Dragon*Con money tips

[kitty!]

Me and Shea are trying [very hard and failing] to save up money for dragon*con so we can go August 2008. Safe to say I'm considering not eating at work just to save a considerable amount of cash (I'm surrounded by snacks and candy that eat up my paycheck). We need tips to make our dollar stretch.

Keep in mind we're 17 and 18.

[DarkPirateShea]

Yes, help us!

I'm working on getting a job. And I have a car so I could drive us there... though we do live in MD... so not sure how long that would take, but I'm gonna say... a while.

[meghasissues]

the thing that's going to be hardest is finding a place to stay. do you have any friends in georgia?

[Shryke]

well, I'd suggest that you cram as many friends as you can in the car and room to offset costs.

But then I'd also suggest you go to pennsic.

[RazorJAK]

I'd offer floor space for the both of you anklebiters ... but there's no way in hell I'm letting Kitty! and Jaime stay in the same room!

Moo tries to claim I'm invulnerable. I don't want to test it.

[Crazeyal]

The easiest way to save cash, is to not have it on hand to spend. Either get someone trusted to hold it for you (Don't do friends... Money makes them WEIRD!!) or put it in a seperate bank account. You might try a shared joint account with specific instructions that it takes BOTH of your signatures to withdraw cash. That way you two can make each other guilty when the spending cravings hit.

The best way that I've ever saved money, was when I didn't see it taken away. If your employers are cool, you can get something like $20 a check sent automaticaly to your shared account each paycheck. No muss, no fuss, no forgetting.

OR..

You could tell US to remind you...

:evilgrin:

[Plunder Down-Under]

If it were anyone else but Jak I'd say wimp. Being as it's Jak i feel genuine fear.

[Crazeyal]

And btw, you should start making arrangements NOW, for hotels. If you wait until spring or summer, it's gonna be rough. The reservations are filling up already. The 5 star host hotels are 150 a night with con rates. They are normally 170 - 250 a night. The surrounding hotels can be up to $100 cheaper.

The wife and I decided to go with one of the surrounding hotels, it's the same walk without the mega-crowds. Sorry, but we decided YEARS ago not to do the "shared room" thing. I make (just) enough money to afford the hotel room and people can be ANNOYING at conventions. Megs is making sounds like she's coming. Get a posse together and do a hotels.com search Between four-five people the cost should be about $100 each. One person WILL have to have a credit card, or you'll have to pay in cash, up front (AND make special arrangements to do that. The clerks won't allow it normally)

YOU WANT TO BRING SOME REAL FOOD WITH YOU!!

You *NEED* to have at least one *REAL* meal a day. Fast food is not only expensive, you'll wear out faster eating it exclusively. DON'T just bring Ramen and PB&J and expect to stay healthy! If you just have cereal in the morning, eat some fruit with it! It's tempting to just shovel junk in your mouth and run. The CON CRUD will get you. I knew better and I let it get me last year..

[Seolta]

YOU WANT TO BRING SOME REAL FOOD WITH YOU!!

You *NEED* to have at least one *REAL* meal a day. Fast food is not only expensive, you'll wear out faster eating it exclusively. DON'T just bring Ramen and PB&J and expect to stay healthy! If you just have cereal in the morning, eat some fruit with it! It's tempting to just shovel junk in your mouth and run. The CON CRUD will get you. I knew better and I let it get me last year..


Cheap way to do the "eat real food at least once a day thing": Consuite. Even if we munch on sandwiches and/or fast food for our other meals, we've taken to stopping by the consuite for breakfast...they cook up yummy things like eggs and bacon, and you can get juice and such...and it's FREE :D

Last year I also brought along an electric kettle and some instant oatmeal...was quite popular with the roomies.

[Crazeyal]

Consuite. .
Shows what I know..

I thought that was just for volunteers..

[Lithanial]

best way i know of saving money is to have it as physical notes rather than on a card.

If its on your cards its oh so easy to spend it in any store or online, if its in notes it makes it alot harder to use and you have that moment of second thought where you can actually SEE how much cash your spending.

Then ontop of that the best way is to have said notes stashed in your room somewhere not your wallet, that makes it even more of an inconvenience to get especially if you still have cash on your cards so take what money you want to save out in note form and store it, then just mostly use your card and the money you've drawn wont be touched.

Found that all out due to my brother paying me back for things over a couple of months in cash and i just kept putting the notes up on a bookcase, when i had a quick cleanup i found £60 just lying around my room not to mention half a ton of coins.

[meghasissues]

if you guys can't find a good hotel i think i might be able to let you stay at my place. it's half an hour away from the action but it's free

[greyloch]

Let me know if you still need crash space when the con gets closer. I have a double reserved (2 beds) at both the Hyatt and Marriott -- Marriott is being weird about rooms w/ 2 beds so the Hyatt's my back-up. I currently have at least one of my DC friends heading down with me.

As for money, the easiest way I've ever found to save money is to just take all the change I accumulate in a day and put it into a jar, piggy-bank, whatever, and don't touch it. It builds up faster than you'd expect. And Chevy Chase bank has free coin cashing machines. Ka-Ching!!! One of my lady friends sets up a D*C fund so that she doesn't have to worry about fun money at the con.

JAK - is Jamie the one with the popsicle? I want to see this invulnerablity put to the test. :lol:

As for foodstuff, real food is a necessity. I practically live at Willy's during the con. Good Tex-Mex, cheap, and filling. The 3-2-1 rule is a necessity (3 hours of sleep, 2 meals, 1 shower per day). Learn it, live it, love it! And add Airborne to the mix - helps to keep con crud away.

[kitty!]

I don't think I can make reservations /now/ in good faith until a couple more paychecks. Like say a month or a month and a half.

