Talk to us losers when you get to Las Vegas and TAM2

[Zep]

Many of you will be in transit now, so would you mind just dropping by here when you arrive, if you can. And send some pics if you can too.

Us losers who wanted to come but couldn't want to see what we are missing out on...

*sniff*

[Patricio Elicer]

We'll try to keep you posted, you losers! :) Unfortunatly seems there's no business center at the Tuscany with computers connected to the internet, as there was at the Renaissance for TAM1. There's a cyber cafe across the street though

[El Greco]

I will also have to stay back and console Cleopatra who can't make it either. C'est terrible! :D

[Girl 6]

I'm bringing my laptop. :) I think I'll be using the good old dialup connection. :D

If it proves to be too much of a mudslinging contest for connecting, I'll stop at an internet cafe to post the latest gossip, if I can.

G6

[PeterB]

Originally posted by Patricio Elicer
We'll try to keep you posted, you losers! :) Unfortunatly seems there's no business center at the Tuscany with computers connected to the internet, as there was at the Renaissance for TAM1. There's a cyber cafe across the street though

The TV in my room at the Ruscany can connect to the Internet. It costs some dollars per day.

I'm at Starbucks around the corner with a T-Mobile radio link.

[PeterB]

Originally posted by PeterB
The TV in my room at the Ruscany can connect to the Internet. It costs some dollars per day.

The room at the Tuscany has it too!

[Zep]

I hate you and your spawn with a vengeance that will extend throughout all time, even unto the seventh of the seventh generation.

Thus spake the Zep.

Why?

Because you are THERE and I am HERE, and I want to bet THERE!

*SOB!*

PS. I've called the hex off. It's safe to go out now.

[tamiO]

Who will be the first to post pictures? Is there a webcam you can find and hang out in front of? How does Moe look? Is Luciana there yet? Did Girl6 wear her thigh high boots? I am so jealous.

[Zep]

I've asked for this already, Tami. Let's keep on niggling them for pics.

[Patricio Elicer]

I will take plenty of pictures, folks!. I don't think I'll be able to post them to the forums "in real time", though. But be patient, you'll have all of them by the end of next week

[Chad Noles]

originally posted by Zep

and I want to bet THERE!

Freudian slip?;)

[PeterB]

Originally posted by Zep
I hate you and your spawn with a vengeance that will extend throughout all time, even unto the seventh of the seventh generation.

Thus spake the Zep.

Why?

Because you are THERE and I am HERE, and I want to bet THERE!

*SOB!*

PS. I've called the hex off. It's safe to go out now. What's the weather like in Sydney now, Zep? It's great in Las Vegas. (Heh, heh,heh!!)
:au:

[Zep]

Originally posted by Chad Noles
Freudian slip?;) Nah. Don't like gambling much at all (when I was in Vegas a few years ago I didn't even put one quarter in a slot-machine), so it's just fumble-fingers and bad proof-reading.

But I'd still like to BE there!

[Zep]

Originally posted by PeterB
What's the weather like in Sydney now, Zep? It's great in Las Vegas. (Heh, heh,heh!!)
:au: See for yourself, you gloating bastard! :) Walker St, Nth Syd, 2:30pm, taken a few moments ago. 25^oC and a bit windy.

[Zep]

Hello folks! Are you all there yet? Or is this just a figment of my fevered imagination...

[SRW]

Looks like Jeff is keeping a Blog of the event, here is the link.
and some pics.


TAM LOG (http://www.randi.org/jref/tam2.html)

[Julia]

Originally posted by Zep
Hello folks! Are you all there yet? Or is this just a figment of my fevered imagination...


I can't believe it. In about 14 hours I'm leaving for Vegas! I hope to come back with some good photos to post!

[Zep]

Originally posted by SRW
Looks like Jeff is keeping a Blog of the event, here is the link.
and some pics.


TAM LOG (http://www.randi.org/jref/tam2.html) Excellently cool! I recognise a few faces in the pics by their forum name but not all. Can we ask Jeff to put forum names to some of them please, if possible?

[Cleopatra]

I have just called Renata to the Pajama Party :D

They are having great fun, I could hear them all laughing, none is blinded and no, I am not jealous :)

The line was cut and I had time to talk only to Lisa!

Sorry Nyarlathotep for waking you up!!!

