Brilliant Gameologists Forum

General Gab => Conventions/ Meetups and Events => GenCon 2008! => : MittenNinja May 17, 2008, 05:20:34 PM

: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: MittenNinja May 17, 2008, 05:20:34 PM
So, now that we're all migrating over here we should figure out what the plan is for GenCon. Where and when are we meeting up? Can we get an area or room for us to hang out at or something?
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Cyrocloud May 17, 2008, 05:22:53 PM
**reserved for info from the CO jambo thread on the CO boards."

ehh, not much was on that thread...I'm goin.  I've been planning it out with a few buddies for the last few months.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Nox_Noctis May 17, 2008, 06:22:06 PM
I definitely can't make it what with it being half-way across the country and my wallet being virtually empty.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Tshern May 17, 2008, 06:48:39 PM
I would have to get over an entire ocean, so I am even worse off. But one day I'll get to one of your silly GenCons...
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Risada May 17, 2008, 07:30:48 PM
I would have to get over an entire ocean, so I am even worse off. But one day I'll get to one of your silly GenCons...

Same here, but I really wanted to see at least once this....
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Ubernoob May 17, 2008, 07:46:00 PM
Nobody in north texas means I'll have to transport myself.  GenCon is unlikely.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Tshern May 17, 2008, 07:47:38 PM
Nobody in north texas means I'll have to transport myself.  GenCon is unlikely.
Ever heard of drunken teleport?
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Ubernoob May 17, 2008, 07:57:35 PM
Nobody in north texas means I'll have to transport myself.  GenCon is unlikely.
Ever heard of drunken teleport?
Enlighten me...
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Agita May 17, 2008, 07:59:02 PM
I would have to get over an entire ocean, so I am even worse off. But one day I'll get to one of your silly GenCons...
Same here.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Tshern May 17, 2008, 08:10:14 PM
Enlighten me...
Buy, say, two bottles of vodka, go to a random place. Any spot that is not your home should do. Finish both bottles as fast as you can and next thing you notice is that you have teleported to a random location. Repeat enough times to get you to wherever GenCon is at.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Tazendra May 17, 2008, 08:13:21 PM
Don't know if that works, but it could be entertaining to try it.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Ubernoob May 17, 2008, 08:16:16 PM
Enlighten me...
Buy, say, two bottles of vodka, go to a random place. Any spot that is not your home should do. Finish both bottles as fast as you can and next thing you notice is that you have teleported to a random location. Repeat enough times to get you to wherever GenCon is at.
Feels... Hitchhiker's Guide...
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Prime32 May 17, 2008, 08:19:41 PM
Enlighten me...
Buy, say, two bottles of vodka, go to a random place. Any spot that is not your home should do. Finish both bottles as fast as you can and next thing you notice is that you have teleported to a random location. Repeat enough times to get you to wherever GenCon is at.
Is that all that comes out of CharOp now? I thought you would have refined that to a way to teleport to a precise location by sweating near vinegar!
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Agita May 17, 2008, 08:25:13 PM
Enlighten me...
Buy, say, two bottles of vodka, go to a random place. Any spot that is not your home should do. Finish both bottles as fast as you can and next thing you notice is that you have teleported to a random location. Repeat enough times to get you to wherever GenCon is at.
Is that all that comes out of CharOp now? I thought you would have refined that to a way to teleport to a precise location by sweating near vinegar!
Maybe it's a new class ability for the drunken master in 4e?
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Josh May 17, 2008, 09:28:56 PM
At least some of the Gameologists will be at Gencon.  Me and Meg will be there. 

If you want to meet Zeke email zeke@brilliantgameologists.com and beg him to come.  Ask DragonSnack, Zeke is actually funnier in person than he is on the podcast.  Zeke is waffling about coming and a few hundred emails may change his mind.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Dragon Snack May 17, 2008, 09:45:12 PM
Josh is correct.  Zeke is funny.  I laughed, I cried, I stayed out way too late with the Gameologists...

Zeke you pussy.  Get your ass to Gen Con!  It won't be the same without you!

