PAX Unplugged Countdown - 5 Days to go!

Time to start packing!

There’s so many little things to remember, it’s a good idea to start gathering items now so you’re not rushing the day before.

The first thing I grab is my PAX Unplugged Wild Bill’s Soda mug. Wild Bill’s Soda is a convention staple. Their sodas have unique flavors and it’s always fun to sample them. If you buy one of their fancy mugs at a convention, then going forward you just pay for the day or weekend pass for unlimited refills. Do I do this? Yes. Do I drink enough soda to justify the price of these things...probably not! But being able to fill up my mug with a little sugary pick-me-up near the end of the day is a treat I look forward to.

Next up, my lanyard! I have many lanyards from going to conventions over the years. Free lanyards are always available at the show entrance so everyone has a way to wear their badge. But several years ago, I bought a PAX Lanyard. This lanyard has a nice, thick strap, perfect for attaching pins to! So it is the lanyard I try to bring with me to every show. I switch out some of the pins but I have several that stay on all the time, like my pronoun pins and Cardboard Enforcer pin from PAX East 2022. Does this lanyard weight a lot? Maybe...but the flair is important!

Most important - my water bottle. I got a new bottle this year so it is lacking in stickers, but I am hoping that will change by the end of PAX. But it is VERY important to stay hydrated. The coffee and soda do not count, gotta just get some straight water. This bottle fits perfectly into my backpack side pocket so I can access it easily while wandering the halls or sitting at a table.

Not pictured, but also important: SNACKS! Convention food is ridiculously expensive and, if you’re like me, you probably skip lunch to fit in more games. I like to have a big breakfast, then snacks, then a decent dinner. Granola bars or something along those lines is a good fit.

Also, gum. Because sometimes you do get that everything bagel with onion and then later you’re sitting around a crowded table wondering...oh god, is that me??? So, put a pack of gum in your bag, just in case.

I usually have a couple masks in my bag also, just in case I start to get the sniffles or if I wander into a space where they would just make someone more comfortable. They usually have masks on hand, but I’m particular and still have quite the stash from 2020.

OH and a new thing that I have to bring to every convention now - my skirt that the Azkadorkable Gamer made for me!

What is on your convention packing list? I mean, we all pack clothes, but do you have a convention “outfit” that you always wear? A very stunning hat to make you easy to find in the crowd? Let me know in the comments!