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if you dont have a friend willing to carry it for you, its always good to bring a bag that would match your oufit

Make sure you don't stay up the ENTIRE night before to finish your cosplay ensuring that you get no sleep, and then don't follow a night of sleeplessness with a Venti anything containing 5 shots of espresso (it didn't kick in until like 7pm that night anyway, and that was about the time I was ready to crash too)
And ponder long and hard as to what the hell you were thinking when you thought it would be a good idea to bring your little sister and her friend in your cosplay group, and try to figure out ways to "control" them.

artisticdoodle's Guide to AX

Note: Yes, some of the stuff I'm repeating, but there's a reason for it. wink

1. Plan in advance.
Are you staying at a hotel? A friend's house? Where? Cause sorry - I wouldn't recommend sleeping in your car. And if you are planning on staying at a hotel pick either the Hilton or the Marriot. You may be paying a bit more, but you are close by - which pays off.

After deciding this ask yourself this - do you want to room alone, with a friend, or with a dozen people. Depending on what you want you can get cheaper deals and split the pay. Just be reasonable because seriously - do you want to room with 12 other people and only have 2 beds and a couch to share?

With that all decided book your room fast! Rooms fill up fast and you'll get tickets to certain con events (AMVs, Masquerade, etc.).

2. Food
There is such a thing as not having enough food.
There is such a thing as having too much food.

Alrighty, now with your hotel arrangements made think about how you're going to get food. If you hotel room comes with a minifridge great! Bring an ice chest with fruits, vegetables, and drinks (via Costco, Wal*Mart, or any other store that will save you money when buying in bulk) and store them there. Then also pick up boxes of snacks - 100 Calorie packs, Goldfish, fruit cups, granola bars, etc. Anything you want, need, and can buy at a good price - GET IT! Just leave your shopping a day or two before you leave for the con. And if you're means of transportation are flying - do your shopping when you get there.

And don't bring food with you to the con, maybe just a water bottle or two. Just go back to your room and eat there - you don't want to carry around a backpack full of food for the entire day (trust me and my little brother on this one xp ).

Now a more expensive way is to buy your food at restuarants. This option is up to you, but where ever you're going - get there earlier. You don't want to wait in line just to get something at Starbucks.

3. Cosplaying and Clothing
So you made a cosplay outfit. Great! You're staying at a hotel? Mkay, this is for you.

First of all bring clothes. Bring enough outfits to last you two to three days longer than you are staying. Also hotel beds are nasty! So please wear a shirt, pants, and socks when you got to sleep. Your body will be happy. And make sure you seperate your dirty clothes from your clean clothes - a Tokoyo Pop bag will do the trick.

Now for cosplaying... if you think you're going to cosplay for an entire day in one outfit, be prepared to change into some causal clothes. And make sure you're comfortable wearing your outfit because if not.. you'll have some battle scars. wink I still have mine thank you very much.... Though if your costume calls for sandals, be careful. Same goes for any kind of platform shoes, thin/long heels, and being barefoot.

And making your cosplay outfit in the first place... work on it at least six months before. You don't want to be rushing on the week before Expo to finish it. Nor waking up early on the day of Expo to finish it.

Also bring a repair kit for your costume. Thread, needles, safety pins, some extra paint... bring it. It'll save you from your skirt ripping and whatnot.

4. Bare-nesseties
Please bring toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, mouth wash, creams, deorderient, hair brush/comb, q-tips, etc. etc. It helps and doesn't make you smell like well... crap. Even if you want, bring your own towels and wash clothes.

Another nice thing to have is gum. Glorious gum (which is also high school currency, by the way). Sun glasses, sun screen, perfumes, make-up, and all that stuff is recommended also. Trust me, you will burn here in southern California - so slap on some sun screen, even if it's overcast.

One more thing - bring money. Lots of money - just keep it on you at all times. And don't carry around everything in one hundred dollar bills. Stick to some fifties and below.

5. Entertainment Ahoy!
Ah yes - entertainment. Depends on what you like... bring your NDS, PSP, Laptop, GBASP, GBA, CD player, MP3 player, a deck of cards, Twister, Hungry Hungry Hippos... just bring something you can entertain yourself (and others) with. Make sure you have enough batteries to go around though.

Also a little thing here... if you bring your DS you'll be amazed. People are actually in PictoChat. So grab that DS and stylus and draw/chat to your inner fan girl/guy content!

Arcade - yes, the AX arcade. A big tip here for you, just bring a bag of quarters. It's easy, simple, and you don't have to go digg'n around in your pocket for another quarter to play DDR.

6. Communication
Big one. Bring your cellphones. Make sure they're fully charged and bring the charger cable/adapter with you just incase. Also walky talkies are helpful. Use technology to your advantage.

7. Plan Ahead - Events
Check the AX website regularly. Two weeks before Expo the website usually has what's going on. Check out the time and place of events, pannels, and workshops. Plan ahead so you know what you're going to do. It helps and establishes a firm schedule.

8. Stay in groups
It's best to go to AX with other people. Go to the Expo with friends, family, anyone you can trust. You'll have a better and safer time.

9. Bring a Camera
Bring a camera - you'll be happy that you did. A digital camera is prefered - since you can see your pictures after you take them. Just make sure you know where your camera is at all times. You don't want to lose it. And for digital - make sure you have enough memory chips/cards to last you through your stay at AX. Same thing with film. Cause cameras are expensive at AX.

10. Overall - Have a Good Time
Have fun - that's what AX is about in the first place. If you're afraid to say something during a Pannel - say it. Do crazy things... that won't get you arrested. Just have fun, enjoy yourself, and go see Man-Faye. wink

NOTE: If I think of anything else I'll post it. But since it's 12 o'clock in the morning this is all I can think of right now.

EDIT

11. Shop Around
Before you buy anything look at all of the booths. Ask for prices on items you are interested in buying. More than likely you can save a good $10 on some items. And the more money you save, the more you have to buy more stuff with.

Wow, I forgot about the glomps, thanks Rumania. That exact thing happened to me. She squeezed all the air out of me.

scantly clad women keep johnny alive......thats it...well...not really..but yeah..all the food i need is seeing scantly clad women.....SCW=happy johnny....

Regarding what someone said about bringing your DS:
I saw a bunch of people with DSes, but no one was in Pictochat. [face_plain]

another usefull tip: budget. budget. budget.

now that has been said and I'm sure someone has already said but this it doesnt hurt to remember/be reminded.

always keep emergency money with you! you never know what will happen.
save atleast $5 so when you loose your badge and cant get it back, you could get it replaced for $5 bucks. Make sure to remember to bring I.D just incase.