[SRW]

Originally posted by Cleopatra
I have just called Renata to the Pajama Party :D

They are having great fun, I could hear them all laughing, none is blinded and no, I am not jealous :)

The line was cut and I had time to talk only to Lisa!

Sorry Nyarlathotep for waking you up!!!

Just looked at Jeffs Blog and not one pic of the Pajama Party, how unfair is that?

[Cleopatra]

Originally posted by SRW


Just looked at Jeffs Blog and not one pic of the Pajama Party, how unfair is that?
:)

I am sure that we will have full coverage. To tell you the truth, deep in my heart I am glad that nobody is here typing accounts, that means that they have great time with each other and they don't have time to lose in front of a screen :)

[Aoidoi]

Originally posted by Cleopatra

I am sure that we will have full coverage. To tell you the truth, deep in my heart I am glad that nobody is here typing accounts, that means that they have great time with each other and they don't have time to lose in front of a screen :) Or else they've all been arrested and are sitting in a Vegas jail. We can speculate on what they were arrested for until they show up...

Or they are stuck on an infinity loop of a moving walkway and can never get off. The latest casino marketing ploy.

Or were all made to disappear by P&T. And Roy's tigers. They need to eat too!

[Doubt]

Yes, we are having to much fun.

Nobody is blind.

P & T were fun.

I will post a thread that is mostly not true later. Some of the truth may not be believed anyway.

Jeff has many pictures on his laptop already.

Off to the strip!


:D

[-=Vagrant=-]

TAM3 would be the perfect honeymoon. Maybe I can persuade my soon-to-be wife to take a trip with me to USA.

[Ladewig]

It was great stuff. Hal did a good job MCing, although every time he told a joke, a heckler or two would take him down a notch.

I was somewhat starstruck by seeing so many of the authors of articles that I've been reading for years. They were all approachable and quite friendly.

I was not alone in falling into the problem of buying so many back issues of "Skeptic" and so many books, that I had a hard time packing my bag when it came time to go.

The first night, the video being shot was not exactly top-notch, but it was fixed by the next day, so if you purchase the conference video, you will get good shots (and good audio) of all the speakers (including Teller - very strange hearing him speak)).

The hotel and the buffet luches were just so-so, despite the hotel rooms being the largest I've ever been in and having microwaves and refrigerators in every room. I suspect that the property may have been an old apartment complex that was converted into a hotel because each room had its own fuse box.

The site of next year's meeting has not been selected and the JREF is asking for advice on locations. Ontario, Florida, and Nevada have been proposed.

[Cleopatra]

Thanks Ladewig!

This was the first real account. Tell us more :D

[Julia]

After attending the conference all day on Saturday, I must say that there wasn't one speaker that wasn't great. I kept expecting a lull or a bit of boredom to stike every once in awhile, but it never happened. In my opinion.

Yes, Julia Sweeney was a highlight. She received a much deserved standing ovation. To hear someone describe the questioning we have all gone through, the doubts, the revalations and discoveries all critical thinker go through starting in childhood - but in hilarious, comic detail - was a delight. I still find myself laughing outloud remembering her description of discovering her "womanhood" under the watchful eyes of her Jesus poster. That depiction of Jesus, says Julia, looked a bit like "Brad Pitt".

I believe Hal could do his own stand-up comedy if he ever decided to change jobs. Same goes for The Bad Astronomer.

There are many great people in this forum-community, and I am glad I was able to at least meet a few. I roomed with Luciana and Renata - two, beautiful, bright, funny skepchics - and that in itself was a great experience.

So much more to talk about - but so tired. I do know that I am starting now to save money for next year - where ever it may be.

[Foofer]

TAM2 was, well, amazing. The lineup of speakers was fantastic, Hal did an excellent job as emcee and I met a lot of interesting people. My only regret is not meeting enough forum people. I did introduce myself to a few people whose nametags I was able to read. Were our forum nicknames small or what? I am a bit shy, so apologies for not actively seeking everyone out. I missed out on most of the extracurricular stuff, partly because I had previous plans with some friends coming in for TAM2 and partly because, since I live in Vegas, there were things to take care of at home (feeding the doggies, etc.). I was at the Thai restaurant dinner, which was fun. I talked the most with Renata and The Bad Astronomer, both of whom are exceptionally cool. The Bad Astronomer even shared the best tasting non-pareils candy I have ever had. You rock, dude! Oh, yeah…he gave one hecky-durn great talk, as well.