I have a checkcard which is why it's been so easy for me to spend my money. I've cut out buying comics online and I've told naynay we are not allowed to go to the mall or movies so much until after the Con XD

I'm a little nervous about the con because right after it is the first day of school in a lot of colleges so I don't know. We may only get to be there friday and saturday and haul ass back to MD unless I'm going to SCAD in which case everything would be really confusing.

We may end up having to bring a parent of sorts with us, in that case. XP

(can we borrow one of yours naynay?)

[DarkPirateShea]

Actually my mom suggested that maybe, MAYBE, my dad could take us.
And I know he'd love to go, lol.

I'll ask him about it when he gets back (he's away for work at the moment... somewhere... possibly GA actually, lol). I think he gets back next week.

Most of those money-saving tips are stuff I already do though. I don't use cards, for the reasons mentioned (better to SEE how much you are spending). And I used direct deposit at my last job and the money built up in my account pretty fast when I wasn't paying attention.
But then I started college and it's slowly dwindling away. So far I've been paying for half my tuition, and parents are paying the other half (although they still owe me for this semeseter).

[Crazeyal]

The ONLY way I've ever been able to save, is out-of-sight-out-mind. Put the money where you can't touch it, and have someone else (preferably an auto payment) take the money out for you.

Where do you ladies work? Can you get direct deposit? Setting up auto payments into a fund is usually pretty easy, I did mine online.

[kitty!]

I still need to set up direct deposit. I'm horrible at all that money crap. When I got cash it either went in the piggy bank or in my wallet. I forget about it when it's in the piggy bank, and when it's in my wallet I spendspendspend.

now with the whole job thing and my card, it's just 10X easier to spend. And since I have 1200 dollars I'm not allowed to touch (college money) I can't cheat on the con money thing.

Naynay, if you dad could come that would be WAY EASIER.

you're parents are really cool, they wouldn't flip like mine would.

[DarkPirateShea]

Yeah, and we could probably split up with my dad at the con and just have a meeting place and time for later. Also this is where text messaging is incredibly useful.

And to Al, I don't have a job as of now. I used to work in a gov't office (had an internship), it paid well but it was seriously killing my soul. I couldn't take it anymore and as soon as my time was up I didn't look twice at any offers to stay.

I'm considering Best Buy. They have good starting pay and my mom works there in cameras and everyone loves her cuz she's the only one that knows what's going on. So I think I'd be almost guarunteed a job.
But goddammit do I ever hate uniforms.
*thinks* I bet I could figure out how to make a blue shirt and kakhis look kick ass...

Also, gonna do that change thing... I got a pile of it on my vanity that I need to do something with anyway. *goes to find a jar*

[sableagle]

But goddammit do I ever hate uniforms.
*thinks* I bet I could figure out how to make a blue shirt and kakhis look kick ass........................ Khaki ................ I think ................
Well, what else could I safely say? Geez!
There ought to be plans involving camper vans, minibuses and detours to pick up and drop off fellow con-goers for these events. I pity anyone trying to drive there from Oregon, though.

[DarkPirateShea]

Yeah I was pretty sure I spelled that wrong but I didn't care enough to check.

And I agree. We need to find someone coming down from Maine or New York or something that could pick us up on the way.

Or we could hitchhike!!
Right after we spend the summer taking self defense classes. :D

[sableagle]

:eek: Hitchhike? Hell, no. I'd come and pick you up rather than that.

Not this year, though, and I want to see my FBI and DHS files before I book.
I'd have left the "khaki" alone but I had to say something about that image and Leffy might have killed me for just about anything else that came to mind.

[kitty!]

screw self defense classes, we can use that money to buy feild hocky sticks.

you can seriously hurt someone with very little effort with a feild hockey stick.

[DarkPirateShea]

screw self defense classes, we can use that money to buy feild hocky sticks.

you can seriously hurt someone with very little effort with a feild hockey stick.

hehe, we'll just travel around with machetes strapped to our belts.
"They're for zombies, officer! I swear!"

[Captain Kitty]

Does anybody have any get rich quick schemes? I had to bail of my "friend" out of fecking jail, and my housemates racked up a stupidly high electricity bill. Bye bye D*C money. *grumblegrumblegrumble* I had it all sat so pretty in the account. Plane tickets aren't fecking cheap!





*slowly goes crazy*

[sableagle]

Be ninjas ... hitchhike ... get picked up by the wrong type ... win, slot him, take his cash, ditch his car further down the road to Atlanta ... hitchike ...

[Lithanial]

Does anybody have any get rich quick schemes? I had to bail of my "friend" out of fecking jail, and my housemates racked up a stupidly high electricity bill. Bye bye D*C money. *grumblegrumblegrumble* I had it all sat so pretty in the account. Plane tickets aren't fecking cheap!





*slowly goes crazy*

ebay old stuff?

[Captain Kitty]

HAH! tried it. I now have a bed and some clothes! lol!

[Plunder Down-Under]

ebay the "friends" stuff and the elec spenders stuff

[Leffy]

um saving tip if you're a swiper like me (where you swipe the card 80 gazzillion times... then remember to do the math on your account...) if where you're purchasing allows it, get your cash back so that it rounds your deduction from your account to the next dollar? now see these pretty coins? you put them in a container in your purse thats easy in toughie out.

when you get home switch over to ANOTHER easy in toughie out container, preferably bigger for your plans, and then just.... forget about your change until its an absolute need or its ready for your attention. theres different stands all over the place that give you cash for your change like Coinstar.

you'd be DAMNED surprised how quickly that change adds up.

Harli even helps me, shes great at collecting coins and rushing to me because she wants to put them into the jug. but well its not the Mommy fund its the Harli fund. even though it whispers to me at night how bad it wants to be spent.

i'd still love to find out where she found 8 silver dollars, 10 sacegawea dollars, and 4 $2 bills.

