TAM2: It's over.

[MoeFaux]

Can you hear my sobs as I type the subject? Well, I'm not really sobbing, but, I am a little sad.

It was so wonderful. So, so wonderful. Meeting everyone was such a joy. The speakers were excellent, and the company a pleasure. I said my goodbyes last night and this morning, and now I'm alone in Vegas.

Yes yes, I'll write more later. But first - MUST HAVE SLEEP!!!!

[shanek]

Absolutely. It was great meeting all of you. I really didn't want to leave. Everyone, speakers and attendees, was just such a delight I was overwhelmed. I really don't know the last time I had so much fun.

And, are you ever really alone in Vegas?

[Mercutio]

Seconded, shanek and Moe. For me, the Magic ended at about noon...as I was passing through the 4th of the 6 switchbacks in the line for the D terminals, after 40 minutes of shuffling in line. "Closing remarks", it said on the program; "take off your shoes and belt and put them in the box", said the guard. It's just not the same as when Moe says it. :p :D :p

While waiting for the plane, I took notes on my impressions (of the people, not the presentations). For a nominal fee, I will not post my impressions of [insert your own names here]. Make the donations out to JREF.

Notes on the speakers themselves (in limerick form, natch) may be posted too...once I catch up on life. Classes start tomorrow morning for me.

[Chanileslie]

I too am very sad that it is over, but also glad to be home. I had a wonderful time and am quite looking forward to next year.

[bignickel]

I met and chatted with so many interesting people this year.

BuddyH, Finella, Paul A, JeffWag, ClintTaylor, Pirate_lad, Marc, Marcb, Stimpson (who I'd chatted with earlier in December), Quinn, Luciana, Julia, Exarch, UnrepententSinner, Hotfoot, Satchie, Sparklecat, Mercutio, bikergal, CentralScrutinizer... Sorry if I missed anyone on that list!
I mistook someone for Scarlett_35; that was a bit embarrassing until we cleared that up.

Great chatting with Greg, Rick, Steve, JeffCorey, and George again.

A few people asked me if I'm a magician. I'm not really; the only magic trick I was able to pull off was to convince MoeFaux that I'm a sharp dresser! :D She gave me warm tinglies.

[Girl 6]

Well, I finally made it home.... I'm SO tired! :D I'm going to go to sleep shortly. That's how tired I am!

I did plan on bringing my laptop but when I thought about the lack of broadband connection and so forth, I decided against it.

As it turned out, I think I only managed to get 4 hours of sleep every night I was there. It caught up with me on Sunday night. But, I'll let UnrepentantSinner tell that story! :D

All I can say is that TAM2 was fabulous! But, more than that everyone that I met from the forum was so kind and generous to me with their time. Any other group gathering that I've been to pales in comparison.

Also, I'm definitely in love with Mercutio! ;)

G6

[shanek]

Originally posted by Mercutio
Seconded, shanek and Moe. For me, the Magic ended at about noon...

Same here. I had to cut out early to have enough time to pass through the airport's fascist bull$#!7 security system. Can someone fill me in: How did Beiersdorfer's lecture end (I saw up through the Three Stooges bit) and what did he have y'all do with those little crystals? (And did anyone else get questions asked about the crystals when you brought them through the airport security?)

And how was Randi's talk? Obviously I had to miss the entirety of that.

[shanek]

Originally posted by Girl 6
I did plan on bringing my laptop but when I thought about the lack of broadband connection and so forth, I decided against it.

I brought mine, but never even turned it on. There was just so much to do. Besides, as long as you went without chocolate I realized I could make four days without the internet. You were my inspiration. :D

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Girl 6

Also, I'm definitely in love with Mercutio! ;)

G6 :jaw: I though you were merely tolerant of an idiot who hung around fawning over you.

My unedited notes on G6 will be posted soon...:p :D :p

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Girl 6 said:
Also, I'm definitely in love with Mercutio!
Damn, I knew I shouldn't have butted in on you two for dinner that evening.

as I was passing through the 4th of the 6 switchbacks in the line for the D terminals, after 40 minutes of shuffling in line.

Same here. I had to cut out early to have enough time to pass through the airport's fascist bull$#!7 security system.
Ouch. I got through in about five minutes, with nary a fascista in sight.

~~ Paul

[kittynh]

Just in the door and exhausted. First off....look for the posting about just HOW much I love Merc!!!!

Paul, I plan on taking dancing lessons. The man is pretty good, and I couldn't keep up.

Everyone was MORE wonderful than they are on the forum! TAM 2 was MORE wonderful than TAM1. Also, the skepchicks are the BEST friends in the world anyone could have. I love them all.

Dave (Pirate Lad) is such a credit to our country, America is so lucky to have him watching over us!

Randi, Andrew, Linda, and Karl (Linda's husband is a cutie!)...

Once I wake look out for some pics.

Bad Astronomer...don't worry, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

James! Girls, I'm married, but he made me knees go weak (he's a doll).

Moe, honey, I love you forever. I hope you know you've got some new family now!

Renata, I love you!

And as for Pool Boy, well time to put him back in his thong, he's been a BAD BOY!

as for those of you that missed TAM2, well after you see just a hint of what fun the skepchicks had at G6's party, you'll never want to miss out again. STart saving up NOW!

[sparklecat]

I made it back as well, though I'm still a bit tired...


And I didn't get to say goodbye to most since I left so early this morning :( So *hugs* to those of you that I didn't!


Justine

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by sparklecat
I made it back as well, though I'm still a bit tired...


And I didn't get to say goodbye to most since I left so early this morning :( So *hugs* to those of you that I didn't!


