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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 07:30:59
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Once again, Markus turns the cogs in my brain  and so I'm reflecting on how cool it would be if I were able to find a way to GenCon. (It's undoubtedly late to look for a ticket, and I'm utterly broke, but I'm just talking in generalities. No particular year attached. But next year sounds pretty good.)
And it occurs to me that we're here, on a forum with hundreds of members all over the place, many of whom want to go, but for a handful of different reasons it's not working out. Maybe they have the time and the money, but no transportation. Or they have time and transportation, but not gas money. Sorry, this particular thoughtstream doesn't help those of you who can't get the time.
Long ago, there was a thread with a link to a map (of Earth) where members could go and stick a pin on the map or whatever to show where they are. That link died, and people started just posting their cities in the thread. A few turned out to be in the same town, or someone lived in the same city as someone else's uncle or whatever.
This has obvious value to anyone who's looking for a gaming group, or at least looking for another gamer or two to fill an existing group. But it could also benefit folks who are looking to share expenses on, say, a road trip to GenCon for a random completely unexpected out-of-the-blue example. You provide the microbus, and your three fellow scribes provide the gas/snack money.
Obviously, the potential for drama is there... but lower, I think than might be found in other situations. I'd rather drive across the country with a Candlekeeper than the guy standing on the freeway onramp with his thumb out.
Which brings up a counterpoint: there is an illusion of safety/respectability/whatever here. We feel like we know each other. We don't. We get acquainted with someone's online persona, but that's not the same thing as knowing the person.
I'm not advocating blindly trusting someone just because they allegedly posted on Candlekeep a couple times. I'm saying it should be possible, and it should be cool, to pm someone who lives in your town and arrange to meet for drinks some time, and get to know them. If you're comfortable, cool. If you get a bad vibe, disappear. It's not like you're going to exchange addresses the first day and tell each other the names of your children.
And there's obviously degrees of trustworthiness. If you get the chance to hang out with Alaundo, Sage, or Wooly... you can feel pretty good about that. Just make sure to bring plenty of hamster food in the latter case... the good stuff, not the cheap stuff.  Someone whose post count is 2... that's not quite as safe of a gamble.
I'm not really trying to set up meetups. There are websites for that, if you just want to meet people. The point is that we're a community *here*. We have the potential to be more than just completely random strangers on the internet.
What I'm really getting at, for myself, without really trying to talk everybody else into it, is maybe a little nuts. I think it would be pretty epic to make a road trip across the US, and into Canada, meeting Candlekeepers along the way. Ignoring for a moment the very real question of whether anybody would want to meet me. 
I'm an amateur photographer and I like the idea of making a travelblog of a trip like that anyway, and adding a Candlekeep element to it would make it better than awesome. And no, I'm not expecting my fellow scribes to pay for the gas; that was just tossing in the idea of cooperating to get several of us to GenCon if we wouldn't otherwise be able to go.
Coming most of the way back down to Earth, are there other maps we could place ourselves on, to replace the old one, for those who want to? Was that idea deliberately *not* resurrected? Are there still even a handful of other folks who think this could be fun?
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 08:48:57
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I see those maps on a lot of sites - I think I even placed myself on a few.
We had tried to get some folks together (from the metro NY area) over on the Wizbro boards. I think I'm the only one who could never make it (story of my life). They even had a game going for awhile - I believe Lord Karsus hosted. Never met him in RL though, despite our fairly close proximity.
A few years back a buddy of mine from another site - a guy I exchanged miniatures with - was in NY for 'Fleet Week' (He's in the British navy), and I couldn't hook-up with him. I really regretted that. I decided this time I would not let my phobias, hang-ups, personal problems, excuses, etc, get in my way. I am going, dammit, even if I have to walk (I don't own a car - I really have no need for one).
So I am renting a car and shleping my sorry butt across Pennsylvania (big state - you learn that after you've had to cross it length-wise). I know Indy is somewhere on the other side (I came within an hour of it last year when I drove to Louisville Kentucky). Thats all I know, but I'll have a map, hopefully a GPS, a bunch of directions, and probably tons of empty fast-food containers (when I get to Gencon). I am also giving myself a whole day extra for travel because I am fully aware of Murphy's Lore (Murphy had me in-mind).
So I guess what I am saying is, if you are between me and there, I could probably use the company. The downside is I am not sure when I am coming back - I am probably gonna visit with my Kentucky friend for a few days while I am out that way, and I may even stay at her place during Gencon if I can't find a room somewhere. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 13 Aug 2012 08:51:15 |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 09:23:51
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Unfortunately, I am not between you and GenCon, unless you take the really long way. If you see the Pacific on your trip, then you're in my neck of the woods. ...and you missed a turn somewhere.
