A life lesson I've learned from cosplay is to never be satisfied with "good enough". If it doesn't look just the right way, go back and do it again. Otherwise, you'll end up with a shitty costume, and be out a zillion hours and a zillion bucks.

Gah, it's been so long since I was in the learning phase about cons....

Um, always have at least one good meal a day. It can be lunch or dinner... but have a decent meal that isn't fast food.

Create a pocket or purse for your costume if you can. Keeping track of your things gets cumbersome with a real purse plus if you make it out of the material your costume is made of it looks in character even if you are stopped for a pic on the way somewhere.

Cosplay has taught me that I can bloody well make damn near anything. A lot of people our age cannot say that. Freaking cosplayers can rewire lights, work with clay/resin/putty/wood/metal/plastics, sew an entire garment, style hair, and are sometimes great photographers too.

I'll be back with more...

I've started traveling with a "Cosplay Emergency Kit", which is just a little container(I bought a little tupperware thing from a grocery store) with at the bare basics, the following:

- safety pins
- small hot glue gun + gluesticks
- handsewing needles and thread
- mini-scissors
- superglue

and can also include stuff like:
- painkillers
- specific paints and stuff in case you need to touch up shoes or a prop
- bobby pins and wig pins
- extra batteries and memory cards for your camera
- any other costume-related needs you think you might have.

Also, when I go to pack for cons, I'll print out references of all the costumes I'm bringing and make a check list on it of what I see so that I don't forget anything. It's handy when you're packing to leave the hotel, too.

1) Room stuffing isn't worth the money you save.

2) Carry all your extra supplies. Extra extras. I always buy a bunch of extra wig caps, for example. It never fails that the brand new one I just opened somehow disappears into a black hole overnight. If it's cheap stuff, just buy more than you need - if you don't need it, you'll have it next time.

>>2062956
3) Yes on the pockets and purses! I try to build a pocket into my new cosplays, or make a purse that goes with the outfit.

4) Also, yes - cosplaying has taught me a lot of random info about a lot of random things. I don't know many people who know how to use power tools, let alone what kind of paints can be used for various applications or how to create bell curves in flat materials. Any time I think 'wow my hobby is so nerdy,' I can at least follow it up with 'but I know how to make some cool shit.'

-Always drink lots of water.
-If your feet start to hurt from walking around too much taking your shoes off will only make it worse.
-Never assume that food at a fancy Hotel is free even if it should be.
-Hentai should always be watched with a large group of people.
-If you know that someone has been shit talking you on the interwebs and they try to talk to you at the con be civil with them.

You really don't have as much time left to do that work as you think.

And, no, you can't "just finish it when you get there."

You start to learn a lot more about your body once you have to make your own clothes from scratch.

It doesn't matter what you wear, you're still naked underneath.

If you ASK for a picture of her ass, she probably won't mind. If you try to be sneaking about it, she probably will.

Unless her tongue is up another girl's vagina, she's probably not actually interested in girls.

Unless his tongue is up a girl's vagina, he's probably not actually interested in girls.

Once you've seen about ten vaginas flying around a hotel room, you've seen them all.

Once you get used to it, sleeping in direct contact with another person isn't really that bad at all, even if you aren't having sex with them (in your mind).

The probability of drama occurring goes up very quickly once you have more than two people in a room. By five you can almost be sure of it.

Somewhere, at some point in time, one of your "friends" just needs you to make the costume for the big group that nobody else wants to make.

If you have a big, expensive camera, you are without a doubt a professional photographer and will soon be posting cosplay pictures in the Italian edition of Vogue. For reals.

Just because your characters are in love does not me you and she are in love.

Ach du meine Gott in Himmel WEAR A FUCKING CONDOM.

At the same time, pretending your asleep so you can listen in while your roommates have sex is acutally kinda interesting. Until you realize that you're going to have to wait at least a day or two to fap. Or recover enough to even want to.