Justine Let the official record show....sparklecat is considerably cuter than her avatar.

[sparklecat]

Awww, thank you :)

[shanek]

Originally posted by Mercutio
Let the official record show....sparklecat is considerably cuter than her avatar.

Agreed!

[shanek]

Originally posted by kittynh
And as for Pool Boy, well time to put him back in his thong, he's been a BAD BOY!

Pool Boy was there? Did I meet him? Which one was he?

Remember, if I saw him on Thursday, I likely have no recollection of the event (an unusual situation for a non-drinker); 38 hours without sleep is definitely my limit.

[kittynh]

shanek.....he's the guy that we were dancing in front of at the G6 party....by the way, thanks for the $20's!;)

[Phil]

Originally posted by kittynh
Just in the door and exhausted. First off....look for the posting about just HOW much I love Merc!!!!

Paul, I plan on taking dancing lessons. The man is pretty good, and I couldn't keep up.

Everyone was MORE wonderful than they are on the forum! TAM 2 was MORE wonderful than TAM1. Also, the skepchicks are the BEST friends in the world anyone could have. I love them all.

Dave (Pirate Lad) is such a credit to our country, America is so lucky to have him watching over us!

Randi, Andrew, Linda, and Karl (Linda's husband is a cutie!)...

Once I wake look out for some pics.

Bad Astronomer...don't worry, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

James! Girls, I'm married, but he made me knees go weak (he's a doll).

Moe, honey, I love you forever. I hope you know you've got some new family now!

Renata, I love you!

And as for Pool Boy, well time to put him back in his thong, he's been a BAD BOY!

as for those of you that missed TAM2, well after you see just a hint of what fun the skepchicks had at G6's party, you'll never want to miss out again. STart saving up NOW!
kitty, weren't you one of the folks saying before TAM2 that you were painfully shy? Well if that's painfully shy, we should all be so shy.

Folks, every time I saw her, she was engaging someone new, including me when upon first meeting me, we almost went into the wrong room for the skepchick PJ party. Also, I sat next to her at lunch on Saturday, I think, and I wouldn't have been surprised to learn that she was the official greeter or activities director for TAM.

Shy? Yeah, right.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by Girl 6
As it turned out, I think I only managed to get 4 hours of sleep every night I was there. It caught up with me on Sunday night. But, I'll let UnrepentantSinner tell that story! :D


Why don't you just call them individually and tell them. :D ;)

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Kitty said:
Paul, I plan on taking dancing lessons. The man is pretty good, and I couldn't keep up.
You heard it here, folks: Kitty was drunk enough to halucinate.

~~ Paul

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by kittynh
Moe, honey, I love you forever. I hope you know you've got some new family now!

Am I the only one who though that Kitty and Moe bore a striking 20 year seperation similarity to each other?

______________________

Well, I've read the entire thread and I have to agree with Moe's sentiment in the OP. I was sad. Hell, I was sad Sunday afternoon and I missed the Sunday morning session in it's entirety. To me this really felt like a family reunion and we were all heading home instead of hanging out for a few more weeks together and I hated it.

I spoke to everyone at some point except Scrut. I'm pissed off at him for not tracking me down. I did plenty to draw attention to myself prior to and during TAM2. He has no excuse.

I want to thank Girl6 for letting me room with her and putting up with my smelly feet/shoes and snoring. I owe her big time.

I want to apologize to my fellow shy forum members who I met and didn't speak to nearly as much or as often as I wanted to because two shy people rarely have a good spontaneous conversation without a third, more gregarious party to elicit it.

I want to thank Kitty, Moe, Finella and Sparklecat (you four are the only one's I think I posed with) for taking photos with me so I don't look like a total loser with skepchicks.

I want to thank Randi, Linda, Carl, Hal, Chris, Andrew, and all the other JREF administration/insiders plus all the volunteers who helped set up/take down/assemble registration packages, etc. etc. (including Pool Boy, Lisa, Chaos, Claus Larsen, Skeptic Scott, etc) who helped make TAM2 happen. I can only afford one real vacation per you and the efforts of you all are the reason why I chose to spend it at TAM.

And finally... since it's never too early... I'm going to kick Pirate_Lass's a** at TAM3...

[Doubt]

Just got home myself.

Same deal as most of the others here. I am tired.

Next time I will get there a day early.

It was very nice to see all these people have been typing at for more that 2 years now.

And you are all shorter than I thought you were. (note to self: Check for an inferiority complex….)

:D

[Finella]

Back home, and awake for the moment! I actually called out of work for the morning because, having arrived at home at 1 am and still wide awake, I knew I was going to be a crap therapist if I did that group at nine... :P

How lovely to meet some of you again, and others for the first time! I can't wait to see the pics -- I didn't bother taking any of my own with my crappy 35mm when everyone and his dog had a digital camera there and would likely post their pics.

And we gotta get a proper music jam next time... I never got to play my pennywhistles. :(

---,---'--{@

[darling]

Originally posted by shanek
And how was Randi's talk? Obviously I had to miss the entirety of that. Actually, you really didn't miss much, he just thanked people and gave a few news tidbits. Only spoke for a half-hour when he was scheduled for 60 minutes. (although he started an hour late(!))

Bit of an anti-climax, really - in my humble opinion.

[Yahweh]

Welcome back everyone, now lets see the pictures...

[PeterB]

It was great to meet as many forum members as I did, but many will remain a mystery.

Who is this bear-chested woman? Did her name start with Renat?

Update: It says I post attachments, but it LIES!!!!