[kitty!]

she has the finder gene

[Leffy]

didn't get it from me. i've got the "uh i HAD $20 in there somewhere...." gene.

[DarkPirateShea]

Yup, I decided to start doing that coin thing. I keep ending up with all this change. I don't know why starting a coin jar never occured to me.

[Sehson]

another easy way to save money is go buy the fuzzy money check book method... Its real simple. though won't work if your real anal about the check book balancing with the account. And remember the check book is right always right and should always be less then the account.

Its simple and you only have to do math by fives.

When you buy something round the purchase up to the next five so you by something for $12.37 you write $15 in the check book

When you make a deposit you round down to the nearest 5 10 20 50 or what you can safely afford. so a deposit of $237.99 would be $235,$230 or whatever.

Right in those 2 transactions you saved $5.62 over time this really builds up. Currently I maintain a slush fund of $1000 in checking to cover any emergency. And still amnage to save a nice chunk. Thats not including the coin jar which all change from the day goes into and any small loterry winnings $10 and under. ( which I always get as change so it goes into the jar.) The last time I took the jar to the bank, mine offers free coin counting, I had $537 in change which happened to be 14 months of change.

[meghasissues]

I don't think I can make reservations /now/ in good faith until a couple more paychecks. Like say a month or a month and a half.

I have a checkcard which is why it's been so easy for me to spend my money. I've cut out buying comics online and I've told naynay we are not allowed to go to the mall or movies so much until after the Con XD

I'm a little nervous about the con because right after it is the first day of school in a lot of colleges so I don't know. We may only get to be there friday and saturday and haul ass back to MD unless I'm going to SCAD in which case everything would be really confusing.

We may end up having to bring a parent of sorts with us, in that case. XP

(can we borrow one of yours naynay?)
if you go to scad go to the savannah campus instead of the atlanta campus. trust me on this one. i know last year scad started about a week after the con and it's really easy to adjust here

[Captain Kitty]

I've started filling old rum bottles with change and the odd note. I somehow manage to get them in, then I can't get them out! Will be fun smashing the bottles when they're full though!

[kitty!]

There is a big big big possibility that Shea and I (and her dad ;D) will volunteer for D*Con! So if you see a couple girls with weird hair and interesting shoes that look like our icons with staffy business on you should totally say hi and poke us (not like that!) or something!

[DarkPirateShea]

Yup yup!
We're gunna be helpers!!
Everyone needs to find us and bring fun!

[Lithanial]

damn cheating helpers!

[DarkPirateShea]

Yay for built-in loopholes!!

[Digital Enigma]

I'll be the chick drinking, passing lude comments at Voltaires girlfriend and fending the geeks off with a stick.

[RazorJAK]

I'll be the one manning Digi's shock collar so she doesn't try to jumphump Steven Bacic.

[Crazeyal]

I'll be the chick drinking, passing lude comments at Voltaires girlfriend and fending the geeks off with a stick.Uh.. You just describe 1/4 of the femal DC attendees and the ENTIRETY of JAK's dating pool!

:lol:

[Sehson]

Hmmm I'll be the guy thats not there...

unless I win the lotto then I might be there or maybe not depending...:dmad:

[Digital Enigma]

Uh.. You just describe 1/4 of the femal DC attendees and the ENTIRETY of JAK's dating pool!

:lol:


Yes but V lets me hit on his girlfriend rather than fending me off.

[Crazeyal]

LOL

V is still a GUY, despite being Goth.

He probably charges a "toll" of copping a feel for tresspassing.

[Digital Enigma]

I'll just bite him if he does.

[Sehson]

From what I'm hearing of the guy... He enjoys it...

[RazorJAK]

Digi, tell the story of how I introduced you to Voltaire all those many years ago. :-)

[Digital Enigma]

No.

[Leffy]

i can honestly say with how you hype her up so much i did not expect such a simplified and definative answer as "no." from her.

i feel cheated. like i should demand my money back or something.

[Digital Enigma]

i can honestly say with how you hype her up so much i did not expect such a simplified and definative answer as "no." from her.

i feel cheated. like i should demand my money back or something.

I like to keep people on thier toes and mix it up a bit sometimes, makes people wonder what's really going on inside my head.

[Crazeyal]

I like to keep people on thier toes and mix it up a bit sometimes, makes people wonder what's really going on inside my head.
Bottom panel.. (http://www.flemcomics.com/d/20021010.html)
:al:

[RazorJAK]

HAHAHAHAH

Wonder if J. ever thought he'd see his stuff used so ... creatively.

[Digital Enigma]

Al you do not amuse me. You die first.

[kitty!]

I LOVE HER! *hugs the digi*

[Digital Enigma]

Get It Off Me

[DarkPirateShea]

Oh, sorry, I'll take that.
*lures kitty! back with spicy Thai food*

[kitty!]

oooohhhhh nummy!

[Crazeyal]

HA HAH!!!

Found yer weakness!!

*throws half a case of Pixie Stixtm on Digi*

OooOOooOOHHH KIIiiiIIiiTY!!!

:al:

[kitty!]

*om nom nom* Thai is bettah!

[Crazeyal]

Hmm

I'd throw Thai on her.. But if I mess up her clothes she'll hit me with a fish again...
:dmad:

[Sehson]

Yes and like it when females beat you with fishes

[RazorJAK]

Get It Off Me

HAHAHHA, usually it's other people saying that about you.

[Digital Enigma]

HA HAH!!!

Found yer weakness!!

