This is a tremendously weird week for me. In my pastoral duties, I’m gearing up for the single biggest date of the year, the kickoff of our school year youth ministry program on September 12. This means cleaning everything, organizing, scheduling, calling, writing, and stocking up on lots and lots of silly string.
Yet I’m also heading out to PAX from Thursday through Sunday, which happened only because the date coincided on the one weekend that I didn’t have any church events going on. My wife’s been pretty supportive in urging me to go — she knows I need a “me trip” to just get away and recharge. But it’s also a work trip, since I’m going to help cover a lot of the MMOs there for Massively (and probably take a lot more pictures for myself and Bio Break). I’ve never been to PAX (or any video game convention, for that matter), and feel not just a bit apprehensive as to how to handle it all. Top that with checking on the flights, hotel room, coordinating with my fellow writers, and packing, and I’ve been going nonstop lately.
But don’t weep for me — I love trips. Well, sort of. I don’t like being away from home, but I like seeing new places. And I’m probably the only person in the world who loves packing over the trip experience itself. I’ve been packing for a week now, making sure that I can carry everything on to the plane without checking anything, and it’s a challenge to figure out what I need and what I might need. I purchased a new single-strap backpack tonight, and have a nice red rolling backpack as well — that’s it. So in addition to clothes and toiletries, I’m bringing:
- My iPhone, earplugs and spare battery
- Kindle
- Netbook
- A regular book for when the plane won’t let you use electronics (boo hiss)
- Business cards
- Paperwork
- Pad and pens
- GPS
- Pillow
- Various stupid toys
I’m a little hesitant to bring that many electronics — I don’t want to lose or get any of them busted. But then I think, why have them if you don’t use them when you travel?
I even loaded Guild Wars on my netbook just in case I need a MMO fix (I really don’t think LOTRO will run on it).
Anyway, if you’re a PAX vet or think I definitely should see/do something, let me know! I’m totally up to meet whoever, especially in a shady alley or booth.
Also, Massively is hosting a meetup on Saturday night, so if you’re in the area, please drop on by!
Bio Break 
Have a great time and instead of the usual postcard I will send one to you saying “wish I was there.”
Julie
My co-host is going to be staffing PAX. Look for the giant tall hairy baby man, most likely wearing a utili-kilt. Should be a good event this year. He says it is going to be a lot bigger than last years.
You forgot platform shoes. So those those picks that have you standing with game devs makes you looks like you’re on equal footing…
…just kidding. 🙂
I will be keeping an eye out for you. I have so many plans I don’t even know how I am going to live through it all.
hey one of the places you should definitely check out is the pike place market, its a really good place to get food and do some shopping.