See the mystery here. (http://www.ratbags.com/vegas/barebear.jpg)

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I had a great time Sunday afternoon hanging out with Renata & Luciana, Doubt and Stimpy. Joined later by Quinn and Ian Rowland for a few beers, and then even later (briefly) by Girl 6 and her entourage.

Also got to visit a fair amount with Pirate_Lad, Paul Ana...Agap....Greek Guy, Bignickel (South St Louis Hoosier), Brown, Dinonychus, Lisa... and too briefly ctaylor, Jeff Corey, shanek, and sparklecat.

Patricio, sorry I missed you Sunday night! I called twice, but the first time your roomate couldn't find a pen, and the second time I left a message. Hope you got out to the strip to see the lights!

And for those who weren't there, I don't think words could describe how truly, truly awful the one man band in the bar was. Now, I don't think I've ever seen someone doing that sort of act that I actually liked, but this guy was awful beyond description. Yeck!

[SkepticScott]

I haven't even unpacked yet.

Drat, TAM2 is over. :( I'll post more tomorrow but I just wanted to let everyone know I enjoyed it immensely! Seeing old friends that I haven't seen since TAM1 and meeting new friends was wonderful!

Some highlights:
* Trying to organize the chocolate challenge. As someone remarked, it was like herding cat!
* Meeting Arctic Penguin, Bidlack Jr., MoeFaux, Pool Boy, Renata, Unrepentant Sinner Athiest, many others that I can't recall right now, and some attendees in my area that aren't on the forum.
* Ian Rowland sticking a nail up his nose at the Peppermill and disturbing the waitress.
* Going off to breakfast and never knowing who you'd run into at the cafe.
* Penn & Teller's show.
* Attending Lance Burton's show and having a better seat than the JREF party. ;)
* Loaning Kittynh an "Ask me! I'm shy" button and reading in this thread that it worked!
* Meeting Parrot Mason.
* Seeing 800-year-old painted handprints in Red Rock Canyon.
* Getting a signed "Skepchick Pajama Party -- Security" T-shirt!

[Pirate_Lad]

As anyone that met me could have guessed, I had a fantastic time at TAMII. It was a pleasure meeting everyone and finally putting some of the names (and avatars) to faces.

Special thanks go to:

Girl6 for helping organize the cash that paid for my registration, for being a genuinely good person and a damn good dancer. Holy crap, that woman can move.

MoeFaux for putting EvilYeti and I up at her place when we didn't have a place to stay on Sunday evening. I believe I was starting to hallucinate around 3 AM.

Hal Bidlack for publically embarassing me and giving me an excuse to finally, finally return the favor to an officer. It's been a dream of mine for years.

Girl6 and Renata's sweater kittens for what was quite possibly the greatest moment of my life. Those who were there know of what I speak.

I had a killer time hanging out with everyone, and I'm looking forward to TAMIII.

[Chanileslie]

Originally posted by The Central Scrutinizer


And for those who weren't there, I don't think words could describe how truly, truly awful the one man band in the bar was. Now, I don't think I've ever seen someone doing that sort of act that I actually liked, but this guy was awful beyond description. Yeck!

He was awful!! I couldn't convince Nyarlathotep to bribe him to just shut up. Oh well, we lived through it. :-)

[Dinonychus]

I have to echo everyone's statements so far that this felt far too short. I remember feeling that heading home last night was almost wrong, that the fun had just started and, as usual, I was missing out.

I must apologise to everyone that I didn't get a chance to say good-bye to Sunday night. I would've joined everyone on the strip for a couple hours, but I knew I wouldn't be able to stay with the group with my health. I instead found a Kinko's and was able to catch up on most things.

I agree with Scrut. That DJ was awful. IMO, he probably would've been tolerable if the music hadn't been so damned loud! I swear, you couldn't hear yourself think in that damn lounge. And the DJ was the epitome of stereotypical DJs playing in lounges in Vegas: early to mid-40's, balding, and can't sing at all. Fortunately, seeing and watching skepchicks dancing more than made up for the DJ.

I shall post pictures if they turn out and I finish my last roll of film.

Note to self: ask Santa for digital zoom camera next Christmas.

[Quinn]

Just got in from drive home, exhausted, too burnt out to form coherent thoughts. But the Meeting really was Amaz!ng, even more than last year's. Thanks to all who made it so, and apologies to those I didn't get to properly say goodbye to (i.e. most people).

More impressions when comprehensibility returns.

Renata rocks my world.

[PaulK]

Here are some notes I wrote about Randi's closing talk for those that had to leave early. Randi proclaimed the conference "a pretty fair success". He said that work on TAM3 will start immediately and that January in Las Vegas was a strong possibility but he wants to read the evaluations first. Next year, besides obviously asking Julia Sweeney to return (how strange to see her on Sex&The City Sunday night - in a nun's habit no less) Randi also will ask Richard Dawkins to return.
He was appreciative of the strong women representation. He gave a nice compliment to Berea College of Kentucky. He said that no one at the conference was shy (which wasn't true, I was deeply in shy mode). Randi also announced that Hal Bidlack will be offered a seat on the Board of Directors of JREF.
Lastly, I didn't know James Randi is 75.

[Lisa]

Yes, he's 75, and he gets more grouchy, mean, facinating, funny, and wonderful with every passing year.
I'm beyond tired too, so just a few thoughts.
I think it was Patricio that remarked that although we had great speakers, the thrill is in the reunion.
We had a bit more free time this year, so the forum members really got to mingle and get to know one another. That being said: US, get your hand off my butt.
I hope that anyone who's thinking "is this worth my time?" will join us next year. You think there are bad jokes and puns on the forum? It goes up exponencially when we're face to face. Wear kevlar.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Gee, I thought the bar singing dude had a pretty fair voice. Perhaps you were waiting for some thrash metal or New Age?

