K.K. Slider

Yes, but it can also mean (naughty language!)

Na zdrowie is basically 'Cheers!' but it directly translates to good health. Again, basically cheers in English. Always say it before downing a shot of vodka (wodka, a Pole's drink of choice). If you're drinking with others and somebody is standing, it's considered formal, so be sure to stand as well.

I don't know about useless, but after spending a month in Poland recently...KURWA is easily the most important to know, haha. 'Na zdrowie' comes in second.

My previous post

Went hiking on Dragon's Back Trail here in Hong Kong the other day with a Kazakh guy and German girl, here's some photos.

We had good fun messing around on Big Wave Bay afterwards.

I did get wet in the end, haha.

Flying to Bangkok, Thailand in a couple of hours. The ride never ends!

I picked up the game on the 17th of June and to this very day logged 313 hours. I've been playing since Population Growing on the GameCube, but only moved onto City Folk and never got into Wild World. City Folk had never managed to catch my attention quite like New Leaf has. I play quite literally every single day for about 30 minutes to an hour, sometimes longer. With that said, I'm loaded with bells and flowers so if anybody needs any non-hybrid flowers, black/orange roses, or Nintendo items (from the fortune cookies), just let me know and you can come by.

Lulian from Tropico. Proud of my gold K.K. Slider badge.

Hoping to fill my Hilton room with forum members and/or previous con roomies. Will be sending PMs to select members regarding interest.

I dont know how I will get there seeing as how I dont drive, i guess flying or taking a bus would be my only option. its to early for me to try and arrange to hitch a ride with someone traveling through ohio near the hamilton/cincinnati area seeing as how I dont even know if i can attend.

Rideshares pop up all the time as the con draws closer and closer. TONS of bronies from Chicago and Michigan pass through Ohio, you won't have a problem finding a rideshare.

You could also try using Megabus, they are stupidly cheap.

And I'm not saying "trust no one," but I'm just reminding you guys to be careful. People could browse the internet specifically for things like this, and then try to establish themselves as eager con-goers, then kill or do other things to you. It's always a good idea to be sure you know for certain with whom you're speaking.

This is...extremely unlikely. And I don't recommend fearing things strictly because of the insanely slight possiblity of something that hasn't even ever been reported on in brony rideshares, lol. Relax dude.

Ridesharing is very common for geek conventions of all sorts and it's a great way to network, save money, and have fun all in one go! I'll be flying to BronyCon this year, like the last, but I did ride share from Detroit for BC '12. For those who aren't along this particular route, others can be planned or if that fails, there's a section on BronyCon's official forums dedicated for this purpose. Likewise with sharing rooms!

I think the idea of getting MLPforums users in particular together to be more than an awesome idea. Hope many intend to go this year! If the BronyCon thread is of an indication, it's gonna be huge! Looking forward to the meetup!

Okay, new plan: Since I'm not even sure if I like going to cons, I'm going to try to go to a smaller, nearby brony convention before I decide if I want to go halfway across the country. I think I'll start planning to go to Midwest Brony Fest.

Can't go wrong making your first con the big one, it was for me and I definitely don't regret it! But understandable, considering the larger investment.

Anyone's role can easily be reversed given certain conditions.

I agree completely, and I'm willing to give somebody the benefit of the doubt. As I said, he could still surprise me, however unlikely I suspect him coming to his senses is. I didn't go from being a nasty, hateful person to who I am today overnight...it took collective experiences over a period of time. Getting out, traveling, experiencing new cultures, things, perspectives, etc.

I don't hate him for his opinions, just feel sorry for him. I honestly hope he can overcome his prejudice someday, if not anytime soon.

I'm gonna give the classic stoner answer and answer this question with a question...

 

Smoke what?

Depends, heh. On what's around, who's around, what's going on, the mood, time, place, etc.

Hey look, I'm an immature anti-drug bloke with a bone to pick who thinks he can dictate what other people do with their lives!

I'm really not interested in throwing shit back and forth with you, I've got some hiking in Hong Kong to do today. With that said, I'll leave you with this post, as it sums up my thoughts on the subject better than I could say it myself.