Congrats on the decision to go! Hopefully it's a fantastic experience from start to finish and you'll be unable to talk yourself out of going again next year, and the year after. |
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Tyrant
Senior Scribe
USA
586 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 15:46:59
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This is probably the best place for this, though I should cross post it into the other GenCon thread. The GenCon Forums contain a wealth of information (and people that can cover anything not already under discussion) about the general Indy area as well as the best ways around the city, or to the city from pretty much wherever. They also have sections devoted to people who have extra spots in rooms (and people who need room space) as well as making joint travelling arangements. This might not be exactly what you are going for, but you should check it out.
Markus, for what it's worth, downtown Indy is relatively easy to navigate. Relative to another large city I mean. It is a mass of one way roads downtown, but the layout makes some sense once you experience it first hand and it is fairly easy (and reasonably well directed via street signs) to get into and out of downtown. |
Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.
-The Sith Code
Teenage Sith zombies, Tulkh thought-how in the moons of Bogden had it all started? Every so often, the universe must just get bored and decide to really cut loose. -Star Wars: Red Harvest |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 20:35:08
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LOL - I drive in Manhattan. In D&D terms, thats considered an 'epic-level feat'.
I think I can handle Indy. I actually love driving (weird, for a guy with no car), and always volunteer to be the driver on long trips with groups (I've driven up to 14 hours straight). Maybe I should have been a trucker. Anyhow, there is a good chance my older son will go with me, which would be cool as hell. It changes the whole paradigm. My fourteen year old wants to go, but I'm not sure what to do with him in-between 'adult time'.
I'm not really worried about him from a 'child' perspective (he's 6' tall), but I don't want him getting bored while I'm chewing the fat with CK friends in a bar. My two older boys are 24 and 21, so they are perfect candidates. If my oldest backs-out, I may take the younger one anyhow. I just have to make sure I have a room first (I won't crash with others if he is with me).
I should have realized there would be a ride-share thing on the Gencon forms. Stupid of me not to have checked first. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 21:19:51
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Downtown Indy is easy to get around since it's all one big square, at least it is around the main convention center and the hotels around it. You really can't get lost unless you hit some of the out of the way side streets. Ma and I walked it a few times when we were lookin for vegan places to eat at and truly, it's really hard to get lost.
Markus, they should have some places where teens and others can spend some time with kid/young adult games that are being hosted. Or drop him off at the computer game area (if he wants to look at demos/likes computer games) and tell him to stay put until you come back for him. :) Uh, course, once the main hall closes then you'd have to figure out what to do with him if you're meeting up with people after the main hall closes. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 22:13:12
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| Ah, I'd have loved to go, and maybe meet you there, MT, but unfortunately, this weekend is also THE weekend my hubby and I have been wiating for for like three months now- the Iron Maiden concert in Dallas. It's really more histhing than mine, but still, I'm kinda excited, since it'll be only the second concert I've ever been to- the first one being TSO(Savatage) about five years ago, also with the hubby. I may have to make plans for next year, though. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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Matt James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
918 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 15:01:32
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| Indy is more like a large town than it is a city. |
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Darkmeer
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 16:37:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Matt James
Indy is more like a large town than it is a city.
That it is. Indy is super easy to drive around, including their downtown zone.
Personally, I am on the paranoid side of links to where I am. There are sites that know my city (the book of Faces), but never my exact location. I live in a rural area, so it's not hard to find me once you know where I live. Most people who want to do harm, unless they are obsessive, tend to not put in the extra work.
The fact that I met KnightErrantJR through the internet (Paizo's gamer connection, actually, and then a local "Borders" bookstore when they were still open) and it has blossomed into a friendship of about 7 years at this point is against my own personal logic. My personal logic says that you can't do that with someone you meet online, but this appears to be the exception rather than the rule. |
"These people are my family, not just friends, and if you want to get to them you gotta go through ME." |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 19:31:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Matt James
Indy is more like a large town than it is a city.
They all look like large towns to me.
I have to admit Vegas impressed me, not so much on size, but because of how it looked (Disneyland for grownups).
I am actually starting to get a little freaked-out right now. I have always wanted to go to Gencon but never make it. Getting there this year almost seems surreal to me at this point. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 14 Aug 2012 19:31:48 |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 22:12:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Darkmeer
Personally, I am on the paranoid side of links to where I am.