All the speakers were superb. The highlight for me was Banachek. I had heard of him but had never seen him perform. Oh man, is he good. He completely freaked out Julia Sweeney with a mind reading trick. If you have never seen Julia Sweeney freak out – it’s really, really funny. Another highlight was meeting and talking with Dr. Eugenie Scott. I just love that woman. I could go on and on because everyone was wonderful.

Looking forward to TAM3!

[Ladewig]

The mix of speakers was very good. I agree that Julia Sweeney was a highlight. She is working on a new show (in the same format as "God said, Ha!"). Her talk was a very condensed version of the material is considering. I am looking forward to seeing the whole thing. She seemed genuinely happy to be around such a large, fun group of people who understood everything she was talking about. I wonder if she will join the JREF forums.

Most of the magicians had skeptic patter to go along with their acts. "Now I will make the spoon bend by talking to it. Perhaps an Israeli accent would help." Very entertaining - although the venue made it very hard for everyone to see. A taller stage next year would be a great help.

P&T answered questions from the group and even told us some of the upcoming topics for "Bulls***." In the Q&A session and the two forums, Mr. Jillette was very adamant that skeptics should not be condescending when talking to or about believers.

--------------

I was very surprised by the large number of couples. I was also surprised by the exceptionally small number of people of color.

[Ladewig]

Opps. Had some tense problems in the previous post. Ms. Sweeney's show is already available on videotape. It is even listed in the latest issue of "Skeptic."

Irregardless, it is good stuff.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

I'm not sure I can conceive of a way to have more fun in a 72-hour period. Hal was superb as MC. All the magicians were stunning. Julia Sweeney was a most unexpected delight. Phil Plait was great, as expected. All the other speakers were fascinating. The Penn & Teller show was mesmerizing.

But most of all, I met so many great forum members, attached faces to names, real names to forum IDs, and had a great time with all of you.

And, mwahahahaha, hardly anyone had anticipated learning that I am Interesting Ian!

~~ Paul

[Cleopatra]

Paul, has "Lucianarchy" appeared indeed?

[Phil]

Originally posted by Paul C. Anagnostopoulos
I'm not sure I can conceive of a way to have more fun in a 72-hour period. Hal was superb as MC. All the magicians were stunning. Julia Sweeney was a most unexpected delight. Phil Plait was great, as expected. All the other speakers were fascinating. The Penn & Teller show was mesmerizing.

But most of all, I met so many great forum members, attached faces to names, real names to forum IDs, and had a great time with all of you.

And, mwahahahaha, hardly anyone had anticipated learning that I am Interesting Ian!

~~ Paul
Ditto to what Paul said.

Not sure if it's appropriate, but I enjoyed TAM2 more than TAM1, and TAM1 was great!

Oh, and I learned that's not a wizard's hat Paul's wearing in his avatar. That's actually the way his hair looks.

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Paul C. Anagnostopoulos
But most of all, I met so many great forum members, attached faces to names, real names to forum IDs, and had a great time with all of you.
~~ Paul
Gee, you sound like fun! I wish I had run into you while I was there...sadly, my plane was delayed--well, ok, not my plane, but they said there was already a Mercutio in that seat, and would I please accompany the officers to another very comfortable room...

So tell me all about the weekend, and when I get out I might come see you some time!

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Phil

Ditto to what Paul said.

Not sure if it's appropriate, but I enjoyed TAM2 more than TAM1, and TAM1 was great!

Oh, and I learned that's not a wizard's hat Paul's wearing in his avatar. That's actually the way his hair looks. Wish I'd seen you too, Phil, you were one of the folks I was really looking forward to seeing...:(

[Cleopatra]

Originally posted by Mercutio
Wish I'd seen you too, Phil, you were one of the folks I was really looking forward to seeing...:(

You didn't see Phil??? I know that you are not fond of guys but still... what were you doing in TAM Mercutio... did you spend the days locked in your room?

[Phil]

Originally posted by Mercutio
Wish I'd seen you too, Phil, you were one of the folks I was really looking forward to seeing...:(
Maybe next year, if you're out of the pokey and not married to a con named Duke.

I'll just look for the guy walking bow-legged.