If you're making a costume for someone, make sure they pay in advance, or get a payment plan in a legally binding contract. Even if you've been friends for years.

>>2063206
>If your feet start to hurt from walking around too much taking your shoes off will only make it worse.

Learned that the hard way. :|

No matter how nice you try to be, or polite and humble, someone will always think you are a stuck up bitch biased on your actions. Stop worrying about it.

You don't really know just how well you like your friends until you set up sleeping arrangements.

Stop panicking, it will be hilarious later. Or no one will care.

At some point you just have to leave your hotel room, even if you don't feel 100% ready. Chances are you will realize what you are forgetting as you wait for the elevator so don't worry.

Don't worry.

Stop Worrying.

STOP FUCKING WORRYING.

GOD DAMN IT STOP THAT FUCKING SHIT YOU LOOK FINE GET OUT OF YOUR ROOM AND GO TO A PANEL OR SOMETHING JESUS CHRIST!!!

>>2062956
Breakfast should be a priority in my opinion to keep you energized. Just make sure you`ve been eating regularly for atleast a week before it or you`ll have bowel problems. Other then that you will most likely be fine.
---------------o-
List of items i find help.
Vodka : Disinfectant, mouth wash, cleaning solution, alcohol.
Air freshner: Technically Bathroom Diplomacy
Hand sanitizer: Preferably for before meals, comes in tiny bottles
Dr.Scholz: If you`ve got shoes why not?
Baby Powder: Can be put places to prevent sweating
Listerine Strips: Play Nicely :)
Birth Control: If the need arises.
Cellphone: Self explanatory
Orange Juice: Keep some in the hotel room fridge, it`s extremely healthy for you and if you can`t eat breakfast it`s good to have something in you. (but please don`t be a bitch and complain about others drinking from it, unless it`s completely unreasonable)

Try and be friends with who you`re rooming with.
When someone is getting on your nerves just politely tell them, if they refuse threaten to call security.

>>2063184
>how to create bell curves in flat materials

YES WE WOULD, YES WE WOULD

The people inside the costumes matter a hell of a lot more than the costumes ever will.

Sometimes great friends don't get along in cosplay/con settings. Pick friendship over cosplay.

Most people don't know why they cosplay, or they chalk it up to the wrong reason. Figure out what you actually enjoy out of cosplay, and do it.

Likewise, if you feel like hell and hate everyone, maybe you shouldn't be doing this. Know when you're doing despite not knowing why, and stop.

Anything worth doing is worth doing right.

Only the people you love should be the people able to hurt you, emotionally speaking. Strangers will hate you for no reason, but it's the people who you care about who can make you cry, because, well, they're the ones that matter.

Try and remember you're doing this because you enjoy it. Right?

You will have regrets. Things unfinished, things unsaid, good things undone. You will cause yourself more pain than anyone else can. When everything hurts, remember the day is still beautiful, the world is awesome, and you're still around to see it.

Finish your seams.

>>2063251
I havent learned it the hard way and my cosplays always involve uncomfortable shoes that kill my feet.

What happens?

- Don't shove your way into the elevators, you can really hurt someone or destroy another person's costume while achieving nothing in the process

- Be careful who you piss off at cons, you could see them at every convention you attend and you really don't want to have your experience ruined by one bad apple

- Write down your con schedule on an index card or something that you can easily store and remove for reference. That way you can be able to hit all the major events you want to see without any regrets.

- Prepare yourself for the likelihood of being violently glomped without your permission. If this will damage your costume then plan accordingly.

- If attending a gathering, have plenty of photo ideas and suggest them when things get stale. Nothing removes the synergy faster than a bunch of people struggling to think of photo ops

Dear Self;

FINISH THE COSTUME BEFORE THE CONVENTION. DO NOT BRING MIDERING TOOLS INTO THE HOTEL ROOM

-bring food more securely in cooler, water ruins meat and cheese

-Don't get a hotel farther away because it's cheaper. being able to walk back and forth between the con is priceless.

