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Topic:
Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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Qui-Dawn
Registered:
Jul '00
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Date Posted:
6/8/07 6:34pm
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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ROTSFan posted:
I think I understand a little bit of what's going on here, and it just hit me-Dawn's from Canada, and in Canada they tend to be a bit more pacifist and trusting. From what I understand they don't lock their doors and frown on useage of firearms.
Unfortunately, L.A.'s a bit different. Coming from California myself, I love people but pretty much have no trust for them until I get to know them. Dawn's just innocent.
Well, actually I do lock my doors, if only at night, but then that's because twice in the past when I was living elsewhere I had a roommate's or neighbour's (drunken) friend unexpectedly open *my* door and walk right in, and you can imagine how I handled something like that....oh, the anger....oh, the vengeful wrath and fury....the last time it happened, a couple years back, I seem to recall feeling quite Sithly actually, and if I'd chanced a look in a nearby mirror I suppose my eyes could very well have been sulfur-yellow rimmed with bloodied crimson.  But, ye-es, that was then, and - I suppose as a result that's basically put me in the position of naturally locking my doors, but by and large, yeah, it's not something we necessarily always think about....so maybe it is a bit different in that regard, I don't know. *shrugs cheerfully* I suppose also that....well, maybe you could call me innocent - at least in some ways, if not others, as certain people who well know me could no doubt attest....
But it's not in a bad way, though, I'm sure....perhaps more in terms of just being idealistic, wanting to see the best in people, wanting to be nice and have people be nice to me in return....just the way I'm naturally wired, then, I suspect, and clearly I'll never be able to help that either.  And indeed, yes, going down to L.A. I knew I was to be at least mindful of certain things, and being out and about on the streets, like when I was walking around, I very much *was* - but that was there, though, is the thing. In the *convention*, right in amongst my other fellow like-minded fans, well....I guess I just thought, or hoped....aahhh, you know....I mean, honestly, there may be things that one unfortunately expects other people to do to each other....but we're *fans*, you know, this is fandom, and I guess - I just never would've thought it, is all. Maybe I'm now at least a leetle bit less naive in that regard, and....actually, that's rather unfortunate, I suppose. *wistful look*
Dawn.
-----signature-----
Anakin Skywalker is shagadelic!  "...I'm far too beautiful!" - Lorenzo de Lamberti The Rambling Court Bard of the A&P Defenders Royal Court Hayden is MY Love Muffin 
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Lowbacca_1977
Title: Senate Moderator
Registered:
Jun '06
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Date Posted:
6/8/07 8:33pm
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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ROTSFan posted:
I think I understand a little bit of what's going on here, and it just hit me-Dawn's from Canada, and in Canada they tend to be a bit more pacifist and trusting. From what I understand they don't lock their doors and frown on useage of firearms.
??
I think the gun rate, if not nearly the U.S.'s, is higher. More rifles, less handguns though I thought. And... they do lock doors. Or to balance it out, I'm at home in the L.A. area right now and my door is unlocked.
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Mokitty
Registered:
May '02
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Date Posted:
6/8/07 8:48pm
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
- Date Edited:
6/8/07 8:51pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Mokitty
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ROTSFan posted:
I think I understand a little bit of what's going on here, and it just hit me-Dawn's from Canada, and in Canada they tend to be a bit more pacifist and trusting. From what I understand they don't lock their doors and frown on useage of firearms.
Unfortunately, L.A.'s a bit different. Coming from California myself, I love people but pretty much have no trust for them until I get to know them. Dawn's just innocent.
I feel at this point that I gotta respond.
I'm from Canada, too. I lock my doors, though I do frown on firearms, as does a huge part of the rest of the world. Our gun laws are a little tougher than those in America, they're harder to obtain here. They're just too dangerous, and they do make it easier to kill by depersonalizing the crime (I imagine it's much more difficult to stand close to someone and use a knife or something to that effect than it is to pull a trigger from a distance).
I do consider myself pacifist but I'm far from trusting. True, I don't keep my purse quite as close to my side when I'm up here at home as I do when I'm in the States, but that's not to say that I trust people at home very much more, just that it's easier to be a mugged Canadian in Canada than it is to be a mugged Canadian in a foreign land. Though yes, even with that taken into account, the motivation for that type of crime is a little less pervasive here thanks to our superior social safety net. Therefore, it's a little less likely to happen in most Canadian cities than in an American Convention Center that's packed with tourists and surrounded by homeless people -- though not less by much.
And while I did go on a bit with a few people about hockey while I was down there, it was only because my team was in the finals and I was really surprised to encounter any Americans who had a clue about hockey, since I know our hockey is your football.
