Gearing up

[ksmith]

I'll be going to NYC for the Novelists Inc conference at the end of the month. Denver in August. Possibly a flight around the holidays. So, I decided to dig into the on-signing money and buy a year's membership in the United Red Carpet Club. I get a price break thanks to the day job, and well, just want to see if it's worth it.

Honestly, one thing the basement cleaning has made abundantly clear is that I don't need to buy another piece of luggage ever. I think I know which piece I'll be using for NYC--it's a rolling garment bag with room for other stuff. Nice for slacks and jackets, which is what I'll be taking along. I dragged it upstairs and vacuumed off the storage dust. Wheels work. Zippers work. No stains or rips.

Just once, I would like to be the passenger who walks easily through the airport. i would like my wheeled luggage to be well-behaved, with no twisting or torqueing or falling over. The large purse that functions as the carry-on isn't overpacked, and I can find what I need easily, without dumping the contents of the damned thing atop the check-in desk. No extraneous bags or boxes or cartons. The shoes and clothing I'm wearing are comfortable. I don't trip over anything. I actually look as though I have my act together. Just once. Please?

Now, how many clothes do I really need for a six-day trip...

Comments

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I always overpack, too. I take things I never wear, and wind up wearing the same pair of pants for almost the entire trip.

I will report. I have no idea how much wireless costs at the hotel, so I'm hoping that either it's reasonable--not getting my hopes up--or that there's an internet cafe nearby. I also hope the old iBook holds up. I think the m-board is going, but it's smaller and lighter than the MacBook, and I'd rather risk a 4-year old laptop to the rigors of travel than a 2-month old.

According to the organizers, there's a high industry pro:writer ratio this year, so here's hoping for much networking. This is my first Ninc conference--I was all signed up for the Santa Fe edition in '04, but life intervened. I guess they hold it in NY every other year or every third year, and these are the most business-oriented ones because so many editors, etc, are right there. My editor will be there. My former agent, and my current agent's boss. In one of those instances of Life being Life, my agent will be in Madison WI that weekend, which is about a two-hour drive from my house. I'm a little bummed, because as of now she won't be attending Worldcon, so I likely won't see her this year.

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

That is a bummer. I am in a similar boat. I don't think I'll see my agent or editor at all this year. I hoped to go to WFC, but I don't think I'll make it. But hopefully next year in San Jose. At least I met my new editor this year.

Di

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I definitely want to try to make WFC next year. Worldcon as well, since I've never been to Montreal *and* Julie Czerneda is TM.I even have $20CN leftover from Torcon '03, so I'll have some currency that's worth something.

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

wind up wearing the same pair of pants for almost the entire trip.

Very well. This is what you must do.

Pack or wear the pants you will actually be wearing. Pack as many other pairs as you typically would. Then take a deep breath, say, "Catie will mock me if I carry all these pants around and don't wear them," and remove all but one pair, the pair which goes best with the largest percentage of the no-more-than-four tops that you are bringing with you.

Make up for your boldness in packing these few bits of clothes by packing an extra pair of underwear. It's always good to have extra undies. :) You may also pack an extra pair of excellent shoes, although the chances are you won't wear them. Still, go crazy. :)

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

the pair which goes best with the largest percentage of the no-more-than-four tops that you are bringing with you.

Four? That means I wear a few 2x or more. Two of these will be lacy shirts, but I can press them if they get too wrinkled. I will take at least three t-shirts. Two t-shirts = one regular top. Because I said so. Catie, be quiet.

I will wear jeans, leather jacket, and shitkicker boots on the plane. I will pack the basic black dress pants and blazer, and the black jacquard pants that have served as The Evening Pants for waay too long but I love them so there. Velvet shirt what goes with the pants.

Excellent shoes. I fear that I may spend part of next weekend hunting for a pair of black ESs, since the right half of the pair I thought would serve rubs the top of my right foot something fierce. Can't have that. Not in a walking city.

And I always pack a set of Room Clothes. Not PJs, but clothes that I wouldn't wear out but would wear in the room to watch TV or work. I can run down to the lobby in them, and possibly even attend very informal functions. Usually knit pants and a pullover. Shorts and a pullover in summer.

Should stop going crazy now. Yes, extra undies. Always. And socks, dress and otherwise.

I should find an icon of a camel. Or a wagon train.