fishmaven
07-09-2006, 11:19 PM
<u>Before the
convention...</u>
Conventions are held in different cities each year. Even if you've been
there before there'll be something new somewhere. Take some time and scope the city by the web.
Look for things you're interested in: museums, bookstores, fishstores, restaurants. Try to find
out if someone you know lives there. Give them a call, you may want to get together while
you're there. If not, they may tell you of an event or feature you wouldn't want to miss.
<u>Baseball…</u>
The Reds are in town. Prior to the convention they'll
be playing San Diego. During the convention they'll be playing Colorado. If you haven't
seen it, the Great American Ballpark is a showcase. Nearby is the Red's Hall of Fame and
Museum, the largest baseball museum outside of Cooperstown, NY.
<u>Other
things…</u>
Coney Island, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Krohn Conservatory, The
Newport Aquarium, ride the new Diamondback at King's Island, and of course, the waterpark next
to the Convention hotel, Co-Co Keys Resort. There are probably reduced price tickets available at
the hotel.
<u>At the hotel...</u>
Food areas aren't usually open all night. If
you want late-night snacks buy some and stash them in your room. Drinks too. Taking an insulated
cup or mug might be worth considering- not your favorite though, something could happen to it.
Carry some cash. There'll be something you want and the vendor won't take a charge
card. Use your card when you can and keep the cash for the times you have to have it. BTW,
there's always PayPal, secure transactions for the buyer AND the seller.
When you
get your registration package, go through it. Find out what's going on and when. There's
normally some sort of scratch pad in your room even if there's not in the package. Write down
the things you're interested in and put it in your wallet or pocket. That way when your friends
ask what you have planned you'll be the only one in the group that has a clue.
Scope
out the "for sale" board. Sometimes there's something there initially that disappears
fast. It could be priced too cheaply or just in high demand but you'll regret missing it later
if you had the time to at least look at it beforehand.
Be advised, you'll enjoy any
side trips more with a friend or group of friends. Travelling alone in a strange new place can be
complicated and sometimes troublesome, don't.
<u>One more thing…</u>
It's been suggested I mention something about mingling with other folks at the convention.
Sorry, previously I just took that for granted. I do remember the look on Dewey and Delores's
faces when I sat down at their table at breakfast. People from the South just do that. Besides, I
wanted to know if they'd be interested in being convention speakers at a FOTAS convention. They
were and they did. They were tremendous.
As you walk around the hotel before the events
and between them you'll see clusters of people usually surrounding a celebrity like Ad.
Don't be afraid to join the group. If you have something pertinent to add to the conversation,
do so. Like playing hoops at a pick-up game, once you've made a basket or two you'll be
accepted into the group and be given space within other groups. At the bar… if you don't
drink order a soda. During meals don't sit alone, if there's an opening at a table full of
geeks with name tags, ask to join them.
You really don't need a intro line of some
sort but here's one just in case. See a great t-shirt. Say nice shirt. <u>Remember to look
in the eyes, guys!</u> If you have a book you'd like autographed, try to catch the
author alone. If he/she is running, give them a break. They may be headed for the bathroom. Have a
pen or marker handy. Don't count on them having one. You're the one with the book, right?
You're going to be surrounded by people with a common interest… cichlids!
Someone standing alone may know secrets unknown to everyone else there. Someone you feel is a
celebrity may be a regular person too. You may be surprised to find someone from your local area at
the convention that's unknown to you or your regular circle. They might be a great addition to
your local club or just someone that'd be a great companion for shop-hopping at home or while
at the convention. That good looking guy or girl may be worth investigating. Take a chance, you may
find it rewarding.
Oh yeah, have fun.
Dan
convention...</u>
Conventions are held in different cities each year. Even if you've been
there before there'll be something new somewhere. Take some time and scope the city by the web.
Look for things you're interested in: museums, bookstores, fishstores, restaurants. Try to find
out if someone you know lives there. Give them a call, you may want to get together while
you're there. If not, they may tell you of an event or feature you wouldn't want to miss.
<u>Baseball…</u>
The Reds are in town. Prior to the convention they'll
be playing San Diego. During the convention they'll be playing Colorado. If you haven't
seen it, the Great American Ballpark is a showcase. Nearby is the Red's Hall of Fame and
Museum, the largest baseball museum outside of Cooperstown, NY.
<u>Other
things…</u>
Coney Island, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Krohn Conservatory, The
Newport Aquarium, ride the new Diamondback at King's Island, and of course, the waterpark next
to the Convention hotel, Co-Co Keys Resort. There are probably reduced price tickets available at
the hotel.
<u>At the hotel...</u>
Food areas aren't usually open all night. If
you want late-night snacks buy some and stash them in your room. Drinks too. Taking an insulated
cup or mug might be worth considering- not your favorite though, something could happen to it.
Carry some cash. There'll be something you want and the vendor won't take a charge
card. Use your card when you can and keep the cash for the times you have to have it. BTW,
there's always PayPal, secure transactions for the buyer AND the seller.
When you
get your registration package, go through it. Find out what's going on and when. There's
normally some sort of scratch pad in your room even if there's not in the package. Write down
the things you're interested in and put it in your wallet or pocket. That way when your friends
ask what you have planned you'll be the only one in the group that has a clue.
Scope
out the "for sale" board. Sometimes there's something there initially that disappears
fast. It could be priced too cheaply or just in high demand but you'll regret missing it later
if you had the time to at least look at it beforehand.
Be advised, you'll enjoy any
side trips more with a friend or group of friends. Travelling alone in a strange new place can be
complicated and sometimes troublesome, don't.
<u>One more thing…</u>
It's been suggested I mention something about mingling with other folks at the convention.
Sorry, previously I just took that for granted. I do remember the look on Dewey and Delores's
faces when I sat down at their table at breakfast. People from the South just do that. Besides, I
wanted to know if they'd be interested in being convention speakers at a FOTAS convention. They
were and they did. They were tremendous.
As you walk around the hotel before the events
and between them you'll see clusters of people usually surrounding a celebrity like Ad.
Don't be afraid to join the group. If you have something pertinent to add to the conversation,
do so. Like playing hoops at a pick-up game, once you've made a basket or two you'll be
accepted into the group and be given space within other groups. At the bar… if you don't
drink order a soda. During meals don't sit alone, if there's an opening at a table full of
geeks with name tags, ask to join them.
You really don't need a intro line of some
sort but here's one just in case. See a great t-shirt. Say nice shirt. <u>Remember to look
in the eyes, guys!</u> If you have a book you'd like autographed, try to catch the
author alone. If he/she is running, give them a break. They may be headed for the bathroom. Have a
pen or marker handy. Don't count on them having one. You're the one with the book, right?
You're going to be surrounded by people with a common interest… cichlids!
Someone standing alone may know secrets unknown to everyone else there. Someone you feel is a
celebrity may be a regular person too. You may be surprised to find someone from your local area at
the convention that's unknown to you or your regular circle. They might be a great addition to
your local club or just someone that'd be a great companion for shop-hopping at home or while
at the convention. That good looking guy or girl may be worth investigating. Take a chance, you may
find it rewarding.
Oh yeah, have fun.
Dan