First time at Road Rally - basic advice

[Silje]

Hello There,

I am planning to attend my first rally this year, and have to book my tickets from Oslo, Norway.

In your experience, how important is the sunday afternoon? Should I get my ticket back to Oslo Sunday at 6PM, or monday morning? And how does it work with hotel - is everybody staying the same place? And do people bring their non-musician spouses?

Also, what kind of material is it normal to have prepared - I am a composer/songwriter - not an artist.

Really appreciate any advice

Silje
http://www.taxi.com/silje

[ragani]

Hello Silje--

I'm hoping someone (Vikki??) might have the link to where all the tips and goodies were posted prior to the 2009 Rally-- that was loaded with great stuff. Anyone have that link still? I think it may have been from the older forum...

I like to stay to Monday, though some folks do depart Sunday-- you'll miss a few things, but I know some folks have jobs to get back to... Either way, people do share rooms at the hotel, and some stay with LA friends, etc. You can bring your non-musician spouse (few folks do), but I've found (the first year I brough mine), that he was bored out of his mind, while I couldn't get enough! So now he stays at home and I go alone, which seems to work really well. There's not a lot for non-musicians to enjoy (other than our great musician company), though maybe they'd enjoy seeing some of the LA sites while you're at the Rally...

Having a few (6?) CD's to share with folks is nice, and plenty of nice business cards with your e-mail and website (I prefer no phone as a female) are all good to have. Lots of paper for notes, and a sweater for the hotel rooms (some of them are cold in the summer!). There's a full list of suggestions on those older forum links, so I'm hoping someone has them...

Main thing is to get plenty of sleep before, because you'll have too many exciting things to see and do during the Rally, and sleep is usually a little lacking in most folks by the end of the weekend. Get prepared for a mind-blowing experience!!!

Cheers!
Raags

[Casey H]

You should stay till Monday because tradition is first timers from outside the US buy dinner and drinks for all the rest of us on Sunday night.

Seriously, I've done both-- left on Sunday and on Monday. I enjoyed the quietness of Sunday night to hang out with friends and get to know people more. But I know not everyone can take Monday off from work.

I'll look for links to old threads with lots of road rally advice.

Casey

PS Raags... Do not bring your rodent.

[Casey H]

Here is a link to Casey's neurotic rally packing list:
http://forums.taxi.com/post234350.html

Within that thread is also a link to a post by Vikki (hummingbird) with lots of GREAT rally prep info.

My list is a bit overkill in places but as long as you are traveling a long distance, it's good to be prepared. Most important... be prepared to have a lot of fun!

Casey

[Silje]

Thank you so much both of you for the great advice

I will go alone then, stay until monday, bring everything on the packing list and hope that there is some more first timers from outside US to join me in keeping that sunday night tradition alive

Can't wait!

Thanks again,

Silje

[hazineju]

Hi Silje, you got some good advice from Ragani and Casey, and I do agree with them, right down to the sweater Ragani mentioned

It's probably on Casey's neurotic packing list, but make sure to also bring a dot sticker to put on your name tag - that is the way we forum friends find each other at the rally.

Looking forward to meeting you there!

[Silje]

Halezineju, that is so cool, I will bring a dot , thank you so much for letting me know about that.

It is a little nerve-wracking to go to your first rally, but from what I read from previous "first timers", everyone has been very positively surprised - and I
am looking forward to meeting you guys "for real"

Have a great day,

Silje

[coachdebra]

Last year was the first time I stuck around until late Sunday night. And realized what a party I'd been missing. Best part for me? Getting to meet and hang out with Dave Trotter

See you in the bar!
Debra

[LoDrop]

Hey everybody!

I'm a taxi member since the beginning of this year and I'm considering going to the rally!

there are a couple of things I'd like to know though:
is there a schedule or something like that, I mean what time does the rally begin/end each day?

and one very important question: whats a dot sticker??

I'm living in Switzerland, so I need to be absolutely sure whether I wanna go or not...

thanks for the advise

[coachdebra]

Hey everybody!

I'm a taxi member since the beginning of this year and I'm considering going to the rally!

there are a couple of things I'd like to know though:
is there a schedule or something like that, I mean what time does the rally begin/end each day?

Generally a schedule is posted a week or two in advance. Thursday evening is registration, and believe it or not, it's like a Grateful Dead concert, people line up hours before to make sure they get the mentor of their choice. My slots have been known to sell out early!

Friday, Saturday, classes and Panels go from like 10AM until around 6PM and there's open mic in the evening. The bookstore is generally open until 9PM

Sunday sessions go until 5ish and the bookstore closes around the same time.

There are usually 10-15 things going on at any given moment, classes, panels, mentor sessions, etc.

and one very important question: whats a dot sticker??

Don't overthink this one...
http://www.staples.com/Round-1-4-Diamet ... duct_67076

I'm living in Switzerland, so I need to be absolutely sure whether I wanna go or not...
thanks for the advise

Oh, you wanna go, trust me....

Debra