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I have an idea, so will throw it out at the wall and see if it sticks:
How about we do a Paizocon 2014 Attendee sign that you can place on your door of your room, and do an open house party at the hotel Thrusday/Friday/Saturday nights.
If you room wants to participate, then post the sign on you door during the evening hours, maybe even have your door open.
This would make the hotel the Meet and greet spot. Load up you sink with refreshments, pull out some chips and snacks and ....
What think everyone?
It would be very reminiscent of the Saturday night parties at the Coast.
(this idea can be refined!!)
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...I just hope that the room block really is a room block. If there are random other people nearby staying in the hotel who aren't part of the convention, they're going to be very sad about all the hubub around their room.
There's also a downside if convention goers want to go to sleep at 10PM on Thursday night so as to be fresh for the actual convention, if there's still a party going on all around them. While room parties are a staple of conventions, I've been to some conventions where they're restricted to certain floors where it won't bother other people. There are disadvantages to partying around where you're also trying to get some sleep....
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The hotel is almost all PaizoConners. Last year they filled well over half of it (I don't have exact numbers), and I've talked with a few Paizo staffers who are pretty sure we'll outgrow the current hotel in a few years.
On the second point, that also is a risk. Hell, at the first PaizoCon once it went official, me and a few folks got in some trouble talking too loud outside at 3 am (we WERE loud, and drunk, and animated fellows in general, so we were guilty as charged and appropriately chastised).
Fortunately, most Con parties I've been to since are pretty low-key. These aren't pumped-up radios, screaming people, and knocked-over furniture parties. These are low-key, drink-and-talk, Blade Runner muted and subtitled in the living room parties.
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When it's me, Clinton Boomer, Dain Nielsen, and nigh-unlimited booze, yeah, it can get rowdy. But now I kinda work as a drunk cop for my fellow drunks, trying to make sure our outbursts are dull roars.
Also, Coast Bellevue was a much smaller venue. There's a lot of areas for loud conversation well away from hotel rooms at the airport Marriott. Even being over at the smoking annex lounge, as I call it, puts you pretty far out of earshot from anyone who might reasonably be sleeping (hobos not included).
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OK, so it looks like AFK E&E is a go. They can support 100+ people and are eager to receive us. More info to come.
I called the hotel and found out that the pool closes at 10PM and you cannot have glass around the pool (for those who drink). If there are any specific questions just let me know and I'll call and ask them.
If any locals want to try and coordinate something with any other venues then do what you can and keep me in touch so I can post details when they become available (or just post them yourself). For what it's worth it doesn't have to be a local, but they tend to know the area better.
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When it's me, Clinton Boomer, Dain Nielsen, and nigh-unlimited booze, yeah, it can get rowdy. But now I kinda work as a drunk cop for my fellow drunks, trying to make sure our outbursts are dull roars.
Also, Coast Bellevue was a much smaller venue. There's a lot of areas for loud conversation well away from hotel rooms at the airport Marriott. Even being over at the smoking annex lounge, as I call it, puts you pretty far out of earshot from anyone who might reasonably be sleeping (hobos not included).
Yeah, OK, we were kinda rowdy in 2009 and 2010 ... though it was a good time and we were rowdy in primarily non-populated areas.
I kept the rum-soaked celebrations to a more reasonable level in 2012 and 2013 (though the rum quality and selection improved significantly ;)). Since I am missing out this year, I will need to start the stock up for 2015 early and bring a nice selection ...
When it's me, Clinton Boomer, Dain Nielsen, and nigh-unlimited booze, yeah, it can get rowdy. But now I kinda work as a drunk cop for my fellow drunks, trying to make sure our outbursts are dull roars.Yeah, OK, we were kinda rowdy in 2009 and 2010 ... though it was a good time and we were rowdy in primarily non-populated areas.
I kept the rum-soaked celebrations to a more reasonable level in 2012 and 2013 (though the rum quality and selection improved significantly ;)). Since I am missing out this year, I will need to start the stock up for 2015 early and bring a nice selection ...
I'd offer to throw myself on that grenade for ya, but a) I'll be with my lovely bride; b) I no longer have much of a tolerance for alcohol; and c) I'm willing to hold off until the 2015 celebration and toast to you in person rather than virtually/by proxy. :-)
Might check and see if there's a shuttle service available. That way we can get a bunch of people there and back at one time.
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It's only a ten minute (4 mile) drive from the hotel so if a few people split a cab it should be relatively cheap. The only (free) shuttle service is between the hotel and the airport. To get a service like what Kyle had last year would require money we don't have. I agree it would be ideal though.
Maybe I'll call one of the local cab companies and let them know we will have people going between the hotel and AFK so they could have cars stationed at both locations (or at least nearby). Any locals know which cab company is best and could even pm me the company's number (including area code)?
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AFK E&E has agreed to set aside enough room for 100 people. I just need to know if that's what the community wants, then I can set up the event on their Facebook page and tell them to block off the tables as a reservation.
Paul wrote saying a 5 PM start time would work. What do you all think?
And, most importantly, do you want AFK E&E as the location?
It's totally doable, and a great venue. I just need to know so I can secure the space for whomever is organizing...
Count me in. I've never been to AFK and it sounds like the perfect place to assemble a large gathering of geekery and nerdage.
I think we can easily fill 100 seats at AFK. It seems a very popular idea with the people coming from here (I'm the only hold-out at 50/50 for pool/block party vs. AFK - everyone else is highly in favor of AFK). We'll probably get there at 6:30-7:00 ourselves.
Make it so!
Save a spot for Paul and I
I'm sure that car pools might be a good suggestion and fitting several people in a cab would help with the cost. My car holds 4 passengers and a driver. We can make a "drive by" to see how we might help in transportation.