*throws half a case of Pixie Stixtm on Digi*

:al:

*doesn't flinch and produces her certificate of stock in pixie sticks*

[Jurgen]

Did I just see the name Voltaire mentioned? The lunatic Gothic singer with the gypsy pirate band? The man of "Dead Girls" and "When you're Evil" fame?
I hate being the wrong side of the pond.

[Ruestir]

*doesn't flinch and produces her certificate of stock in pixie sticks*
*blinks*
I think I just had a vision of the apocalypse.

[DarkPirateShea]

Did I just see the name Voltaire mentioned? The lunatic Gothic singer with the gypsy pirate band? The man of "Dead Girls" and "When you're Evil" fame?

*twitch* gypsy... pirate... band...
Why was I not informed!?!?

*goes to do research*

[Crazeyal]

When your evil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFFaRoM4sSA)

[DarkPirateShea]

When your evil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFFaRoM4sSA)

I've heard a couple of his songs before but I've never seen him and no one ever told me he was that awesome!

[Jurgen]

He is a very big bag of epic and next time he come over here I'm going to use the butterfly net.

[DarkPirateShea]

Watching vids on youtube...

I... I feel, deprived.
HOW DID I NOT KNOW!?!?

[Jurgen]

Hey I feel depraved too. Oh wait wrong word.
And Voltaire's HUGE... If you know where to look. Usually in NY,

[RazorJAK]

I've heard a couple of his songs before but I've never seen him and no one ever told me he was that awesome!

He IS that awesome. And very approachable in a very snarky sorta way.

His nickname for Digi is "Wardrobe Malfunction". :-)

[kitty!]

i wanna say something about being a family and being demented, but that would be redundant and stating the obvious.

so I shall hit you all with the magic wand! *beans*

[Seolta]

And Voltaire's HUGE... If you know where to look.


... .... .....
I can't be the only one here who saw this and thought "y'know, taken out of context..."

[Crazeyal]

He hangs out HERE!!! Why WOULDN'T you think that???

[Ruestir]

And Voltaire's HUGE... If you know where to look.
... .... .....
I can't be the only one here who saw this and thought "y'know, taken out of context..."
*snorts*
He hangs out HERE!!!
*dies laughing*

[Digital Enigma]

Did I just see the name Voltaire mentioned? The lunatic Gothic singer with the gypsy pirate band? The man of "Dead Girls" and "When you're Evil" fame?
I hate being the wrong side of the pond.

He is at DragonCon every year, and every year when he's around something goes wrong with my outfit.

[DarkPirateShea]

Must.
Resist.
Creepy.
Fangirl.
Temptations.

I WILL BE A CALM AND COLLECTED INDUVIDUAL DAMMIT!

*plops down into a sitting position*
Sorry. I'm quite sure I'll be more normal about this by the time DragonCon rolls around.

[kitty!]

Hell no. I thought I'd be all cool and proffessional talking to Jen when I first met her and I ended up all awkward and nervous. DID NOT help that my dad was RIGHT BEHIND ME and when Jen found out my age she apologized to my father.

*headdesk*

The starstrucked'ness will not fail you, Shea. It will hit you strong. trust me.

[Crazeyal]

You'll do fine.

As long as you get enough sleepand eat properly..

oops..

[DarkPirateShea]

NO! NO IT WILL NOT!!

Also, we're gonna have to be sure to split up with my dad at the con at some point. We'll never get away with anything with him there. XD

[Crazeyal]

Trust me... If you go more than one night, YER DAD WILL TAKE A NAP!!!

[DarkPirateShea]

Yeah but we are also volunteering at the con. He could be sneaky and nap while we're working...

[kitty!]

do you think if we stick him in front of some retro comic book stands he'll stay sufficiently distracted?

[DarkPirateShea]

Maybe... we'd be better off with something sci-fi... or webcomics...

[kitty!]

but webcomics is where we will be!!!

[DarkPirateShea]

Yeah I know.
Damn my cool parents.

[kitty!]

shea you're going to be very proud of me.

My current bank balance reaches VERY CLOSE to 700 dollars.

I rock.

I really do.

[wolfie]

I've seen mine get to that much, just on the wrong side of zero.

[Crazeyal]

*pats the kitty! on the head*

[kitty!]

Do you know how hard it is for me to not blow it all in hot topic!?

THE BOOTS THEY CALL!

**wants some docs so very badly**

[Crazeyal]

Ok.. When the cravings get bad.. Think about THIS. There will LITERALLY be THOUSANDS of cosplayers with extra gear and stuff they want to buy. There will be Dealers, amateurs and sales GALORE for you to pick from. If you buy from Hot topic, you get HT CRAP. If you wait, you just may find some REAL expensive boots for very little cash.

BTW..

DC has an online newspaper. Posting an ad with your boot size and the amount of cash you want to spend should get you some quick offers!

[RazorJAK]

Do you know how hard it is for me to not blow it all in hot topic!?

THE BOOTS THEY CALL!

**wants some docs so very badly**

Sweetling, everytime the urge to spend any money in Crap Toxic, took that money aside for something worthwhile, like New Rocks or Smeggs or any other boot that will last more than six months.

[kitty!]

I have a pair that I bought 3 years ago that I still manage to get the zip working. Also, HT sells Doc Martins now. I have decided I absolutely need a pair of cherry red Docs.

[Digital Enigma]

Vixens and Angels (http://www.vixensandangels.com/Item.cfm?Type=20&v=1&CFID=28387415&CFTOKEN=51467456) has better quality boots that cost a little bot more and will last a lot longer. I've had my New Rocks for 7-8 years now and the only thing that's wrong is a few scuffs from wear(and let me tell you, these have been thru 7 Buffalo winters already as my winter boots, aka daily winter wear. They always keep my feet warm...so warm they sweat inside my shoe wearing thin socks.)