-Bring more fruit!

-Do not, I repeat, DO NOT INVITE THE MAYBE GUY. MAYBE YOU CAN TOLERATE HIM, MAYBE YOULL WANT TO GNAW OUT HIS JUGULAR BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND. you're not going with me anywhere again, kid :|'

Make sure you know what your friends want to do at the con. Sucks when you want to do one thing and they want to do another and everyone ends up wandering around by themselves.

If someone is bothering you, TELL THEM. A lot of the creeper stories cgl posts would be avoided if everyone grew balls and would let other people know when they're being annoying.

Carry a watch. Make sure you know what's going on and when.

>>2063357
Your feet start to swell once they're out of the shoe.

>>2063223
>And, no, you can't "just finish it when you get there."
Oh jesus, this this this this.
>>2063259
>Stop panicking, it will be hilarious later. Or no one will care.

At some point you just have to leave your hotel room, even if you don't feel 100% ready. Chances are you will realize what you are forgetting as you wait for the elevator so don't worry.

Don't worry.

Stop Worrying.

STOP FUCKING WORRYING.

GOD DAMN IT STOP THAT FUCKING SHIT YOU LOOK FINE GET OUT OF YOUR ROOM AND GO TO A PANEL OR SOMETHING JESUS CHRIST!!!
Also this. Whoops.

>>2062892
Fucking shower

>>2063782 fucking shower

As an addendum to that.... I shower after every 2 costume changes. By that time you have sweated and rubbed off your deoderant. Take a quick rinse with soap for 5 minutes and THEN put on your costume.

Also the checklist thing >>2063173 Moogie mentioned is a great idea.
I also mentally dress myself from head to toe to ensure I have everything from toe nail polish, to hair pins.

Have snacks. Fruit roll ups, protein bars, carnation instant breakfast in the room. EPIC pick me up.

Have at least one set of normal clothing. You never know you might need them.

Have a make up case, put everything back in there when you are done. Saves people bitching about being messy.

Be really nice to yourself a couple weeks before the con. File and polish your toes/nails, use nice soap, use teeth whiteners, condition your hair, drink lots of water.

Trade phone numbers with your roomies. You will need to know where one of them is during the con at some point.

>>2065036
>use teeth whiteners
Does that really work? Any recommended brands?

>>2065043

I personally have much luck with Pepsodent whitening toothpaste. Switch to it a month before the con.

Or if you don't want to buy something new use this...
One tablespoon of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide.
Put them both in your mouth and brush as usual. It will foam and whiten teeth slowly (2-3 weeks).

I usually do this also a month before a con or anytime I need a clean mouth without the minty aftertaste (right before going to dinner, or about to kiss someone and don't want to be obvious about brushing right beforehand).
Leaves the mouth clean like there's never been anything in there before. It taste salty so rinse a couple times of course.

bump for a really good thread!

>>2065043
right now I'm using Crest White Strips (literally, right now)
the 2x faster kind can get the job done in only 1 week, they make your teeth a bit sensitive but it's only temporary

plus they keep your teeth white for a whole year

Before going to the con area, say to yourself: "I love the world and it loves me, everyone is beautiful". Repeat if necessary, for instance when you see the dumb kids with their "RAPE ME" - signs.

Basically, don't let others ruin your day and don't ruin their day either.

>>2065515
Best advice ever. No need to be all "WE ARE ALL ONE HUGE AMOEBA OF SOUL I LOVE YOU MY FELLOW NERDS PLUR", just a nice easygoing mellow.

I've learned a lot about rooming with people...

[x] If room mates are fighting, SOMEONE has to be the bad guy. Cowboy up and let them hate you for the weekend by telling them to grow up and shut up. It's worth it and will probably mellow out before Sunday's over.

[x] Don't room with your friends who are constantly having sex with each other. If they want to have con sex, they should have gotten their own room, you all have keys and no one wants to walk in on that.

