2021 socal food thread
Don't forget to look up and chat about interesting restaurants in the SoCal food thread - tons of recommendations.
I don't know if I booked everything too early, but I'm ready for 3 months later. This will be my first CanJam, what should I bring to fully enjoy the event?
Money.
Lots of money =D
1. Your standard portable audio player and music, along with type favorite headphones/earphones for comparison.
E.g. A ton of the samples might be heavy rock, let's say. But if you only listen to classic music, you won't get a good idea listening to headphones playing a different genre.
(You can't unplug some headphones to use with your player, but many can. Naturally, ask first.)
2. Earplugs / Eargasm noise reducing plugs / active noise canceling headphones
While most don't try to blast music at full volume, tons of people chatting makes for tired ears.
Good to give them a rest before comparing headphones, especially if you're itching to buy a $1000+ Audeze LCD-X and wonder if they're any good.
3. If you plan to buy, something to carry - sack, pack, backpack - so you don't have to go all the way back to your car/room to drop off a handful of freebies, brochures, headphones etc.
4. Sunglasses. Anytime you're outdoors long in SoCal summers, it's bright!
Polarizing best....you cut through the smog.
5. If you have any allergies, allergy medication, masks, etc. While you'll naturally bring masks and proof of covid vaccination card anyways (since CA has gone in and out of requiring them), there's no ready pharmacy nearby within easy walking distance afaik.
Smog here is usually the worst in the country, and friends get sniffles visiting.
6. Cash and credit card.
Some vendors take only one or the other, most can take both, but a glitch in their credit card machine or lack of cash change can hamper that sale special purchase.
7. Phone charger/power bank if you need the phone powered all day while listening to tons of headphones.
8. Everything you bring labeled or tagged. There have been people leaving everything behind many listening tables ago. Try to make things easy to return.
9. Wipes.
I tend to use Zeiss Lens Wipes (Wal-Mart) that is compatible with almost all surfaces and headphones. Good when you're lending out your gear for others to listen to.
(For vendor headphones, ask if they don't clean after each person and you're worried before you clean for them.)
10. Notepad and pen.
I usually do that to take immediate impressions faster than typing into phones, notes, contact numbers, etc.
Waiting even one more table to take notes often means the memory has faded or changed.
11. And if you're not driving to the event, but coming from the airport, both uber and lyft, maybe even the local taxi apps.