: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: skydragonknight May 17, 2008, 10:00:48 PM
Josh is correct.  Zeke is funny.  I laughed, I cried, I stayed out way too late with the Gameologists...

Zeke you pussy.  Get your ass to Gen Con!  It won't be the same without you!



I should be able to make Gencon. Not sure if I can afford to stay more than 1 day though. Hotels art expensive
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: MittenNinja May 17, 2008, 10:05:26 PM
I should be able to make Gencon. Not sure if I can afford to stay more than 1 day though. Hotels art expensive
All you have to do is hit it off with some other gamer and stay at his/her place  :wink
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Cyrocloud May 18, 2008, 12:09:35 AM
I should be able to make Gencon. Not sure if I can afford to stay more than 1 day though. Hotels art expensive
All you have to do is hit it off with some other gamer and stay at his/her place  :wink

Well if some of those girls from the comiccon NY (That was an interesting article) lived near there I wouldn't mind losing a few hours of sleep, and save a few bucks.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Meg May 18, 2008, 12:55:23 AM
As Josh said, I'll be there! 

I really want to meet other CharOp folks.  I really cut loose and have a great time there and it would be a blast.  Spending New Year's with RT was so cool, I'm picturing that x 10!
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: PhoenixInferno May 18, 2008, 01:10:48 AM
I'm thinking about going.  I know at least 2 others that I could be bunking with.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Meg May 18, 2008, 01:13:50 AM
I would love to meet you PI.  I have a special place in my heart for assholes and I say with all admiration and respect that you my friend, are awesome :)
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: brislove May 18, 2008, 01:21:45 AM
I went to gencon the first time 3 years ago. I hope a year never passes that I miss it, this year will not be that year. I'll be there.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: skydragonknight May 18, 2008, 01:24:05 AM
I'm thinking about going.  I know at least 2 others that I could be bunking with.

Awesome. Any chance 22 Over 7 is going?
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: MittenNinja May 18, 2008, 01:42:25 AM
I'm planning on slapping a "MittenNinja"  sticker or something on my backpack so I'll be recognizable to you internet folks. I'll get a picture up once I have said sticker.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: PhoenixInferno May 18, 2008, 01:46:01 AM
I would love to meet you PI.  I have a special place in my heart for assholes and I say with all admiration and respect that you my friend, are awesome :)
Um...OK?
: skydragonknight
Awesome. Any chance 22 Over 7 is going?
I'd have to ask him, but he's busy with work.
: Mitten Ninja
I'm planning on slapping a "MittenNinja"  sticker or something on my backpack so I'll be recognizable to you internet folks. I'll get a picture up once I have said sticker.
Figure we'll pick a place and time and that'll be sufficient.  If it was up to me, and I could confirm the headcount, I'd take out a section of a casual dining joint, and have nametags.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Josh May 18, 2008, 02:06:50 AM

Zeke you pussy.  Get your ass to Gen Con!  It won't be the same without you!


Zekes secret weakness is peer pressure.  If he starts receiving dozens of emails from people wishing he would go to gencon he will break down.   
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: JanusJones May 18, 2008, 02:56:23 AM
Ummm . . .

. . . where and when is it, again?

I've been a real person so long I've forgotten.  So sad!
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: MittenNinja May 18, 2008, 02:58:43 AM
Ummm . . .

. . . where and when is it, again?

I've been a real person so long I've forgotten.  So sad!

August 14th-18th, Indianapolis.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: EjoThims May 18, 2008, 03:04:04 AM
I live in Indy... The space, city, and people here are much better than in Milwaukee, IMO (haven't seen church nuts protesting once down here).

But when it's in my own backyard it's just not the same... Plus I really, really miss an excuse to go the Safehouse.

I'll be able to make it must likely if we can flesh out details on when to get together or where to meet up or getting games going or whatever.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: BoSheck May 18, 2008, 03:13:46 AM
Living in Southern Indiana means there's not much reason to miss it, but we'll see hwo money is.  The Mrs. and I may make it up for a day, we had a blast last time we went--the Dealer floor is where it's at.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: PhoenixInferno May 18, 2008, 03:15:10 AM
I live in Indy... The space, city, and people here are much better than in Milwaukee, IMO (haven't seen church nuts protesting once down here).