[Leffy]

damn damn damn i HAD to look at that site and i just had to see the prices. my heart hurts. ill never find a good enough excuse for the ones i like best. ddly enough called Wendy-O

*finds a corner to cry in*

[sableagle]

In no particular order, Doom, Shadow, Saber, B/P'LZEBUB, Insinerator.


Imagine Defender cut down to Defiant height without the big strap and that's what I used to wear for work anyway.

[RazorJAK]

New Rock doesn't make the model I truly want anymore. And they NEVER made it in my size.

[Digital Enigma]

damn damn damn i HAD to look at that site and i just had to see the prices. my heart hurts. ill never find a good enough excuse for the ones i like best. ddly enough called Wendy-O

*finds a corner to cry in*

While they seem expensive, they are definatly a long term investment. Before I got me New Rocks I was buying a new pair of boots from Hot Rippoff every winter, so by the time I bought the New Rocks I'd already spent more on boots than the cost of these. I think $250 for a pair of boots that have lasted 8 years is a good investment(it works out to $31.25 per year so far, with the cost going down every year I own the boots. Compare this to the $50+ I was spending every year for boots from HT.).

[Leffy]

yeah i can't even rationalize a $20 pair of black nursing shoes for work. attempting to rationalize an excuse for those gorgemous lushimousness of bootedness will make me brain go splat.

[wolfie]

When I worked at the car wash, I always wore steel toed shoes (large trucks and toes do not mix very well) I think the most I ever spent on one pair was $28. Now, the nature of my work being what it was, the shoes were constantly wet, had chemicals spilled on them and all sorts of fun stuff that people drive though. The shoes would only last 3 months before they started to fall apart. my average budget for the year was around 100 just for shoes. Contrast this to most the other people I worked with, who would go out and buy name brand shoes for twice or more what I paid for the cheapo's at wally world. There shoes may have lasted longer than mine, but only by a month or two at most. Bonus, the shoes I bought were steel toed sneakers so they didn't look too off while I wasn't at work.

[greyloch]

I don't have a problem with spending money for good, quality stuff. Better items always cost more money but make sense if you're looking at long term clothing. Why buy something that falls apart on you after a few months? I laugh at my wife whenever she buys el cheapo sneakers then complains when they split or fall apart within less than a year.

Out of curiosity, how comfortable are New Rocks, Doc Marten's, and the like. No really, not kidding, I gots me some flat feet and need comfy shoes (currently wear Havana Joe's, SAS, Tivas, and Lucchese). Any recommendations?

[RazorJAK]

Doc Martens lost their appeal when they moved production to China back in '03.

New Rocks are comfortable as hell. My pair were broken in doing nothing but riding my motorcycle.

My only problem with New Rocks is they tend to be made for those with narrow legs. Buy the shorter style boots if you have ANY definition to your calves.

[DarkPirateShea]

My only problem with New Rocks is they tend to be made for those with narrow legs.

Really?! That makes me want a pair even more. :drool:

[Digital Enigma]

I don't have a problem with spending money for good, quality stuff. Better items always cost more money but make sense if you're looking at long term clothing. Why buy something that falls apart on you after a few months? I laugh at my wife whenever she buys el cheapo sneakers then complains when they split or fall apart within less than a year.

Out of curiosity, how comfortable are New Rocks, Doc Marten's, and the like. No really, not kidding, I gots me some flat feet and need comfy shoes (currently wear Havana Joe's, SAS, Tivas, and Lucchese). Any recommendations?

I find my new rocks to be quite comfortable. I've even worn them out clubbing and dancing.

[wolfie]

I don't have a problem with spending money for good, quality stuff. Better items always cost more money but make sense if you're looking at long term clothing. Why buy something that falls apart on you after a few months? I laugh at my wife whenever she buys el cheapo sneakers then complains when they split or fall apart within less than a year.

Out of curiosity, how comfortable are New Rocks, Doc Marten's, and the like. No really, not kidding, I gots me some flat feet and need comfy shoes (currently wear Havana Joe's, SAS, Tivas, and Lucchese). Any recommendations?

The cheapos were inexpensive enough that I was spending 25% less a year than those who were buying the name brand stuff. I never complained about them falling apart, I fully expected that. At the time I was working 10 hours a day walking the whole time, so I got my money out of them. Besides, I also didn't want to tear up the shoes that cost more than 50$ per pair at work.

[greyloch]

Sounds like I'm going to have find some in my size (euro 46) and try them on.

[kitty!]

This saving thing is getting rediculously easy. After I get my tax refund (which should get here around the same time as my next paycheck) I'll have over 1,000 dollars in the bank.

I feel all light headed...I have money!

[RazorJAK]

Sounds like I'm going to have find some in my size (euro 46) and try them on.

You can try mine on at D*C. We wear the same size.

[Crazeyal]

Kitty...

We've got quite a few months ahead of us. Please don't take this the wrong way... I have a BIT of experience with this situation...

Grab half of that $1000.. and give it to your mother. Things happen. Temptations arise, unreliable people with sob stories rise out of NOWHERE... annnnnnd then come DC you have 1/3 or NOTHING of what you thought you'd have.

IF you can't get to it... it can't be lost.

[kitty!]

I can't wait to meet you guys... ^_^

[kitty!]

Al...as much as I know you're right, I don't want my money to leave my bank. I'm also an utter bitch. When I have a goal, I am rabid and mean and basically evil. I'm pitching in with 2 other people (maybe, depends on her reaction) to help get a friend to prom, but that's just a present, and is happening in April. And frankly, I trust my mom less than these people with sob stories. My parents have 'borrowed' money from me several times before (xmas money from grampa builds up). And they eventually pay me back. But very slowly.