~~ Paul

[Chaos]

Just got home an hour ago.

I second every appreciative comment made here, as well as the negative comments about the on man band. I was very close to violence that evening...

BigNickel, you forgot me on your list. After torturing me with what you wrongly considered German language at the Meeting, I think you owe me that much - at least...

By the way, thanks to all the skepchicks for the handsigned T-shirt. It made loosing the chocolate challenge a little less painful. (And I will have my vengeance next TAM anyway)

[Jeff Corey]

If the TAM3 is to be held in the Tuscany next year, I vote we pay the One Man and His Synthesizer Band to stay away.

Small sessions would also be appreciated. Possibly in nearby hotel suites, that could be used for meetings during the day and crash pads during the night. After all, they are 600 square feet of floor space and could accommodate a dozen poeple seated at tables.

But, this was one of the best meetings I have ever attended.
And, boy, the Strip is the ultimate in tacky.

[CFLarsen]

Here.

Had the greatest time.

Thanks to all, and some in particular. You know who you are.

Going to bed. Back later. Or earlier. Or something....

[Nyarlathotep]

Chani and I had a great time. I liked everyone I talked to and I found it very interesting how different many people were in real life as opposed to their persona on screen. Nearly everyone was older, younger, quieter, nicer or otherwise had some trait that I wasn't expecting. I am really looking forward to TAM 3.

[HarryKeogh]

i don't know why i read this thread, just to torture myself i guess. sounds like you all had a great time. definitely going next year

i fully expect (and hope for) a flood of pics from the weekend in the picture thread in the coming days.

[kittynh]

I would like to add that this meeting really showed the skepchicks are sisters. The instant bonding between us was wonderful! I did fork up the extra money for the workshop and I would reccomend that highly! It was really very intimate and even fun! I sat next to Dr.Steven Schafersman President of Texas Citizens for Science. Besides being a very handsome, intelligent man, he has a wicked sense of humor. While Randi and Andrew were talking about pictures with the "orbs of fire" (aka, the camera strap got in the picture) Dr.Schafersman was taking a picture of Randi dangling the strap in front of the lense! Soon he was helping me do the same, and I think our giggles attracted the rest of the room as soon everyone else was doing the same! I also was picked (well, I had begged Andrew before hand to "please pick me for anything...." before) along with others, to wear a blindfold and I actually "read" with my fingers! (right....I still don't see why I didn't get the million!). Problem is ofcourse, if you can't see without your glasses, it's hard to perform this feat! But I managed!

Now, get this...I had taken off my glasses to put on the blindfold. I reach back on the table to get my glasses, and pick up the glasses that were in the exact place I left mine. Only, somehow my glasses had been magically transformed into Mr.Randi's!!! He totally fooled me! He also made the cuff links I gave him as a present disappear! I had no clue where they went! And I didn't take my eyes off them for a moment! I almost said, "Hey, I paid a lot for those on ebay! Bring them back!" I won't tell you where he hid them, but he's a genius! So, two magic tricks from Mr.Randi! Just for me! Time to fill out my pledge card!

[bignickel]

Ah, you can't escape Chaos: he's everywhere!

My college friend Barbara from Stutguart always was begging me to say things in German; she enjoyed my many attempts to say "Einstürzende Neubauten." In my defence: German is HARD. I know alot more Japanese (which is to say: hardly any).

There were a bunch of people I've seen on the forum that I didn't get a chance to really chat with: Shanek, Chanileslie, Nyarlothep, et al. Hopefully I can make TAM3.

I've always said that TAM needed a disco: and we got one this year! Except with a really really lousy singer! All we really need is a good DJ with a good selection of 80's danceable tunes (instead of our 'stuck in a 70's disco time warp' piano player).

How about a video room? Episodes of Jonathan Creek, Secrets of the Psychics, Scientific American, and of course: Scooby Doo!

[Michael Redman]

Originally posted by HarryKeogh
i don't know why i read this thread, just to torture myself i guess.I second that. I'm bitter. Very, very bitter.

[Chanileslie]

I had such a wonderful time at TAM. I really, really enjoyed meeting all the people, the talks were fantastic, and I was very impressed with everyone that I had a chance to meet. I missed some people, but in that large of a crowd, it doesn't surprise me.

A special thanks to all the Skepchicks who made me feel included. It was a pleasure to be around such witty, intelligent, fun women not to mention beautiful. And our personalities run the gamut from shy to extreme and it was wonderful.

Extra special thanks to Girl6 without whose fund, we would not have been able to attend. And Renata who can make one feel as if you are her very best friend.

Mercutio, he is wonderful. If I ever need a really good hug, I know where to find it!!

MoeFaux - she is more outrageous in person than on the forum, but so very sweet and fantastic.

And everyone else!! I won't name everyone else because I am sure to leave someone out, but they were all so, so fun and fantastic.

Yes, TAM is the best 4 days in Skepticism!! TAM has gone from something that I thought would be fun to do to something that is definitely on the agenda for next year. The speakers were excellent - funny, entertaining, informative, interesting. Not a dull speaker in the house, although I admit that my favorite talk was the Theory of Relativity. I'm a geek, I admit it. :-)

I have to say, I have to wonder about the effects of the amythest crystals handed out and that we were instructed to keep with us during the convention - I didn't have anything positive happen (other than meeting all the really cool people), but I did have my first breakout on my face in almost a year. I blame it on the crystals. :D

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Michael Redman
I second that. I'm bitter. Very, very bitter.