But when it's in my own backyard it's just not the same... Plus I really, really miss an excuse to go the Safehouse.

I'll be able to make it must likely if we can flesh out details on when to get together or where to meet up or getting games going or whatever.
Sounds to me like you're the perfect person to make most of the plans.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: EjoThims May 18, 2008, 03:17:25 AM
Sounds to me like you're the perfect person to make most of the plans.

Oh gods PI...

I never knew you hated me.

Whatever I did... I'm sorry.

  :wink
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Ieniemienie May 18, 2008, 04:59:54 AM
So close, yet so far away; I'm doing this tour by bus through California from 7 till 21 August, so I will be relatively close to GenCon (live in Netherlands), but will not actually be able to go... too bad...
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: MittenNinja May 18, 2008, 05:21:41 AM
: Mitten Ninja
I'm planning on slapping a "MittenNinja"  sticker or something on my backpack so I'll be recognizable to you internet folks. I'll get a picture up once I have said sticker.
Figure we'll pick a place and time and that'll be sufficient.  If it was up to me, and I could confirm the headcount, I'd take out a section of a casual dining joint, and have nametags.
[/quote]

That would be awesome if it could be organized. I'll still probably have some form of distinguishing feature to identify myself though.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: EjoThims May 18, 2008, 05:32:23 AM
That would be awesome if it could be organized. I'll still probably have some form of distinguishing feature to identify myself though.

Yea. GenCon badges can't be custom names, can they?
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Dragon Snack May 18, 2008, 06:25:42 AM
I had a Dragon Snack badge a couple of years ago, but that was because I bought it as a walk up and it wasn't preprinted...
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Josh May 18, 2008, 07:05:19 AM
First off, we will want to have a cellphone contact list.  We have done this a number of times and that is the most important thing. 

We will also want to get an idea of numbers and what people want to do. 

Obviously, people will want to kibitz.  And at some point food and beverage will be consumed.

Games are obviously somewhere on the menu, it would be cool to go to the ball or other events together. 

So ideas interests etc
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: EjoThims May 18, 2008, 02:45:11 PM
317-847-3515

AIM: EjoThims

MSN: Jeiph@mac.com
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Redeemer of Ogar May 19, 2008, 04:45:37 AM
I haven't missed a GenCon in about 15 years. I have obligations as I am helping to run the Miniatures Painting Competition and the Miniatures Free Paint-n-Take, but if scheduling works out and you welcome lurkers I'd love to drop in and say hi.  :)
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Squirrelloid May 19, 2008, 07:23:39 AM
Hey, some of you may know me from the old WotC CharOp boards (this username), but i hadn't been active there in a little while.  Found these through GD, thought I'd stop by and see what it was like.

And I'll be at GenCon Indy - yay topic relevance
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: MittenNinja May 19, 2008, 05:08:45 PM
To those who are interested: There is a "Who's Line is it Anyway?" event on fri and sat nights lasting until 1am. I sense that those events will have a large chance of being epic.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: skydragonknight May 19, 2008, 05:23:56 PM
Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but is there anyone in Michigan who'd like to car pool?
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: MittenNinja May 19, 2008, 06:06:27 PM
Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but is there anyone in Michigan who'd like to car pool?

I'm heading out from the Twin Cities.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: EjoThims June 04, 2008, 11:10:51 AM
Bump.

We should at least try to arrange a time to all be in the same place at the same time, even if we don't actually DO anything.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: SixthDeclension June 04, 2008, 07:49:31 PM
Bummer, I'm too young to go alone! Sixteen is such a depressing age...
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Cyrocloud June 04, 2008, 11:04:28 PM
Umm, what else is there to do in indianapolis besides GenCon?

(215) 813-8780 (someone on the net already got my number so I guess it doesn't matter any more...Damn singles sites sending me shit all the time.  I don't think I've ever visited one unless I opened the damn link on a email thinking what the hell is this.)


AIM cyrocloud
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: EjoThims June 04, 2008, 11:33:11 PM
Umm, what else is there to do in indianapolis besides GenCon?