I'm not as gullible as I pretend to be, or as naive. And I don't really lend people money, instead I pay for their things in lieu of gas money, or out of random sense of Generosity. but that doesn't exceed 20 dollars at a time. And since I decided to go to Dragon*Con, the only person getting money from me are my friends as either birthday presents or Shea for gas.

I'd like to say I'm a nice and self-sacrificing and noble person...but I'm not. I'm surprisingly protective and possessive of what I call mine and am not easily separated from said possessions. I want D*C like I want SCAD, and nothing is going to stop me.

[Lithanial]

I'm surprisingly protective and possessive of what I call mine and am not easily separated from said possessions.

the name kitty! fits like a glove :D

[Crazeyal]

I want D*C like I want SCAD, and nothing is going to stop me.
OK

I hear you. I believe you. I can't WAIT to get in trouble with you.

:dgrin:

[Lithanial]

Hmmmm wonder how much it would cost total to get from england to atlanta, get D*C tickets, pay for a hotel, and buy a ton of art/other expenses......

[Crazeyal]

One soul..

:evilgrin:

[Lithanial]

nah i'll keep my re-incarnation thank you very much, my soul hasnt attained perfection yet :p

do have like £3000 in the bank though :dgrin:

[Crazeyal]

do have like £3000 in the bank though :dgrin:


Yup.. Just got my tax return

:dp:

[DarkPirateShea]

Mel if you ever need to keep money from yourself for whatever reason, I've got a book with a hole in it that I use for just that. :)

Also, I need a job!

Also also, I need my W2 so I can do my taxes and get my tax return!

[kitty!]

go up to NSA and yell at someone. Or talk very very quietly and look mildly to moderately twitchy. I think the second one would get them going faster. The creepier you are, the faster they want you out.

[DarkPirateShea]

But I don't have my badge anymore! I can get into the outter parking lot with just my driver's license but I can't get past the inner parking lot gate without a badge. Much less getting through the turnstiles inside the buildings!

I have my old supervisors number though... also the lady in charge of the interns... I bet they could connect me to payroll...

[RazorJAK]

Al...as much as I know you're right, I don't want my money to leave my bank. I'm also an utter bitch. When I have a goal, I am rabid and mean and basically evil. I'm pitching in with 2 other people (maybe, depends on her reaction) to help get a friend to prom, but that's just a present, and is happening in April. And frankly, I trust my mom less than these people with sob stories. My parents have 'borrowed' money from me several times before (xmas money from grampa builds up). And they eventually pay me back. But very slowly.


If you have a credit union that you can join, set up a second account which takes two signatures to draw from it. That way, you'll be assured not to pull the money out until just before Dragon*Con.

[kitty!]

I have two bank accounts; One that is under my dad and my name, and the other one is all me. I need to change my ATM pin, but basically the can't get into my student checking/savings bank account unless they take a gun to my head.

[sableagle]

OK

I hear you. I believe you. I can't WAIT to get in trouble with you.

:dgrin:*shuffles words* Nope ... can't use that "with".

Lithanial: £444 via NY JFK for the flights, $765 for a 1/2-person room in the Marriot, $60 for the membership, plus food, drink and merchandise. Yes, you could afford it quite easily.

[Lithanial]

it tempts me, ho yes it does :D august eh.... we shall see.

when they start taking bookings? :dgrin:

[sableagle]

As I got the hotel prices off http://www.dragoncon.org I think they probably already are taking bookings, and they offer a discount on the membership if you book this month.

[Lithanial]

interesting indeed, think ill wait till may before i decide though, should know if im financially stable by then and i would get to treat myself to a kick ass birthday present :al: even if it would be the best part of £1000 :D

Edit : scratch that, bit over a grand ^^ decisions decisions; all that money to go terrorize a bunch of strangers with no surity to find people i know in a strange land of guns and roofies....ahhhh :D

[Digital Enigma]

Hmmmm wonder how much it would cost total to get from england to atlanta, get D*C tickets, pay for a hotel, and buy a ton of art/other expenses......

Last time I priced it a round trip from england to atlanta was around a thousand US dollars.

[Seolta]

It should be noted that at last notice, the Marriott's con-block was full, and possibly the Hyatt's as well. Hilton and Sheraton should still have rooms available, but if you wait much longer chances are that won't still be the case. Hotel room is the easy part...if it turns out you can't go after all, you let 'em know when it gets closer to time and you're not out any $$(and often there are people as it gets closer to con who are more than happy to take that reservation off your hands for you). Airfare and Con membership are the ones to wait on.

[RazorJAK]

And dear GODS! If you do decide you can't make it ... offer the reservation to someone who needs the room. Because the hotels don't return your room to the convention block of reservations available if you simply cancel the room.

So many fucking idiots did that last year.

Everything but the Hilton was fully booked in the con*block of rooms by mid-january. For months on the various Dragon*Con LJ communities and other forums we'd been drumming it into people to NOT cancel reservations until giving someone the chance to take over the reservation as it became known early on that the hotels were NOT returning cancelled reservations to the con block.

And yet, for the four months prior to Dragon*Con 07 ... people would post about how they'd cancelled their reservation so there should be rooms available at the con rate.

The majority of people posting such were longtime lurkers or posters of the LJs in question. So they KNEW they shouldn't have done that. They KNEW the rooms weren't going back into the con rotation ... and yet still pulled that shit.

It's worse this year due to that fucking college game going on the same weekend. Because a couple of chuckleheads spammed the con rate code to the fan forums of both teams in question in order for people to get our discount.

[kitty!]

what are the triple rooms in the host hotels like?

We need to know because if it's like a "bedroom" and a "living room", then me and shea need to reserve that. but we're not sure.

[RazorJAK]

The only rooms with bedroom + livingroom are the suits.