Sorry about the passive-aggressive prodding (though you did bother to respond in kind), as I get sick of people like you who believe only the worst of society use drugs, which unlike your personal experiences, I've never dealt with myself. Perspective is interesting, eh? Been in 9 countries so far, smoked with all sorts of people/cultures, came out of it just fine. Still am fine, in fact.

I do stand by my opinion that you are indeed an ignorant person ("tobacco isn't a drug"...I think that sums up your comprehensive knowledge of drugs), but that's not my problem, is it? You're welcome to believe whatever bullshit you like. I hope we can at the very least agree there.

Erowid, by the way, is widely acclaimed in the professional world. But like you mentioned, your personal biases will completely distort anything positive anything or anyone has to say about drugs. Again, not my problem.

I will begin to take you seriously when you stop putting words in my mouth and judging my character and personality based on your (incorrect) preconceptions. I don't think you will suddenly become mature overnight, but until then, have a good one.

Hands down Avenue Q. Would see it over and over again if I could! Wicked was also good fun. I'd also like to see The Book of Mormon first chance I get.

Yes, lucid dreaming is real. When I was younger I used to focus on achieving lucid dreams just about every night, and participated in a community centered around it. I recommed any who are interested in the subject give some of their articles a look, they are a great place to start. In my experience, it takes a great deal of patience, focus, and practice. Improving my dream recall via keeping a dream journal was easily my greatest asset. I had eventually managed to induce sleep paralysis while still conscious and enter lucid dreams from the waking state, which were much more vivid than the random ones I'd have once or twice a week.

I've always thought lucid dreams were great fun, especially considering how I'll be sleeping anyway, so why not do something with that time? One of my favorite things to do is to ask dream characters (who I do not consciously influence in any way, except maybe summoning them) questions like - "Who am I?" "What's it like to not exist?", etc. Wouldn't always get serious responses, but I've always thought it fascinating that my consciousness is essentially giving me an answer.

There are no limitations; you're quite literally a god in your own sandbox. It's very strange the first few times, as your mind may manifest a body but your perception is more or less floating around. In my lucids, I have elements that are very consistent (called dream signs); like I have more than five fingers (if I try to look at my 'hands', though there is no need for them). If I look at text, look away, and look again, it always changes. Mirrors always show distorted images; I've been shocked awake a few times until I got used to it. When I fly around outside, it's almost always a moonlit night and the scenery is always fantastic. Lots of mountains and lakes, and when I'm in a city, it's always magnificent. I can alter the scenery, teleport, fly, feel wind/texture and even smells. Lots of fun touching a clearly metal surface and making it feel like bread. Dream characters are always aware that I'm conscious and usually comment on it.

My first wake induced lucid dream was also my first false awakening. I went from being conscious, losing all feeling in my body, to hallunciating a presence in my room. All sorts of strange sounds. Next thing I knew I had opened my eyes in bed, but was 100% aware that it was a dream. Bam, successful WILD. Slowly floated up to and right through the ceiling.

It's nothing like waking reality and I'd highly recommend anyone give it a go. But again, it takes some serious patience.

One of the funniest pony cleaning product drawings I've seen, well done.

Right on. I did extensive research as a newb before purchasing my primary gear components and found myself happy with it all, but what works for one doesn't always work for another. Your mileage may vary!

People in the back-country are usually friendly, but if you are touring and in some sketchy areas, simply having a knife will not only make you look like less of a victim, but even with minimal training, it gives you an edge. Unless you are in a populated area, the blade on a multi-tool is usually sufficient.

Appearance is a huge factor in being a victim; I dress accordingly and walk fast/aggressively on city streets. All bundled up, I look like somebody who might mug you, haha. I prefer a fixed blade for self-defense purposes as pulling out the blade on a multi-tool takes valueble time. I have a similar concern with switchblades. A fixed blade is ready to go in an instant; I can whip mine out in and make a stab in two seconds.

I made a post in the BronyCon 2014 thread regarding safety tips in Baltimore. It really applies to any large city though!

Haha, it does get easier the longer you stay in the woods. The pack always gets lighter, never heavier, as you eat down your food supplies. I also feel like I slowly get tougher as the days and miles blend together...by the time I come out of the woods, I feel like Hercules! Especially after summiting a mountain. Going back to a nice bed and having regular showers afterwards makes me feel like I'm going soft.

