LAN Party Preparation - First LAN of 2018! (LAN Party Stories Winter 2018)
**A Day at the LAN Party: Preparing and Packing for an Unforgettable Experience**
In this article, we’ll follow along as someone prepares for a LAN (Local Area Network) party—a gathering where friends come together to play video games, share snacks, and enjoy each other’s company. This particular individual is documenting their journey from start to finish, beginning with packing the night before the event.
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### **The Last-Minute Packing Dilemma**
It's Thursday evening, and the excitement for the LAN party is already building. The person admits that they’re not used to packing so early in the week; typically, they wait until Friday morning. However, this time, they decided to pack everything the night before.
As they unpack their belongings, they reflect on how much stuff they’ve accumulated over the years for these events. Most of it is essential tech gear: a monitor, an air mattress (because no one wants to sleep on a hard floor), pillows, and a backpack filled with batteries, chargers, and other accessories. There’s also a gym bag containing clothes, a toothbrush, and other personal items.
One of the highlights this time around is the decision to bring their own chair. Usually, they end up sitting on uncomfortable foldable metal chairs provided at the venue, but this year they decided to try something different. The chair is now securely packed in the car, along with all the necessary sleeping gear and tech equipment.
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### **Snacks, Beverages, and Traditions**
The individual also takes a moment to showcase their personal stash of snacks for the LAN party. They’ve brought a variety of items, including Mountain Dew Kickstart drinks (a favorite because they’re cheap, come in different flavors, and have just enough caffeine to keep them alert without being overly stimulating). They joke about being open to sponsorship from Mountain Dew, adding a humorous touch to their excitement.
Other snacks include Funyuns for their salty crunch, buffaloes for added flavor, and banana bread made by their girlfriend—a delicious treat that’s always a hit. They also mention bringing water, which is essential for staying hydrated during long gaming sessions.
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### **Packing Challenges and Solutions**
One of the main challenges faced during packing was fitting everything into the car. The person initially tried placing the chair in the trunk but quickly realized it wouldn’t fit alongside their computer tower and monitor. After some trial and error, they managed to rearrange everything by putting the box with the computer tower first and then strategically adding the chair and other items around it.
Despite their best efforts, space was limited, especially since the car is a hatchback. However, they managed to pack everything neatly, ensuring that all their gear would be ready once they arrived at the destination.
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### **The Road Trip Begins**
With everything packed and secured, the person wakes up early the next morning (around 5:20 AM) to start the drive. They mention that it’s supposed to take about an hour or one and a half hours, with Google Maps estimating a 1-hour and 13-minute trip. They’re looking forward to hitting the road and making good time.
As they leave their house, they make a note of using the garage door opener—something they jokingly refer to as “advanced technology,” referencing a previous video where they had to run and jump miles just to open the garage door. This time, things are much smoother.
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### **The Journey Continues**
About two-thirds of the way through the drive (at 6:55 AM), they check their progress and realize that Google Maps was off in its estimation. They’re seeing daylight now, which is a welcome change from driving in the dark. Despite some initial concerns about traffic, it seems like the trip is going smoothly.
The person jokes about how much time they’ve spent on this particular video, humorously wrapping up their segment as they approach their destination. They express excitement for what’s next and promise viewers that the rest of the LAN party will be covered in the following video.
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### **Final Thoughts**
As they prepare to arrive at the LAN party location, the individual reflects on how far they’ve come since the first time they started documenting these events. One humorous tradition mentioned is the presence of a vampire-themed soda can that’s been around for years—still unopened and with an expiration date from October 1, 2016.
With all their gear packed, snacks prepared, and the drive underway, they’re ready to set up, relax, and enjoy the weekend ahead. They conclude by thanking their audience for tuning in and express excitement for future videos.
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This article captures the excitement, challenges, and humor of preparing for a LAN party. From packing struggles to snack selections and road trip anecdotes, it’s a glimpse into the fun and chaos that comes with bringing friends together for gaming and camaraderie. Stay tuned for the next video to see how the rest of the LAN party unfolds!