I was looking through one of my "Anime Insider" mags. from last year, and it showed me somethings that I beleave would be very helpful to you guys. Some of it may be old, and some of this may be new. However, it wouldn't hurt to check to make sure you have everything ready for con weekend, and know the who, what, when, where, why, and how of preparing,and surviving con days. So, here's a little survival guide to those that need ether a refresher on things, or to those that don't know what needs to be done.
Let's start on what to do before you go to con:
1.Deside who's bringing what
Some things you might have on you that you want to bring, some, your friends have. It doesn't hurt to ask your friends to bring something that think you might need at the con (esspecially if your staying at a hotel room), even they need a little help from you too. You could have someone bring snacks, a portable DVD player, a laptop computer, or whatever you and your friends think is nessecarry. The con maybe all weekend, but what about nights when you have nothing to do, and your stuck in your hotel room with just the TV? Bring something that will keep ether you, or your friends occupied during the afterhours of the con (but only before you go to sleep, however, I'll come back to that later).
2. Deside what you really want to do
Long line are a part of a cons nature. But there's so much to do at cons that you could be doing too. You can't make it to every panel that sound fun. And the fact that some of them could be back the next year (if your lucky). But there's only one of you, and you alone. You might make it to part of one panel or event, then find time to go to another that you want to go to, but sometimes, waiting in line isn't always fun ether. If you can, grab a con schedule, and mark down the things that you really want to see and do, and what you can live without.
3. Pack Neatly
If your staying at a con hotel (or close to it), and it's your time to leave (sad day T__T), make sure you have a list of things your bringing to the con, but have them in a well organized order of how you pack them. That way you'll always remember to take it with you when your going to the con, and when you leave.
4.Bring backups
I'm not saying bring two of everything, but whatever is important. Bringing extra sets of clothes can be very helpful to not just you, but to your fellow con goers too. No, I don't mean for them to give a set of clothes to, but for staying fresh and clean, and for your general well being. Which makes me come to...
5.Deside when to take breacks for food, showers, and sleep
Con activities can happen 24/7. I know that there's a link to this already regarding this, but it doesn't hurt to revisit it. You need to take to time to do these things. Cons have things always going on (like I said on #2), but there must be time to find for yourself something to eat, and to sleep. Without these, your body will shut down on you, and the staff will have to call 911 for you to go to the hospital. No one wants to see a cosplayer end up in a room that's for medical attention. Esspecally since you might have made the cosplay, and the might....um...yeah...not gonna mention it. But yeah, you catch my drift. Anyways on to...
6.Bring extra money
Before you go to your wonderous adventure of fandom down under (and no I'm not talking Aulstralia), figure out how much you need for gas, hotel room, dealers room purchases, or whatever, and add 10%-20% extra to that amount. You don't want call your parents to come pick you up or lend you extra cash because your too broke to get home.
Now we come to part 2 of my guide: The Dealer's Room
1.Be Nimble
Wow!!! Look at all these fans!!! Would it be wise to bring in this big a prop to the dealers room? ABSOULUTY NOT!!!!!! With a prop that can be as big and wide as a cardborad box, it is bound to have a good chance to break something that you may not afford. And it might even hurt somebody in the proccess too. Why do you think NDK lets the staff members hold on to your props BEFORE you enter the dealers room?! Take advantage of what the staff are doing by keeping your prop safe, and make sure that you have the replica card that they've givin you so you know what prop is yours too.
2.Look at Everything
At first glance, you see something that looks really cool. But don't stop there, keep going in the room a little deeper. It gets better...beleave me. I garrrenty it.
3. Compare Prices
Not to put any presure on the dealers or anything, but not all dealers are the same. You might find something you really want at a table, but before you buy it, compare it to another dealer, and see if they will ether sell it to you for a cheaper price, or have a better deal for it.
4.Think twice before you buy it
Some things look very cool to have or want, but think about this, is it something you really think you need? Or something you think you'll use even? Think about it for a while and make the desision of actully buying it.
5.Bring Cash
Some dealers do not take credit cards or checks. But the good thing is, they all take cash. It isn't a good idea to bring credit card anyways. Besides, you don't want to get in debt because you bought a bunch of plushies do ya?
Now we come to part 3 of my survival guide. And this is important for you cosplayers (including myself lol). The Cosplay Emergancy Kit!!!! This is possibilly THE most imoprtant part of cosplaying, and a whole sewing kit being brought to your hotel room is not the best idea mind ya. So her's a run down of what you could bring while you cosplay, cost less than $10, and can fit in a Zip-lock baggie.