You can do gear quite cheaply but I don't recommend it. I invested quite a bit in my own setup and I don't regret a thing! Never had any my gear break down or malfunction on me. I will be sure to compile a list tomorrow to give others an idea of what kind of stuff one would bring for a multi-day hike.

I do carry a knife, but couldn't recommend it to everyone unless they are prepared to use it in a self-defense scenario. It's indeed a fantastic tool, even without a multi-tool, though I honestly haven't had any notable situations where it was really useful. But it never hurts to be prepared, I'll add it to the list. I'm a bit finicky on pack weight and don't carry too many emergency/just in case items, but you can't go wrong with having them. Hiking deep in the woods can mean isolation from assistance for extended periods of time, so there's the philosophy of 'I'd rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it'. Also great note on a quality product, something like that I wouldn't want to skimp on! Watch the movie '127 Hours' and it will really hit that point home, lol.

You might be one of the very few backpackers here, but you sure aren't the only one! Sorry I'm a little late with a reply.

I'm very happy to hear there's others out there! The only other I know is HungryTroll. I plan to see him in Russia next summer!

& sorry for the late reply? Don't be, haha, I've fallen off the grid myself these past few weeks. Been hanging all around Poland with bronies lately, only now do I have computer at a hostel to use.

You must know all about the fun of camping in the backcountry, no need to explain haha. Where have you been and where would you like to go someday? What got you into hiking?

I wish I could be a backpacker.  It has always sounded like so much fun.  A lot of work, but fun and rewarding in its own right.

Definitely. It has its ups and downs, but I find you usually come out of it in the end having learned a thing or two about yourself and the world.

Oh I love backpacking, hiking and walking! I've only been to Wales and the Lake District (England) to walk but I'm planning on going everywhere when I'm older! I haven't got any locations which I'm certain to visit yet, but I'd love to visit America and New Zealand. New Zealand just looks amazing, I'd love to visit. Maybe we could PM, your picture on your profile looks great

I've always wanted to go to New Zealand ever since I watched The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. I swear, it's a subtle advertisement for New Zealand's tourist board! The cost of living & flight expenses have always intimidated me though. Would defintiely hit it up along with Australia. Someday, someday! Will shoot you a PM, and thanks.

I am planning to begin backpacking when I am 18, I want to travel the world. I have more than enough money for my dream as long as I don't plan on buying pointless expensive things

 

Any advice on backpacking would be great :3

There's all sorts of ways to backpack. Some people do it on a shoestring budget, others pave their way with a credit card. But a couple of things I would recommend...

• NOTE: This list is intended for city backpacking, not camping! Will put up a camping gear list/tips tomorrow.
• Save your money! The more money you've got, the longer your trip can last. Budgeting is also very important, and knowing how to save. Hostels are fantastic in this regard, as they are far cheaper than hotels are the shared accomodation/facilities is a great way to meet fellow travelers.
• Choose your pack carefully! Something you know you'll be comfortable with. Depending on your loadout, you can be carrying quite a bit of weight. If that's the case, a medium or large sized pack with an internal frame will do wonders.
• Carry a light source of some sort. I personally use a headlamp with adjustable brightness and a separate red light, which helps preserve night vision and won't disturb roomies in a hostel nearly as much. Believe me, during travel you'll be in many situations where having a light is very helpful, lol. Others items I highly recommend...
• A drawstring bag. This is fantastic for carrying around town when you have your big primary bag stowed away. They aren't bulky so they pack in quite nicely and if you get a bag with a bunch of pockets, it's usefulness is doubled.
• A notebook and pen. VITAL! Extremely versatile as there is usually something worth writing down whether it be directions, a shopping list, contact information, etc.
• A cigarette lighter. Even if you don't smoke. You'll find a use for it, believe me.
• Scissors. Again, you'll find a use for it.
• Comb. Enough said about that!
• Small, basic first aid kit. It helps to be prepared. I've found multiple uses for it, on myself and others.
• Extra socks. If you're going to have a spare of anything, this should be it...perhaps underwear as well. My clothes are pretty basic, my extras are essentially for warmth, not style. I've heard it said that an advantage of always being on the move is you don't need to dress differently everyday, haha. I personally dress for function, except a single shirt I carry for clubs. And a pony shirt. As far as warmth goes, a hat, gloves, and layers go a long way during this time of the year.
• Full hygiene kit. I carry shampoo, shower gel, a sponge, toothbrush/paste, floss, and deodorant. Really, really vital.
• Extra batteries for your phone. Keep them charged up and you can swap on the go.
• Edit: I carry a fixed blade myself for self-defense purposes. It really helps me feel safer, but it's important that you be ready to use. It can also have practical functions, though I haven't been in many situations where it was really useful. Never hurts to have one!
• & though I don't carry a multi-tool, it can possibly save you from a lot of trouble. One can never predict a dire situation, so having something like this can make all the difference.

