Keep Clean

Nerd flu will be in high effect during PAX Prime. No matter how clean you think you are, you are going to be full of germs. Best to use the hand-sanitizer stations that should be all over the convention center exits. Use them. Be even more prepared and buy a travel/pocket sized one for yourself.

On top of clean hands to prevent nerd flu, best to keep clean yourself. It appears that it will be in the mid 70′s during PAX, and that will make it a little sweaty for everyone, so keep clean and don’t make all those stereotypes of gross dirty stinky nerds in their mom’s basement true.

There Is More Than Subway

Ever since PAX moved to the Washington State Convention Center, I am amazed as the massive line at Subway on the 3rd floor and right at the entrance. I know the $5 Foot Long is a good bargin, but there are tons of places to eat just a block or two away from the convention center. Shorter lines, if there are even lines, and more selection. Also it is good to pace yourself at PAX, getting away from the show floor for 30 minutes will help recharge your batteries. There are tons of places to eat within a 1/2 a mile from the convention center, even more options are if you are willing to catch a bus (free in downtown Seattle), take a ride on the S.L.U.T. South Lake Union Trolly to South Lake Union, the Monorail to Seattle Center House, or Metro Route 99 which goes down to the waterfront. To show you all your options, here is a handy map of places to eat within 0.5 miles and a couple a little bit further away but worth checking out.
[map w="500" h="400" kml=http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&ie=UTF8&msa=0&output=kml&msid=206039410449337379681.0004ab100f5860fbc5268]

As you can see there are tons of places to eat, that really aren’t that far away from the convention center. I don’t even list all the places to eat at Pike’s Place Market, which is just six blocks away. Venture out, have some fun.

Need Water!

While we are talking about food, we might as well talk about keeping hydrated. Yes, even after hours of free play Mario Kart, you should have something to drink. Bring a water bottle or pick something up at a local store around the convention center, NOT at the convention center. Walk a block or two over to Bartell Drugs or Walgreen’s. You can also pick up some snacks there as well.

I Didn’t Get Your Text

With 1,000′s of wireless signals floating around from DS, PSP, Cell Phones, and more, you are going to have a hard time getting services while in the convention center. No matter which provider you have, you are going to have some troubles. One handy tip is to drop to a lower connection speed, 3G to Edge. Typical those networks are less crowded, and if all you need to do is make a phone call or get a text, this might be your best option.

Well Laid Plans

Penny Arcade provides a great schedule, but sometimes it is nice to have it right at your finger tips and the good people at Guidebook did just that. They have created an app for iPhone and Android (no Windows Phone 7, boo) that lets you schedule which events you want to attend. I think it will even provide reminders.

Be Cool, Be Friendly, Have Fun

It is events like PAX that make me excited about the industry I work in. It is great fun getting to meet people who enjoy the same things you do, so don’t be a stranger. Come to a panel, say hello to developers at their booths, high five some cosplayers for going all out on their costume. In the end, have a good time.

Living without cable makes you do many things, including catch up on television shows you never paid attention too.  I finally decided to check out Battlestar Galactica this weekend, starting with the mini-series and then onto Season 1 and the start of Season 2.  I love something with a sci-fi theme, and BSG holds up pretty well.  The characters are pretty good, the story is pretty strong, and the interrelationships between characters has pulled me in.  I hope it keeps up and stays strong.  Don’t spoil it for me!

With all the snow the local Blockbust had almost everything rented, so I fired up Comcast OnDemand and combed around to see the entire Back to the Future Trilogy in HD.  I have seen these movies countless times over the years, but not all three in a single night.  They are fairly silly, but I have to give the writers credit for paying attention to detail.  Christopher Lloyd is insane in this role, and I really can’t imagine Marty being Eric Stoltz at all.

Capcom released a demo for Resident Evil 5 in Japan a couple days ago.  With the help of the guys and girls at NeoGAF were able to figure a way out to burn the demo to DVD and play it over here in the US, and that is what I did.

The demo itself is fairly short.  You have two areas to play in.  The game feels very much like Resident Evil 4, but with pretty graphics.  It was a little odd getting used to the controls on the 36o controller as I played Resident Evil 4 on the PS2.  The game is very action heavy in the demo, with lots of reloading and trying to fend off countless enemies.  I haven’t tried it co-op yet, but it seems to be pretty cool with the branching areas and teamwork moves similar to Army of Two.

I picked up the BBC mini series Planet Earth on Bluray and it is amazing.  If you have a HDTV and a Bluray player, you must do yourself a favor and buy it now.  It is truely amazing to watch.  The detail is jaw dropping, and seeing nature in such scale that is almost looks fake.

Collin’s Xbox 360.  RIP November 2005 to December 2008.

• Two 26″ Westinghouse LCD TV.  One for my Grandma for Christmas and my brother in law wanted one as well.
• Microsoft V Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Combo.  I am typing on this right now.  Have to get used to the mouse, but not bad or $29.99.
• Planet Earth Blu-Ray.  I have this on my Christmas list, but I had to bite since Fry’s had it for $37.  I priced matched it at Best Buy since Fry’s was a zoo.
• Got some random t-shirts at Old Navy for $4 or less.

Overall I thought I did pretty well.  Just the TV alone were an almost $300 savings.  I might go to Circuit City tomorrow to check on a Sony reciever, since mine died a while ago.