Honestly not much more than in Milwaukee, but the mall and food court doesn't close at 7. Plus the non-gamers tend to be a lot more accommodating.

There's apparently other things downtown that normal people like, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

I think we have a zoo? Iunno...
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Blade2718 June 05, 2008, 01:24:58 AM
Dudes and dude-ettes, http://indianapolis.citysearch.com/
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: dman11235 June 05, 2008, 02:08:58 AM
To those who are interested: There is a "Who's Line is it Anyway?" event on fri and sat nights lasting until 1am. I sense that those events will have a large chance of being epic.

You just sealed it MN.  I WILL be going now.  If I only had money... I do live a short 45 minutes away from Indy, so that won't be a problem.  If anything I can come down and hang around for a bit.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: EjoThims June 05, 2008, 09:13:52 AM
You just sealed it MN.  I WILL be going now.  If I only had money... I do live a short 45 minutes away from Indy, so that won't be a problem.  If anything I can come down and hang around for a bit.

Oh nice dman. I didn't realize we were so close (I'm in Indy).  :)
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Zeke June 09, 2008, 10:34:39 PM
I am going to GenCon. I will be glad to see all of you.

I think we should have a BG event at GenCon.
I'm thinking of a spirited, informed and half drunk discussion of gameology.

I don't just mean a bunch of us at a bar, although that will doubtless happen.

I mean a salon to use an 18th century term. So from all of you I need a couple of things. We need a couple of topics/questions for discussion. We also need someone to play Tim Russert and moderate this thing.

I'm going to cross post this on the off topic board and see what happens.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Meg June 09, 2008, 11:04:18 PM
My thought on this:

We do a Gameology seminar salon from 5:30-7:30 in the lobby of Embassy Suites on Thursday or Friday.  There's some nice space there (that we may have to fight for, but it could be doable with persistence) but it's also the Embassy Suites "Happy Hour" where they have drinks and snacks- technically for guests of the suites, but that's where we're staying so as long as we're not too obvious about it, we can hand over our keycards and participants could help themselves to the bar line. 

So it's a good venue and we can have our moderated, official discussion for two hours and then either go out to eat with anyone who is interested or go up to our room for the actual hangout, fun piece.

Who cares that the event isn't in the GenCon book?  Didn't stop me ever.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: chibishuffle June 11, 2008, 06:32:52 PM
I'll definitely be at Gen Con for what its worth  :)
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: wO-_-OdrOw June 11, 2008, 07:27:25 PM
I'd take out a section of a casual dining joint,

http://www.indy.org/indianapolis/web/jsp/wheretoeat/results.jsp?c=indydiningguide:downtownmonumentcircle&m=v&p=1&x=1213219015215

I'd be interested in some food with the CharOp'ers. I'm only twenty though.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: PhoenixInferno June 11, 2008, 09:42:22 PM
My thought on this:

We do a Gameology seminar salon from 5:30-7:30 in the lobby of Embassy Suites on Thursday or Friday.  There's some nice space there (that we may have to fight for, but it could be doable with persistence) but it's also the Embassy Suites "Happy Hour" where they have drinks and snacks- technically for guests of the suites, but that's where we're staying so as long as we're not too obvious about it, we can hand over our keycards and participants could help themselves to the bar line. 

So it's a good venue and we can have our moderated, official discussion for two hours and then either go out to eat with anyone who is interested or go up to our room for the actual hangout, fun piece.

Who cares that the event isn't in the GenCon book?  Didn't stop me ever.
I am for this idea, although I'm still not 100% sure about GenCon.  Its either GenCon or start playing House: the Mortgaging.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: dman11235 June 11, 2008, 11:58:00 PM
I'm only 20, but I won't drink even when 21.  Yeah, I'm a loser like that.  I have no problem going into places like that though.  Heck, I work in a sports bar.  So in short, yes to food with CharOpers.  Hmm, CarhOpers.  COers could definitely find a way to make cars hop.

