Octopus Overlords

Posted: **Thu Jun 10, 2021 12:33 pm**

Got an email this morning that the CON is happening this year. I have mixed feelings about it, but I am mostly excited. They are still working out the details around vaccine requirements, masking, social distancing etc. Basically depending on how things look over the next few months.

Posted: **Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:19 pm**

Waiting to see about OctoCon and to see if I can make it happen this time around...

Posted: **Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:45 pm**

PAX Unplugged (Philadelphia) is still tentatively scheduled for December. Was just discussing with a buddy, would very much like to attend but still on the fence as well.

Posted: **Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:36 pm**

My advice for anyone thinking of attending a convention (or anything really travel related) this Fall / Winter is to make sure you have trip insurance - something that will cover plane tickets and hotel fees in the event things are cancelled due to a surge in cases.

Posted: **Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:40 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:36 pm My advice for anyone thinking of attending a convention (or anything really travel related) this Fall / Winter is to make sure you have trip insurance - something that will cover plane tickets and hotel fees in the event things are cancelled due to a surge in cases.

I use Southwest for travel (free cancellation for credit) and the hotel is refundable up to one night before. I'm sure if things change and become unsafe (for example a variant that the vaccines don't work against) they'll refund the convention fee. Hate trip insurance frankly, mostly a big rip off.

Posted: **Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:42 pm**

Lorini wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:40 pm Hate trip insurance frankly, mostly a big rip off.

Normally I'd agree, but things for the next 6 months are still uncertain. As long as you can get something back and/or get credits, that might be the best you can do.

Posted: **Thu Jun 10, 2021 3:59 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:42 pm
Lorini wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:40 pm Hate trip insurance frankly, mostly a big rip off.
Normally I'd agree, but things for the next 6 months are still uncertain. As long as you can get something back and/or get credits, that might be the best you can do.

I understand that, but my life is always uncertain for the next 6 months/years/decades

Posted: **Thu Jun 10, 2021 6:32 pm**

coopasonic wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 12:33 pm Got an email this morning that the CON is happening this year. I have mixed feelings about it, but I am mostly excited. They are still working out the details around vaccine requirements, masking, social distancing etc. Basically depending on how things look over the next few months.

I'm hoping Texas will allow private events to require whatever they deem necessary for holding a safe (or as safe as one can be) event vs going all DeSantis.

Posted: **Thu Jun 10, 2021 6:49 pm**

$iljanus wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 6:32 pm
coopasonic wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 12:33 pm Got an email this morning that the CON is happening this year. I have mixed feelings about it, but I am mostly excited. They are still working out the details around vaccine requirements, masking, social distancing etc. Basically depending on how things look over the next few months.
I'm hoping Texas will allow private events to require whatever they deem necessary for holding a safe (or as safe as one can be) event vs going all DeSantis.

Posted: **Thu Jun 10, 2021 6:56 pm**

Hopefully I remember which hotel to drive to this time.

Posted: **Thu Jun 10, 2021 7:52 pm**

LordMortis wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:19 pm Waiting to see about OctoCon and to see if I can make it happen this time around...

Fingers crossed. Would love to have an OctoCon in October...

Posted: **Sun Jun 13, 2021 6:40 pm**

LordMortis wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:19 pm Waiting to see about OctoCon and to see if I can make it happen this time around...

Mayor Lori said it's still allowed, although the restriction of maintaining a 15 foot social distance from hepcat still applies.

Posted: **Sun Jun 13, 2021 8:01 pm**

You show up in overly tight spandex shorts again and I can guarantee you 20 feet of distance at least.

Posted: **Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:33 am**

hentzau wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 7:52 pm
LordMortis wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:19 pm Waiting to see about OctoCon and to see if I can make it happen this time around...
Fingers crossed. Would love to have an OctoCon in October...

This OctoCon? What does this have to do with games?

https://2021.octocon.com/

Posted: **Thu Jun 17, 2021 12:25 pm**

Fardaza wrote: ↑Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:33 am
hentzau wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 7:52 pm
LordMortis wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:19 pm Waiting to see about OctoCon and to see if I can make it happen this time around...
Fingers crossed. Would love to have an OctoCon in October...
This OctoCon? What does this have to do with games?

https://2021.octocon.com/

Our Octocon is a much bigger more important event than that. More than a dozen OOers, friends and family gather in Chicago (twice a year, pre-pandemic) for a couple days to play board games and eat, well, I can't remember what the restaurant was but donuts and deep dish pizza were there too.

Posted: **Thu Jun 17, 2021 3:24 pm**

Polish buffet at the Jolly Inn

hepcat will often get smashed on umbrella drinks
And gaming cheats are discouraged by one-armed Jesus (who is probably fixed now)

Posted: **Thu Jun 17, 2021 4:40 pm**

Zarathud wrote: ↑Thu Jun 17, 2021 3:24 pm Polish buffet at the Jolly Inn

hepcat will often get smashed on umbrella drinks
And gaming cheats are discouraged by one-armed Jesus (who is probably fixed now)

We shall not mention The Bike Shorts Incident.

Posted: **Thu Jun 17, 2021 8:15 pm**

I'm still in therapy over it.

