Peg 2 day

[selenay]

In a few minutes, paranoidangel42 should be arriving to convey me to Peg 2. Wooo!

I've just done my packing and I'm honestly terrified - I've got everything on my list, Mum checked the list and confirmed I haven't forgotten anything, but everything fitted into my bag with surprising ease. I'm just not used to that! Hopefully I won't discover that we've both overlooked something vital tonight.

I have started a Going Away List book. Everything I packed today is pretty standard for conventions so the book now has a master list of everything that must be taken to conventions. I'll be constructing lists for Canada trips and other things later. If I have a master list to work from every time, though, things like toothpaste should never be forgotten. I am far too organised sometimes :-)

Now I just have to work out what to do with the free time I unexpectedly have this morning. Hmm.

Peg 2 in a matter of hours and I will return filled with con reports and excitement in a few days. W00t!

Comments

[danamaree.livejournal.com]

You are terribly organised. I'm over at a friends place in London and will be floating around tonight and of course the weekend, so I should see you!

Woot.

[margec01.livejournal.com]

I'm with you in spirit, if not in body. Have a GREAT time and bring us back many reports!

[selenay]

*g* Hiya! I was sorry you had to miss it because it was a fab con.

Have a great time!

[the-magician.livejournal.com]

I'll be at the filkcon this weekend, but I'll spare one single moment to wonder if you're having a better time than me :-)

Yes, keeping a list (and checking it twice!) is the only way I can manage for a bunch of things now.

I have a list for packing for going to music festivals (with camping/non-camping sections and different lists for whether it's camping next to my car or if I have to carry it all on the train), a list for conventions, a list for overseas trips etc.

I keep wondering whether it's worth putting up some sort of vaguely genericised list somewhere central so other people could download it, amend it with their specifics and be able to use it, but I think there is (for conventions) so little that everyone has in common

e.g.
clothes
costume
musical instruments and stuff
camera, batteries, memory cards and stuff
laptop and leads and wifi and stuff
minidisc recorder
food
drink
washkit
towel
bedtime clothes
swimming costume
spare shoes
spare glasses
medication
first aid kit
car stuff
convention PR/map/directions/proof of ID
money/credit cards/local currency
passport/tickets/insurance documents
hats
wet weather gear
spare plastic bags
water bottle to refill after security checkpoint at airport
book to read
mp3 player (recharged), headphones etc.

etc. etc.

Your list may have some of that stuff (e.g. clothes) and not others (e.g. laptop)

Canada

[the-magician.livejournal.com]

a couple of trips for travelling

1) put a sheet of paper with your contact details INSIDE every piece of luggage. If something goes wrong they can open the bag and know where to return it.
2) If you can, make a list of everything that is in each piece of luggage. I've never had any luggage lost (just delayed) but if you have to claim, it helps to know what was in there.
3) take a photocopy of your passport, insurance details etc. and put the copies in your luggage.
3a) take a scan of your passport, insurance details etc. and email them to yourself at GMail (or some other web based email service). That way if all goes awry, you can go to a web cafe and get a copy of all your important documents to show to the consulate and local police.
4) If you have (or can get) a spare credit card, pack that somewhere (like your washkit) so again, if all goes wrong and your wallet/bag is stolen, you have a backup source of money. And if you're going out and don't need to have all your credit cards etc. with you, then just take the bare minimum and leave the rest behind (in the hotel safe?)
5) Make sure you have written down all your credit card numbers etc. so you can get them cancelled if necessary.
6) Make sure you have travel insurance.
7) The whole point is that most of these things never happen, and just like having an umbrella stops it raining, doing these things mean you'll never have to use them!
8) Pack light ... you can wash socks and underwear in the hotel sink if you start to run out, and you'll probably see t-shirts and other clothes you'll want to buy.
9) If you have a piece of luggage that folds up small, it's worth considering taking with you ... I always come back with more than I go out with.
10) Canada is a civilised country, if you forget toothpaste or socks, you can pick them up cheap. However if you have prescription medication, it is best to take it with you. If you're going to be gone for any length of time, your doctor can write you a bigger prescription so you'll not run out while you're away, just ask.

Re: Canada

[selenay]

That list is actually really useful - I'm popping it into memories to refer to again for my next Canada trip. Thank you!