Are you going to Fan Faire this year? Me too! In anticipation of the big event, which is sneaking up on us, I bring you some things I've learned the last two Fan Faires. Con newb or old hand, I hope you enjoy:
Calthine's Fan Faire Tips
This is great information for any trip to Vegas actually! Sleeping can be difficult because they pump the casinos full of oxygen which gives you the illusion that you're wide awake... even if you have been imbibing an adult beverage or 5.
It's the over-processed air inside that always does me in. I drank so much water last year I thought I'd grow gills, and I was still thirsty all the time!
The no free wifi tip at the hotel was a huge help. Now to decide on whether it's worth paying for the connection while we're there =/
Aldia@Antonia Bayle wrote:
Uggh.. no choice here.. I'll be uploading photos and blog entries to ZAM every opportunity I have.
Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:
Aldia@Antonia Bayle wrote:The no free wifi tip at the hotel was a huge help. Now to decide on whether it's worth paying for the connection while we're there =/Uggh.. no choice here.. I'll be uploading photos and blog entries to ZAM every opportunity I have.
Not exactly a good comparison seeing as you can take it as a tax deduction. 'unreimbursed business expense', since you are an 'employee' of Zam, assuming you get a W-2 .. if you get a 1099, see next.
Now, people like Niami Denmother of EqTraders can take it as an actual Business Expense, along with most of FanFaire since her site is her business (well if you count it as a business seeing as it costs her more than it earns but it is wise to do Fansites as a self-employed tax deduction & if you get a 1099, the IRS sees you as self employed), a trip to the Bally Spa wouldn't cut it as an expense for anyone under the $2m earning gap ... unless they were in politics .. (semi-joking on that .. )
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Most of the Tips are just common sense. Though I had to go double check Bally's hotel room amenities and was shocked that yeah they don't have coffee makers listed. Good thing we are driving, I'll just pack a cooler of Pepsi and be happier for it. I bought a big Tote purse that I will be carrying around with Water (no resident of AZ is without H20!!), snacks, gum, Visine, Chocolate for when I run into 'Mum, lotion, kleenex, hand wipes, and Allergy pills! Which is something you forgot to mention in your tips .. though it might be a limited need.
For people, such as me, who are allergic to cigerette smoke (nasty, stinky habit, btw!) it is really a good idea to load yourself up on allergy pills & kleenex! Smokers are bad enough when they are calm, add in the gambling, booze & naked women all over the place and you have on your hands a bunch of stung out nervous smokers who are smoking through their packs like it's water. Or, like Alcoholics who were off the wagon after 2 years. Took me days of washing myself & clothing last time I was there to get out the smell of cigerette smoke! *sigh*
But, other than the inevitable Benedryl/Claritin 'high', which may at least help with the feelings of claustrophia of being surrounded by so many people, I am really looking forward to going to my first FF!
If you're 1099, you get pretty, um, yeah, by the IRS anyway.
See Vegas wants you to gamble. Not hang out in your room all day, so that's why there's no real desk to sit at or easy/free access to WiFi.
Kaisha@Permafrost wrote:
For people, such as me, who are allergic to cigerette smoke (nasty, stinky habit, btw!) it is really a good idea to load yourself up on allergy pills & kleenex! Smokers are bad enough when they are calm, add in the gambling, booze & naked women all over the place and you have on your hands a bunch of stung out nervous smokers who are smoking through their packs like it's water. Or, like Alcoholics who were off the wagon after 2 years. Took me days of washing myself & clothing last time I was there to get out the smell of cigerette smoke! *sigh*But, other than the inevitable Benedryl/Claritin 'high', which may at least help with the feelings of claustrophia of being surrounded by so many people, I am really looking forward to going to my first FF!
I was overjoyed year before last to discover smoking is no longer allowed in a lot of the places I would normally go and the allowed places reduced even more for last year. Yes, I know it's tough on those people who smoke (they have to go out of their way to find the places they can... usually outside), but for those of us who are allergic it makes Vegas survivable.With smokers confined to a few places, it actually gives the rest of us clean air to breath (and I avoid outside in Vegas... not 'cause of smokers, because of the opressive heat which my body also hates with a purple passion).
I'll still be packing my anti-allergy stuff 'cause it's the only way I can even slightly mitigate food issues.
Calthine, great reminder on the nasal saline spray. I need to get a new bottle for the trip.
Packing food bits in carry around the event bag, too, is a good good good idea (and not jsut sweets, carry something sustaining!). Besides, it's the one thing I could be positive I won't have a food reaction to *laugh* (which is actually, I believe, one of the primary reasons for Den Mom's Trail Mix).
Couple more tips but general travel ones
If you're on any prescription medication, be sure to read the FFA requirements on how to pack it with you (especially if it's liquid). Pack at least double what you minimally need in 2 containers in 2 seperate bags, especially if you're checking a bag.
If you're taking a long flight, in your carry-on, pack a wash cloth, pair of underware, and pair of socks. About 20 mins before landing, go into the lavetory. Change your underware and socks and wash your face (and other reachable locations that won't leave puddle marks). It will help you feel heaps fresher.
If you're checking your main luggage, pack a change of clothes in your carry-on.. just in case your bag doesn't arrive at the same time.
Heh.. I try to itemize as little as possible. I've managed to thwart off the Audit Fairies for 3+ decades and I have no desire to tempt the fates. Besides.. I just found my VZW aircard.. and they now have unlimited usage for 24 hours for $9.99 and probably faster than sharing the bandwidth with 2000 hotel guests. XD
Rijacki wrote:
That's a terrific tip that I practice every flight myself! I seem to be cursed with lost luggage and I've traveled alot over the years. I think my suitcase hates me and keeps trying to run away from home every opportunity it gets.
If you wouldn't keep packing smelly grody cheese in it...
Kiara wrote:
That's not cheese.. its decomposing dark elf... kidding! Kind of.. /shuffles off in to the shadows
Though I had to go double check Bally's hotel room amenities and was shocked that yeah they don't have coffee makers listed.
Yeah, I called them to verify that and internet availability. A nice young man read me his scripts, but was unable to answer anything they didn't cover, lol.
Calthine wrote:
Sit at the bar at 6:00 am.. play a few rounds of video poker.. and its all you can drink coffee for $2-$3.. ^^
Some good tips, thx for the writeup.
This'll be my first year! My wife made me promise not to gamble! =(
