Group Mentality :: Philadelphia City Paper. 25 Years of Independent Journalism.

When you've finished all the crosswords and run out of toothpaste, it's probably time to leave the prison of your solitude and once againsign that grand old social contract. Sally forth and celebrate humanity at the year's quirkiest conventions.

Super Billiards 2

Runs Aug. 3-6, free, Valley Forge Convention Center, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia, 609-652-6116, www.superbilliards2.com

Why: This spinoff of March's Super Billiards Expo has tournaments for almost everyone: women, seniors, kids, you. Masochists can even take on sharks in the pro-am tournament. There will be 96 tables for your shooting pleasure, plus lots of things to buy: books, balls, cue cases, tip tappers and scuffers (whatever those are).

Your New Friends: Fewer chain-smoking toughs than you think.

Impulse Buy: A $100,000 custom-made cue stick. Kind of like a Stradivarius. But a cue stick with gems encrusted in it.

Monster-mania Con

Runs Aug. 25-27, $17 per day, Crown Plaza Hotel, 2349 W. Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, N.J., www.monstermania.net

Why: The East Coast's biggest horror convention is probably your only chance to see everyone who ever played Jason assembled in one room. Come early for an exclusive party (reservation required) and hobnob with actors whose characters died grisly deaths.

Your New Friends: Very pale, possibly nervous.

Impulse Buy: Freddie Krueger's sweater. Wear it proudly.

Philadelphia Reptile Expo

Runs Sept. 2-3, $10 per day, $15 two-day pass, Valley Forge Convention Center, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia, 610-529-3614, www.philadelphiareptileexpo.com

Why: For all the bearded dragons, so orange and cute! And lots of other crawlies, too -- snakes and leopard geckos and day geckos and Madagascar ground geckos, and oh, what a wonderful world. "Quality reptiles" are promised. As opposed to skanky ones.

Your New Friends: People who know a lot about ultraviolet lightbulbs and mealworm breeding.

Impulse Buy: A $1,000 albino python. They're really very affectionate. Especially toward baby rats.

Philadelphia Miniaturia

Runs Nov. 4-5, $3-$25, Crown Plaza Hotel, 2349 W. Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, N.J., 215-702-7116, www.philadelphiaminiaturia.com

Why: People come from as far as England to see all kinds of tiny things: dolls, houses, furniture, even medieval weaponry. Sign up in advance for the nearly 40 workshops that teach you how to build set-pieces such as the "hat shop in a hatbox" and the "No-Tell Motel."

Your New Friends: Mostly women of a certain age who like foot-high country cottages, and little girls too refined for Fisher-Price.

Impulse Buy: A $25,000 dollhouse with handmade crystal chandeliers and electric wiring. A little home is a happy home.

Adventure Sports and Travel Expo

Runs Nov. 17-19, $10-$15, Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch sts., 215-564-2047, www.astexusa.com

Why: The Expo will draw up to 500 adventure sports and travel companies, with an emphasis on ecotourism. If you can survive a zip-line, you can survive energy drinks not yet on the market.

Your New Friends: People whose legs are sturdier than yours.

Impulse Buy: A two-week hiking trip in Costa Rica, followed by two weeks of recuperation at an "exotic spa retreat." Sweet.