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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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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