[kitty!]

k, thx. we thought so but we weren't sure.

[RazorJAK]

If you've got some people with whom you've got adjoining rooms, you can always do the old setup of using one room as the bedroom and the other as a sitting room.

[Crazeyal]

Comon.. it's a CON.. the TUB is the sitting room/drunk tank/medical facilities!!! Everything else is designated sleeping space!!:lol:

[RazorJAK]

Al, we know the reality - but sometimes there is the ATTEMPT for rooms to not end up looking like our room at D*C.

(- When you have enough alcohol in the room to make Drunk Pirate Nigel raise his eyebrows in shock ... you might have too much. -)

[Plunder Down-Under]

Or JUST enough.

[toreador]

or never enough you can never tell with Nigel :dgrin:

[DarkPirateShea]

The reason we were wondering about the triple rooms is cuz my dad is gonna be our "designated adult" while we're there. Since neither of our parents are about to let us go that far to a convention on our own. And kitty! is claiming to be a "horrible roomate" (her words) who will not be sleeping much due to being all wired from the con. And while I'm just fine with that, we're thinking my dad might enjoy getting some sleep.

[kitty!]

I don't sleep much in general. I sleep even less when I'm excited.

[DarkPirateShea]

Well then, it's a good thing the con goes pretty much 24hrs. Or something like that.

Maybe if we can convince them that you possess less innocence than the 18 year old next to you then they'll let you stay late for the interesting things.

[Crazeyal]

Methinks once he gets there he'll be interested in protecting HIMSELF..:lol:

[kitty!]

I'll be freakin' 18 in the 3 months afterwards, and I'd be going to college as soon as the convention is over. I'm thinking that should allow me to round up my age.

[Crazeyal]

HAHAHAHA

You'll have yer BIG GIRL pants on too I bet!!

http://animepower.de/images/smiles/eekout7xz5sa.gif

[kitty!]

cha this ain't jokin' matters Al. due to stupid time and stuff I'll still be technically a minor when the convention rolls around and I'd be a hairs width away from being 18. But if some rule-nazi decided that even though I can pass for 18 and have since I was 12 (love the fashion choices), am going to college where everyone and their mother will be either doing the same thing or worse, AND since it's art school my ass will literally have to draw PENIS every other day, and I go to public high school, where kids have sex in the god damn stair wells and smoke pot on the playing fields (or vice-versa) I'm too much of a liabilty and the obscene nature of the con after whatever-time would utterly destroy my so called "virgin senses" and "childlike innocence", I would not be allowed to stay.

NO ONE better mention my age at the con! *is serious*

[Crazeyal]

Sure thing ..


Little one..


Isum's thristy?

We havvvvve the SIPPY CUP!!

LOOK.. JUICE!!

nooo no soda for YOU!!

[kitty!]

NO SIPPY NO SIPPY I USE A BIG GIRL CUP! *throws the sippy cup into the pit*

[Crazeyal]

NO SIPPY NO SIPPY I USE A BIG GIRL CUP!

http://patrickmacias.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/09/17/cupnude2.jpg

[kitty!]

EWWWWWWWWW

you're a jerk Al XP

[DarkPirateShea]

o.O
Con ramen?

[Crazeyal]

Yeah.. the top comes off when you put Booze in it!!

:lol:

[Leffy]

that.. technically is a big girl cup.... unproportionate big girl

[sableagle]

Lopsided, at least. With one arm up and one back like that they should be ...

... meh, try it in a mirror. Even on a skinny boy, it's obvious.

[wolfie]

lol I love that cup.

[Sehson]

The reason we were wondering about the triple rooms is cuz my dad is gonna be our "designated adult" while we're there. Since neither of our parents are about to let us go that far to a convention on our own. And kitty! is claiming to be a "horrible roomate" (her words) who will not be sleeping much due to being all wired from the con. And while I'm just fine with that, we're thinking my dad might enjoy getting some sleep.

Think of it this way the size of the room is how many people are allegedly there.

a double is 2 twin beds for 2 people. A triple is probly a king/queen and a twin for 1 couple and a single. A quad is 2 queen/king and typically a foldout/rollaway.

Being you and kitty are tiny you could probly share a twin and your pop could take the other in a double if you wanted to save a little bit.

When I was there friends took a double and they had 6 people in the room fairly confy for sleeping.

[RazorJAK]

even more if you don't mind mathematical spooning. :lol:

[Seolta]

Ok, as far as the single/double/triple/quad thing goes, here's what it boils down to...that's how many people you tell them are staying in the room. First year friends and I stayed at one of the con hotels(the Hyatt, specifically), we told them there were three of us...and they gave us a room with just a king bed(fortunately, I'd brought three air mattresses...because there were six of us). I don't know how the Marriott works, not having stayed there, but the Hyatt will basically give you what's available when you check in, and won't/can't guarantee what type of bed or anything like that.

Most non-suite rooms have either one king or two double beds. Last year and this year I've had no trouble with the Hilton as far as getting the latter...just call to make the reservation, and tell 'em you'd like two doubles, and they'll put it in there for you, and chances are you'll get it. They're also awesome about providing extra key-cards as needed...there were four of us last year, and they gave us each a key plus one spare, even though the official stuff said there were only two people in the room(note: they will only give keys to the person whose name is on the room, and only with photo ID). If you're worried about disturbing someone's sleep, invest in an air mattress...you can get a twin-sized one pretty cheap, and keep it afterwards for when guests visit at your dorm.

[DarkPirateShea]

So kitty! was talking today about what would happen if she were to drink a 2 liter thing of mountain dew and we decided to save the experiment for Dragon Con.

