Boxes

[kevin_standlee]

I agreed to haul a mimeograph machine to Denvention Three. Unfortunately, the thing is (a) too heavy to put on other things and (b) shaped wrong for stacking things on top of it. However, it appears that U-Haul may have shipping boxes big enough to fit this thing. The box needs to be able to hold something 24 x 18 x 20 inches. Perhaps tomorrow I will go by on my way to work and pick up a large box. I can then wrap the mimeo in a large garbage bag, put it in the box, and fill the box with packing peanuts, of which I have many. This will allow me to pack stuff on top of it for the trip east and probably make it a bit easier to move around on the day. I'm told that I'm to just put it on my folding luggage cart (which fortunately is sufficiently heavy as to be able to handle such a load) and roll it in the front door on Wednesday morning and bring it to the appropriate exhibit space.

I also need to find a smaller box to safely package up a fragile-looking light box and to hold the last of the reams of Fibertone paper, as there was one odd ream left after filling the Xerox box I had on hand.

This is on top of the three boxes of Match Game material, the Ballot Box, and, oh yes, my and Lisa's own personal luggage, including things like my suit and WSFS uniform and her costumes, not to mention an electric ice chest we plan to bring so we can have cold things like milk with us

Ever since I let it be known that I was driving to Denver, people have started asking me to haul things for them. It has gotten to the point where I've been contemplating removing the middle passenger seats from my minivan (the rear seats have been in storage for years) in order to make more room. I've started telling people "no more room on the bus, sorry."

Edit/Update, 22 Jul 10:30: Corrected paper type after receiving private note about it. And the extra ream of Fibertone did fit into the bottom of the ballot box along with my WSFS hat, so that takes a couple of spare bits out of the way for transit.

Comments

[cherylmmorgan.livejournal.com]

Mea culpa, mea culpa.

But it will all be worth it in the end. There will be a 'zine. And there will be a panel item showing how zines were made in the Dark Ages before the Internet.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's not just you! It's the other requests for "just one more thing" that keep drifting in. I've started telling people "no more," especially because Lisa is highly unenthusiastic about pulling the middle seat from the van.

At least I don't have to worry about overloading it, given that the thing is rated for towing decently heavy loads. If anything, it will ride better with the load in the back.

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

I'm glad I have a small car and left three weeks ago! And don't know so many people.

A space saving move (if you needed it) is to fill the mimeo box with soft/crushables that you won't need until Denver, rather than packing peanuts. Include a stuff bag for packing all them in once you deliver the box.

Yes, I know you know this. I just can't help being helpful.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

That does make sense, but mimeographs are so notoriously messy that even with it wrapped in a plastic bag and with its cover in place, I don't want to put anything near it that I'm unwilling to have gooped up by the mimeo.

However, you've reminded me that my WSFS uniform hat may fit inside the ballot box, which would be helpful. Thank you!

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

I wish I could figure out how to edit my comments. Someday I'll have to look for the button.

Oh, and remember to unplug the cooler when you're not driving. Unless you have a good battery and the wiring trips when the power drops.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

I don't remember if you have to be a paid member or not to edit comments. If a comment can be edited, the little pencil appears with it. You can't edit a comment once further comments have been made to it.

Good point about unplugging the cooler on longer stops. Short ones like at rest areas should be okay. At night, we carry it in to the hotel room, where Lisa has an AC-to-DC inverter box so we can have a refrigerator in our room even when staying in high-priced places that don't have them.

[marahsk.livejournal.com]

Now that is a seriously cool idea!

[chocolatescifi.livejournal.com]

So we're doing a little bit of ballot box stuffing now?

[rono-60103.livejournal.com]

We've got a pretty good defense if anyone were to try to ask us to take anything with us since we are driving -- Are cars will be full since we are also moving half way across the country.

So far either it has worked, or nobody has realized that we're driving from Chicago to Denver (and then on to San Deigo)

[jcfiala.livejournal.com]

As someone who lives in Denver - Do you need a hand with unloading when you arrive? (well, when do you expect to arrive, would be a good question.)

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

I think I should be okay, with Lisa's help. I should be able to move the mimeograph and its paper on the rolling luggage cart, and Lisa should be able to carry the ballot box, which is light when it doesn't have anything in it. The main trick is going to be getting things to the right places at the right times, especially as I'm not certain what those right places and times are. I need to be in the convention center pretty early, as I'm also the first person setting up for a particular fan table I'm supposed to staff, but I bet I'm on nobody's list of "people allowed in early."

[chocolatescifi.livejournal.com]

And the moral of this story is, don't let people know that you're driving to Worldcon. :)