There's much more to a loadout and people have different preferences, but those are some things I would never do without. I wouldn't say you need a travel guide to have a good time either. I find exploring cities and countries I know nothing or very little about to be a very enlightening/enriching experience. Simply wandering around will bring you some pretty crazy experiences, haha.

As far as safety goes...never wander around wielding technology or wearing headphones. It will only make you more of a target. Some countries are sketchier than others, but it's a good rule of thumb no matter where you are. Remain alert and your odds of having a good time are much better.

I've been drinking mostly vodka here in Poland over the past few weeks. I drank seven different brands, all of them Polish expect a bottle of Finlandia. Compared to other liquors, vodka is relatively tasteless, but it does have a taste. Even a 'tasteless' or smooth vodka will still have the taste of alcohol. It's difficult not to taste alcohol in something that's 40%+ alcohol by volume.

With that said, I find it's one of the easiest drinks to take straight shots of. A good vodka is smooth enough to warrant not using a chaser (something you drink to drown out the taste of alcohol, usually a soda or juice) but any mixes very well. My favorite mix is with orange juice, though Coca-Cola or Pepsi is always welcome.

It's called the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, and from what I am reading it's pretty close to Bronycon.

My friend had his room party in the Sheraton Inner Harbor. Having walked there, it's not bad. About 6-8 minutes at a decent pace. He personally would have preferred the Hilton or Marriott, but it's tough game.  The Sheraton is probably your best bet.

The only downfall for me is they don't have free Wifi. That is kind of a con for me, as I think it would be for anyone, but that's not the most important thing.

You can bum free Wi-Fi at the Jimmy John's near the convention center. Follow the crowds!

I'm probably gonna stay at a different hotel. Thanks but as I was checking I saw both hotels were way out of my price range. I kina can't affor a 200 something or 300 something hotel. I have this other hotel in mind and might just take a cab to bronycon, what do you guys think? Has anyone ever done that before?

There are other hotels available at convention rates that aren't far off! I think the furthest is about a 15 minute walk. Check this page. Only the Hilton and Marriott are currently booked full as far as I know.

Have you considered finding roommates to split the costs? It's pretty standard and you'll see a ton of threads crop up  lookings for interested folks as the convention draws near. I personally prefer to host a room myself as I'm able to select my roommates and decide/enforce the rules. I've had great and mixed experiences in other's rooms, so I figured hosting works best for me.

I have taken a cab from a different hotel to Canterlot Gardens. About a 15 minute drive. Rode with my roomies and we split the fare. It can definitely add up and we had to wait on the cab, so it wasn't ideal. It was also a pain not being able to easily access the room. You're better off finding some roomies (either in someone's room or your own) closer to the con IMO.

Already got my ticket reserved and have a room rented. Knew I would have to do it right away, so I did on November 4th when things were announced. Couldn't get a room until the Tuesday before the con this year due to low funds, and that Motel 6 sucked. This year I'm staying at the Hilton, but only because it's the most convenient. There are better hotels for less money nearby.

 

Those still trying to find a room might check with the Royal Sonesta. It's a 7-minute walk away and a room with double beds is $200 a night. Better than the approximately $400 you'll pay at the Hilton without the convention discount.

You were smart to get a room ASAP, they sold out in three days! I got very lucky and managed to find a room at con rate after the fact...either the block being expanded, or people canceling their reservations. I refreshed the Hilton's reservation page once every 30 minutes or so, and bam, there it was! It might be worth trying, who knows?

I thought the Hilton was alright. It's about everything you'd expect from a hotel, name brands tend to have the same standards set everywhere. For those who are newbs, it's definitely the most convenient hotel, as it's directly connected to the convention center via skybridge. As close as you can get, but if I'm not mistaken the Marriott is pretty close too, though it's also sold out. The Hilton also contains some convention functions.