The point is, Canadians in general are not as different as you might think. There are still some areas in the country where you can leave your doors unlocked, but those are more rural areas where everyone knows everyone else. Dawn seems to have an interesting parlance as well, and given the content of her posts (concern over how her parents would react about the camera more than her passport), I'd wager she's pretty young. I just wanted to do my bit to dispel the myth -- most of us Canadians are very much like you, and despite the attraction of thinking of Star Wars fans as "one big happy family", have no illusions about what it means to be a tourist.
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Qui-Dawn
Registered:
Jul '00
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Date Posted:
6/8/07 8:50pm
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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Lowbacca_1977 posted:
ROTSFan posted:
I think I understand a little bit of what's going on here, and it just hit me-Dawn's from Canada, and in Canada they tend to be a bit more pacifist and trusting. From what I understand they don't lock their doors and frown on useage of firearms.
??
I think the gun rate, if not nearly the U.S.'s, is higher. More rifles, less handguns though I thought. And... they do lock doors. Or to balance it out, I'm at home in the L.A. area right now and my door is unlocked.
Actually, we're not so much about the guns, in my experience....eeek, no thank you. And incidentally - I'm home now too, and both my doors are currently unlocked, natch. You are right, though, in what you said earlier, about how there was simply that sense that....well, it seemed like "stealing from family", if you will, and soon as you mentioned that I thought you'd pretty well hit the proverbial nail on the head....definitely ouched upon a great part o' the reason why I find the whole thing so utterly confounding and beyond appalling, and why I suppose I probably always will....why there seems just absolutely no sense to it....why it's - well, senseless, really. *rueful, wry expression* Maybe it's not how some might think of it, for whatever reason, but whilst I was there in amongst all my SW kith and kindred, I *did* feel like I was....well, home, after a fashion - like it was rather like that family, in essence....and if it sounds perhaps sentimental to say so, well, so be it....
After all, I don't count that a bad thing by any means, certainly not at all a negative in my book. And in the main I do still feel so about our fandom, you know, even in light of....certain happenstances. I haven't lost faith in our fabuloso fandom, I never have and never will, believe you me-!....but now, I suppose, I guess it's just....that perhaps I've seen another even fleeting side of it, or maybe more accurately still I'm now all too well acquainted with a certain part of human nature in general which isn't so much good or worthy. Ahem. Besides, as I said, everyone else I actually met at CIV, certainly the Gen Con folks and my awesome roomies and even the total strangers I met whilst walking around the exhibit hall, or in line for things, or even just sitting down at the table with my SW swag and happily letting others take a gander at it - all this, to me, is truly to be counted only on the side o' good, and something to cleave to all the more for that. If you know what I mean.
Dawn.
-----signature-----
Anakin Skywalker is shagadelic! "...I'm far too beautiful!" - Lorenzo de Lamberti The Rambling Court Bard of the A&P Defenders Royal Court Hayden is MY Love Muffin
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Mokitty
Registered:
May '02
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Date Posted:
6/8/07 8:53pm
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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MissPadme posted:
Unfortunately attending a SW convention doesn't make you Mother Teresa.
Thank GOD... it's hard enough to get around those convention halls with all the people stopping to take pictures... can you imagine if we drew the Catholic miracle-seekers as well?
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jedimelis
Title: Former FanForce CR
Austin, TX
Registered:
Nov '02
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Date Posted:
6/8/07 11:28pm
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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Suggestions from others that I learned before CIII:
1. VOLUNTEER FOR OFFICIAL PIX, you get great perks, get to chat with signing guests and get to interact with great co-volunteers... just remember to sign up to volunteer in advance so you can get a T-shirt.
2. Bring snacks
Lessons learned at CIII and applied at CIV:
1. Bring two pairs of tennis shoes
2. Wear Dr. Scholls insert insert shells
3. Bring deodorant in fanny pack/purse to convention to reapply
4. Buy exclusive merchandise early
Lessons learned at CIV and will apply at CV:
