Pencon 2012

SallyNasty wrote:

I have wife approval, and the money. Also, wife is not expecting within weeks of PenCon this year, and there is no plan to change that!

I think she would murder me if we had a baby in 2012. We had one in 2010 and one in 2011. I think she is lilnastied out for the near future (perhaps for all time!).

Go for Irish twins next!

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Has there been any talk about doing any sort of shuttle to/from a specific airport, or is the plan for everyone to do ad hoc carpools?

We are planning renting one or more 15 passenger vans to shuttle people with. To make that work as easily as possible, it would be convenient if everyone could land in Columbus at the same time. I'm sure the airlines will make that easy as possible.

Tigerbill wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

Has there been any talk about doing any sort of shuttle to/from a specific airport, or is the plan for everyone to do ad hoc carpools?

We are planning renting one or more 15 passenger vans to shuttle people with. To make that work as easily as possible, it would be convenient if everyone could land in Columbus at the same time. I'm sure the airlines will make that easy as possible.

That sounds workable, just need to figure out when the shuttle comes and goes so we know when we have to be there and if we need to plan for any hotels between shuttles and flights.

Mantid, you must think we're organized or something.

bandit0013 wrote:
Stengah wrote:

I'd be coming from Maine, so it'd be quite a trek. It'd just be my wife and I, possibly just me if we had to take a slower form of transportation (as my wife would have to take even more time off from work). Taking a train looks to be out, it doesn't look to work out to be any cheaper than flying (it'd require getting a hotel in Boston). Taking Greyhound could work, it'd take just under 24 hours to get to Columbus. Though they're priced better, they'd still be twice what the plane tickets would have been.

Surely there's another GWJer between Maine and Ohio you could meet and pool?

It'd be an option, it'd certainly make the 16+ hour drive more palatable.

Stengah wrote:
bandit0013 wrote:
Stengah wrote:

I'd be coming from Maine, so it'd be quite a trek. It'd just be my wife and I, possibly just me if we had to take a slower form of transportation (as my wife would have to take even more time off from work). Taking a train looks to be out, it doesn't look to work out to be any cheaper than flying (it'd require getting a hotel in Boston). Taking Greyhound could work, it'd take just under 24 hours to get to Columbus. Though they're priced better, they'd still be twice what the plane tickets would have been.

Surely there's another GWJer between Maine and Ohio you could meet and pool?

It'd be an option, it'd certainly make the 16+ hour drive more palatable.

We would love to share the ride with you but we only have one open seat in our car so you are gonna have to ditch the lady, or... we can caravan if you want.

My staff has been kicking this around for the last few days. We're trying like hell to come up with a way to accommodate couples but given the limited numbers of beds and bathrooms, it's extremely difficult without either alienating those who brought their SOs or severely limiting space for everyone else. Simply put, this is a rather sticky problem.

So I pose this question to those of you planning on bringing your SOs, how upset will you be if we can't find space that you can call your own for a while? Don't get me wrong, we're still going to try but our options are limited.

We need to get a lot of people in here and we only have 20 rooms. Those rooms may need to sleep 4 times that many people.

Our intentions is to simply have people buy tickets and sign up, then we'll organize them into rooms with preferred roommates as best as we can. If that's a problem for you or you and your SO personally, please send me a PM and we'll see what we can do.

That may not be our final plan, this is more of a straw poll to help us decide on a course of action.

I have a suggestion. Organize rooms by whatever method you want. Keep one room open as the shaggin cabin. That way there is a space for couples who need a bit of time.

I'm joking of course. Not bringing my wife, so I have nothing of use to add.

I asked my wife about this and she was not down with splitting rooms. Might have to see about her not coming and we do a separate trip to the castle as a couple.

We will be selling pencon branded socks as an airtight %100 reliable system to ensure privacy. Simply place your pencon branded sock on the doorknob of whatever room you're occupying for maximum privacy.

If the tower's a rockin', don't go a knockin'.

SixteenBlue wrote:

I asked my wife about this and she was not down with splitting rooms. Might have to see about her not coming and we do a separate trip to the castle as a couple.

Well yeah, that's why we're sending the poll out. If there are enough couples that need their own space, we'll work something out. We want to provide a fun event for everyone but with living quarters being so constrained....

There's also the possibility of us finding offsite accommodations for couples. There are a number of other places within 10 or 15 minutes away. We could reserve a block of rooms at a discount for couples and then you could drive to the castle for the day. Public bathroom facilities are available so it isn't like you would need to drive back and forth all day.

The plan is to find a comfortable place for everyone.

If I and my wife were attending AND Rabbit was bringing Jessica, I would DEMAND to share rooms. 'cause HAWT!

oilypenguin wrote:
SixteenBlue wrote:

I asked my wife about this and she was not down with splitting rooms. Might have to see about her not coming and we do a separate trip to the castle as a couple.

Well yeah, that's why we're sending the poll out. If there are enough couples that need their own space, we'll work something out. We want to provide a fun event for everyone but with living quarters being so constrained....

There's also the possibility of us finding offsite accommodations for couples. There are a number of other places within 10 or 15 minutes away. We could reserve a block of rooms at a discount for couples and then you could drive to the castle for the day. Public bathroom facilities are available so it isn't like you would need to drive back and forth all day.

The plan is to find a comfortable place for everyone.

Yeah that's why I asked her about this already. I saw this coming.