We'll also have a member meetup the first day or the day before so people can get acquainted and spend some time together collectively.

That's great! Were you thinking at a restaurant? Somewhere in the convention center? Perhaps a pub crawl later in the night?

For registration... so some Cons have a pre-reg line to hop into the night before the con. If you buy a pass right now on the Bronycon site, when can you pick up your pass? How about if you buy in at the "Bronze" level or above with the "pre-reg" perk? I'm looking more for what the lines are going to be like between the two and when you will be able to pick your badge up.

 

Thanks again!

BronyCon does have a pre-reg line but this year's con you had to join the master line to reach it...it wasn't like that in Summer '12. Perhaps they will do it differently this year, as the line was truly awful. If you're in Baltimore the day before, I believe you can pickup your badge early.

Sponsor badges have a non-existent line, so you definitely get what you pay for. I personally just pay somebody $5 to let me cut in, but sponsorship helps the con out. I don't let it be a selling point though. No matter your sponsor level, it's all the same short line.

& you're welcome.

Since this will be my first BronyCon, is there anything that I should know? Any tips from the seasoned vets' that you would like to pass to a newbie? I have done many cons in the past... just not a Brony Con.

Same deal as other nerd cons apply to BronyCon. Follow the 6-2-1 rule (6 hours of sleep, 2 square meals, 1 shower a day) and you'll be fine. Get in line at least an hour-30 minutes early for the major panels if you want a decent seat, or bribe somebody in front. 20 people may say no, 1 always says yes. Expect a massive line at registration. Have a separate fund for the Dealer's Den, haha. Don't forget to have fun.

Do be careful at night. Baltimore is a pretty sketchy city and all the nerds/kids draw baddies to the area. There's been reported muggings this year's con. I recommend you carry a weapon (& be prepared to use it...) and/or mace and travel with at least one other person. The bigger the group, the better. If you stab somebody, they will run away, not stand and fight. As soon as nightfall hits stay on well lit streets, don't linger, and keep on the move. Walk fast/aggressively and try not to look naïve. Don't walk around looking at your shiny smartphone or wearing headphones. People will be scoping out easy targets. Watch out for alleys, walk near the road. I walk the streets with my right hand in my pocket...holding a 4" fixed blade. I also wear a beanie hat & a military thermal, which I feel helps deters people in the dark. Appearance is a huge factor in being a victim; hands in your pockets can mean exactly what it means for me...that you might be armed. If you're at the Hilton you can stay off the streets and use the skybridge. Some hotels are 10-15 minutes away though, so definitely buddy up if it's dark. There's usually con-goers moving to and from the convention, you'll know just by looking at them. The area immediately around the convention center is very well lit and tends to have a good amount of foot traffic, so it's relatively safe. But nowhere is 100% safe. People further out are more at risk.

Keep in mind muggings tend to happen in instant. They last under 30 seconds. If somebody sticks a gun in your face, just give them your stuff. Don't try to fight them, even if you're armed. Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings. Look around once in awhile, especially for people who may be following you. If you're being followed (with ill intentions), they are usually waiting for you to move into an isolated area, like a deserted street. The later at night, the less people are about, and the sketchier it is.

Practice common sense and stay perceptive and you'll be fine. Baltimore may not be great, but the convention venue truly is.

I remember that part. The line was so long that it had to go loop around the corner and went down the stairs. So many people waiting to witness the end of a glorious occasion.

Yeah, it would have sucked to wait in that line. I just paid somebody $5 to get to the front. Works every time!

Next year is gonna be nuts! Already got my ticket & room (@ the Hilton too!).

I think this post might be the saddest thing I've read in a long time.  Sad because it seems to revel in the "I'm right and you're wrong, and one day you'll pay for it" conviction of a real zealot.

Yeah, I could never stand those type of religious folk. It's even worse if they're as preachy to your face. Luckily, there seems to be just as many (if not more) level-headed, tolerable/less obnoxious believers to balance the Bible thumpers out.

& +1 on being the saddest post in awhile, lol. The guy is still a kid, doesn't have much life experience under his belt, so it's not as pathetic.