Don't be bitter... Just be at TAM3 next year! And, yes, I'm accepting donations for the TAM Scholarship Fund NOW... :D

G6

[Marc]

Originally posted by Mercutio
Let the official record show....sparklecat is considerably cuter than her avatar.

Another agreement here. :)

Actually I'm beginning to think it is a natural law that skepchicks are beautiful. ;)

[Interesting Ian]

[i]Originally posted by PaulK Randi also will ask Richard Dawkins to return.
[/B]

Oh God no! The guy is a complete retard! :eek: I'm definitely never going if there's any chance of meeting him.

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Interesting Ian


Oh God no! The guy is a complete retard! :eek: I'm definitely never going if there's any chance of meeting him. I found I learned from people I disagreed with as well as from people I agreed with. I'd like to see you there no matter who is speaking, Ian.



Chani...*sigh*...the feeling is more than mutual...

[Pirate_Lad]

Originally posted by Interesting Ian


Oh God no! The guy is a complete retard! :eek: I'm definitely never going if there's any chance of meeting him.

Let us book Mr. Dawkins with all haste.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Dawkins Shmawkins. It's Penn Gillette you'd better worry about, Ian.

Come to TAM3, man. We'll switches badges and make everyone insane!

N/B to TAM2 attendees: Note the use of the word retard by both people.

~~ Paul

[shanek]

Originally posted by kittynh
shanek.....he's the guy that we were dancing in front of at the G6 party....by the way, thanks for the $20's!;)

Really? And I'm still alive? Amazing... :D

[shanek]

Originally posted by Phil
kitty, weren't you one of the folks saying before TAM2 that you were painfully shy? Well if that's painfully shy, we should all be so shy.

I myself found it much more easy to approach people at TAM2 than in the "real" world. It may be because I know a lot of the forumites, but even those who weren't on the forum I could approach and strike up a conversation with, which is very uncharacteristic of me. Maybe it's Vegas.

[Interesting Ian]

Originally posted by Paul C. Anagnostopoulos
Dawkins Shmawkins. It's Penn Gillette you'd better worry about, Ian.

Come to TAM3, man. We'll switches badges and make everyone insane!

N/B to TAM2 attendees: Note the use of the word retard by both people.

~~ Paul

Hmmm . .if we do that people might be perplexed when I start droning on about the ontological status of the physical realm when unperceived! :p

[shanek]

Originally posted by Dinonychus
I agree with Scrut. That DJ was awful. IMO, he probably would've been tolerable if the music hadn't been so damned loud! I swear, you couldn't hear yourself think in that damn lounge.

Yes, my definition of "too loud" is when you have to strain to hear the person talking right next to you, and this definitely qualified.

Note to self: ask Santa for digital zoom camera next Christmas.

Digital zoom is bupkis. Just put it into Photoshop and enlarge it. You'll get better results.

[shanek]

Originally posted by Quinn
Renata rocks my world.

Yes, she's definitely one of the most memorable things about the weekend!

[Doubt]

Originally posted by shanek


Yes, she's definitely one of the most memorable things about the weekend!

Who is this Renata person?
:D

(runs for nuke proof bunker.......)

Is this a good place to brag about the G6/Renata sandwich I was in on the dance floor?

:p

[shanek]

Originally posted by Paul C. Anagnostopoulos
Gee, I thought the bar singing dude had a pretty fair voice.

If he had toned it down and maybe selected some better music it would have come across much better. As it is, I found myself saying, "And now, ladies and gentlemen, your entertainment for tonight: John Goodman!"

(Well, except that Goodman would have been much funnier...)

[shanek]

Originally posted by CFLarsen
Here.

Had the greatest time.

Thanks to all, and some in particular. You know who you are.

Going to bed. Back later. Or earlier. Or something....

It was great meeting you, Claus, and I'm sorry we didn't have more time to get to know each other better.

[shanek]

Originally posted by Doubt
Who is this Renata person?

She's the skepchic with the best [BEEP]s. :D

[Nyarlathotep]

As for the guy that was singing (and I use the word loosely in this case) during the party, I can only say that this was a skeptics convention and I was pretty skeptical that the guy had any talent whatsoever. I would have liked to see (or maybe hear would be more appropriate) evidence of his purported talent but alas none was forthcoming...

[SkepticScott]

Originally posted by shanek
She's the skepchic with the best [BEEP]s. :D I think you meant "the best smiles"; there's no need to beep out that word.

[renata]

Originally posted by shanek


She's the skepchic with the best [BEEP]s. :D

You forgot to smack yourself, shane....:)

[renata]

Originally posted by PeterB
It was great to meet as many forum members as I did, but many will remain a mystery.

Who is this bear-chested woman? Did her name start with Renat?

Update: It says I post attachments, but it LIES!!!!

See the mystery here. (http://www.ratbags.com/vegas/barebear.jpg)

:roll: :roll: :roll:

Damn Aussies! I will have my revenge!!!

[Brown]

Let me chime in here and say that I am happy that I met so many of you and that I am sad that I missed some of you.

It was a great pleasure to put associate some faces with people I knew only by their writings.

My sincere best wishes to all of you, and I look forward to seeing you again at TAM3.

[renata]

I am still tired and sleepy and excited. Longer post, with more recollections to follow. It was just wondeful. Before I went, I feared it would not be quite as great as everyone said, that people were building it up too much. It was better than I could have imagined. The lectures, the magicians...but more than anything, the people I met, the JREFers. It was great. You all have a standing invitation- if you are ever in LA, meet me. And, err...don't just do it based on some comments by some easily impressed and cheap to bribe skepdudes. :p

I met almost everyone, I felt I did not spend as much time as I wanted with almost everyone, but everyone left a great impression on me, and I will make sure to post in more details later.