[x] For the love of god, bring water and aspirin.

[x] If you're in a short skirt, your panties are going to show at some point. Don't freak out about it, just be wearing cute ones you don't mind showing off. Learning to sit like a lady and riding the escalator sideways can prevent a lot of panty-shot opportunities.

[x] Your shoes. Break them in before the con. I learned this the hard way at a recent con.

[x] It is easier to wear shoes that are too big than shoes that are too small, go a size up when ordering online or give yourself time to return and order new ones.

[x] Pick an area of the room for your stuff and make your roomies do the same. It'll save a lot of time and confusion when, at the end of the day, you just want to toss your shit somewhere. You'll be able to find it.

[x] No matter how tired you are, give your wig some TLC at the end of the day. You spent money and (probably) time on it, give it a nice comb through and treat it right so its not a rat's nest when you get home

cont....

>>2065672

[x] The bathroom is a communal place, don't leave a mess. Again, you can divide up the counter if you like, or simply keep your things in that one corner of the room that is yours.

[x] OVERSTUFFING YOUR ROOM IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY YOU SAVE. You make up for it in stress, tripping over shit, not getting the sleep you need, etc etc.

[x] Dress appropriately. Costumes are great for at the con and walking around. Bring different clothes for the rave because you never know if some dipshit is cracking open their glowsticks and spraying the liquid everywhere, gonna step on you or pull at a sleeve. You shouldn't be dressed as Naruto to go out to dinner, you can't be sleeping in a Yoko costume. Make room in your suitcase for NORMAL clothes.

[x] Pack at least three days in advance. Make a check list of your costumes with every item and go in order packing them. Leave room for things you might buy when packing your suitcase and the car (in case things CAN'T fit in the suitcase). Keep your toiletries bag and a checklist in the bathroom for the morning you leave to make sure you bring everything.

[x] Pads, tampons, you might not need em but a friend just might. Also, stress can fuck you up, so always be prepared.

[x] Some friends don't make good con friends. You can love someone in normal life, the second you get to a con you want to slit their throat. Learn who these people are quickly and figure out a game plan.

[x] COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR GROUP. If you have signed up for an event, let people know so they don't have you in a photoshoot at the same time. Work out a schedule that everyone can agree to

[x] Keep an emergency kit in the room for communal use. Hand needles, threads of assorted colors, scissors, etc etc. Bring a wig stand for emergency style fixes, but keep in mind it's for emergencies and quick fixes. Don't have your sewing machine.

cont...

>>2065677

[x] Try on your costume in its entirety before the con. If something doesn't look right, fix it beforehand. Nothing sucks worse than reworking your costume AT the con and missing stuff.

[x] Staffing can be lots of fun, if you're at the right convention. Make sure what they expect from you and what you're willing to give coincide.

[x] You can watch anime at home, why are you wasting time in the video rooms? Scoot, scoot, enjoy the con!

[x] Walk the whole dealer's room before you buy something. If there is something you are sure will sell fast, talk to the seller. Ask them to hold it for you for 10 minutes, most of them will. If you find it some place cheaper, come back and apologize, thank them for holding it, etc. You want to be friends with these people, not enemies.

[x] Art books are expensive. Unless it is something you MUST POSSESS, you can probably get the scans for it online. No use shelling out $50 when you can get it for free.

[x] Have something you want autographed when you get in line. You might lose your badge, probably going to lose the con book. Make sure it's something you're going to keep tabs on and bring it back to your hotel room for safe keeping.

[x] You're going to be meeting new people. Be NICE. You don't need to be everyone's new best friend, but you're going to make some connections. Don't trade info with people you know you don't want to talk to ever again, but don't be mean, either.

