Clutch

Last year's Metro card I saw an article a while back which said hotels are dropping the free lotion, shampoo, etc., so I would not count on them being there. If you call the desk for them they may charge a premium. Those little tooth care bags my dentist provides come in handy. Usually bring an extra day's clothes in case of spill or something.

Yearly reminder on things to bring with you. An umbrella Cell phone charger Your medications Your vaccine card (if not using the applet) Masks 2 pairs of shoes (let one pair air out between days 🤣) small water bottle ear plugs (personal preference based on volume levels these days) hoodie and/or pants (if you are prone to getting cold in air conditioning) [can't tell you how many ladies in their light Summer dresses folding their arms over tightly to try and keep warm in the grocery store] No spelling or grammar errors this time, I hope

Back in the day, there would be pages of posts on the forum this close to Otakon. Only a few of us still use it. Won't be surprised if it just disappears one day. I'm not joining any Zuckerbook, et al, just to get information on the convention. If it is not posted on the Otakon web side, I will miss out. 😢

It is best to use a bag with as few pockets as possible. The bag checks take much longer if you have to go through a dozen pockets. Also let the security person know if your bag has a magnetic catch, because it affects the wand.

Didn't Otakon Vegas have a mascot with long blonde hair? https://vegas.otakon.com/

If the venue is skimping on the air conditioning, they are just asking for problems. My office cuts off the AC at night and it it always hot when you arrive in the office. My guess is that it would cost less to maintain the temperature than having to kick into high gear to cool the room again. One of the reasons I am avoiding the office in the Summer.

Here is the web page for the policy: https://www.otakon.com/info/covid/

Yep. Been slow for days now.

Video Girl Ai Bastard! All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl: Nuku-Nuku (original, not Dash)

I still have my faded Otakon 1994 shirt, badge, and program packed away. 🥰 Is the Scanticon still around? The conference center in the middle of a field? That place had some cool tech, like remote controls to dim all the lights, awesome seats, and a central video control room.

It is tough recalling the layout of the building, but I still remember the Bean Bandit and Lum standees. Don't recall taking any pictures that year. Although I have not been taking pictures at the last few Otakons, either. 🥴

Saw this linked through Digg, and thought it belonged here too. Amazing effort by the artist.

I thought they are released for booking pretty early. Is there something holding it up?

It has been slow for at least a week. Pages take 30 seconds or longer to load. Did a quick F12 trace on the page and the slowness is coming from board.otakon.com.

I have a refill card and mug from them, but figured COVID-19 was too big a risk to partake this year. Maybe next year if conditions improve.

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Let’s be completely honest. This whole pandemic thing was turning around until certain groups actively campaigned against masks and vaccines. Their efforts caused COVID-19 to blow up again and Otakon got caught in that wave. Not their fault at all. I cannot speak for OTAKORP, but suspect certain financial obligations had to be met due to contracts. Convention versus no convention was a tough call for them, I’m sure.

Most of the "bad" and "ugly" I experienced this year were outside Otakon's control, so I won't ding them for it. Personally, I was glad they wrapped up at Midnight. There is nothing worse than con goers returning to their hotel to continue partying while guests are trying to sleep. Shouting when they go down the halls, doors slamming, drama, etc. At least with the early end to the convention you can get a little more sleep. This year I was next to a "frat room" in the hotel and it was not a pleasant experience. People banging on the door to get in, and shouting over the music which was bleedin

One of the tables in the Dealers Hall has a lot of old series for sale on DVD and Bluray. At least one series I thought was out of print for at least 10 years. Are these legitimate? I don’t want to support bootlegs.

I am following current CDC guidance and wearing a mask indoors, even though I am fully vaccinated. Better to not take chances. Keeping a pack of alcohol wipes to use as needed too.

Better they stay away. Nothing of value was lost. 😑

I ate there once. Once! Not a fan of spicy food. Ordered something mild and some vegetables. The blasted vegetables were torching my mouth. 🤢

I am a big fan of the grid because it makes planning the whole day easier.

Send them to Reddit or some other place where people post stories about those deep into COVID-19 begging a doctor to give them the vaccine, only to be told it is too late. There are dozens of stories like this out there, and just maybe it will convince a few to take action now while they still can.

I swear that earlier this year one of the major Summer conventions in Philadelphia was bumped until November and moved to the suburbs, but I can't find any mention of that now.