GenCon '06 Picnic-n-Gaming in the Park

[francisca]

Come on man, where I come from 70 degrees Farenheit is a hot day

Really?

What are the job prospects for Unix/Linux IT guy? How is the housing market? Got an open spot at the table?

My hat of heat and humidity know no limit.

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

...snip good thoughts...

Embrace the Free! When stuff is free a lot of other considerations go away. When there is no cost for the venue, you suddenly have no pressure about getting attendance to a certain point in order to defray costs down to a given dollar amount per person. What if you pony up the money and then the weather is horrible. Suddenly people are ponying up money for something they don't really want to attend. And what if some no-show. Now the other people are either paying more per person or leaving the organizer holding a very nasty bag. That is a fast track to bad blood on the boards. I don't think we need it.

...snip more good thoughts, leaving the most significant portion...

Oh Rel, your opinions carry much weight (and not only because I agree after looking at those prices). I am not sure about Indy, but it has been my experience (small town and large) that a park or portion of a large park will usually be free enough for a group of people to set up a picnic. So, I agree that Plan B should be something along the lines of what Rel has proposed.

I still like the tentative date and time of Saturday from 11ish to 4ish. I also still like the idea of planning multiple games around this time. These are my current thoughts:

Prior to GenCon '06 -

• Locate a few possible locations: Military Park being one, Waterfront Pavilion behind the zoo is another possibility

• Plan activities: people volunteer to run games, people sign up to play in said games

• Check appropriate event calendars: The White River State Park has a calendar that can be checked so that we will know ahead of time if any events are taking place in an associated park. Other possible locations may also have calendars that can be checked

At GenCon '06 on the day of the gathering -

• Prior to gathering time: scout locations and phone back which will be used (this would include possible indoor locations at the convention center or hotels)

• At gathering time: anyone who wants to attend should get there around this time (bring some food/snacks/drinks for yourselves or to pass)

• Eating time: after a bit of socializing and setting up - we eat

• Gaming time: based on area and conditions, we split up into our planned games

• Clean up time: we leave the location cleaner than we found it

I think that this should still be an organized event for smoother running, yet flexible enough to be moved and free enough to not require a financial burden. If we had, as Mark suggested, some sort of sponsorship it may just add the burden of expectation (to gather enough people or to play certain games). It is a good idea, but I'm not sure if this is the time for too many complications. We've already heard negative comments about the possible (and likely) weather. I am negative on the costs.

I say for our initial GenCon Picnic-n-Games we may be better off shooting for free. GenCon itself is already enough of a burden on many of us. If we get a good response, it will work itself out. If we do not, then we can look at the reasons.

If things work as planned, this can still be a fun event (made more fun by not having to ask for financial assistance).

All opinions are welcome.

 

[Rel]

But what if Buttercup wants someone to feed her grapes instead?

Oh baby, I'm all about the reciprocity.

I'll even talk nerdy to you.

 

[Buttercup]

I'll even talk nerdy to you.

/me swoons.

 

[reveal]

/me swoons.

/me grabs binoculars and some popcorn.

 

[romp]

/me swoons.

/me grabs video camera and prepares to have this put in "GenCon Girls Go Wild" tape ...

 

[Buttercup]

/me grabs video camera and prepares to have this put in "GenCon Girls Go Wild" tape ...

I only swoon in private.

 

[romp]

I only swoon in private.

hehe I was only teasing BC

what happens at GenCon, NEVER happened

 

[reveal]

I only swoon in private.

He has night vision. You could be the next Paris Hilton!

 

[Buttercup]

hehe I was only teasing BC

I know.