My guess is a tiny little con that takes place every Labor Day weekend in Atlanta and has a parade. I know I'll be back there this year and would love to see Jim there again.

I squeeed when my hubby texted me at work to tell me. Fortunately, I just had to tell my team Jim was scheduled at dragoncon and they all understood.

I've stayed at that Days Inn several times in the past, but it has gone waaaay down hill recently. The last time I stayed there, the lamination on the door was peeling up and it stank of mold and crud. So last year we went high end and stayed at the Marriott. This year we tried the Hilton. Those bat rastards wouldn't check us in until after 3:00 pm even though we requested early check in on our reservation. Thinking of the Sheraton or Westin next year. I won't even attempt the Hyatt...I've seen the lines for the elevators and if it gets too crowded on the main lobby, the fire marshall closes it down and won't let anyone enter even if they can prove they have a room there.

Will they have a public tv at the Marriot or elsewhere that anyone can watch on? I'm in an overflow hotel so no DragonCon tv. 

Masquerade will be shown live on large screen in the Atrium Ballroom at the Marriott. I watched it there last year and the room wasn't even half full. I know there's a tv in the con suite(a little known room on the second floor of the Hyatt that provides free sodas and snacks throughout the con), but I don't know if they show DC*TV there. It seems likely they would have the tv on the DC*TV channel during the con.

First panel on a Sunday morning will be pretty light. Centennial I is a good size. I'll probably swing by a bit early, but I don't expect it to fill up. Of course I could very well be WRONG. That's why I plan on swinging by a bit early. 

Centennial I is a decent sized room and it's centrally located at the Hyatt. It's possible Jim may be a panelist in one of the other panels listed. The full schedule will give more info. Last year I saw Adam Savage in his own panel, which was packed, and on a skeptics panel, which wasn't even half full. Both were quite enjoyable. I love finding those hidden gems.

Dragon Con will probably post the official schedule about a week before the con starts. They put it out in pdf so you can download it and plan what you want to do. Some of the tracks have their schedules posted, i.e. American SciFi, but most wait until closer to the event because of last minute changes in the guest list.

Today I just received my booklet in the mail (squeeee). It doesn't have any official programming, but it does have some cool stuff in it. (The farewell concert of the Brobdignagian Bards, for example.)

A word about registration. It will be the longest line, bar none, at this convention. If you have the ability to pick up your badge Thursday evening, I strongly suggest that you do. Get in line as early as you can. Anyone thinking they can go to registration at 10:00 am Friday and get in in less than 2 hours is dreaming.

My hubby will be down there by noon on Thursday so that when the line opens at 4, he will be able to pick up our badges with a minimum of fuss. I will have to give him a copy of my license and a note saying, Please give my badge to my precious hubby, since I will be at work that day.

This is one of the biggest issues they have at this convention, imho, so please, please, please, allow yourself plenty of time to pick up your badge and still see what you would like to see.

If you cannot get there on Thursday, then I hope you get in line by 8:00 am on any of the subsequent days that you show up.

Also, it will be hot, so bring plenty of fluids, wear light clothing and a hat, and try to have a line buddy so if you have to use the facilities, you don't have to lose your place.