Raising good geeks, level 5
1) Attend a sci-fi convention (Like Missoula’s Miscon-held every Memorial Day weekend).
2) ROAD MUSIC! For example a playlist of classic 70’s and 80’s rock that has been used on Supernatural over the last 8 years. About 2 and a half hours worth should do.
3) Make sure they know the words to “Don’t Fear the Reaper”, and when to hit the cowbell.
4) Upon arrival in town, skip stopping in at the grandparents (you’ll see them later) in favor of driving straight to the con and getting your papers in order. (The theme is “The Resistance” this year, but what’s a good resistance without a tyranny to overthrow?)
5) Enter the Merchant’s Room. Oogle dice, dragons, playbooks, games, jewelry, and tell them they can spend some allowance.
6) Marvel with them over the crocheted helms, fezzes and gasmasks at one of the stalls. When your son announces that he really wants the Skyrim helm, inform him that it is twice his saved allowance money, and suggest a nice game of Munchkins instead.
7) Attend as many panels, swordfights, armor demonstrations and fire-eating shows as you can stuff in.
8) Return to the Merchant’s Room often, and agree with son that, yes, the hat is cool, and it is going down in price, but he would still owe you a summer of lawn-mowing if purchased.
9) Allow kids to roll their eyes and husband to wander off while you stand at a jewelry counter trying to decide between steampunk accessories, dice earrings, and pendants with superheroes, images from Buffy, and Sam and Dean on them. (Go the sensible route-dice!)
10) On the last day, drag your kid to the author readings, then stop in the Merchant’s again.
11) After much debate, and a little price haggling, allow him to use his savings to purchase the Skyrim crotcheted helm. Bask in his reflected glow as other con-dwellers envy him.
12) Crank up “Enter Sandman” on the way home, and headbang while taking turns wearing the hat.
2) ROAD MUSIC! For example a playlist of classic 70’s and 80’s rock that has been used on Supernatural over the last 8 years. About 2 and a half hours worth should do.
3) Make sure they know the words to “Don’t Fear the Reaper”, and when to hit the cowbell.
4) Upon arrival in town, skip stopping in at the grandparents (you’ll see them later) in favor of driving straight to the con and getting your papers in order. (The theme is “The Resistance” this year, but what’s a good resistance without a tyranny to overthrow?)
5) Enter the Merchant’s Room. Oogle dice, dragons, playbooks, games, jewelry, and tell them they can spend some allowance.
6) Marvel with them over the crocheted helms, fezzes and gasmasks at one of the stalls. When your son announces that he really wants the Skyrim helm, inform him that it is twice his saved allowance money, and suggest a nice game of Munchkins instead.
7) Attend as many panels, swordfights, armor demonstrations and fire-eating shows as you can stuff in.
8) Return to the Merchant’s Room often, and agree with son that, yes, the hat is cool, and it is going down in price, but he would still owe you a summer of lawn-mowing if purchased.
9) Allow kids to roll their eyes and husband to wander off while you stand at a jewelry counter trying to decide between steampunk accessories, dice earrings, and pendants with superheroes, images from Buffy, and Sam and Dean on them. (Go the sensible route-dice!)
10) On the last day, drag your kid to the author readings, then stop in the Merchant’s again.
11) After much debate, and a little price haggling, allow him to use his savings to purchase the Skyrim crotcheted helm. Bask in his reflected glow as other con-dwellers envy him.
12) Crank up “Enter Sandman” on the way home, and headbang while taking turns wearing the hat.