Fan Faire Tips at ZAM!

[Calthine]

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

[Spyderbite]

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.

[Calthine]

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!

[Lorzus]

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 =/

[Spyderbite]

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.

[KerowynnKaotic]

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 .. )

---

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! 

[Crolack]

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.

[Rijacki]

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.

[Spyderbite]

Kaisha@Permafrost wrote:

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. 

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

[Spyderbite]

Rijacki wrote:

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.

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.

[Kiara]

Spyderbite@Venekor 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...

[Spyderbite]

Kiara wrote:

If you wouldn't keep packing smelly grody cheese in it...

That's not cheese.. its decomposing dark elf... kidding! Kind of.. /shuffles off in to the shadows

[Calthine]

Kaisha@Permafrost wrote:

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.

[Spyderbite]

Calthine wrote:

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.

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.. ^^

[Quicksilver74]

Some good tips, thx for the writeup. 

  This'll be my first year!  My wife made me promise not to gamble!  =(

[Obann]

The joys of the parents owning a vacation condo just across the street from Bailey's.

Just thought I would point out that the Vegas Strip does have a Wallgreens over by the Monte Carlo.  Prices there are about what you would pay at any other Wallgreens.  It's about a 15 minute walk from the hotel to there.

Also remember to pack that camera.  No one will believe those wild stories if you don't have pics to back them up.

[Spyderbite]

Crabbok@The Bazaar wrote:

This'll be my first year!  My wife made me promise not to gamble!  =(

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. You can be my wingman at the Blackjack tables.

[Rijacki]

Obann@Permafrost wrote:

Just thought I would point out that the Vegas Strip does have a Wallgreens over by the Monte Carlo.  Prices there are about what you would pay at any other Wallgreens.  It's about a 15 minute walk from the hotel to there.

Thank you! I was wondering how far the nearest 'normal' shop was.

[Spyderbite]

Rijacki wrote:

Thank you! I was wondering how far the nearest 'normal' shop was.

For us smokers that reads "Where can I get smokes for less than $12/pack because the baggage handlers and/or maids raided my luggage"

[Calthine]

Rijacki wrote:

Obann@Permafrost wrote:

Just thought I would point out that the Vegas Strip does have a Wallgreens over by the Monte Carlo.  Prices there are about what you would pay at any other Wallgreens.  It's about a 15 minute walk from the hotel to there.

Thank you! I was wondering how far the nearest 'normal' shop was.

Me too!  I'm tacking that in comments over on my piece

[nighthunter]

Couple things to remember (since I have lived in Vegas over 30 years now), bring Suntan Lotion if you plan on going out side! So far we have had rather mild weather (read: Under 100 degrees) but you will burn really quick and there is nothing worse then breing sunburned plus hot and sweaty.  Also even though you may see a wireless connection in your room, Bally's does not have wireless at all. Its probably The Paris or one of the wifi sites projected at the strip ~ Cheatah Networks/Travelers Wi-Fi. Lastly like others have said bring the nasal spray and allergy meds, I think its due to the overly dry air but people who normally dont suffer from allergies suddenly get them here.  

[feldon30]

I posted little bullet point notes from within the Panels to my Blog. Then the next time I had access to a PC, I'd do a more detailed writeup. But as far as posting pictures, I didn't really mess with that until after I was at home. Last year I just went to the panels, played some EQ2, went to the dinners, and that's about it. Surely my readers expect more from me. I fully expect to get less sleep this year.

[Lorzus]

nighthunter wrote:

Also even though you may see a wireless connection in your room, Bally's does not have wireless at all. Its probably The Paris or one of the wifi sites projected at the strip ~ Cheatah Networks/Travelers Wi-Fi.

Ok now I want to know who picked a hotel with no internet for a bunch of online gamers >.> Heheh ahh well don't think I would be on to much anyways ...

[Wilde_Night]

If you want cheap tables, after the SOE stuff starts to attempt to wind down (does it ever, really?) head to the Four Queens on Freemont.  They have some of the few "cheap" tables left for craps, blackjack, roulette and the like.  $2 and $5 tables, much more fun than $10+.

[Crolack]

Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:

Rijacki wrote:

Thank you! I was wondering how far the nearest 'normal' shop was.

For us smokers that reads "Where can I get smokes for less than $12/pack because the baggage handlers and/or maids raided my luggage"

I think if you're gambling, they might comp you some cigarettes as long as you keep gambling. At least I think that's what my smoker friend used to do back in the day.

[Spyderbite]

Crolack wrote:

I think if you're gambling, they might comp you some cigarettes as long as you keep gambling. At least I think that's what my smoker friend used to do back in the day.

Yah. In the 90's they used to do that for people who were playing high stakes or tipped really, really well. The last few times I was in Vegas the waitresses didn't even carry a single pack around with them. If you asked them for a smoke, they would walk around asking other customers if they could have one of theirs.

@Aeveil.. Ballys has $5 tables. The problem with those tables are that the newbs play those tables and screw up everyone elses hands.. eg. splitting 3's and such. I have noticed that Ballys dealers will ask a player to excuse themselves if they are blatantly playing "cowboy" poker or blackjack. I think its a trend that started at Ceasers and is being exercised at most of the casinos these days.

Oh.. and for those that have a few free hours.. FullTilt will be hosting a tournament there that weekend that is open to everyone. Shannon Elizabeth is participating so if you manage to survive two or three tables.. you might have an opportunity to play at the same table as her. David Schwimmer however, will not be attending this year.

[Amnerys]

Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:

Oh.. and for those that have a few free hours.. FullTilt will be hosting a tournament there that weekend that is open to everyone. Shannon Elizabeth is participating so if you manage to survive two or three tables.. you might have an opportunity to play at the same table as her. David Schwimmer however, will not be attending this year.

Eh, that's just their "excuse" to come to Fan Faire.

Thanks for the awesome tips, Calthine.  We'll be putting up our own tips soon, and we'll linky over to yours.

[Calthine]

Aldia@Antonia Bayle wrote:

nighthunter wrote:

Also even though you may see a wireless connection in your room, Bally's does not have wireless at all. Its probably The Paris or one of the wifi sites projected at the strip ~ Cheatah Networks/Travelers Wi-Fi.

Ok now I want to know who picked a hotel with no internet for a bunch of online gamers >.> Heheh ahh well don't think I would be on to much anyways ...

They're all like that.

[Spyderbite]

Amnerys wrote:

Eh, that's just their "excuse" to come to Fan Faire.

Hehe.. that'd be great if it were true. But, if Shannon Elizabeth shows up for Fan Faire I can think of a lot of other things I want autographed than my Collector's Edition of EQ2.

[Crolack]

Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:

Crolack wrote:

I think if you're gambling, they might comp you some cigarettes as long as you keep gambling. At least I think that's what my smoker friend used to do back in the day.

Yah. In the 90's they used to do that for people who were playing high stakes or tipped really, really well. The last few times I was in Vegas the waitresses didn't even carry a single pack around with them. If you asked them for a smoke, they would walk around asking other customers if they could have one of theirs

Yeah, shows you the last time I was in Lost Wages. Do they still bring ya free drinks?