On the Road again. ✈️

How to pack for the con game.

Next week, I'm headed out to NY for the Burning Wheel Con. It's more Reunion Con than anything. Waaaay back in what, 2009? There was Burning Wheel Con 09-09-09, followed the next year by 10-10-10...you get the idea. It's a standard weekend schedule, Fri-Sunday. I'll get in on Friday and head home on Monday. My GM prep box hasn't changed much from last year. So, I'll share how I pack the mundane stuff for a con weekend.

I'm using a garment-duffel bag by Halfday. It's my preferred bag for shortish trips. It means I can do one carry-on, done. I’ll need two outfits for this trip, no extra shoes. Whatever I wear out on Friday is what I travel home in on Monday, mostly. I would use the garment bag part to pack a "nice outing" outfit, but not this trip. It's undies, socks, and shirts for three days, and two pairs of pants. One medium-weight sweatshirt -I'm likely wearing a zip-up sweater out. Shorts for sleeping in, a beanie —cause I'm an old cat, my head gets cold easily. Bag of toiletries (orange) and old man drugs. My watercolor kit (brown), I like to get a quick watercolor sketch of places I've been. I'll bring my wireless headset for music; other times, I bring a speaker, but I'm splitting an AirBnB with two other gamers -they may not appreciate Tay-Tay like I do!

Tech bag(blue) for wires, power pack, mouse, etc

My Zoom recorder for podcasting —you never know!

Palmpress for making coffee —cause you never know!

Burning Wheel RPG for playing or running a session.

iPad, Macbook, a bullet journal

Analog watch, glasses —I'm an old man.

My GM session box and my folders with session handouts and prep. This goes on top and pulled out for TSA...because dice scare them.

This bag has external zip pockets and internal pockets for shoes or stuff. I've replaced the shoulder strap with a stronger, more comfortable one. I know this is not a bag review newsletter; they aren’t a sponsor, no affiliate links —but man, good tools and all that!

For longer/bigger trips, I use a roller-case carry-on, move all the tech stuff to my backpack, and take two carry-ons.

What are your travel hacks, tricks, and tips?