GridStream Productions

Someone had asked me earlier today if I could open a discussion thread here on the forums about AO Con 2012, so here it is! Anything you want to know? Any ideas, suggestions? Want to discuss with others who are coming?

Go!

http://ao-con.com

That's the website! I just added a couple items to the schedule today that are now written in ink. There will be more schedule items to come as I get things finalized.

We also have a facebook group for AO Con that you are welcome to join.

At the risk of sounding like the old fogey that I am, I'd definitely appreciate plenty of seating being available. I realize you're probably at the mercy of what the venue has to offer though.

In fact, I'd be fine with a Lay-Z-Boy in the corner with a few opifex girls to see to my every need.

Not going to happen?

Eh, it was worth a shot.

Of course we're going to have plenty of seating! You're talking to a handicapped individual. I planned for that. We will have somewhere to put your old fogie arse, but I can't promise a Lay-z-Boy. Or the opichix.

Our venue is on the slightly smaller side, but I'm not concerned about having enough space for us. They're a really great hotel and fully equipped to handle events such as ours. In fact, they're better than most of the hotels I used to schedule seminars and such at back in my former professional career. I was really pleased when I took the tour.

I must admit I'm quite excited about this.
With it beign not too far from my family I'll have to start opening up some time to fly back and meet everyone.

Very cool idea I hope there's a great turnout!

At my last count we had over a dozen already registered with many more who've told me of their plans to register, and it's not even 2012 yet Our maximum capacity is 100, and the awesome thing about having this on a smaller scale is that it's going to allow us some really fun party games and activities that we wouldn't be able to do with a larger group.

I suspect we'll see quite a bit more people there than the haters have predicted.

I'm very impressed and so very jealous that I can't attend :-/. I know it's going to be totally awesome !

I just created a new page on the AO Con website tonight. It's a News page for any con planning updates you may want to read about. See the new page here: http://ao-con.com/News.html

okay... yeah i'm active again... this might end up being a necessity

Tzaphiel wrote:okay... yeah i'm active again... this might end up being a necessity

My thoughts exactly

Yay! Hope you both can make it! Plenty of room left at the moment.

So...

Is 24 hours on a bus really as miserable as it sounds?

So far this seems like the only option that I might be able to afford if I'm going to make it to AOCon.

ValliKat wrote:So...

Is 24 hours on a bus really as miserable as it sounds?

So far this seems like the only option that I might be able to afford if I'm going to make it to AOCon.

I used to do thirteen hour trips on a bus to go from college station tx to commerce tx and yes it was misserable, but that was also before i had a walkman or a mp3 player.

First, being from Delaware it never ceases to amuse me when people talk about long trips like that while still staying in the same state. Just for reference you can get end to end in Delaware at the longest point in 2 hours give or take.

Anyway, thanks for the input (and the smile) Nasal. I'll have my phone and e-reader at least. What about other comforts. I'm a plus-sized woman. Will it be hugely cramped? Any chance I can catch some shut-eye?

ValliKat wrote:First, being from Delaware it never ceases to amuse me when people talk about long trips like that while still staying in the same state. Just for reference you can get end to end in Delaware at the longest point in 2 hours give or take.

Anyway, thanks for the input (and the smile) Nasal. I'll have my phone and e-reader at least. What about other comforts. I'm a plus-sized woman. Will it be hugely cramped? Any chance I can catch some shut-eye?

I haven't ridden a bus since grade school, so I'm of no help.

Hey Val,

I honestly don't know. that bus ride that i hated was BEFORE i had a walkman or mp3's, phones and e-readers. think 1986

so back then I could easly fit now i am not so sure. according to a recent google search if you are over 220 you might be uncomfortable.

Oh ok...I should be ok then. Thanks Nasal!


(please note for anyone reading this that my inquiry about the bus was in no way a sure thing that I will be going to AOCon. It just means that I'm trying to explore my avenues. )

ValliKat wrote:First, being from Delaware it never ceases to amuse me when people talk about long trips like that while still staying in the same state. Just for reference you can get end to end in Delaware at the longest point in 2 hours give or take.

Anyway, thanks for the input (and the smile) Nasal. I'll have my phone and e-reader at least. What about other comforts. I'm a plus-sized woman. Will it be hugely cramped? Any chance I can catch some shut-eye?

a few more thoughts, if you can sleep on a plane you should be able to sleep on a bus. The reason my trip was thirteen hours (about 3-4 by car) was that the bus stopped in every single tiny town it could find, and i am also fairly certain they made of of them up. Hopefully you have a large bladder because bus bathrooms are worse than plane bathrooms. just saying.

Nasaldrip wrote:a few more thoughts, if you can sleep on a plane you should be able to sleep on a bus. The reason my trip was thirteen hours (about 3-4 by car) was that the bus stopped in every single tiny town it could find, and i am also fairly certain they made of of them up. Hopefully you have a large bladder because bus bathrooms are worse than plane bathrooms. just saying.

Yeah I thought about the bathroom thing. I hate going on a plane so I know I will hate the bus but I'm quite sure I can't hold it 24 hours. I also know that I will be arriving in MI not just miserable but also woefully in need of a hot shower. Thankfully it will be past check-in time at the hotel so I should be able to get that solved quickly. I won't have much if any time to nap though pre-party so getting sleep on the bus is the only way my old ass is going to be able to hang with the young folk. :p

Back in 1996 when I took the bus from Iowa to Texas the bus made meal stops so I don't think you need to worry about having to hold it for 24 hours. I didn't even once need to use the restroom on the bus.

Only thing I can pass on from my trip is that every big city we stopped in the bus station was in a really bad area, so, if you need to stretch your legs its best to do laps around the other people and not wonder.