comic con registration routine

Three laptops were in the queue just at my brother's home. Across the street, my brother-in-law was on his computer and texting us. Once registration begins, all tickets for pre-reg will quickly sell out within a half-hour. Our family and friends organized for this day earlier this week, sharing our comic con ids and deciding the order of reserving family and friends' badges. A digital phone tree sprouted for the day. The buzz of our communication happening within 9:15am and 9:30am.

Anyone get in yet?
Nothing here yet...
What does your screen say?
Nothing new. It will refresh in 3 minutes.
OMG 10 minutes have passed!!!
15 minutes and we're still in the queue!!!
RP got in. He reserved his family badges.
Nothing here yet. Should we worry?
RL texts me. He has room for 1 person and wants to know if I'm sorted out. He can add me.
YES!!! Add me!!!

Two out of three laptops finally make it onto the registration page. We have 7 minutes. It becomes a mad race to register family members. Hands shake, words get typed in wrong. Corrections are made while ironing out momentary frustrations with words of comfort to one another. All the while a new announcement comes; Preview Night is sold out, Thursday is sold out, Friday is sold out. Random texts from friends come down the pike searching for someone that's landed into the registration page.

Our family got our badges. Yay team!

Comic Con PRE-REG DAY has become a yearly family event. For an intense tiny stretch of time, we coordinate between several homes and time zones. My brother leading the tradition attending comic con since junior-high. His wife co-captains now. It all begins with making the registration process a part of family events. Whoever is not on a computer is making pancakes and being moral support. When all is done, we celebrate making it through another year of registration, do a happy dance, and finally relax over breakfast.

Still need a badge? General registration has yet to happen. You have a good chance to attend the upcoming 50th San Diego Comic Con. Get your team organized.

See you in July.

JNET