1.Emergancy Sewing Kit
These are very handy, and can be found at grocery stores too. Usally the hotel you stay in might already have these, if not, the front desk might. All you have to do is ask them. If you were to pack one yourself in advance, put a needle in a square of tin foil for safety, 2 small buttons (if nessicary), and a spool of white thread (or whatever color you think you might need).
2. Tiny Scissors
Ussally good for getting that extra piece of string off, or for getting it off the spool. Very handy I tell ya.
3.Heat bonding tape
This is good for those emergancy hem fixes. With it being heat active, it can be used with the iorn in your hotel room (that is if it has one)
4.Super Glue
Not really the best solution for mots things, but for the things like jewels on tiaras, it cand bond it in seconds. But don't let it touch your skin. If it does, don't panic. Just soak and wipe the infeccted area withe nail pollish, and you'll be fine.
Now for part 4 (which I thing is my personal favorite). This is esspecaly good for those that are trying to budget to get more money for the dealers room, and still have a little money left....well, maybe...We now come to: Eat well for $10 a day.
1.Our friend, the coffee pot
Not everyone drinks coffee, but there's still a use for the baby though. And the best use is for your ramen noodles. The only thing needed for that is just hot water. And that's easy!!!!!
2. Your enemy, the con menu
OK, sometimes the have a small buffet at time, but the way the hotel prices their food is, no offence, expenncive!!!! It preys on those that never want to leave the hotel. Break out to the unknown, and find someplace outside of the hotel.
3. The free breakfast
Most hotels have them, mose of them don't. Take advantage of this free food at the beginning of your con day. it may be cereal, fruit, or eggs perhaps, but it's free, and maybe, all-you-can-eat.
4.The Snack paradox
It can be good for you to maybe have a small something to curb your appitite for a while, but don't make it a meal. Granola bars are a good way to keep you a little more energetic for temporary energy, but make sure you have some way to keep yourself up and running fro a little while longer.
5.Save the money for dinner
You don't have to starve yourself, but don't spend a lot of time (and money) during breakfast and lunch. You can enjoy yourself and be with friends by talking to them, and have a better conversation during dinner. And it's best when the con has slowed down during the night too. (I'm getting hungery typing this lol)
Con Peeves a.k.a. Part 5 of this survival guide regards those that can be very annoying at con, and can get on your nerves at times too. Here we explain some examples, and ways to handle those sutuations.
1. Squealing and glomping
As it has been mentioned before, ask before you glomp them. It is a rule at NDK, and some people might not want to be glomped. If you get a "no" response, respect that answer, but you can imagine it it your head if you wanted to though. There's no rule to imagining. It's what makes us human. To be creative, and imagintive. As for squealing, it might be in your best interest to keep the voice volume at a level where only certain people will hear your voice, but don't sound like a fool about it.
2.The elevator
We've seen this happen, heck it has happened at NDK before. the elevator can get broken. A tip to those that are only about 2-5 feet from the main floor of the con or hotel, take the stairs. it doesn't hurt to walk a few steps up the building of where you're at, plus as a bonus, you might even work out all those calories from all that surgary Japanese sweets, and con-center starches.
3.Signs
Nothing to say here, cause everyone know the rule as it is. Even NDK know the reasons as to why they are ban. Best if you PM them about why you think they shoudn't be ban. My thinking is, if you want to catch someones attention, cosplay. And if your lucky, you might just get a hug from someone too
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And now, we come to something that we sould all commit to. What is called....
The 10 Con-mandments
This also follows with other rules that many con staff around the world have. But these are the main 10 everyone must follow. Let us start...
1.Thou shall observe exellent hygine even if thou normally dost not.
2.Thou shalt keep it down in the hotel hallway. Everyoneelse wants to sleep, and some are more than willing to beat thou up.
3.Thou shall not fight over last of ones merchants merchandice.
4. Thoushalask before glomping
5.Thou shall not be offended at thy Felicia outfit. Thou chose to walk down Main street in it.
6. Thou shall not wear giant costumes in the packed dealer's room.
7.Thou shal not discuss personal subjects at a loud volume unless thou wanted everyone to talk about it on the internet.
8 Thou shall keep thy Yaoi Padle to thyself. (Unless asked and then thou mayest wield it freely.)
9.Thou shalnot emberist thyself in front of the vioce actors. Esspecallythou shalt not present them with thy saucy fanart.
10. Thou shall have an awesome time.
And with that being the survival guide (as of right now), take adventage of these steps, rules, and guidelines. They might just come in handy for not only you, but to your friends.
I look forward to seeing everyone at NDK.
The Pocky Pirate <3