Will wait until things stop whirling around in my head, but will finish with this- Luciana and Girl 6, if you ladies were not real, I would have to invent you :) You are that remarkable in every facet- beauty, kindness, wit, intelligence, compassion, integrity, grace and trustworthiness. Thank you for everything, especially Saturday night- you know why. And while we let that particular picture bother people's imaginations....off for another nap, I think :)

[CFLarsen]

Hey, I'm still awake! Wonders never cease...

Brown, Nyarlathotep, Chanileslie, and the rest: Great meeting you guys! Too little time, though....

Originally posted by shanek
It was great meeting you, Claus, and I'm sorry we didn't have more time to get to know each other better.

I know, I would have loved to chew your ass on the hijacking thing! BUWAHAHAAAA!!!! :D

Anyhoo, it is a real problem: That we don't have enough time to meet and discuss with people. TAM2 was even more of a blur than TAM1, and that's actually a very bad thing. We don't have sufficient opportunity to talk to each and every person at The Meeting (capital letters are in order, me thinks), and it is Not Good.

I am not saying that we should not have "social events" like the chocolate challenge (I am still pissed that my chocolates didn't win - ah, well, some people have no taste!). I am just saying that we should have much more time to get together, and talk things through. It is great to have the forum to debate in, but things are much more interesting when you are actually debating face2face.

Originally posted by shanek
She's the skepchic with the best [BEEP]s. :D

Hey, be nice! Renata is All Good. Although she is Americanized..... ;)

Originally posted by Interesting Ian
Oh God no! The guy is a complete retard! :eek: I'm definitely never going if there's any chance of meeting him.

Your loss. Our gain. Go jerk off. It's your only pleasure, it seems.....even if it is - according to you - only an immaterial pleasure...

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by CFLarsen
Anyhoo, it is a real problem: That we don't have enough time to meet and discuss with people. TAM2 was even more of a blur than TAM1, and that's actually a very bad thing. We don't have sufficient opportunity to talk to each and every person at The Meeting (capital letters are in order, me thinks), and it is Not Good.

I am not saying that we should not have "social events" like the chocolate challenge (I am still pissed that my chocolates didn't win - ah, well, some people have no taste!). I am just saying that we should have much more time to get together, and talk things through. It is great to have the forum to debate in, but things are much more interesting when you are actually debating face2face.


It's hard to fit "social" events in when we start at 8:00 in the morning and end at 5:00. I don't know about you, but a FULL day of mind-blowing lectures and the like doesn't enable a lot of us to have time to socialize.

Besides, I thought the Saturday night party was a good start. :) Of course, if you have a better idea, you should share it with us, Claus.

G6

[Pirate_Lad]

Originally posted by Girl 6


It's hard to fit "social" events in when we start at 8:00 in the morning and end at 5:00. I don't know about you, but a FULL day of mind-blowing lectures and the like doesn't enable a lot of us to have time to socialize.

Besides, I thought the Saturday night party was a good start. :) Of course, if you have a better idea, you should share it with us, Claus.

G6

It's super easy to fit social events into your schedule if you don't sleep. Plus, everything is a lot funnier when you're rummy from the hallucinations at 3 AM in a diner.

I went out every single night & had a blast. Sparks and I tore it up.

Next year at TAMIII: Coffee IVs and camelbaks filled with jolt. All the skeptical socialization you can handle.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Pirate_Lad


It's super easy to fit social events into your schedule if you don't sleep. Plus, everything is a lot funnier when you're rummy from the hallucinations at 3 AM in a diner.

I went out every single night & had a blast. Sparks and I tore it up.

Next year at TAMIII: Coffee IVs and camelbaks filled with jolt. All the skeptical socialization you can handle.

Yep... That's just what happened to me. I didn't sleep. ;) :D

G6

[MoeFaux]

Originally posted by Pirate_Lad


It's super easy to fit social events into your schedule if you don't sleep. Plus, everything is a lot funnier when you're rummy from the hallucinations at 3 AM in a diner.

I went out every single night & had a blast. Sparks and I tore it up.

Next year at TAMIII: Coffee IVs and camelbaks filled with jolt. All the skeptical socialization you can handle.


Okay, Pirate Lad, I'm still cracking up from you wildy laughing that last night at Marilyns.
One....two...........three.......hhahaha

[Chanileslie]

Originally posted by Girl 6


It's hard to fit "social" events in when we start at 8:00 in the morning and end at 5:00. I don't know about you, but a FULL day of mind-blowing lectures and the like doesn't enable a lot of us to have time to socialize.

Besides, I thought the Saturday night party was a good start. :) Of course, if you have a better idea, you should share it with us, Claus.

G6

I hope that next year, if we decide to have a party, which I found to be an excellent idea, that we have it in a slightly more quiet place. Unfortunately, I found it very hard to have a conversation because the music was sooooo loud, and I would have so liked to have talked to so many other people especially since my husband is disinclined to dancing(I love dancing), and I am way to self-consious to go out and dance on my own, but it was a pleasure to watch Girl6 - I loved her enthusiasm, and Kitty and everyone else dance.

It was so nice talking to Luciana (and the lady from Canada whose name I sadly can't recall) and I really enjoyed going to the Tai Food place and having Claus as a dinner companion - he is a very interesting man. It was nice to have Marc sitting with us as well, but I fear that I dominated the conversation as I am prone to do.