Not sure if anyone has said this.. but uhm, yeah. DONT TRY STAYING UP ALL NIGHT IF YOU DONT HAVE A HOTEL ROOM. If you try even sleeping in the convention, you'll most likely get in trouble with the staff/hotel because you're basically just sleeping there for free. Staying up all night is a generally bad idea because you'll eventually be so wrecked that you'll just want to go home, ultimately wasting a day of convention shenanigans. You'll also feel really fatigued due to a whacked out sleep schedule. If you got a hotel room, feel free to go a little nuts since your hotel is probably within distance of the con.

>>2065689 [x] Art books are expensive. Unless it is something you MUST POSSESS, you can probably get the scans for it online. No use shelling out $50 when you can get it for free.

Actually, I think artbooks are one of the few things shelling out hard earned cash for. They're ART books. The whole point is that they're beautiful. If the art is that nice, it's usually worth paying some real money for having it in the original book.

>>2065672
>>2065677
>>2065689
absolute truth.

>>2065751
I collect art books, I have around 25 or 30 of them, so preaching to the choir on that one. I'm just saying that a lot of them are ones that are readily available online. Buy the ones that you really gotta have, not just ones that you like a few pictures out of.

I have the Yoko one. I also have all the scans for it saved, but since I love Yoko and Gurren Lagann so much, I bought it anyway.

I guess what I was trying to say was "be wise with your money", since a lot of the stuff at cons you can get cheaper online. Sometimes it's the other way around, of course, but definitely think before shelling out the money.

>>2065071
>One tablespoon of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide.
>Put them both in your mouth and brush as usual

Question! When you say, "put into your mouth," do you mean like, put the mixture on your tooth brush (someone told me this is what you do when brushing with baking soda) or just throw the mixture into your mouth and swish it around? I'm a little confused. Could you elaborate a bit more please? Also, are you brushing with or without toothpaste.

Never get out of character. If your goku sees a freiza you better get ready to throw down.

Get a sewing machine that isn't portable. It'll make DAMN sure you finish before the conventions.

Set aside certain days and hours to sew.

Look up tutorials for things that seem difficult.
I found one for a hoop skirt that takes barely any time and can be adjusted to avoid wasting time making two.

Oh ho ho ho!~ Seems I've found my perfect thread!

1) Don't just try your costume on, walk around in it and wear it for a little bit, you might be surprised when something becomes loose or falls off. This way you can save yourself the trouble and fix it now instead of at the con.
2) Give yourself plenty of time. Cosplayers can be notoriously bad procrastinators. Just set up a schedule of when you'll work on costumes and props and set aside times to get materials. Stick to the schedule as best you can.
3) Bring con money, food money, and emergency money. Keep this money separate and don't spend it on anything else then what you need to. (Exception is food money if you need it for an emergency or have extra to spend at the con.) It's much better to run into an unforeseen event and have extra money then to be broke. Shit happens, things break, plans change, be prepared.
4) Be open to change, if something doesn't pan out like you had planned simply change your plans. It could turn out to be a blessing!
5) The cake is a lie.
6) It's inevitable. It's an anime con so some people there will have social issues. Just try to be polite as possible to them and move on. If need be get con staff.
7) On a separate note, some con staff members are going to be assholes. Just steer clear and you'll be fine.
8) If you're wearing an elaborate or fragile costume be aware of your surroundings and try to avoid high traffic areas, especially if you are wearing wings or something of the sort that sticks out. High traffic areas increase your chance of bumping into something/someone or being glomped unexpectedly which could lead to said prop being broken.
9) I knew I should have stayed home from school today.
10) Have a good time, don't let dramu ruin your time. It's a convention, enjoy it, take every opportunity you can to say yes and have fun, and don't let some impolite coplayer or staff member ruin your time. You paid for it, enjoy it!

That's all for now!

Don't ask for general explanations.

it will be long... all sooooo loooooong

-EAT. Try your hardest not to skip meals, because you will feel it later. And the less junky the food is, the better.

-Keep all your costume stuff in one place. The day before the con, I lay my costumes out so I'm not looking for things the day of.

-BRING A REFERENCE. Print out a picture of your character so you know if the pin's on the right side, or if the mole's in the right place.

