Thanks for the news of the hotel radwolf76, yikes. Every time in the past I've tried to arrange a meetup at DragonCon it's never worked out so I've given up trying (it doesn't help that I don't do alcohol or parties personally), but it'd be nice to encounter other Metafilter members there someday. (I've met a grand total of *one*, and I don't think he's even on the site anymore.) Our staying arrangements haven't even been done this year yet, the person handling that has never been to… [more]
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 3:05 AM on August 4, 2019

I think our plan is to arrive Wednesday and leave Monday as well. Maybe something before the convention formally begins, then? The timing of that might get in the way though. Thursday night might be more certain.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 10:34 AM on August 4, 2019

I'm having to potentially find a space to stay for the convention as the friends I was going with are likely to drop out. Does anyone have space a poor MeFite could stay in during the convention, and how much would they want for it?
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 1:34 PM on August 6, 2019

There's nothing to stop you from calling yourself a manager now.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 10:55 AM on August 7, 2019

I'm starting to reconsider DragonCon. I know of no friends who are going so I'd be on my own again, my best option for staying is $300 for the length of the con in exchange for a spot for my air mattress, and money, as always, is tight.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 1:35 AM on August 12, 2019

AND I just found out the air mattress is kaput, multiple holes, crumbling in places, and the motor won't hold a charge. Sigh.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 7:55 PM on August 12, 2019

Oh, yikes. Why do people do things like that?
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 11:23 PM on August 20, 2019

No one's mentioned how the meetup went? Did it go off as planned? What happened?
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 8:28 PM on September 16, 2019

Tacos! Beer! Savannah, Georgia - are you out there?

Doesn't sound too bad, depending on the day. When?
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 12:14 AM on May 27, 2017

Sounds good! I'll try to schedule around being there.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 11:30 PM on May 27, 2017

Ah, Thursdays are weird for me, because I run the weekly MST3K Club episode showings on Thursdays. Although it's been a while since we had a break, hmm.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 12:06 PM on June 1, 2017

Wednesday is great, yes. Thursday the showings are 7-11 PM, basically all evening which makes it hard to do things.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 3:31 PM on June 1, 2017

I've got a large assortment of board games, should I bring? I have a six expansion Dominion set I carry around in the car.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 4:41 PM on June 6, 2017

Dominion is more like a card game, so doesn't have same space requirements. Anyway, I was just suggesting, doesn't need to affect decision of where. (I mean, you already moved it to Wednesday because of me. I'm not trying to be pushy, heh.)
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 7:02 PM on June 6, 2017

The day approaches. Chances are good that I'll be able to make it, although money's tight for me at the moment. A friend might be coming with, but he won't know for sure until day-of.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 7:30 PM on July 2, 2017

Are we still on? The thread's been awful quiet lately. I'd hate to drive all the way to Savannah and be the only one there.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 12:14 PM on July 5, 2017

My car started overheating halfway there and I'm going to have to turn back. Sorry guys.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 2:43 PM on July 5, 2017

Did it happen? Did it just peter out? I'm sad I couldn't get there, I ended up spending two hours parked in front of McDonalds bleeding the air out of my radiator. Sigh....
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 8:49 PM on July 5, 2017

It is a shame. I've never been to a meetup, except the ones I tried running at DragonCon some years ago, and only one person ever showed up for those besides me.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 10:08 PM on July 7, 2017

Savannah post hurricane Matthew meetup

Sounds swell! I might be able to make it, depending on circus dances.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 12:25 AM on October 14, 2016

Aaah, I'm probably not going to be able to make it. Awfully sorry guys, I'll make it to a meetup someday.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 5:53 PM on October 19, 2016

DragonCon 2014

To be clear -- This is not a specific meetup, but a place where multiple Metafilter members will almost certainly end up being anyway, and thus an opportunity for them to get together. Being a different scene than the usual MeFi meetup circuit, it can be a chance to see people who don't ordinarily make it to meetups (like myself).
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 12:31 AM on August 10, 2014

Well anyway, I'm not sure what to do with this post now. It's not going to be any easier herding cats MeFites into one place during a huge sci-fi convention this year than it was before, so I'm anxious about marking it confirmed. And I don't have a definite place at DragonCon lined up or even in mind. But it'd get it more visibility. Hmm.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 6:40 AM on August 16, 2014

How about this. We could use this thread to keep up with each other throughout DragonCon. Find momentary schedule holes, invite to parties, arrange for games, whatever, real-time during the convention? MeMail could be used to arrange in detail for non-everyone meetings and the like. Does that sound useful to people?
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 6:15 PM on August 17, 2014

Further note to everyone: The 2014 version of the DragonCon App is available for download on both iOS and Android. It supports connections using that system that even Nintendo abandoned: friend codes. And each code is only good for one friend! If you want to connect to more, you have to generate more codes! Still though, could be a good way for MeFites to connect.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 8:00 PM on August 17, 2014

I think I'll do that, good idea.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 1:42 PM on August 26, 2014

I went to the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode viewing, where they showed The Magic Sword and (ugh) Deathstalker And The Warriors From Hell, aka "guess what I've been doiiing!" I answered a trivia question in which I named Deathstalker villain Troxartus before the episode played and won a hideous thing: a Blu-Ray "collectors edition" of (Mexican) Santa Claus. The cover art up-plays the amazing creepiness of the movie with the subtitle SANTA SEES YOU WITH HIS MAGIC EYE!
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 6:40 PM on August 30, 2014

It is, unfortunately I usually don't have one. Anyway, the convention is over now. I played several board games, taught a few more [Power Grid, Twilight Struggle, Dominion a couple of times], watched two MST3K episodes with a (steadily diminishing, due to the hour) crowd, won a DVD, saw Joel's one man show in which he talks about growing up and the foundations of his creative sense and Mystery Science, got to see Bob Burden and Don Rosa in the artist room again (who this time I made sure to… [more]
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 11:35 PM on September 1, 2014

(S)NES Throwdown

If I were anywhere near there I'd be game. I'm not anywhere near there, but will be in spirit. (It's because I know Mordenkainen's Etherial Game System.) Have fun you guys.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 8:01 PM on July 18, 2014

Savannah Meet-up?