I wonder, if it would be possible for us next time, to plan something like a dinner - maybe see if we can get like the room we had lunch in for a little dinner for us all? We could order in pizzas or something. It would be a lot of fun. That way, if we want music we can have it or if we want to talk, we can sit off quietly and talk. It is just a thought.

[Pirate_Lad]

Originally posted by MoeFaux



Okay, Pirate Lad, I'm still cracking up from you wildy laughing that last night at Marilyns.
One....two...........three.......hhahaha

We're both horrible people for laughing at that poor kid. But yeah. That was the funniest thing all weekend.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Chanileslie


I hope that next year, if we decide to have a party, which I found to be an excellent idea, that we have it in a slightly more quiet place. Unfortunately, I found it very hard to have a conversation because the music was sooooo loud, and I would have so liked to have talked to so many other people especially since my husband is disinclined to dancing(I love dancing), and I am way to self-consious to go out and dance on my own, but it was a pleasure to watch Girl6 - I loved her enthusiasm, and Kitty and everyone else dance.

It was so nice talking to Luciana (and the lady from Canada whose name I sadly can't recall) and I really enjoyed going to the Tai Food place and having Claus as a dinner companion - he is a very interesting man. It was nice to have Marc sitting with us as well, but I fear that I dominated the conversation as I am prone to do.

I wonder, if it would be possible for us next time, to plan something like a dinner - maybe see if we can get like the room we had lunch in for a little dinner for us all? We could order in pizzas or something. It would be a lot of fun. That way, if we want music we can have it or if we want to talk, we can sit off quietly and talk. It is just a thought.

Well, let's keep that in mind. I'm more than happy to coordinate something like that. :) Better yet, it could be an "official" event on the calendar for TAM3. In which case, Linda will help us track down a good place for dinner.

Yes, I do apologize for the loudness of the lounge area. I hadn't realized that there was going to be loud music on. But, I think we did roll with it and who can forget Quinn playing the piano in the end? :D

G6

[Interesting Ian]

[i]Originally posted by


Originally posted by Interesting Ian

Oh God no! The guy is a complete retard! I'm definitely never going if there's any chance of meeting him.

Larsen

Your loss. Our gain. Go jerk off. It's your only pleasure, it seems.....even if it is - according to you - only an immaterial pleasure...

Still being the complete pr*ck I see. Got over your obsession with Clancie yet? :rolleyes:

BTW, don't worry, I would never dream of attending a meeting of pseudo-skeptical dumbf*cks like yourself.

[LeFevre]

Originally posted by Interesting Ian


BTW, don't worry, I would never dream of attending a meeting of pseudo-skeptical dumbf*cks like yourself.

Ah, the love and light is just flowing from Ian. What a nice guy.

[Pirate_Lad]

Originally posted by Interesting Ian


BTW, don't worry, I would never dream of attending a meeting of pseudo-skeptical dumbf*cks like yourself.

I too, feel the love.

I imagine you will be missed as greatly at TAM III as you were at the last one.

[Lisa]

Yeah, the dude in the lounge has to go next year. If we plan on a Saturday night get together next year, I suggest we talk to the hotel and convince them to give him the night off. UnrepetantSinner wanted to request a lounge lizard version of Gun N Roses "Welcome to the Jungle". Hopefully I can get that out of my head sometime before TAM III.
Even though there never seemed to be enough time to socialize, this was better than TAM I. Remember that? Sitting in a conference room til 2200 every night didn't leave us much time for anything else.
I noticed something else. When we were all leaving, very few people said "goodbye". It was "see you next year". True, I'm back on my mountaintop in the Black Hills, but it's nice knowing I'll be seeing friends from all over the world next year.
I'd like to publicly thank Wyvern for sharing her room with me. Lady, you made it possible for me to attend and I am so grateful. I promise I'll make reservations earlier next year, whether Eddie is in country or not!
(edittted fer speling)

[sparklecat]

*grins* 4 hours of sleep a night, and then 15 hours straight when you get back home works just fine.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

So I was working away this afternoon about 3 pm and suddenly it struck me: TAM2 was way, way, way more fun than this work crapola. I wanna go back!

Picture Interesting Ian during the panel sessions.

~~ Paul

[Interesting Ian]

Originally posted by Paul C. Anagnostopoulos
So I was working away this afternoon about 3 pm and suddenly it struck me: TAM2 was way, way, way more fun than this work crapola. I wanna go back!

Picture Interesting Ian during the panel sessions.

~~ Paul

Panel sessions?? WOW! Sounds ominous! :eek: They scan your brian to make sure you're a skeptic?? . . . .

Otherwise one is exterminated!!

I would have to think skeptical thoughts before being put in the scanner cubicle :(

[TLN]

Originally posted by Interesting Ian
BTW, don't worry, I would never dream of attending a meeting of pseudo-skeptical dumbf*cks like yourself.

I look forward to your next post decrying personal attacks.

Ready for PalTalk yet you miserable pseudo-intellectual coward?

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Paul C. Anagnostopoulos
So I was working away this afternoon about 3 pm and suddenly it struck me: TAM2 was way, way, way more fun than this work crapola. I wanna go back!

Picture Interesting Ian during the panel sessions.

~~ Paul

Yeah, I know... It's such a letdown to come back to the real world after experiencing this.

Well, like everyone else said at the meeting, "until next year!"

G6

[Jeff Corey]

Originally posted by Interesting Ian
Panel sessions?? WOW! Sounds ominous! :eek: They scan your brian to make sure you're a skeptic??
Brian stayed home, so could not be scanned or probed in that special way. Next time, if you bring your mate Brian, make sure he can pass through the scanners. Remove all metal fillings from his teeth, since the aliens can transmit massages (from the Swedish government, Monty Python allusion) to him and control his behaviour.

