julesjones | further to cons

I still don't think I'm likely to make it to Redemption, on the grounds that I'm unlikely to have the spoons for a con that particular weekend, but I have booked the Friday and Monday as annual leave so that I at least have the option if I feel up to it (and if I don't feel up to it, I'll probably want a long weekend anyway).

Conversation elsenet confirmed that the hotel for Eastercon next year is indeed not a happy choice for those who have diet issues -- some afpers had problems at Discworld because the hotel food was inappropriate for timing/content reasons, and it was difficult to find realistic alternatives if you weren't able/willing to drive in search of them. Since I will be limited to what I can take on a train, this is going to be a problem in a way that the current Redemption hotel emphatically isn't. I think I'll have to leave that one as a last minute decision.

Not really seeing anything else for next year on Ansible that says "must go", though there are a couple of small under-the-radar cons that probably won't turn up there anyway. Must keep an eye on their websites/LJs to see which ones are running next year.

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Although I'm not currently planning to go to the next Eastercon, I have to say that the hotel were listening to diet issues in most cases when I was there for Discworld (I went to the feedback session). Did the people with problems actually ask for something suitable, or did they just look at what was on the menu and walk out?

It's not just content, it's timing -- the diabetics in particular had a problem with this, but it can also be a problem for other medical conditions, including mine (there is a reason why I usually have a hand of bananas stashed in my room). Rigid fixed times and flexible but with long waits can both be problematic, and apparently both were problems.

It's a while now since I saw the discussion about the food problems, but I think some people at least did in fact try asking about content problems, and were either told what they wanted couldn't be done, or worse, they were told it could, waited, and then discovered they got the standard menu item anyway. Or there was only one thing they could eat, which gets a bit tedious over a long weekend.

I could believe problems with timing. There was no way of getting quick snacks at any time. I recall long waits for bar snacks (although this was partly the fault of the con com not advertising the fixed price meal on the first night, so most people didn't know it was available)

I could also believe a lack of choice on the alternative meal. (The Radission was excellent on this score - I still remember being envious of my vegan friend!)

One of the ways in which the Redemption 09 hotel was excellent was having a good selection of sandwiches plus tea/coffee at the bar and enough staff serving at peak times to ensure you never had to wait more than two or three minutes to get something to eat. The selection wouldn't have been suitable for everyone, but did at least have enough variety to be suitable for some restricted diets. Some hotels don't understand that people go looking for bar snacks for speed, not just cheapness (memories of the Ashford one year...).

Incidentally, the hotel I'm in at the moment would probably suit a 40-100 member relaxacon...

It would be great to see you at Redemption, even if it's only for one day. I'd like to geek at you in person about where I'm at with Once An Assassin, Searching for Julia (see: it's got a title now!, and the print version of Echoes of Possibilities.

You are one of the reasons I want to go if I have the spoons.

It's not entirely impossible to do as an overnighter if I don't feel up to a full long weekend, although at 3 hours each way it's not really feasible as a day trip.

Aww, thanks. It's been far too long since we met up.

I'm planning on Eastercon, but not being an experienced con-goer I'm not actually sure what to expect. Re the dietary thing... being diabetic I have to be a bit careful. In what way was the hotel food inadequate?

It's a long time since I've been to the NEC complex, but IIRC it would definitely require a car journey to eat out and the nearest place would be Solihul. I'm still debating whether to take the car or go by train, but at the moment train is more likely, so I'll be relying on the hotel for food.

Advice?

Last time I was there was 1987, and it felt a longish walk to the railway station, but at least every train stopped there, so you could get into Brum. Though that rather misses the point, I suppose.

I know somebody suggested that there was a pub at the airport, but after considering what might happen with the combination of a pub, an airport, and a few Klingons, that seems a little reckless.

It's at times like this that I begin to think I'm the wrong sort of fan.

I don't think I'd fancy the combination of pub, airport and Klingons either. Especially given the current security theatre at airports.

So when did you last go to a con? I've never run into you, but is because we don't go to the same ones, or because you just haven't been for a while?

It's been a bit over seven years since I was at a con, and I haven't been a regular since the 1990s

(Also, hotels get scared by tigers...)

I can't say from personal experience, only the grumbling online -- most of which was on irc so I can't refer to it directly. But the problem for diabetics seemed to be largely about timing -- you could either have the fixed menu at a fixed time, which didn't always suit people's needs, or you could wait an incredibly long time for bar snacks. There was no way of getting a quick bite.

There were also issues for some people with there being a fairly restricted menu available, and some unwillingness on the hotel's part to vary it. Part of this was about the sheer logistics of catering for that many people, with a demographic that has a high proportion of people who have diet restrictions.

None of this is a problem at hotels where there are realistic outside options, but in this case it was pretty much the hotel or do without, unless you were willing and able to drive. Though of course, if you go by car, it's easier to bring a stash of snacks with you even if you don't want to drive while at the con. I think if I do go it's going to have to involve a bag of suitable snack food in my suitcase.

Thanks for the headsup. Good to know. I hope you do decide to go, it would be good to meet up.

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