-Right after registration, bring out your program and highlight the things you want to go to. Plan out your weekend, especially if you're with a group.

-For the love of god, don't be an idiot. Asking for hugs is fine, but respect each other's personal space. Social rules at a convention do differ from those in real life, but that doesn't mean that the "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" rule changes.

-For the ladies in heels: Have backup shoes. If your white heels are making your feet bleed, have some white flats on hand.

-MAKEUP. Plan out your makeup beforehand. Take some test pictures to see how it looks. Crazy heavy makeup IRL will not look so crazy in photographs. Keep that in mind.

-Food is more important than bookmarks and figurines. Keep that in mind: spend wisely.

-I always carry a messenger bag with all my stuff for the con: wallet, camera, cell phone, spare pieces, makeup bag, etc. For pictures, you can always set it down. You can also get your friend with the backpack to hold things, but bear in mind that you won't always be together throughout the con.

http://rapidshare.com/files/269631431/Anime_Convention_tips.doc

Tried collaborating all of this thread's knowledge as best as I could. Feel free to contribute and screw around with the document. Formatting may be weird for a few since the document was originally made in Microsoft Word.

>>2062892
safety pins will save your life, every convention i've ever been to someone has needed safety pins. They are so handy!
I also bring a mini version of my sewing kit with me, thread to match each of my selected cosplays as well as some extra craft foam n my glue gun (seems we all know this one). Oh and if you have shoes that you haven't worn before (learned this one the hard way) for the love of god buy insoles or foot gel pads. These will save you lots of pain!

You see those younger girls with good cosplays?

Parents are usually around.

>>2066335
but what if you're an orphan?

>>2065874 Question! When you say, "put into your mouth," do you mean like, put the mixture on your tooth brush (someone told me this is what you do when brushing with baking soda) or just throw the mixture into your mouth and swish it around? I'm a little confused. Could you elaborate a bit more please? Also, are you brushing with or without toothpaste.

Sure. Here's what I do.
I wet my toothbrush and stick it into some baking soda to scoop some out. The wetness will grab about what you need anyways.
I stick that in my mouth and hold it there for a sec.

Then I open the cap of the hydrogen peroxide and pour two capfuls and toss it in my mouth. Then I brush away for a minute or two while it foams up.

This can be done before or after brushing with toothpaste. Occasionally I do it before so when I brush with toothpaste it's EXTRA minty. Most times I do it after though. Because I want the toothpaste to get the nasty gunk and the baking soda/peroxide to take care of stains.

-Band-Aid Blister Bandages. I brought 12 to Otakon with me and they were gone by Saturday night. They make heel-sized and toe-sized. Trust me folks.
-Also, a travel-sized first aid kit. They sell ones about the size of a cigarette box at CVS or Rite-Aid or Wal-Mart.
-I have a box of Con-Pons, which I bring to every con. I haven't had my period at con in over a year (knock on wood), but every con, someone sends me a paniced text message.
-Big bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. It's so much better to have three big bottles instead of 28 little travel bottles cluttering up the shower. It also encourages stinky room mates to shower.
-Pills. I bring Advil, Aleve, Tylenol and Immodium (cosplay + the dribbling shits= sad panda) Also Day-Quil. I've gotten the sniffles and scratchy throat from super duper cold AC.
-Ear plugs. Nothings worse than trying to sleep with four different people snoring away.

I try to be the "helpful one". I'd rather say, hey! Here's some (insert needful thing)! than listen to someone bitch about how their feet hurt, or they can't sleep, or they're thirsty.

Don't buy more than you can carry home with you especially if your means of getting to the con is by plane or train. You may have plenty of money to buy that Buster Sword or Tetsusaiga but good luck getting them home on either a train or plane. You may think walking trough the airport with the Buster Sword is cool but airport security won't.

For summer cons wear light colored and loose fitting clothes if you're not in costume so you won't be burning up in the hot sun especially at Otakon.

