Lots and lots of people without a quiet break can be exhausting.

This. I can be shy with a room of complete strangers and I'm glad I've already met many of the Buffistas to help ease my way into a larger crowd of them, but it's just that I'm like a two-year-old and get cranky with too much overstimulation after a while. I like being in the thick of things in the beginning, but I will eventually find a quite corner to sit in to let the brain calm down a little.

I can walk into a room of complete strangers and not be shy at all -- but I mean "complete," such as when I went to my first RWA chapter meeting up here. No knowledge of anyone, no expectations on either side.

F2F is a little nervous-making for me. I'm always afraid anyone who thinks I'm likeable online will be disappointed in person, because I think I'm better at writing (posting) than I am in person. But at the same time, I figure by the time Prom rolls around, I'll have met enough people individually, in small groups, that I'll be fine. And as a smoker, one of my best excuses when I need a minute away from the noise and large-groupiness of it all will be to sneak out by the pool and pollute my lungs grab a cig.

(found Deena's newest email address. Stoopid me not updating yahoo address book....)

Deb, I'll send you Deena's new address.

Never mind.

As Laura notes, many Buffistas get overwhelmed by crowds and it's very common for folks to get away from the humans as needed.

Deb, are you familiar with this Nicky site? Some useful notes on his sessions.

I was feeling really shy at the first F2F for the first day or something. I sort of compensated by taking lots of pictures. I also took a lot of pictures of Buffista shoes....

I also took a lot of pictures of Buffista shoes....

I remember that! Jon B and amych, unexpected shoe twins.

David, yep.

I just can't wait to have new voices to match with the screen names. That is the best part for me. When I read posts from those of you I have had the joy of meeting I add the voices and body movements to the posts.

This exactly!

I'm normally a raging extrovert, but I appreciated the chance to get away and decompress during the DC F2F. And since I've only had two social events in the last two years that included someone other than my DH, I suspect my extroversion will either be gone, or in binge mode.

Now. I've bought my Alcatraz tickets. But I'm not finding an obvious way to buy Winchester tickets online (and dammit! I should get a discount!). Am I missing something? Help?

I don't think there's a way to buy the winchester tickets ahead of time. I was just planning on buying them on the day of.