Also, I'm totally up for the BG discussion.  I say F though.  That's my vote for a day.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: wO-_-OdrOw June 12, 2008, 03:54:36 PM
I'm only 20, but I won't drink even when 21.  Yeah, I'm a loser like that.

No drink smoke drugs promiscuous sex for me  :pout

And I don't know why I even posted that last link. The only place that would make sense to me for this to happen would be The Ram. ( http://www.theram.com/ ) It's just a few blocks from the con center and it's amazing.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Meg June 12, 2008, 04:27:32 PM
The Ram is packed during GenCon with 2 hr + waits and I'm sure the back, small event room is already booked by bigger folks.  Same with the brewery probably.

If we find a place that's a bit off the beaten path we'd probably be better off.  Though for the general meetup I think Embassy Suites is the way to do it.  It's a group dinner (if we wanted to do that) that is the question for reservations.   
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Redeemer of Ogar June 12, 2008, 07:44:09 PM
The Ram is packed during GenCon with 2 hr + waits

Though to be honest, that's true of everything within walking distance as far as I've been able to tell.  :P
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Meg June 13, 2008, 01:32:00 AM
No, not necessarily.  Just the places that are within very close walking distance.  We went to this German brewery place which was about a 15 minute walk and no one from the con was there. 
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: dman11235 June 13, 2008, 11:48:01 AM
How many geeks want to walk for more than two minutes?

On a more serious note, I say Embassy meet up.  It's easiest to do, and easiest to find.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Redeemer of Ogar June 13, 2008, 01:32:46 PM
No, not necessarily.  Just the places that are within very close walking distance.  We went to this German brewery place which was about a 15 minute walk and no one from the con was there. 

Ah, fair enough.  I rarely get outside Very Close as my wife has hip problems. The last couple years though we've been bringing her wheelchair so I could probably get away with that now.  ;)
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Apekollapsen June 13, 2008, 05:41:38 PM
Bummer, I'm too young to go alone! Sixteen is such a depressing age...

So true. See you in a couple of years kid. :P
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Dragon Snack June 14, 2008, 01:15:36 AM
No, not necessarily.  Just the places that are within very close walking distance.  We went to this German brewery place which was about a 15 minute walk and no one from the con was there. 
It's funny how things work out though.  I remember one year (not last year, obviously) when we were able to walk right into the RAM and get a seat (for a group of about 8 ).  Timing is probably very important...

edit: stupid smilie sneaking into my post...
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: PhoenixInferno June 14, 2008, 03:42:15 AM
Gentlemen - lock up your women and booze.  Ladies - c'mon out with the booze.

PI is going to GenCon... :)
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Meg June 14, 2008, 02:59:51 PM
 :cheers
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Josh June 14, 2008, 03:49:45 PM
No, not necessarily.  Just the places that are within very close walking distance.  We went to this German brewery place which was about a 15 minute walk and no one from the con was there. 

The key is actually flexibility.  Even the big places are not always busy. 

: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: chibishuffle June 15, 2008, 10:44:00 AM
I myself am staying at the westin we can meet in the skybridge that connects the westin to the convention center :)  Also my IM is emeraldhanael
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: Cyrocloud June 15, 2008, 02:07:56 PM
umm how far in advance do you think people should reserve rooms?
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: PhoenixInferno June 15, 2008, 05:05:17 PM
Hilton Garden Inn, about 4 blocks away.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: EntropicShadow June 15, 2008, 05:24:23 PM
I will be going to GenCon as well.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: chibishuffle June 16, 2008, 05:40:10 PM
Cryocloud let me put it to you this way the guy Im sharing a room with booked his a month after last years gen con  :smirk to my knowledge there aren't any rooms left in the area, I could be wrong. 

Does anyone know if Dictuum Mortuum or surreal will be there??
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: Meg June 16, 2008, 06:46:07 PM
The regular block housing opened up in Feb and was sold out for the most part within an hour or so.  It's incredibly frustrating.

