Packing to go places used to be a pain and unpacking — putting everything back where it belongs — was even worse. That's before I learned the most obvious trick in the world: Have two of many things you use. I have little kits that duplicate all my hygiene and bathroom necessities and I just stick the appropriate ones into the suitcase and I'm half-packed.
I got the idea once when I read an article about Bob Hope. It said he had already-packed suitcases, several of them, in his home. If someone called and said, "We need you to come make a speech in Guam as soon as possible," Rapid Robert could have just grabbed one of those suitcases and been out the door in sixty seconds. I can't quite match that but since I devised my little kits, I can pack in about ten minutes. Then the trick on the other end is to stay as packed as possible at the other location. I once travelled with a lady friend who, upon arrival in Vegas, had to take every single item out of her suitcase and put it in the closet or in a drawer, and then lay out all of her grooming aids in the bathroom. We were there two days and she spent most of the first day unpacking and all of the second, packing.
I think I've run out of Comic-Con tips. Let's see: Don't stress, don't be shocked at the crowds or long lines, go outside for fresh air, study the programming schedule in advance, don't try to see and do everything, wear the most comfortable shoes you own, bring money…
Yeah, that's about it.
I'm getting e-mails asking me where and when I'll be signing. The answer is anywhere and whenever you approach me if I'm not late to host a panel or something. Sitting behind a table and signing my comics (or co-signing those I do with Sergio) is among my least favorite things to do in life. I don't mind signing reasonable quantities of stuff one bit but I do mind formalizing it and sitting there for an hour or three just for that purpose. If and when you see me at a table, autograph pen at the ready, it's because a publisher with whom I'm working cajoled me into doing that. None of them did this year.
Our best thoughts go out to Paul Levitz, who won't be seen at the con this year due to a family emergency. Paul was to be on several of my panels and his presence and wise words will be missed. And no, you can't have his hotel room.
At some point during the con, I may feel outraged enough to write a blistering takedown of the scumbags at a certain video game company. They "bought out" my favorite San Diego restaurant for the duration of the convention, filling it full of their products and promotions, rendering me unable to get a meal there until Sunday night. They may be fine people with wonderful games but some things, you just can't forgive.
I have a habit at conventions I will try again and fail to break: I read folks' name badges. I don't care who you are. If you talk to me, I will glance at your name badge. I have known Sergio Aragonés since about 1969 and he is my closest male friend in the world. When I see him at a con, my eyes immediately dart to his name badge and a little voice goes off in my head that says, "Yep, that's Sergio." I don't know why I do this but don't be offended if it looks like I forgot who you are. If I ever take my mother to the con, I will keep checking out her name badge as if I'm constantly verifying it's her.
Oh, one other tip: There are certain booths at the convention — mainly in the videogame areas but others, as well — that make a deliberate, premeditated effort to clog the aisles. They want to have the display that everyone is always crowding around so they can say, "God, our booth was jammed. Everyone wanted to get in to see our products." To this end, they have women in scanty costumes and/or celebrities and/or lots of giveaways and prizes. The purpose of that bait is to clog the aisles. Often, they have a guy with a microphone. The reason that person is there with the microphone is to intentionally try and keep a crowd in the aisles. They do not want you passing their booth. They want the aisles jammed so that you can't get through easily.
Want to get around the room easily? Avoid those aisles. It's not difficult if you understand the game, look on ahead of where you're going and be quick to switch to alternate routes.
I know there are some people who are tempted to start at one end of the con and just walk up and down each aisle in sequence. That's fine if you want to try it, though I doubt you'll finish the trek. Just understand that there are folks there plotting to not let you walk easily past their tables. Don't play their game and then moan that the convention is so crowded you couldn't get around. It's like deliberately jumping into the quicksand pit and then complaining you can't see your lower half anymore.
That's all I have for now. See some of you in San Diego!