I absolutely relate to this. Ironically my situation is the opposite and I ended up at the same conclusion. I grew up in San Diego and its suburbs, and having millions of people around me 24/7 made me very privacy- and security-conscious.
I especially favor being anonymous if you have kids. There are too many wackjobs (1 would be too many) out there.
But it seems that everyone is different. I've had some really positive experiences meeting people, when all signs pointed to it probably being a bad deal. People have accepted me even when I probably initially looked like a total creep, and I've found that people who sometimes make bad first impressions end up being great folks (and sometimes the opposite as well). Unfortunately it seems to be impossible to make any blanket statements about people.
So that's my real thought behind this thread... please keep the safety of yourself and your family as priority #1, but with that in mind it would be great to add an in-person component to the friendships we forge online, especially when those people are in the same town or nearby.
Meet in a public place, maybe exchange IM screen names or emails if you want to, but not addresses. You don't even have to tell them that you live in their city... it's clear that you're somewhere nearby, but there's no need to be specific. If you really click and end up building a years-long friendship, maybe the rules change for that particular case. |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 22:13:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I am actually starting to get a little freaked-out right now. I have always wanted to go to Gencon but never make it. Getting there this year almost seems surreal to me at this point.
Stop overthinking it. |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 05:10:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Ah, I'd have loved to go, and maybe meet you there, MT, but unfortunately, this weekend is also THE weekend my hubby and I have been wiating for for like three months now- the Iron Maiden concert in Dallas.
My housemate went to the one in the Bay Area (Mountain View) and sat 7th row center. Said it was beyond awesome.
I'd very much like to go to GenCon for the big announcement, but getting married this summer was higher on the priorities list.  I'll be following along online for the good news. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 05:26:22
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| Congrats Jeremy! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 07:26:31
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Never saw Iron Maiden - thats one old-school rock band I've managed to miss. I got to see Robert Plant open for The Who a few years back - that was a dream concert for me (in a very small venue, which made it extra special). Saw quite a few others over the years, but not Iron Maiden (nor Judas Priest for that matter). Enjoy the show with the hubby Alystra - family should always take priority over everything else.
And congrats to you Jeremy. Maybe she can smooth some of those edges (they have a way of doing that). 
I have a hectic day ahead of me tomorrow - pick up my rental car, bring my kids to a nearby waterpark for a few hours, and then 14 hours or so of driving for me. I'll probably only drive half that and sleep somewhere en route. Just so long as I am in Indy by Thursday night. I am still not certain if I'm going alone - couldn't get in touch with my son tonight (and thats a bad sign). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Kris the Grey
Senior Scribe
USA
422 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 13:15:06
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As I bundle up my varied gaming and costume junk (and my wife and another of my gamers and their junk!) into the SUV for the 14 hour drive from Connecticut to Indiana, I want to take one last opportunity to remind my fellow Candlekeepers of the Realms game I will be running at the convention:
My little adventuring opportunity: RPG1238454 Play Yourself Adventures (in Faerun) (https://registration.gencon.com/events/38454). It is Saturday night from 6 to whenever (midnight at the earliest).
Please take a peek and give it some consideration. I'll be in the crowd watching the Candlekeep event for certain, so if you have any questions, please do ask me when you see me (I'll make it a point to be obvious, think 'what would a cross between Raistlin and Manshoon dress like?' and you'll find me. Lol) I'd love to meet some of the august scribes hereabouts.
See you at the Con!
P.S. Markustay - as a fellow East Coaster (NY right?) I'm looking right at you re; this game! |
Kris the Grey - Member in Good Standing of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors, the Arcane Guild of Silverymoon, and the Connecticut Bar Association |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 18:39:16
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Thanks guys.
@Markus: yep, she's doing just that. I've been an jerk for too long online and thankfully she's curbing that, just by being who she is.
Drive safe Markus. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 20:33:12
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Ran into some problems this morning - I didn't pass the credit check to rent a car (since when did they start doing THAT?)
Would you believe I had my ex rent me the car? Thank god we stayed good friends. Lost my opportunity to spend a few hours with my boys today, but crap happens - I'll make it up to them when I get back (plus it rained anyway). Leaving in 2 hours - no way am I cutting across NYC during rush hour.
Mine did the same Jeremy (and still does, even though we are no longer together). If you think I'm bad now, you should have known me before I met her. Thanks for the warm wishes, and all the same to you (and everyone else here).
@Kris - the only reason why I haven't committed is because I haven't been sure about anything through this whole thing; I even thought I'd have to cancel as of 2 hours ago (until the ex came through for me). If I can make it to your game I'll be there. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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GenCon, meetups, member location map, et cetera