At this point, look for something not in the block or to share with someone.  Or go on the waitlist. 
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: Cyrocloud June 16, 2008, 06:56:46 PM
hmmm....crap.  I guess I got to either cut a few friends out and stay with my cousin for the weekend (he lives some where in/near the city) or realy start looking for places.  Do you have to 18 at the time you reserve the room or just by the time you need it?
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: Josh June 16, 2008, 11:09:39 PM
hmmm....crap.  I guess I got to either cut a few friends out and stay with my cousin for the weekend (he lives some where in/near the city) or realy start looking for places.  Do you have to 18 at the time you reserve the room or just by the time you need it?
I do not know, but hotels are businesses that only make money when people go there.  Usually they can figure things out.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: TheChrisWaits June 17, 2008, 04:20:47 PM
With a lot of hotels, you can't check into a room if under 21. I got around this when I was 18 by having the room be in my parents' name and making special arrangements with the hotel.

So pretty much, I'd advise calling and asking. As Josh said, they want your money and will try their best to let you give it to them.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: benbalestra June 18, 2008, 12:13:20 PM
I live in Indy... The space, city, and people here are much better than in Milwaukee, IMO (haven't seen church nuts protesting once down here).

Yes, but Milwaukee when out of it way to get rid of the panhandelers.  So in regards to the city, IMHO, it six of one half a dozen of the other.

But when it's in my own backyard it's just not the same... Plus I really, really miss an excuse to go the Safehouse.

I have heard that there is a new Safehouse in Indy, but it might have been set up just for Gencon and only be open then.  I have not be able to confirm this.

Ben
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: EjoThims July 01, 2008, 08:57:36 PM
Yes, but Milwaukee when out of it way to get rid of the panhandelers.  So in regards to the city, IMHO, it six of one half a dozen of the other.

Our mall and food court also stays open past 7 on Saturdays.  ;)

I have heard that there is a new Safehouse in Indy, but it might have been set up just for Gencon and only be open then.  I have not be able to confirm this.

Ben

I am intrigued by this information and would like to subscribe to the relevant newsletters...
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: benbalestra July 02, 2008, 09:42:58 PM
  Or go on the waitlist. 

I am starting to wonder if the waiting list is even real.

The day of hotel registration my company sent me out of town (for only the second time in the history I worked there).  I knew in advance and my mother said she would register for me.  I gave her all the necessary information, set up her computer to go to the pace and even left it on the page with the pass word entered, all she had to do was press enter.  My mother is one of those people that if the information is not requested in the order she thinks it should be requested in she cannot deal with it.  It took here 45 minutes to enter the information for registion.  Needless to say I did not get the hotel I wanted, or any other down town hotel (or for that matter any hotel).  She did feel bad about it can when as far as to call the convention center to see why it did not work for her (most other system when you start the regestration process the rooms you requested are resered then, and only released if you don't complete, appearenlty Gencon is not that way).  They said there was nothing they could no, but here is a waiting list and there are only about 10 people on it ahead of me.  I am starting to believe they only said that to playcate my mother.

Ben
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: Meg July 02, 2008, 09:52:15 PM
We're looking for one more to help defer costs.  We're at the Embassy Suites so it's 2 rooms so we wouldn't completely be falling all over each other.

I heard from 2 different people that they got through the wait list.  Super weird you didn't hear.

The housing system sucks.  I was so happy I actually go through in a timely manner this year.  Last year wasn't so successful. 
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Meetup
: PhaedrusXY July 03, 2008, 03:35:39 PM
Enlighten me...
Buy, say, two bottles of vodka, go to a random place. Any spot that is not your home should do. Finish both bottles as fast as you can and next thing you notice is that you have teleported to a random location. Repeat enough times to get you to wherever GenCon is at.
I called that college.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: wO-_-OdrOw July 22, 2008, 07:01:26 AM
Anyone want to make a poll thread and make some kind of reservations? Might aswell get a room in some restaurant/hotel for ourselves. Or did that get worked out yet further back in this thread?
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: benbalestra July 26, 2008, 12:57:54 AM
I just got my confirmation from my friends that I have a room at the Hyatt.  Not thrilled about the Hotel, but at least I will be at the con!  I am planing on getting there Wed. early afternoon, and staying until Sunday Afternoon.

