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Mood: Happy ]
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Currently: Watching Castle ]
So the Husband Unit, the Boy and a close friend, the Artisan, headed out to our anual Geek Trek.
The trip was long due to us leaving about 2.5 hours late. Totally a result from having a small child who is old enough to get into trouble, but small enough to not help. So instead of getting her at about 2 or 3, we arrived at 5:30 pm.
Then came the registation, the unpacking, the finding and eating of dinner. In between I made it to the dealer’s room for photos and a quick visit to the art show to see a dear friend, Heather Bruton. Husband Unit and the Artisan are off at Larry Stewart Live, while I babysit the Boy, who is asleep in the travel playyard, leaving me time to write this all down.
Polaris has moved to a new venue in Toronto. The old hotel is undergoing massive renovations, and would not be able to accomodate all that this convention is. So this year, we are in Richmond Hill at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel. And boy are they happy to see us.
No, really! The staff are all wearing "Sheraton Parkway Welcomes Polaris" ribbons. They have a greeter directing people to the free non-alcoholic punch. The hotel staff know where con-related things are and are helping you find them. They also know that Con guests get special perks and make sure you know them.
Wow.
The other hotel was polite, but that was about it. we befriended the staff and that helped, but they could care less about us.
On the other hand, this hotel is older, and smaller than the previous venue. The dealer’s room is half the size (at least) and there are very narrow aisles between tables. The spill over is in the hallway and is going to make moving difficult with a stroller tomorrow. I can’t imagine wheelchairs in that insanity.
Still, this hotel is near a whack of good places to eat, so dinner won’t be hard to find.
We will be juggling childcare again as my mother has had to cancel at the last minute due to her work. It will mean less convention time for us, but we will cope.