For the ladies, please use common sense and travel with friends at night if you're running around downtown Baltimore with your Yoko costume.

Be careful who you talk shit to at the con because you never know what these people will do to you. A friend of mine almost got arrested by an off-duty US Marshall who was attending the con for assault. And yes we asked to see his credentials to see if he was just bullshitting around. He wasn't. :(

>>2066487
Okay, that makes a lot more sense xD Thank you so much for the tip! I have about two weeks until my con, so I'll start that right away. My teeth aren't really that bad, but maybe this will help give them an extra shine.

Archive this thread. Please.

>>2066981
> Don't buy more than you can carry home with you especially if your means of getting to the con is by plane or train. You may have plenty of money to buy that Buster Sword or Tetsusaiga but good luck getting them home on either a train or plane. You may think walking trough the airport with the Buster Sword is cool but airport security won't.

THIS. My first Otakon, my friend bought me a metal kunai (prop and dulled, of course, but still actual metal). All I could do when he gave it to me was go, "well thanks, but you do know I have to take a PLANE home, right?"

>>2067993
Seconded. This wisdom must not go unheard.

I don't *think* any of these are repeats:
Get/borrow a garment bag. Srsly.

Don't tell someone in your skit to get her "fucking ass out of bed". You may be doing the skit alone. (luckly we all made up in time to get to the green room - but honestly, dammit, she needed to get her ass out of bed and into her costume)

Split up your money into dealers room money, food money, and gas money. Put these in separate envelopes. If you can't pay your ride for gas back, you might be left behind.

Bring a seperate outfit for the dance/evening if you have a hot or slightly uncomfy costume. Trust me, getting out of those pants and into shorts or skirts is so nice.

>>2063357
if you are in some sort of wedge heel or larger heel in general, the tendons in your feet will be strained and once you pull your shoe off, your foot will drop back down to the "normal" position, but your tendons won't be as agreeable.

>>2068102
Requested 3 times. C'mon guys!

Also: My advice: Bring a Nalgene for your water. They hold 1.5 litersr, and are pretty much indestructible. My Nalege at Otakon saved my butt.

* Budget: Split your funds into BADGE, TRAVEL, HOTEL, EMERGENCY FOOD, and SPLURGE money. Never touch non-splurge money unless it is for its designated purpose. Use your splurge money on merchandise and food, but make sure you have at least twenty dollars set aside for cheap and filling dollar menu items at McDonald's.

* Everyday: sleep, shower, water, vitamins, and two McGangBangs.

* Etcetera: be nice, take lots of pictures, don't be a dick, you don't NEED that shitty twelve dollar keychain, expect people to bail out and for prices to go up for room or ride, don't be a dumbass, be organized and implore others to do the same, be reasonable, expect drama, bring extras of what you can, bring whatever you use daily for maintenance (combs, q-tips, etc), bring what you might need for maintenance, be nice, don't be a douche, be polite, and just don't act like a dumbass. It's easy to enjoy a con if you just do some minor planning and don't act stupidly. I don't even know why I bothered typing this. It should be common sense.

how do you request a thread archive? this needs to be archived!

>>2070054
It has been added to our database and the thread will be archived as soon as enough request for that thread have been made.
This thread has been requested 4 times now.

I apologize if I'm repeating anything that's already been said, but I don't have time to read all of these at the moment.

What I learned from my first con:
Go with people you know. Not just one or two of your friends with and three of your friends' friends. Cuts the risk of unexpected shit happening by a wide margin.

If you're a ways away from the con, go by bus or rent a van if you have to. Being the skinniest guy and crammed into the bitch seat among 4 other guys sucks for a 4-5 hour drive...both ways.

Have a definite leave time set. Make it clear to everyone that they have to have their shit together and be checked out of their rooms by a certain time.

