I'm trying to save Dona and the Tart of Pop a few headaches, so I thought I would throw some of this stuff in a pinned topic that I can delete after the thingy. God knows the thingy has taken on a life of its own, so.

When is it?

For the basics about when, where, and how to get on the List, see the first topic in the TARcon 5 thread, below.

I have to PAY?

Fuck, yes. We used to run this thing as "Fifteen people walk into a bar," but when it started to attract several hundred crazy (and I say that in the most affectionate way) weirdos (that, too), it became necessary to rent a space, and that requires money. The up side is that you don't have to mingle with any snobs who will make fun of you for yelling "PHIIIIIIIIL!" at choice moments.

Believe me when I tell you that for the money, it is a hell of a sweet deal. You get two hours of drinking, for one thing. You're not going to be disappointed. Hell, it's no more expensive than a trip for two to the movies, once you add popcorn.

When will I receive my ticket?

There are no tickets. THERE ARE NO TICKETS. Your name will be on a list, and when you get there, some nifty person will find your name on the list and let you in.

Do I really have to get myself on the list and pay in advance?

Yes. You do. Or . . . if you want to be allowed inside the door, you do.

I am a reality show contestant, present or past. Do I have to pay?

Email Dona (details in the info post referenced above) for details about being comped. But, if at all possible, give her advance notice that you're going to be showing up. Space becomes limited. She will keep your planned appearance to herself. (Okay, she might tell me.) We do not bill these things as "COME AND SEE FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM TV!", because we never know who's going to come.

How many people from TV can I count on meeting?

Zero. Seriously. We've been happy to host quite a collection of racers over time, but their appearance is never guaranteed. You can hope to meet them, but we promise nothing. NOTHING. Except fellow TWoP folks, of course, and big TVs.

I am too shy to go to something where I don't know anyone.

Oh, stop. Nobody at these things knows anyone. Just walk up to people and say, "Are you a Colin person or a Mirna person?" Seriously. Say that. It's one of the reasons the planners rent a place -- so that y'all can mingle without any interlopers.

What is TWoP's official role in this party?

Generally, TWoP's role consists of various TWoP staff standing around drinking, and trying not to draw attention to themselves. Seriously. It's not our party, officially, so you've got to work through the organizers.

What . . . HAPPENS at this thing?

People drink and talk and hang out and watch the show and meet people they've only seen in the form of forum posts. It's a party. There are no get-to-know-you games or anything twee like that. And yes, you can just stand there and feel stupid for a while -- God knows I usually do.

More to come as Q's are Frequently A'd.

Addendum #1:

I can't come! Should I post a lot about how sad I am?

Frankly . . . no. It's not that we don't sympathize, but after the eleventy millionth (tm pseudostudent) person posts that he/she can't go, hates everyone, hates his/her job, hates his/her lack of money, is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO jealous and so forth, it gets a wee bit tiresome.

"I'm not sure if I'm coming; here are my questions about hotel/transportation/timing/whatever" is absolutely fine. The "Gee, I probably shouldn't, but . . . twist my arm" routine is old and honored, and everyone's done it, and that's also fine. But please don't use the party thread to endlessly lament your lot if you're really not coming. We feel for you, we do. But we can't help, so you just make us depressed.

I can't come! Can I post in the party thread on the night it happens about how much I hate all of you for being there when I'm not there?

No. No, double no, triple no. There will be an aftermath thread; everyone will tell you what happened. But no, no Chat Room Of Self-Flagellation Over Non-Attendance.

Addendum #2:

What do I have to have with me in order to get in?

You need your Paypal confirmation. What this means is that you may either (1) print the email Paypal sent you to confirm your payment; or (2) go to your Paypal account, go to your payment history, pull up the detail screen for your payment that shows your $35 payment for TARcon 5 (and shows Dona's name), and print that screen, and bring that.

Is there anything else I should know about getting my name on the List if I'm comped?

As the basic info at the top of the TARcon 5 thread says, if you're comped, come no earlier than 10:00, and please give Dona your name in advance, and the names of any comped folks you're bringing. That means you don't give her "Lars from Norwegian Lifeguards Live," you give her "Lars Swensen." If that's your name, obviously. We need a real first name/last name so that you can get checked in.

Are you telling me that you actually hold to this list at the door?

Dude. I'm saying. Read the thread. We have a bouncer, and she's really mean. She hit a waitress once, so the legend goes.