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<DIV>In a message dated 8/6/2005 11:48:26 PM Pacific Standard Time, no_way8888@yahoo.com writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><FONT face=Arial>>>P.P.S.- how much does a Con trip typically cost, anyways?<<</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE>
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<DIV>Wellllll... it's going to depend a lot on how much it takes to get TO the Con. After that, there's lodging, which is going to depend on how many stars your hotel/motel has and how many roommates you get. Then there is transportation to/from the Con from/to your chosen lodging, and if you're driving, the parking fee ($8/day if you get to the Convention center early enough, up to $20 in lots semi-within walking distance from the Con). Food-- if you are willing and able to walk a few blocks, there's a grocery store at which you can get reasonably healthy and good food at reasonable prices, and a wide variety of restaurants; I don't recommend the food at the Con itself ($3 for a bottle of water....). Cost for the Con membership varies, depending on how soon you buy your pass-- full price, for all 4 days + preview night is about $60 (I think...); I've been working as a volunteer the last couple of times, so I get in "free" (get a free T-shirt, too).</DIV>
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<DIV>Then, there's the Con itself... the "Dealers' Room".... The first time, it probably would be best to leave the credit card at home, and just bring as much cash as you can afford to spend... unless, like Gary, you take out a loan before coming. Figure about $15 each (printing costs are rising) for any of the Groo graphic novels you don't have... Sergio will gladly autograph them, and even includes a little sketch; tell him you're a Grooper from the Far North, and he may even draw Groo in a Mountie uniform....</DIV>
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<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">Kaytee<BR>"God may be One, but God loves diversity". Horaku</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>