Arisia 2008 Stair Club Reminder

[chainkill.livejournal.com]

disclaimer: I am not one of the organizers. Nothing in this post, nor in any of the threads contained herein is official, unless otherwise noted by someone who IS an oganizer. Everything I say here is merely a suggestion in order to reduce congestion in the elevators, and make the world a better place for people for whom the stairs are not a viable option.

Shortly after the end of the con last year, there was discussion of a "StairMaster Club" being organized by able-bodied individuals to allow those for whom the stairs are not an option to take the elevators with greater ease. StairMaster is a copyrighted word, so I will only be using the term "Stair Club".

The original announcement requested that people get in shape over the course of the year, so that for this upcoming Arisia, only those who are inconsiderate and those who are unable to take the stairs will be using the elevators. If you missed the previous announcement, there is still time! Get in shape now, so that everyone can enjoy the con as much as possible!



Once again, as we were reminded when this was originally posted, do NOT make discouraging remarks, comments, looks, or jokes to people who are taking the elevator, even if they appear to be able-bodied. First of all, the number of invisible things that can keep a person from taking a flight of stairs is astronomical, so do not assume. Secondly, the goal of this group is to make the con MORE fun for everyone, not less.

Comments

[tehuti.livejournal.com]

only those who are inconsiderate and those who have a disability will be using the elevators.

This is not cool. I am in reasonably good shape (hiking, geocaching and highpointing are among my hobbies), but even someone like me can get tired and/or sore over the course of a day, let alone an entire four day weekend.

Please tell me that calling someone "inconsiderate" for using the elevators is supposed to be funny. Because it ain't.

[chainkill.livejournal.com]

I reworded the sentence. I hope this helps.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

Where did you reword it?

Because it's still at the top of this page.

And I'll second the comment: suggesting that if you aren't disbled, and use the elevators, you are inconsiderate, was bad form.

[chainkill.livejournal.com]

instead of disabled, it now says "unable to take the stairs". That includes being disabled and being too tired to climb.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

hmm.

[scruffycritter.livejournal.com]

I personally don't like the idea of people wondering if which category I belong to. There seem to be three: tired, infirm, or lazy.

The truth is I'm none of the above and I'm not sure I want to invite people wondering which I am in.

I don't look like I have a problem, but I have a circulatory problem in my legs. I can walk fine, but a little slower than average, or at average or a little better with occasional stops or I will cramp up and need to stop right where I am.

Now, I'm perfectly willing to take the stairs. In fact, I'm told it will help me with this condition so I *want* to. I just don't think people will want to be behind me on them.

Just tell me what sanction I can smack people with when they give me a funny look or ask me why I'm taking the elevator and I'm cool with this, otherwise I think this is a train-wrecky plan.

[chainkill.livejournal.com]

The stairs are enormous. There is enough space for people to walk six abreast, or four if they are large people like myself.

If someone asks why you're taking the elevator, tell them that it's none of their business. To the best of my knowledge, there is no rule to enforce those three categories, and I would greatly prefer that there not be. I am saying this in order to get people to do what's right because they know it's right, not to judge other people because they are differently abled and/or made different decisions.

[tehuti.livejournal.com]

So you actually didn't reword the part I objected to.

I rather strenuously object to and resent the idea that someone choosing to take the elevator is somehow being "inconsiderate" of someone else. I'm going to be paying good money to attend the con (all four days), and if I feel like taking the elevator then I am damn well going to take the elevator. It isn't anyone's business but mine. I don't need a special ribbon, or a doctor's note, or anything. The only permission I need is my room key and con badge.

Is this going to be an official con policy?

[chainkill.livejournal.com]

I most certainly hope not! I wholeheartedly agree with your right to take the elevator, doctor's note or no! I, a healthy, able-bodied person who has been training all year to take the stairs, still should have the RIGHT to take the elevator if I want to! Having the right doesn't make it the right thing to do, but I think that everyone should have the right.

I am not an organizer. I am a propagandist. Please don't take anything I say seriously, except as a suggestion. The ribbons and doctor's notes are ideas being tossed around, and they happen to be ideas I agree with, but only so long as they are not taken too far. If someone with a heart murmur needs the elevator, they need it more than I do, and I am okay with their being allowed to take the elevator even if it means I need to wait for the next one.

And don't get me wrong, I will most likely end up taking the elevator a couple times this weekend, because I will probably get tired. But I will wait my turn, and let those who need it take it first.

[tehuti.livejournal.com]

I certainly don't have a problem giving priority to someone that has a greater need. I'm the kind of guy that will give up his seat on a bus or train. And besides, if the lines are anything like they were last year, I'm going to take the stairs as often as possible anyway.

Since it was not readily apparent that you were not speaking for the organizers (this is the official LJ comm, after all), perhaps in the future you should make that a little more clear. A lot of this misunderstanding would have been avoided.

[chainkill.livejournal.com]

Okay, I will make that clearer now. Thank you!

[dda.livejournal.com]

If someone with a heart murmur needs the elevator, they need it more than I do, and I am okay with their being allowed to take the elevator even if it means I need to wait for the next one.

Being allowed to take the elevator? You seem to have crossed over from, "Hey, this would be a cool thing to do" to some kind of controlling attitude. I'm all for encouraging people to take the stairs by making the stairs more easily found but when it gets into being called inconsiderate for riding the elevator without a note, it's gone way too far for me.

[chainkill.livejournal.com]

When I say allowed, what I mean is allowed to go before me. Allowed to move up in line. Being allowed to take my spot on this elevator, so that I will take the next one. I apologize for the confusion.

[selkiechick]

..not to micromanage someone else's journal entry but what's wrong with changing

"The original announcement requested that people get in shape over the course of the year, so that for this upcoming Arisia, only those who are inconsiderate and those who are unable to take the stairs will be using the elevators."

to

"The original announcement requested that people get in shape over the course of the year, so that for this upcoming Arisia, more people will be ready and able to take to the stairs."

...same concept, but no value judgments.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Woohoo! A fellow Geocacher!

After years and years of caching, I finally got around to my first hide. It was supposed to be published today and will hopefully be up by tonight.

[tehuti.livejournal.com]

Where is this hide? I live in Western MA, and cache under the name Micah_Taylor. I've got 30 hides, and this weekend plan to log my 350 find. :-)

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! My hide is my 'hood:
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=e317bee6-7833-429b-8a67-32c27486e036

(And as you can see, presenting a bit of a challenge!)