I feel like I've done a fair amount of training for the Comic-Con this year. With FanimeCon and Anime Expo both being 4-day affairs this year, I feel like I'm ready for the marathon challenge of Comic Con. After evaluating the equipment from the previous trips to San Diego as well as other conventions, my packing has undergone streamlining and optimization.
At SDCC 2005, I brought my Powerbook to take notes during panels. In 2006, I had shifted to a small moleskine notebook. In 2007, the moleskine notebook and pen returns, saving me about 5 pounds of weight.
I still haven't decided on a bag strategy yet, whether I'll keep the messenger bag or the backpack on this year's run -- there were certainly advantages to using a backpack from last year, but the backpack has a problem with accessibility -- sling pack might be a good alternative, but I can't imagine the back support being very good, considering that a day at Comic-Con can run 8 hours or more.
I've expanded to three cameras (a point and shoot, and two slrs) for this trip -- I plan on rotating them through the con depending on the day and the events of the day; This is a marked departure from previous con excursions where I carried one camera and five lenses. Interestingly enough, the total weight of the three cameras and the 2 lenses is roughly the same, the heavyset 70-200 f/2.8 L IS making up for the lack of the 16-35mm, the 50mm and the venerable 18-55 kit lens.
While the passing years have resulted in fewer free posters that I feel like picking up, I'm swapping out last year's poster tube for another type. Last year's was a 36 inch long, 6 inch diameter expandable poster tube. Throughout the 2006 Con, I picked up a grand total of 1 poster for the 4 days, which was less a poster and more like a flyer. This year's tube is a 3 inch diameter, 25 inch long transparent Blue Alvin Ice Tube. Smaller, lighter and much easier to open.
Once I get to the Con, one of the first goals for the Comic-Con is to get my first edition hardback Stardust signed by Charles Vess, which, since he has a booth, will hopefully be an easy task. Another one is trying to get some of the Hasbro exclusives like the Ford GT Rodimus. (I am such a sucker for nostalgia!)
From the preparations that SDCC organizers are making, it seems as if Neil Gaiman will be one of the most popular signings at the con. At this point, there's still quite a lot of Gaiman material in my collection to be signed, however, I shall wait for his next book tour (M for Magic, perhaps? The Graveyard Book?) to get more signed items from Gaiman.
As of this writing, both 4-day AND Saturday one-day passes are sold out; meaning they will not be sold at the door; this will be strange, to see on Saturday no line stretching around and curling around the convention center.
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