So my games are on.  I am running two games at the con, Junk (R 8am to 12noon) and Mekton (R 2 pm to 6 pm). 
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: Meg July 26, 2008, 03:53:51 AM
Anyone want to make a poll thread and make some kind of reservations? Might aswell get a room in some restaurant/hotel for ourselves. Or did that get worked out yet further back in this thread?

What were you thinking?  I think the natural thing would be to make some sort of reservation for Thursday evening after the Salon- does that work?
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: Meg July 26, 2008, 03:54:00 AM
I just got my confirmation from my friends that I have a room at the Hyatt.  Not thrilled about the Hotel, but at least I will be at the con!  I am planing on getting there Wed. early afternoon, and staying until Sunday Afternoon.

So my games are on.  I am running two games at the con, Junk (R 8am to 12noon) and Mekton (R 2 pm to 6 pm). 

Yay!
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: PhoenixInferno July 26, 2008, 04:10:44 AM
So...I got my prepurchased tickets and badge today.  Do the credentials have to be visible at all times or what?  If so, why do they not provide a badge lanyard?
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: Kai July 26, 2008, 04:15:39 AM
I remember getting a chain or some such lanyard at the convention center, that they just had out available to anyone who wanted one. Probably just too hard to mail.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: Meg July 26, 2008, 02:24:27 PM
Yep.  You get a little holder and lanyard thing at the con with your bag of goodies.  Or you can purchase an upgrade at the gencon store.  But yes, it has to be visible at all times.  The stormtroopers find you if you try to go into the vendor hall without it.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: benbalestra July 28, 2008, 10:25:58 AM
Yep.  You get a little holder and lanyard thing at the con with your bag of goodies.  Or you can purchase an upgrade at the gencon store.  But yes, it has to be visible at all times.  The stormtroopers find you if you try to go into the vendor hall without it.

You need to have it showing in order to enter any "event" area of the con hall, the dealers room, game rooms, seminars, etc.  Just walking though the con center no.  This was discovered by a Foot ball coach, the hard way, a few years ago.  The Indy Colts scheduled a preseason game the Sunday of Gencon (this happened several years in a row, but they finally learned not to do it) which created a great deal of issues with Hotel space (funny story about the NFL on that one).  But some coach was walking though the con center and appearnlty had a run in with con security (not sure of it was Stormtroopers at the time) over not wearing a badge.  He was also apparently upset they did not "recognize" him.

As per the lanyard, the ones that are available for free are cheep and fall apart easily.  I purchased one of the "official" Gencon lanyards, and feel it was defently worth the $15 dollars.  I have seen others with Origins ones at Gencon, and as such have used it at more than a dozen cons since Gencon 2006.  It has other functions then just being a con badge holder, it has pockets for pens, business cards and a zippered compartments for con tickets.  I since the keys to most of hotels are electonic today, I normally get two keys (you can ask for extras) and keep one in my wallet and the other in the lanyard, so I canalways get back into my room.

Ben
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: wO-_-OdrOw August 03, 2008, 07:16:10 AM
What were you thinking?  I think the natural thing would be to make some sort of reservation for Thursday evening after the Salon- does that work?

Makes sense, but I don't know where to suggest other than The Ram (which is great!), but it sounds like (judging from the salon thread) you guys would be down to just hang around for the Embassy Suites happy hour shenanigans. I'm only twenty, so that sounds horrible to me. Do as you geezers will.
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: EjoThims August 03, 2008, 09:50:43 AM
Looks like it's not gonna be in the finances for me after all, since I'm moving ATM, and am already coming up short. @.@
: Re: GenCon Indy '08 Min/Max Meetup
: Redeemer of Ogar August 05, 2008, 03:31:27 PM
Looks like it's not gonna be in the finances for me after all, since I'm moving ATM, and am already coming up short. @.@

I feel your pain, we are moving into our new house two weeks after the convention. Fortunately I'm working at the con (Miniatures Painting Competition and the free Paint & Take, come look for us and get a free mini!) - it inhibits my freedom to hang out, but I get free room and badge. More importantly, I don't have to stand in any lines to get my badge, nor deal with the Room Block Reservation Hell to get my room.