Happy gaming
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I also believe we will easily get 100 people there or at least close to it. I would say go ahead and get the reservation Ed.
5PM is probably a good start time though I am willing to bet there will be people showing up earlier than that.
I have numbers for a couple of cab companies. I will call them when I get a chance to see if they can stage cabs at the hotel and AFK for the congoers.
@Ed Healy - Is AFK willing or able to do some sort of special or discount for Paizocon attendees?
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PaizoCon Founder, Wayfinder Editor-in-Chief
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I will definitely attend.
However, we've been listening to our Wayfinder clan, and many of them would like a smaller, Wayfinder-centric gathering for dinner. Therefore, we are thinking that Wayfinder contributors for #10 and #11 will be invited to meet at a local restaurant in the Southcenter area (we are thinking either Claimjumper's bar area or Mizuki Buffet . Or something.
After that gathering, those wanting to join the AFK party will do so, I imagine.
I just created a Facebook event for the Meet & Eat.
Please feel free to keep talking about it here, or on Facebook. If there's enough chatter about it, there, I may be able to get AFK to make a special Pathfinder menu for us...
#hint #wink #nudge
Maybe we can get them to make Legacy of Fire Cocktails?
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Also, I think setting up something with AFK is a no-brainer. Hopefully, they will be as excited to have us as many of us are to go hang there.
I'm at AFK right now, and it's fantastic. I just got to eat an orc,, and it was delicious! Plus PFS... I look forward to my Thursdays here every week. I basically plan my week around the fun I'll be having every Thursday night. And my kids have been begging to come here, so I may have them come with me for the Meet & Greet. You may remember my younger four year old son as Ronan the 1st level barbarian with long blonde hair doing charge attacks during Kyle's party. My older son Caeden will be attending the con with me.
As for AFK, they know that there will be 100+ people in attendance and that we'll probably by filling the restaurant. They're excited for the turnout. The menus here need to be seen to believed.
http://www.afktavern.com/menus/food-menu/
http://www.afktavern.com/menus/drink-menu/
http://www.afktavern.com/menus/on-tap/
http://www.afktavern.com/menus/mjod-wine/
http://www.afktavern.com/menus/mjod-wine/
http://www.afktavern.com/menus/games-menu/
I am REALLY looking forward to seeing all of you here!
- Rebis (aka Rich Crotty)
Wow, its a distance from Seattle.
Same company, different location. AFK Elixirs & Eatery is in Renton and a bit closer to the hotel.
I look forward to my Thursdays here every week. I basically plan my week around the fun I'll be having every Thursday night.
We're having a general RPG gathering tomorrow at 3 PM.
Feel free to drop by...
Wow, its a distance from Seattle.Same company, different location. AFK Elixirs & Eatery is in Renton and a bit closer to the hotel.
It about 4.2 miles from the hotel. This one is in Renton not Everett
I plan on attending. I land around noonish on Thursday and may go spend part of the afternoon in downtown Seatle and then head on by here afterwards and on way back to hotel. Should be fun.
(Plus, I know I tend to be one of those guys that gets loud when certain beverages have been consumed :) )
Does anyone have any plans for kicking off the Block Party or Pool Party?
We should get a packet/flyer together with info on all three. (And that door poster for the Block Party)
Getting to the meet and greet won't be a problem. Plenty of bus transport goes to and from Southcenter. Getting back to the hotel will be, because the last buses leave fairly early in the evening. It is a long walk back to the hotel.
Getting to the meet and greet won't be a problem. Plenty of bus transport goes to and from Southcenter. Getting back to the hotel will be, because the last buses leave fairly early in the evening. It is a long walk back to the hotel.
I'm hoping I'm wrong, but I show on Google at least (may not have the most updated) that by 5pm on July 3rd it's over an hour going well out of the way to get over to AFK. Even the link through Southcenter that shows up right now (but not July 3rd) is 40 minutes.
That is 40 minutes of potentially hanging out with fellow con-goers though.
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Since I won't get in till 11pm I like the pool/block party idea. Plus I won't have a car, but will have jetlag, so staying close to my room, but still getting a chance to informally meet folks sounds fun. Is there any chance of both happening? Plus the pool/block party sounds a bit more of an intimate setting to meet new folks (or finally meet them face-to face.)
Zombie Bit Me will be at the Meet & Eat.
ZBM was part of the Gamerati GottaCon Gaming Convention spotlight video.
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Update:
I contacted a couple of cab companies today. One of them I have to call back on Friday to talk to the appropriate person and the other is supposed to send me an email with questions to answer so they can bring it up to their board. It's looking like it'll be a pain to have cabs stationed at either or both locations for ease. We may have to resort to just posting cab company numbers that people can call.
As far as a flyer/poster. I will see what I can do between now and Thursday. I may not have much time to make anything that looks decent. It may just have to be something very basic without much graphics. If someone else wants to tackle the flyer that would be great too. I am pretty busy this week so that would help a bunch. If someone does and needs info let me know.
The only two venues that people have really expressed preference for were AFK and the hotel pool.
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Getting to the meet and greet won't be a problem. Plenty of bus transport goes to and from Southcenter. Getting back to the hotel will be, because the last buses leave fairly early in the evening. It is a long walk back to the hotel.I'm hoping I'm wrong, but I show on Google at least (may not have the most updated) that by 5pm on July 3rd it's over an hour going well out of the way to get over to AFK. Even the link through Southcenter that shows up right now (but not July 3rd) is 40 minutes.
That is 40 minutes of potentially hanging out with fellow con-goers though.
Hehe, way to see the glass as half-full. I think I'll stick to the 10 minute cab ride though.