[Cleopatra]

Ok

GET OUT OF OUR THREAD YOU TWO !!!!!! YOU ARE PULLING OUR LEG HERE AND WE WANT TO READ REAL INFO ABOUT TAM.

GO AWAY!!!!:mad:

[Mercutio]

Hal showed off his encyclopaedic knowledge of the poetic works of Anonymous. I sincerely hope that he posts some of the poems here, as some of them could barely be heard over the low-level hum of Robert Frost spinning in his grave. I attempted to find his source, but in our bookstore, the only works by Anonymous appear to be soft-core porn stories.

I hereby threaten Hal with an honorary Special Language Award for his research into Anonymous's works, unless he posts some of them here to dissuade me...:p

[Jeff Corey]

I had a great time at TAM2, even greater than TAM1. I met Paul and Mercutio for the first (brief) time and El and I got to have dinner at Randi's table Saturday night.
Mercutio- We ought to put to gether a symposium or panel discussion on "Mind-less Skepticism" or something like that for TAM3.
I was dismayed by all the references to that "mind" thing as a causal factor by many speakers. Ian Rowland was the worst, insisting that attitudes cause behavior and that "mental" practice enhances performance stuff, whatever it's called.

Anecdote.
I was walking through a Casino on the Strip when this big guy sez, "Hey Slim, nice hat, whaddayah want fer it?"
"Not for sale, it's my lucky hat."
"Lucky hat? Whaddayah mean?"
" When I wear it I never lose at gambling."
"Why's that?"
"I don't gamble."

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Jeff Corey
I had a great time at TAM2, even greater than TAM1. I met Paul and Mercutio for the first (brief) time and El and I got to have dinner at Randi's table Saturday night.
Mercutio- We ought to put to gether a symposium or panel discussion on "Mind-less Skepticism" or something like that for TAM3.
I was dismayed by all the references to that "mind" thing as a causal factor by many speakers. Ian Rowland was the worst, insisting that attitudes cause behavior and that "mental" practice enhances performance stuff, whatever it's called. Agreed. In my feedback paper, I suggested that the forum members be utilized in smaller-group panel discussions, where something fewer than 400 people are vying for a chance to get a question in. There are any number of appropriate topics--I would be glad to join you in finishing off the "mind" once and for all. :D

[Jeff Corey]

M.
A panel would probably be best. I suggested parallel sessions for TAM2, but was told it would be too expensive for extra rooms, people would have conflicts, etc.
For the intro to the paper session, I was going to quote the ancient Irish Bard, Onan O'Brien, but Hal beat me to it.

[bignickel]

Originally posted by Jeff Corey
M.
For the intro to the paper session, I was going to quote the ancient Irish Bard, Onan O'Brien, but Hal beat me to it.

Preferable to the Biblical Onan, no doubt. Spilling the Seed of Knowledge at a scientific conference is always a good thing, but as for spilling...

:D

[Jeff Corey]

What part of "Hal beat me to it" didn't you get?

Well, only 5 people out of about 241 got it the first time.

[bignickel]

Ah, my perverse mind came up with a differant interpretation of 'beat me', but then again, I'm from St. Louis, where that's part of a convention name.

I'll let you do the googling. :p

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Jeff Corey
What part of "Hal beat me to it" didn't you get?

Well, only 5 people out of about 241 got it the first time.
:hit: :hit: :hit: :hit: :hit:

Finally, though, a joke that is still funny after it is explained...

[kittynh]

I met Julia. Not only Julia Sweeney, a darling that Hal totally fell in love with (as did everyone else). But our poster Julia from California is HOT, and so wonderful! I will not tell you her age...but she MUST apply for Randi's million dollars. Anyway, Julia, Pool Boy is still talking about you!

[Brown]

Originally posted by Jeff Corey
What part of "Hal beat me to it" didn't you get?

Well, only 5 people out of about 241 got it the first time. Speaking proudly as one of the five, I have to say that I liked the "Hal Badluck" pun a little better, as I wish I had thought of it myself.

By the way, on the illusion, I selected the empty container as being heavier than the solid metal object. In my mind, as I hefted the items up and down with my eyes closed, the container seemed to me to be clearly the heavier of the two. "Since this is an illusion," I said to myself, "perhaps the solid metal object is really the heavier one." Eventually, I decided to record accurately which item I thought was heavier (and I did not think the question was ambiguous).