Posted: **Thu Jun 17, 2021 8:28 pm**

Fardaza wrote: ↑Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:33 am
hentzau wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 7:52 pm
LordMortis wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:19 pm Waiting to see about OctoCon and to see if I can make it happen this time around...
Fingers crossed. Would love to have an OctoCon in October...
This OctoCon? What does this have to do with games?

https://2021.octocon.com/

If you go back and do a search for OctoCon here on BGG, you'll find dozens of threads on the 2 day game fest that I throw at my local church that I have the temerity to call a "con". But if you want board games or minis games with a friendly group of people, it can't be beat.

Posted: **Thu Jun 17, 2021 8:56 pm**

And we'd love to see you at it, Fardaza.

Posted: **Fri Jun 18, 2021 8:14 am**

Will there be an Octocon this year? I think I will make an effort to attend this time.

Posted: **Fri Jun 18, 2021 9:57 am**

You're in Indianapolis. There's no excuse for why you don't attend EVERY one of them!

Posted: **Fri Jun 18, 2021 4:00 pm**

I've been trying to attend for years, and I'm close enough to have breakfast at home and lunch when I get there. The problem is the gas, food, and lodging.

Posted: **Fri Jun 18, 2021 4:51 pm**

I am hoping to have OctoCon in October this year, but it’s up to my church. They’re being really cautious about opening up again. As soon as I know I’ll get it scheduled.

And the con is free, BTW. Only costs are food transportation and lodging.

Posted: **Sat Jun 19, 2021 9:55 pm**

hentzau wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 4:51 pm I am hoping to have OctoCon in October this year, but it’s up to my church. They’re being really cautious about opening up again. As soon as I know I’ll get it scheduled.

And the con is free, BTW. Only costs are food transportation and lodging.

I'd love to attend!...er...Where is Ruritania?

Posted: **Sun Jun 20, 2021 12:12 pm**

Fardaza wrote:
hentzau wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 4:51 pm I am hoping to have OctoCon in October this year, but it’s up to my church. They’re being really cautious about opening up again. As soon as I know I’ll get it scheduled.

And the con is free, BTW. Only costs are food transportation and lodging.
I'd love to attend!...er...Where is Ruritania?

On the Northwest side of Chicago.

Posted: **Sun Jun 20, 2021 2:37 pm**

Sounds great! Keep us informed.

Posted: **Mon Sep 13, 2021 2:23 pm**

coopasonic wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 12:33 pm Got an email this morning that the CON is happening this year. I have mixed feelings about it, but I am mostly excited. They are still working out the details around vaccine requirements, masking, social distancing etc. Basically depending on how things look over the next few months.

I've refunded my ticket as their guidance is 100% based on trust of other people and I don't have any left. Vaccine or negative test required, but no proof required. Separate mask required and mask optional gaming areas. I kind of understand why they are doing that way but I'm not up for the risk.

Posted: **Mon Sep 13, 2021 8:55 pm**

coopasonic wrote: ↑Mon Sep 13, 2021 2:23 pm
coopasonic wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 12:33 pm Got an email this morning that the CON is happening this year. I have mixed feelings about it, but I am mostly excited. They are still working out the details around vaccine requirements, masking, social distancing etc. Basically depending on how things look over the next few months.
I've refunded my ticket as their guidance is 100% based on trust of other people and I don't have any left. Vaccine or negative test required, but no proof required. Separate mask required and mask optional gaming areas. I kind of understand why they are doing that way but I'm not up for the risk.

Do employees have a choice which area they work in? Smoking or non-smoking?

Posted: **Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:05 pm**

Any word Hentzau on the OctoCon?

Posted: **Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:20 pm**

Fardaza wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:05 pm Any word Hentzau on the OctoCon?

I am interested in this as well. I was also trying to rope-in some other OO'ers as well, although at the time I thought/hoped we would be further along COVID wise by this time, so understand if folks are still not comfortable. Friend of mine was asking about PAX in December and as much as I would love to go, that may be a bit too many people for me.

Posted: **Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:54 pm**

Tao wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:20 pm
Fardaza wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:05 pm Any word Hentzau on the OctoCon?
I am interested in this as well. I was also trying to rope-in some other OO'ers as well, although at the time I thought/hoped we would be further along COVID wise by this time, so understand if folks are still not comfortable. Friend of mine was asking about PAX in December and as much as I would love to go, that may be a bit too many people for me.

Would people be interested in an OctoCon if it was a mask mandatory event? Or would that be the only way that you would want to attend? Currently the city of chicago is mandating masks in all public buildings.

Posted: **Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:32 pm**

Played D&D with the kids last weekend and worse a mask the whole time.

Posted: **Thu Sep 16, 2021 1:43 pm**

If I am able to make it, I am fine either way. I am okay with no mask in small groups but I am equally okay wearing a mask if that is the consensus or requirement.

Posted: **Fri Sep 17, 2021 8:33 am**

I am interested. With this being a long duration of close proximity, the utility of masks is reduced. I would still wear one if that is the requirement. Preference would be no. You could poll the group about vaccination status. What dates are you considering?

Posted: **Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:03 am**

To be honest, I hadn't really been planning on one, but based on my current schedule I would have to have it either October 29-30 (which can be problematic for those folks that do Halloween) or November 5-6.

I'll move this to a separate thread just so we might get some more eyes on it.

Posted: **Sat Sep 18, 2021 8:53 am**

Posted: **Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:34 am**

Yummy breakfast spam

Octopus Overlords

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