Something Weekend Atlanta 2009: Switching Targets?

Shurikane · Dim Panties As String Joined: 24 Sep 2002

Seeing as in 2008, we didn't go to AWA so much for the anime as we did to meet up and have fun with each other from all corners of Ameriland, I felt like tossing up the discussion of possible upcoming (non-holiday) PO meetups that do not necessarily include AWA.

I'm going one part by personal experience in that I've seen all that I need at AWA: the artists, the dealers' room, the video room, and a bit of video gaming. I've bought all the pics I want, my room is completely furnished save for one Hellsing poster I wanna get rid of, and one notices the content is pretty much the same from one year to another - along with the gratuitious multiplication of cheap Bleach and Naruto cosplays. Those fuckers are like bunnies!

Another part is that the attendance has significantly thinned out in comparison to PO's first AWA meetup. I don't consider this negative in any way; after all, we all do age and get caught up in other obligations and constraints - and like any community, it takes a while for the initial dust to settle and for the regulars to start getting recognized, so it's nothing really bad or unexpected. In fact, it makes for easier logistics, less stress, and more flexibility. And, since most of us are now of legal drinking age, we have more choices offered to us in the sort of places and events we can go to (hello Ming!)

So the question is to poll around, especially for whoever's not near Atlanta or New York (and thus who don't normally attend PO holiday gatherings.) Is AWA still a good hub around which to have a weekend together? Is there anything else that happens in Atlanta that we might want to see and focus a weekend on? A festival, a concert, etc.?

Part of the drive in this is to keep the experience fresh for all of us (as we do happen to do something other than fill ourselves drunk and play Rock Band all day!

) and to give POs from abroad even more incentive to come back, knowing we'll attend something different.

Aaaaaaand, go!

Chibi Knight · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:59 am Post subject:

I was pretty much on the same mind set after the last AWA. There was talk of a PO cruise, it would be expensive-ish, but no doubt a very good time.

Maybe a NON Atlanta experience? We locals might wanna get out of town for a week or so.

Shurikane · Dim Panties As String Joined: 24 Sep 2002

I went on a cruise only once and I adored it - I very much prefer it to going at the beach on some island. I found that on a cruise, you could just sit down with some random people and start talkin'. Truly had a wonderful time.

For non-Atl experience, I can of course pimp good ol' Montreal. Great restaurants, active place, good night life, tons of microbrews to try (including the extraordinary and fmous Unibroue) lots of cultural events and stuff. Old Montreal is also a beautiful place to wander into (though the restaurants there cost an arm and a leg.) Good events to check out:

The full list can be viewed here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivals_and_parades_in_Montreal

FawkesFyre · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:27 pm Post subject:

Let's keep in mind that with being older, we have our careers to think about. And that means having to arrange vacation time. Weekends tend to come in as a nice advantage. There's also the issue with lodging, we do get a significant discount rate with AWA.

I would reccomend that if you've had your fill of AWA, to use the hotel discount, but save the money and not buy a ticket to the con. Day passes are always available and I've seen some just share a badge for a quick dealer room runthrough.

Blackmage · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

FawkesFyre · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject:

Blackmage · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:49 am Post subject:

FawkesFyre · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:01 am Post subject:

I didn't miss the point at all actually. I was simply making a few points of my own.

Here's a more basic breakdown:
---Someone's got to make a decison and pick a place/thing to do
---Pick a date(s)/time
---Pick the hotel/lodging

Then everyone else has to:
---Arrange for the time off work or school
---Make travel arrangements, including airfare and rental cars
---Make lodging arrangements

Then there's the aspect of money.

I'm trying very hard here not to get accused of hopping on my little AWA Soapbox here because I AM actually open to doing something new. But there are a lot of factors with this that the con takes care of for us. I'm just saying that those conveniences could still be taken advantage of...minus the con.

Doot · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:01 am Post subject:

I think if we do something non-AWA timeframe that we at least have something to fall back on that people could sprout off to do. Cruises are definitely nice as there are some that range in the 3-4 day area so it wouldn't tax anyone's vacation time too much.

Maybe the summer is good for something? Only thing with that is the travel prices will tend to be at a premium.

Maybe an outdoorsy trip? Whitewater rafting? Hiking? Horseback riding?

What about a volunteer project? Local or global communities?

Road trip? Like pick a spot of highway and map out stuff to do all along the trip?

Ming · DOOM! Gender: Joined: 13 Jan 2003