Stay at a friends house if you know anyone in the town the con is at. Saves a lot of b.s. with hotel rooms and can cut the con price in half. Reduced rates on hotel rooms at a con are great and all, but it's hard to beat a free couch and good home-cooked meals for three days.

Energy drinks are great. Bring as many as you can that you enjoy without taking up too much space in the car/van/bus you're going in.

Don't be a schedule nazi, and don't succumb to one if your traveling companions are. Going to a con is about having a good time, not about following highly regimented time frames. If you're nice about it, staff at cons can be pretty forgiving if you show up a little late, and some events tend to repeat.

Don't go to a con expecting to find a soul mate. Any girl/guy out their with as many bizarre and strange hobbies as you have is guaranteed to be just as shy and unapproachable as you are. If you are looking, don't be a hermit and hide in a dark corner or your room the whole time. Get out on the dance floor and make an ass of yourself if you have to. No one's going to know who you are anyway, so you might as well cut loose.

Last thing. Smile.

>>2063329
>Orange Juice: Keep some in the hotel room fridge, it`s extremely healthy for you and if you can`t eat breakfast it`s good to have something in you. (but please don`t be a bitch and complain about others drinking from it, unless it`s completely unreasonable)

Orange juice is good. These are better. About $12 to $15 for a huge pack that will last you a month or more. I recommend one pack to one cup of water.

>>2070985
excuse me. one *packet to a cup of water.

Keep the elaborate shit at home. Sure it may look badass in a photo but if your costume can't even even touched without it failing miserably then it's best to just learn how to make things sturdy or just do something easier.

Cons are so much more enjoyable when in normal clothes. It makes it easier to socialize with other people.

if requests are still needed for this thread to be archived, I'm throwing mine the hell in right now!

Always. Bring. Aspirin.

>>2071094
Lullllllllz. Just because you're happy with a headband, everyone else should suck it up and wear something you can plow past in the hall while playing DUCK DUCK SASUKE.

>>2063329
>Baby Powder: Can be put places to prevent sweating

I actually did not know this! I will keep this in mind for next time because I tend to sweat a lot when I get excited or anxious. Maybe this will also help prevent sweat stains on costumes.

>>2072146

it also helps prevent blisters on your feet from bad shoes

Bring your own camera. No telling if one of your friends is going to be a big dick and hold onto con pictures for over a year.

Girls: ASSUME that someone, somewhere at some point during the con is going to be trying to take pictures up your skirt. Get short shorts or anything that gives extra coverage. Just panties under there, and there's always a possibility some pervert is gonna snag a picture of them, and if that idea creeps you out, you'll feel better with the extra coverage.

>>2063382
the "maybe" guy is also the guy who may or may not be able to make it to con, right? plan is if you know for a fact that all maybes will NOT be coming. even people that say they're going for sure can flake out, but maybes almost always will.

>>2072978
I always wear pantyhose, and some short shorts personally. It also makes it easier to relax in the hotel room when you can just take an uncomfortable skirt off without having to steal the bathroom.

On that note, I advise most girls to wear some kind of hosiery or tights, unless they are VERY confident in the way their legs look.

This thread is dumb.

I request this to be archived! :D

The number one lesson about conventions is don't go to conventions.

>>2072998
Honestly, if you just have to change a skirt, hopefully you're comfortable doing that in front of whomever is in the room.

And tights annoy the heck out of me. I'd say avoid them unless your legs are really horrid. Then again, people on 4chan tend to go overboard with crits, so I can see why you'd recommend that.

Deja vu. We had this thread before. This exact thread. About two weeks ago. All the words are the same, all the pictures are the same. What the hell?

Bump for archive

If you NEED to room stuff, make sure you get 2 decent size beds: one for guys, one for gals.

Because while sleeping between my boyfriend and my ex wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be, it was certainly awkward ENOUGH.

Though, from the same trip: If you're planning on driving, it is always worth it to have someone with auto-repair knowledge on board.

>>2072994
The maybe guy is the fag you don't love but don't really have any problems with.