We will have a hard time sharing space with the baby. We would also prefer not to be off-site so we can stay after putting him down for sleeping. Unless we are going to setup some sort of baby nursery. My wife and I don't mind sharing sleeping space.

oilypenguin wrote:

The plan is to find a comfortable place for everyone.

Honestly, as long as someone will let me get time for showering and such in a bathroom, I'm fine with my sleeping bag and pillow in any quiet out-of-the-way spot near an electrical outlet (I unfortunately rely upon a CPAP, don't recall if I mentioned that upthread). I don't need a bed, though I won't turn one down.

Farscry wrote:
oilypenguin wrote:

The plan is to find a comfortable place for everyone.

Honestly, as long as someone will let me get time for showering and such in a bathroom, I'm fine with my sleeping bag and pillow in any quiet out-of-the-way spot near an electrical outlet (I unfortunately rely upon a CPAP, don't recall if I mentioned that upthread). I don't need a bed, though I won't turn one down. :D

We'll be roleplaying as much as possible. Do you have a hand crank for it?

Steampunk CPAP? Aw yeah, that'd be awesome.

Oh, and I got confirmation that my vacation time is approved and set, so bring on the sign-ups!

I am bringing my wife, and was hoping to share a room with Zenke/SO, Pyro/SO, Wordy/Ehunnie in some combination of two couples, since we know all 6 of them very well.

Yeah, what that guy said.

Since it'll be the right setting, I'll definitely run something full-on, with dungeon tiles and the whole thing. Maybe the Pathfinder box? Keep meaning to pick that up.

Michael Zenke wrote:

Since it'll be the right setting, I'll definitely run something full-on, with dungeon tiles and the whole thing. Maybe the Pathfinder box? Keep meaning to pick that up.

I'm in!

And if you're wanting something that could potentially be a lot of fun and could potentially be boring as hell, I plan to demo/playtest the card game I'm currently designing. Play it before the pleebs.

MonoCheli wrote:
Michael Zenke wrote:

Since it'll be the right setting, I'll definitely run something full-on, with dungeon tiles and the whole thing. Maybe the Pathfinder box? Keep meaning to pick that up.

I'm in!

Count me in too. Haven't played in many moons (think 2e, SpellJammer era), and have been meaning to get back into it.

Ok my wife is out, so I just need a floor and roommates that don't care that I need a fan on making noise to sleep.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

And if you're wanting something that could potentially be a lot of fun and could potentially be boring as hell, I plan to demo/playtest the card game I'm currently designing. Play it before the pleebs.

I'll play, but only if I can Clock it afterwards.

rabbit wrote:

I am bringing my wife, and was hoping to share a room with Zenke/SO, Pyro/SO, Wordy/Ehunnie in some combination of two couples, since we know all 6 of them very well.

It seems to me we might be ok not reserving rooms for couples exactly but trying to put people with others than they're comfortable with.

However, please keep those PMs coming if you have rooming concerns.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

And if you're wanting something that could potentially be a lot of fun and could potentially be boring as hell, I plan to demo/playtest the card game I'm currently designing. Play it before the pleebs.

Yes please, Clocky. I'd like to have a lot of playtest stuff this year. Conquistador Games coming out was a big hit last year.

Farscry wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

And if you're wanting something that could potentially be a lot of fun and could potentially be boring as hell, I plan to demo/playtest the card game I'm currently designing. Play it before the pleebs.

I'll play, but only if I can Clock it afterwards. ;)

Clock away. Criticism can only improve work.

ClockworkHouse wrote:
Farscry wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

And if you're wanting something that could potentially be a lot of fun and could potentially be boring as hell, I plan to demo/playtest the card game I'm currently designing. Play it before the pleebs.

I'll play, but only if I can Clock it afterwards. ;)

Clock away. Criticism can only improve work.

In all seriousness, definitely count me in for playtesting when you get it going. I am happy to provide both constructive praise and constructive criticisms.

Michael Zenke wrote:

Yeah, what that guy said.

Since it'll be the right setting, I'll definitely run something full-on, with dungeon tiles and the whole thing. Maybe the Pathfinder box? Keep meaning to pick that up.

I own the box if you want to refrain from having to go out and buy a copy.

SixteenBlue wrote:

Ok my wife is out, so I just need a floor and roommates that don't care that I need a fan on making noise to sleep.

Oh, that is an interesting side point! I personally prefer cool air to sleep. While I say this, be reminded that I live on the face of the sun known as orlando florida (I know its not that hot). I prefer sub 70 temps or 72-74 with some air movement. I don't know how others sleep but I wouldn't be surprised if some crazy folks like it hot or stuffy.

EDIT:

SuperDave wrote:
Michael Zenke wrote:

Yeah, what that guy said.

Since it'll be the right setting, I'll definitely run something full-on, with dungeon tiles and the whole thing. Maybe the Pathfinder box? Keep meaning to pick that up.

I own the box if you want to refrain from having to go out and buy a copy.

I also own the beginner box for that in case you are flying and cargo space is tight. I bought an SUV this past week with the express reason of being able to drive long distances with it comfortably. So I will be heading to pencon with as much stuff is needed. Current tally is DnD stuff (pathfinder included if you want), my board game collection, and possibly clothing to wear while there. so far all of this takes maybe 5% of my space so let me know if there is anything else you might want or need and space is an issue.