Arisia 2006 Intial Report

All in all, it was a mildly disappointing con for me. Looking back, my primary emotion is one of regret.

I simply didn't do much. Didn't get to see the people I wanted to see, or spend enough time with them. Didn't do, well, much of anything: didn't see the Masquerade (much less participate in it), didn't do the film room or the art show or the dealer's room or dealer's row (much) or the Green Room (much) or game at all or dance...you know, if I keep this up, I'm going to get pretty fucking depressed.

Which will, of course, just make this journal all the less interesting for newcomers, a point which was made abundantly clear to me this weekend.

Sigh.

On the plus side, a lot of things went far more smoothly than ever before this time. We got there with no problem, parked, got our room, registered...people who aren't familiar with Arisia from a decade ago or more may not appreciate how incredibly well everything is handled now. Registration used to be a nightmare, and now it's a pleasure to go through (and not just because zarhooie was there).

Prices at the hotel have gone way up. Food and parking are simply amazing; $36 per day for parking, without tip! And I remember when the breakfast buffet at the Cafe Rouge (the old hotel restaurant) was under ten dollars. Now it's $18.50.

Speaking of parking, the con has a wonderful convenience that isn't well explained, although there was a flyer to explain it. Here's the story:
( Read more... )

Sigh. Still coping with a feeling of let-down. I'll write more about panels and other stuff later.

Arisia 2006 Intial Report

All in all, it was a mildly disappointing con for me. Looking back, my primary emotion is one of regret.

I simply didn't do much. Didn't get to see the people I wanted to see, or spend enough time with them. Didn't do, well, much of anything: didn't see the Masquerade (much less participate in it), didn't do the film room or the art show or the dealer's room or dealer's row (much) or the Green Room (much) or game at all or dance...you know, if I keep this up, I'm going to get pretty fucking depressed.

Which will, of course, just make this journal all the less interesting for newcomers, a point which was made abundantly clear to me this weekend.

Sigh.

On the plus side, a lot of things went far more smoothly than ever before this time. We got there with no problem, parked, got our room, registered...people who aren't familiar with Arisia from a decade ago or more may not appreciate how incredibly well everything is handled now. Registration used to be a nightmare, and now it's a pleasure to go through (and not just because zarhooie was there).

Prices at the hotel have gone way up. Food and parking are simply amazing; $36 per day for parking, without tip! And I remember when the breakfast buffet at the Cafe Rouge (the old hotel restaurant) was under ten dollars. Now it's $18.50.

Speaking of parking, the con has a wonderful convenience that isn't well explained, although there was a flyer to explain it. Here's the story:
( Read more... )

Sigh. Still coping with a feeling of let-down. I'll write more about panels and other stuff later.