Are you going to journalcon?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : like sands : One Thread

I know that Beth already asked this exact same question in her forum, but different people hang out here, so I don't feel so bad. Anyway, do you think that an online diary convention is a good idea? And how do you feel about Pittsburgh?

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2000

Answers

I don't think I'm going to be able to go. I'm just heading back to New York City, and I'll probably be starting a new job right about then. While there are some people I would have liked to meet, I can't see spending $200 for airfare and $200 for a hotel for what would amount to a 24-hour stay. And yeah, I know I could get a roommate, but having not had one for over 10 years, I don't think I'd be a good one now. Plus, I wouldn't wnat to make a commitment to a roommate and then have to bag out at the last minute.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2000

I can read between the lines Jen -- sure I'll go and be your roommate -- all you had to do was ask... silly girl. (j/k)

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2000

Don't know if I will be able to make journalcon or not... I've been saying it's a fifty-fifty chance whilst thinking of it as much more likely than that, but this sudden new deadline may screw things up because if I can't be one hundred percent sure (okay, ninety-five?) by Friday then I might as well forget about it.

However, I think Pittsburgh is a pretty good place for it, not a bad town at all. Pittsburgh's airport is quite pleasant as far as such places go, they've tried to make it seem more like a mall and have banned the usual rip-off predatory pricing you find in airports. Last time I was there I was actually able to buy a bottle of water for $1.29! (Compare that the more usual two or three dollar pricing!) A cab from the airport will cost about thirty bucks to downtown; take the shuttle van for twelve dollars instead. [Also note that since Pittsburgh is a major hub for U.S.Air, it's not a bad thing to be flying on them, you can even do curbside check-in when it's time to return home.)

Pittsburgh's downtown is relatively compact... Pittsburgh may sprawl on and on, but the downtown is pleasant and easy to get around in... there is a (short) subway system -- above ground commuter lite rail once it gets out of central business district -- and the three downtown stops are free. An easy walk across a bridge... maybe a kilometer walk from the convention hotel... is Station Square, lots of restaurants, clothing and candle shops, that kind of thing, plus tour boats... I took the one hour river tour, nice ride, interesting view, only costs five or six bucks... I don't really know much about eating places downtown... other than Station Square area plus the (pricey) restaurant at the Marriott and a few forgetable places I don't know the downtown restaurants... Emily (Mildew) and her boyfriend and I went to the Spaghettie Warehouse back in March or April and enjoyed ourselves...

A cab driver once told me never to go more than a block or two past the Marriott at night on foot (gesturing away from the downtown area) but I've walked around downtown at night without worry (of course, I'm a middle-aged and rapidly aging male, but that might make me look like somebody worth the trouble of mugging)

Visitors to journalcon will probably spend most of their time at journalcon and trips outside the hotel will probably be in packs of conventioners so I don't know how much the actual city matters, but I think you'll like Pittsburgh.

Jim


-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000


Nope, I guess I won't be going... couldn't get my schedule finalized prior to the registration deadline.

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2000

You're all in luck, because they've pushed the registration deadline back a month. You have until 9/15 now.

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2000


Moderation questions? read the FAQ