For added fun, we expect you all to bring pixie sticks. We will stage the experiment in front of Jennie's table. The day is undecided, but the time will probably be around 7 so not to scar the minds of young children.

[Farler]

So kitty! was talking today about what would happen if she were to drink a 2 liter thing of mountain dew and we decided to save the experiment for Dragon Con.

For added fun, we expect you all to bring pixie sticks. We will stage the experiment in front of Jennie's table. The day is undecided, but the time will probably be around 7 so not to scar the minds of young children.

A better experiment would be to have her drink a quarter, then replace the missing volume WITH the pixie sticks.

[Seolta]

A better experiment would be to have her drink a quarter, then replace the missing volume WITH the pixie sticks.

Or mix the pixie sticks 50/50 with ground-up penguin mints...

[Crazeyal]

Yah know..

SOME of us will be at ground zero for these experiments..

NO!!!!

[DarkPirateShea]

Yah know..

SOME of us will be at ground zero for these experiments..

NO!!!!

Um, well, yeah. That was the point. We need someone to bring pixie stix. :p

[Seolta]

Yah know..

SOME of us will be at ground zero for these experiments..


Myself included, if I can ever locate people:p

[DarkPirateShea]

Well we're gonna do our best to stand out. :D

[RazorJAK]

I'm using you as a shield if you actually try to do that experiment, Shea. Just so you know beforehand and won't be overly shocked when you're picked up by your access points.

[Crazeyal]

Um, well, yeah. That was the point. We need someone to bring pixie stix. :p
yeah..

but she won't be LEGAL at that point...

she CAN'T lick my pixie stick!!!!

[kitty!]

the last three times I had an excessive amount of caffine I fell over a lot. and laughed. then I literally climbed a friend and did backbends and splits for the hell of it.

Of course then there was the time I tried to climb a wall...

[sableagle]

Let us know whether you succeeded in climbing the wall. The current plan is to use Spiderman as the cameraman, as nowhere else will be even nearly safe and he can get the footage out of a collapsing hotel quickly. If you'd be able to reach him, we need a new plan.

[Plunder Down-Under]

Im still of the belief its not sugar but the social context in which sugar is consumed that affects hyperactivity.

[KeegaKurGurk]

well tell me if teh experiments go well as i will unfortunitly not be attending dragon con cause im doing the poor college student thing and wishing i could eat more then one time a day..............................

(sux not having work)

[DarkPirateShea]

I wouldn't make a very good sheild. People have tried this. And failed.

And also a large part of the experiment is just for the purpose of establishing a time/place that all us forum people should meet up.

Oh! Also, speaking of work.... I got a job! I seriously just walked into Books-a-Million and asked if they were hiring. They guy asked me if I was 18, then he says go to the website and call him right after I apply and he'll advance me for an interview. I had my interview 2 days later, filled out the "background check" thing last night, and now I'm just waiting to hear when I start. It probably helped that he recognized me from being in the store pretty often.

[sableagle]

I wouldn't make a very good sheild. People have tried this. And failed.

And also a large part of the experiment is just for the purpose of establishing a time/place that all us forum people should meet up.

Oh! Also, speaking of work.... I got a job! I seriously just walked into Books-a-Million and asked if they were hiring. They guy asked me if I was 18, then he says go to the website and call him right after I apply and he'll advance me for an interview. I had my interview 2 days later, filled out the "background check" thing last night, and now I'm just waiting to hear when I start. It probably helped that he recognized me from being in the store pretty often.

"OMG IT'S THAT HOT GIRL!"

"Argh she's talking to me!"

"Okay, stay cool. She might not even ... hey, chance to find out. Just make like it's for the job. Play it cool."

"Oh, yeah! Gotta get her working here. Yes yes yes!"

:dgrin:

[Plunder Down-Under]

Meh.. thats how I'd do it

[DarkPirateShea]

Lol. That is very doubtful. The guy I talked to is one of the managers there, and he's... older. Like, old enough that his hair is all grey. And I read in the application that cashiers have to be at least 18 (don't ask me why).

[Lithanial]

just because hes old doesnt mean jack shea ;)

[DarkPirateShea]

Well I'm sure the fact that I'm cute helped. But I think it helped more that I'm in the book store a lot and he knew I was familiar with the layout and the merchandice.

[Farler]

he knew I was familiar with the layout and the merchandice.

Yes, Im sure that's exactly what he was thinking when he hired you.

Though i doubt it had anything to do with books.

[Lithanial]

now now, as fun as it is to tease i guess were kinda detracting from the whole fact that Shea got a job on her own initiative; yay Shea! *hugs*

welcome to the world of work, run while you still can :jbangel:

[DarkPirateShea]

welcome to the world of work, run while you still can :jbangel:

psh. s'not like I haven't already had two jobs before.

First I was a photographer at the Christmas booth at the mall. (we didn't get elf outfits, I was a little disapointed)
Then I had an internship in a gov't office. It was drab and boring, but everyone always seemed really impressed with everything I did.

[Lithanial]

yeah its something about working for government, simple things amuse them.

did a contract for the local council and they spent well over a month going on about my socks Oo yes i wear knee high stripy socks, its not THAT amazing dammit!

[DarkPirateShea]

The weird thing was that not many people said anything about my hair. It was PURPLE dammit! It was a little creepy when no one mentioned it. 'Cept for like, one lady. And then there was the time I did it blue. No one said anything except for our division Chief. It was weird though cuz she thought it was really cool. And that was the last thing I expected to hear out of that woman.

[Silverharp]

It's looking like the Sheraton has some decently sized rooms available, and doesn't charge the first night in advance.

If you know 100% that you're going to be there, this is one of the best times to buy flights (Unless you're driving, hitch hiking, coming in on a skateboard pulled by cat girls, whichever...)