A question

[eris_kali]

I know that very few people read this, and I'm perfectly okay with that. Honestly though, I'm planning on asking my dad for a plane ticket for the birthday/christmas present this year. Now here's the quandary: I've always wanted to go to 3 events, those are (in chronological order in the upcoming year) SXSW, A-Kon, and Dragon*Con. So...which one

Comments

[bald_ruminant]

Clarifying, having taken some time to cogitate:

SXSW is long and ends on St. Patrick's Day. Traveling home on the last day? Miss the celebration. Traveling home the day after? Hangover city. Plus, it's in Texas, and you've visited that state recently. You can get into some free shows, which is cool. The badge prices look very expensive to me.

A-Kon is smaller in attendance and scope than Dragon*Con. Plus, it's in Texas, and you've visited that state recently. The 3 day registration would run you $35, so it's affordable, as long as you can find sustenance and lodging.

Dragon*Con is in Georgia, a state you haven't visited recently. It's larger than A-Kon and has programming ranging from bands to Doctor Who to Anime to Science to Puppets to Just About Anything Else. It has its own parade on Saturday morning. The major expense is usually the hotel room, and if you come, that will be covered (provided that you can survive on an air mattress, because I only booked a king bed and all the doubles are already sold out). Also, there is a good microbrewery/restaurant within easy walking distance of the convention site. On the minus side, it takes place over Labor Day weekend and getting holidays off has been an issue for you in the past. A 4-day membership would cost you between $75 and $130, depending on how soon you buy it. Even though the con runs Friday-Monday, I prefer arriving on Thursday and picking up my badge and just kind of hanging out, and then leaving on Tuesday so I have a chance to unwind.

[eris_kali]

You do bring up some good points, including the minus side, which is the inability to even attempt to ask off for holidays at my job (they don't count St. Patrick's day however). I would love to go to Dragon*Con, but I haven't been to a convention for years so that might be a bit overwhelming. Maybe if I can find a job that isn't so asinine about time off?

[bald_ruminant]

I've been to Dragon*Con every year since 2004, and it always overwhelms me, usually in a good way.

I sure hope you can find a job that isn't so asinine about a lot of things, including time off.