1. Have business cards printed with contact info
2. Figure out all the settings on my camera so I don't get discouraged
3. Use calculator on phone to calculate Celebration Store purchases, they add up!
4. Bring/Create new costume (Even if I don't have much free time with volunteering, I missed having the project and taking pics with people)
5. Smuggle in water bottles
6. Make a serious list of autographs needed after reviewing guest list
-----signature-----
"I am so excited about Star Whores" - Fez
"Fezzie man, its Star WARS" - Hyde
"Screw that!" - Fez
http://www.austinfanforce.org
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Qui-Dawn
Registered:
Jul '00
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Date Posted:
6/9/07 12:21am
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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Oh my goodness, I certainly second that one about learning all the settings on one's camera beforehand, getting that all figured out well enough in advance; I borrowed my parents' digital camera o' course, and it probably wasn't until just before the first costume pageant started that I finally figured out how to take pictures without the blasted automatic flash. In fact, it was probably only because they kept reiterating "no flash photography" there that I was so desperately fiddling with the camera settings, trying my darndest to figure it out....definitely took some serious doing, believe you me, although once I did realize which tiny button took care of it I'll admit I felt a leetle bit foolish for not realizing it earlier. But only a bit, mind you....besides, I just figured it afforded me decent enough reason an incentive to roam around some more, taking and re-taking pictures of things and folks, this time without the flash goin' off, because that can make a world of difference. Phew!
Dawn.
-----signature-----
Anakin Skywalker is shagadelic! "...I'm far too beautiful!" - Lorenzo de Lamberti The Rambling Court Bard of the A&P Defenders Royal Court Hayden is MY Love Muffin
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Armchair_Admiral
Registered:
May '05
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Date Posted:
6/9/07 2:24am
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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Probably the biggest lesson I learned is to not rely solely on rechargable batteries. I used them on Friday outside only for them to fizzle out within 30 minutes. I had to wander the convention center to purchase regular batteries, but at least they were there. It later turned out some of the rechargeables were corrupted, but those issues were solved. But for now on, I'll always have spare regular batteries on me to make sure such scares never happen again.
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Dark Lady Mara
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Jun '99
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Date Posted:
6/9/07 4:46am
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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ROTSFan posted:
I think I understand a little bit of what's going on here, and it just hit me-Dawn's from Canada, and in Canada they tend to be a bit more pacifist and trusting. From what I understand they don't lock their doors and frown on useage of firearms.
Unfortunately, L.A.'s a bit different. Coming from California myself, I love people but pretty much have no trust for them until I get to know them. Dawn's just innocent.
LOL, what? If this is true, I'd better move to Canada immediately. Does it matter which part of Canada, or is the entire country the same? I just hope it doesn't turn me into a naive little child, though. 
-----signature-----
"Mara hath spoken," said Kyp. (that's a funny way to end my posts, rite? LUL) I LOVE HAT! JCC hat > life itself! http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org http://www.thehungersite.com SPOILER-FREE TILLLL EPISODE IV ~ "there aren't that many Ls in til." - farraday
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Lufta Shif
Registered:
May '00
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Date Posted:
6/9/07 8:59am
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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ROTSFan: In regards to “Couldn't really find anything within walking distance”, I ate at La Bella Cucina a few times for lunch. It was in the same building as the Figueroa Hotel and kitty-corner to the Holiday Inn. Good, healthy food (great salads!), great prices, and relatively fast service for a sit-down place. Plus they were playing SW movies on their plasma TV each time we ate or walked by there. It was only a ten minute walk from the convention center. Nice way to have a relaxing lunch away from the crowds of the LACC food establishments. As for becoming a fan club member, yes – definitely do it for next time. Thursday (our free fan club day) was a great time!
Qui-Dawn: Theft was something that, unfortunately, was something that I guarded against the entire time at C4. (I tend to worry about a great many things...) Me and my SW buddy were in costume and whenever someone stopped us for pictures I was sure our tote bags were always in sight. Please do not let this experience taint your view towards SW fans, Celebrations, LA, or the USA. Lowbacca_1977 summed it up perfectly - that it is like someone stole from family. Yes, it must be especially painful to think a fellow SW stole from you. I again am so sorry this happened.
Jedimelis: Yes, I took in an empty plastic water bottle and refilled them at the water fountains. Much cheaper than the three dollar can of Coke I got from the food court!
Lufta Shif
-----signature-----
"Is it weird in here, or is it just me?"
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Qui-Dawn
Registered:
Jul '00
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Date Posted:
6/9/07 11:09am
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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Lufta Shif: aaahhhh, don't worry, even though it was a heckuva traumatic thing at the time and I really don't wish it on anyone, that sort of panic and full-fledged hysterical freak-out....still, though, all the same, I do feel like even that unfortunate experience could never be truly enough to unduly taint my experience, or make it overwhelmingly negative when of course 'twas only overwhelmingly *positive*, yes, even now-!....I still love my fandom o' course, and I love, absolutely and passionately *love* SW, natch....and I love my fellow fans....and, yes, I'm even quite fond of L.A. actually, especially now that I find myself *very* reluctantly back home again....and it's cool....and it's *raining*. Aaaargh, I wish I was back there! *flees straightaways* The truth of it all, though, really is that....nothing, I think, not even what happened, could ever make me lose faith in my fandom, my fellow wonderful fans, or what I love....I still have that, and I always will....valiantly, stubbornly so.