Maybe, depends on day and time and finances.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 12:18 AM on November 13, 2013

Dragon*Con 2012 missed connections thread

I'm there again, will again be spending a lot of time in the board gaming and video gaming rooms. I still think we need some kind of thing we could wear or have on our persons so MeFi members can recognize each other at cons like this.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 12:43 PM on August 25, 2012

I've got that app on iOS. If anyone wants to trade friend codes so as to play Animal Crossing keep tabs during the con, let me know.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 12:48 PM on August 25, 2012

Damn unfinished strike tag.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 12:49 PM on August 25, 2012

I have a brown shirt with an up-arrow on it and the words Game Face, but I can't say I'll be wearing that the whole con. I know a way to identify me. I have an iPad that's held together with tape, that I carry around with me everywhere! That's a pretty good way to identify me, heh.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 1:23 AM on August 28, 2012

A Doctor Whooves shirt! I hope they have a better selection of PONY shirts than last time.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 6:22 PM on August 28, 2012

Wow, WeLoveFine! I wonder if they'll accept internet discount codes? Registration was EXTREMELY fast this year, like five minutes for preregs. I think there was a longer line for on-site, whichis a change from previous years, not that I'm bitter. Am at food court now. I can be recognized today from my taped-up iPad and red-and-blue long umbrella.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 1:59 PM on August 30, 2012

Places with free WiFi as they're discovered: returning from last year, the cafe in the Hilton (hhonors, fairly reliable) and the food court in the maill (Caribou, seems spotty).
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 3:24 PM on August 30, 2012

I passed on the Brony video panel because last year it was just a bunch of things they got off of YouTube, most of which I saw when they went up on Equestria Daily. Sounds like I made the right choice. Unfortunately I made the wrong choice with the MLP party Friday night. It was scheduled for the same time as the Discordians/SubGenius panel, and considering the MegaBob I posted recently I figured I should go. Despite being presented in part by Rev. Suzie the Floozy herself it told me… [more]
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 9:43 PM on September 1, 2012

More WiFi spots: the EFF runs a hotspot in the Hilton centered on their room. There is another spot in the foodcourt, Peachtree Center, that sometimes comes in better. hhonors sometimes forbids access behind a login page, I think late at night, but most of the time it seems to be free to use. Also, for those who don't know: Saturday night a few places remain open for longer than you'd think in the food court, especially Dairy Queen. Great to check out for after-midnight shakes.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 9:46 PM on September 1, 2012

Just discovered: Malibu Wings in the food court is open until 2 AM tonight (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday)!
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 9:50 PM on September 1, 2012

Atlanta's Dragon*Con is Labor Day Weekend

Please take note everyone, they actually have pretty good mobile schooling apps especially for the con this year: http://dailydragon.dragoncon.org/dc2011/11-convention-information/mobile-app-mini-tutorial/
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 1:55 AM on September 2, 2011

I did meet sgranade for his Quantum Computing talk. He was extremely good at presenting the material I have to say, and he gets extra points for using a picture of Derpy Hooves very early in his talk.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 7:01 PM on September 2, 2011

Alas spotty WiFi coverage around here means I've only just now seen pointy stick and oh yeah!s descriptions.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 7:02 PM on September 2, 2011

Also, I was at Brony video panel, it was okay but mostly it was just a bunch of animation dubbing memes. Was packed though; they had to resort to having people sitting on the floor in front of the first row, of which there were a sizable number.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 7:11 PM on September 2, 2011

I'm wearing a faded Atlanta Zoo tee-shirt today. My badge, BTW, says "John Harris" and "RodneyLives."
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 5:35 AM on September 3, 2011

I was one of the volunteers actually. The one that looked play-annoyed at the end when he told everyone to sit down. I'll look for the Please Hope Me shirt.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 10:01 AM on September 3, 2011

Sunday morning now, today I'm wearing a gray shirt. Still haven't encountered anyone except sgranade. In other news, played Cosmic Encounter for the first time last night, we had a lot of fun with it.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 6:06 AM on September 4, 2011

Well, the con is over now. Total mefites seen this year: one, and he had a panel. Total seen throughout five years of going to DragonCon: three. Sigh.
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 11:53 PM on September 5, 2011

I went to more panels this time than usual. In addition to the quantum computer one, I went to the board gaming panel, Richard Garriott's panel, one on game design, one on old-school D&D, the Brony video panel (which was probably entirely scavenged off of YouTube, I hope they have something better for bronies next year), and the Bill Corbett panel. Oh, and also the Atlanta Radio Theater Company's DragonCon show. I taught three groups how to play board games in the gaming room: one… [more]
posted to MeFi IRL by JHarris at 5:05 AM on September 6, 2011