Dawn.
-----signature-----
Anakin Skywalker is shagadelic! "...I'm far too beautiful!" - Lorenzo de Lamberti The Rambling Court Bard of the A&P Defenders Royal Court Hayden is MY Love Muffin
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hyperspace_police
Title: FanForce CR
Arkansas US
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
6/10/07 6:58am
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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Things I learned...
Official Pix was great to volunteer for: but, remeber, you may not wind up sitting with a guest signing. There are many other positions filled by volunteers...
Volunteering for the gen con people was not a bad experience either. But, remember you are expected to work. The first two days... folks with volunteer "crew" badges were lining up at the exhibit hall before the show opened... And they were not working those mornings... By Saturday, the convention people were not allowing as much of that.
Drink lots of water and less alcohol...makes your con a more enjoyable daytime experience.
Go to the 501st mixer... you never know what celebrity guest will show up there to let you take pics with them... And you can see the guy who is the model for Quinlan Voss up close with his corona...
Whoever mentioned above that we are all a "family"... Remember this when you're trying to get into the Gentle Giant Line...It was worse than a Mos Eisley Bar Brawl... I actually saw people get knocked donw on Friday morning... They have got to work that differently for the next con...
Enjoy yourself. Meet new people. Exchange addresses or emails. Buisness cards are good.
Rebel Legion was enjoyalbe, but I agree with the whole 30 dollar mug... I honestly had more fun at the 501st one... More people and cheaper to boot...
But, join the 501st, Join Rebel Legion and Jedi Assembly... If you can... They are full of great people and you can make friendships that will last a lifetime...
Can't wait for C5
And glad you got your purse back... Shame that they kept such odd things (other than the money...cause that's not odd at all...)
-----signature-----
Proud member of the "Cade Brigade" (Obi, please forgive me)
Fighting for the Alliance in the 3rd EU Galactic Civil War...
Stories in bio
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Qui-Dawn
Registered:
Jul '00
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Date Posted:
6/10/07 11:04am
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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Well, I am already a member of the Rebel Legion, speakin' for meself here, but maybe it's another lesson I learned at CIV, another one which at least struck me solidly and in earnest whilst I was there....that I might as well go ahead and see about joining the 501st after all. Seems to me like they have a heckuva lot o' fun, anyway, and for sure and certain they've got the cred, you could say - also, I quite like their mission statement too, it's always sounded neat to me. Admittedly, yes, I don't think I could do the whole armour thang, although I'll not rule anything out, because one never knows, right?....however, though, if it would afford me the chance to unleash my Dark Side after a fashion, to go even a bit, ahem, Sithly naughty....well, why not, right? *tee hee* And oh, yep, slight aside here but I'll quite agree with you, it *was* seriously odd when it came to the other small things that were taken....I mean, used lipsticks?! *shakes head* Sometimes I think I fear for humanity.
Dawn.
-----signature-----
Anakin Skywalker is shagadelic! "...I'm far too beautiful!" - Lorenzo de Lamberti The Rambling Court Bard of the A&P Defenders Royal Court Hayden is MY Love Muffin
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GreyJedi
Title: SDFF MajorDomo
Registered:
May '02
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Date Posted:
6/10/07 11:49am
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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The Rebel Legion Mission Statement is almost exactly the same as the 501st.
My abject apologies for the RL Mixer; I promise never to do another one. If it helps, I paid $1000 out of my own pocket for more food and I will refund anyone their money if they are upset about the circumstances.
Regarding the 501st "street cred"; that is the reason they got a better party for less money. The Rebel Legion will always be second best and that is apparent from our treatment by the hotel.
-----signature-----
Proud Leader of the Rebel Legion
Fighting Against Imperial Tyranny
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Dark Lady Mara
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Jun '99
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Date Posted:
6/10/07 12:08pm
Subject:
RE: Now that C4 is over...lessons learned
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Wait a minute, so there was a 501st party at C4? I thought I'd heard they weren't doing one this time.
-----signature-----
"Mara hath spoken," said Kyp. (that's a funny way to end my posts, rite? LUL) I LOVE HAT! JCC hat > life itself! http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org http://www.thehungersite.com SPOILER-FREE TILLLL EPISODE IV ~ "there aren't that many Ls in til." - farraday
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