[Luciana]

I have the Skepchicks Pajama Party pictures! I can anticipate that there were two gatecrashers in it: two guys!! Anyone envious? Well, you should. Girl6 knit us all scarves, which we wore accordingly. Kitty, who came up with the Security T-Shirt idea, had us skepchicks sign them all for the guys. I was given one, but well... there was some chocolate at the party (along with strawberries, popcorn, assorted nuts, candies, etc) and I completely lost it... my T-shirt, pants, hair, and even the sofa, were all smeared with chocolate. I just can't be trusted sometimes. :D At the party, Lisa showed lots of leg :re:, and Skeptobabe has this cleavage... but I won't tell more. $50 each pic, folks. Thanks.

I made it into one of Bad Astronomer's slides! I was there as one of the highlights of TAM1. Made me all proud. :) Thanks, thanks, thanks, Phil!

Somebody took pictures of me wearing the blindfold during the Chocolate Challenge. I want to know who you are! Needless to say, I was the last person to take off the blindfold, all the while making a major fool of myself. What can I say?? I couldn't see that people had taken off their blindfolds already...

Julia!!! I was so delighted to meet her. I'll have to kick myself in the butt numerous time in order to punish myself for not having taken a picture with her. :( We were roommates and yet... well, next year. She's really pretty and much shorter than me, imagine that.

ShaneK: As promised, he got a hug from me, after the poem he wrote on my birthday thread. :)

Jeff Wagg! Great newbie I had the pleasure to talk to. I hope he appears here more often.

Pirate_Lad. Such a cute and nice kid! You'll hate that, Pirate, but there's such a baby quality to you. You awake long-lost maternal feelings in certain skepchicks. :) And you'll have to forgive me for the pic. So that everybody knows, I was the one who asked to have a picture taken with you. Then, when somebody finally snaps it, it looks like I'm trying to get away!! Please, don't shoot me, I apologize!!

Doubt, Central Scrutinizer, Stimpy: I have to thank you guys for the great day we had together. It was our only chance of hitting the Strip, I would have hated to have spent the day with some boring people. But nooo... they had to be unfailingly polite, funny and quick-witted. Renata certainly agrees to that!

Thanks Brown for the Crossword Puzzled that was included in our TAM. There were over 50 people from the Forum at TAM. It was hard to give everybody too much attention, and that was the case with Brown. Next year, then! I never met Foofer!!! That's a protest, as I heard she's very nice.

Chani and Nyar, they're so sweet!! Look, buddies, if you guys ever become angry at something, send me photographic evidence, because I have a hard time believing it. Sparklecat, you're so quiet, but we liked you!

Geez, the bad part, for me, was the jetlag. At 3pm I was dying to go to bed. At midnight I was fully awake. Duh. I missed both panels because I just had to take a nap. And the dryness!!! What's up with that?? In 30 minutes, my long hair was dry, first surprise. I scratched my leg, and drew blood. then it got worse: my facial skin started to peel off. Lips cracked. The dry mouth allowed the braces to open rashes inside. And the wrinkles I earned! Fortunately, a few hours in Rio solved that problem.

Mercutio: omg, that tux!! Come on, man, you must be single, no wife should allow you to go out like that!

Renata: the best thing about TAM, no doubt. She's SO beautiful guys, and I swear I'm not saying this just to be nice. This is the objective truth and nothing else. She's also a delight to be with. :)

EvilYeti: cachaça next year, I swear!

MoeFaux is pretty much what I expected, she's so transparent over Paltalk anyway. She's so funny to be with.

Julia Sweeney is a major sweetheart. Very pretty, warm-hearted, and her presentation was screamingly funny. With all those qualities, and considering that most skepdudes were seriously infatuated... who buys my prediction that she might be marrying one of them soon? ;) Some things are impossible to hide!

I saw dimossi and AtheistArchon[/b] playing the slots. Just thought it would be important to mention. I'm such a snitch sometimes!

We skepchicks were interviewed by a New York Times reporter. Imagine that...

There's more! Tomorrow I'll be posting the pictures and telling more things as I remembered them.

[Lisa]

Sorry to hijack your hijack Ian, I really do feel badly about this. (For those of you who met me at either TAM, you know how sincere I am)

You are correct Paul. As much as I was looking forward to being back on my home turf, I woke up today and realized the hijinks are over for this year.
Assuming we're at the same place next year, is anyone willing to arrive a day or two early just for socializing? I arrived on Wednesday, but we had all those welcome packages and name tags to assemble. The nefarious creature only known as "Hal" even dragged me out of the bar at one point for this onerous task, the bastage.
Next year, assuming the same schedule, I'm considering arriving on Monday or Tuesday. I'll change the expression on my face so this "Hal" creature won't recognize me. Randi's other evil minion, codenamed: "Linda", can also be problematic.
Let's get a group together that will either arrive early, or stay an extra day or so. We can get some serious goof off/bs time.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
[i] Geez, the bad part, for me, was the jetlag. At 3pm I was dying to go to bed. At midnight I was fully awake. Duh. I missed both panels because I just had to take a nap. And the dryness!!! What's up with that?? In 30 minutes, my long hair was dry, first surprise. I scratched my leg, and drew blood. then it got worse: my facial skin started to peel off. Lips cracked. The dry mouth allowed the braces to open rashes inside. And the wrinkles I earned! Fortunately, a few hours in Rio solved that problem.

Yes, I was about to mention something about this. Las Vegas has to have the driest air and climate that I have ever run across. I kept drinking water like I was dehydrated. Wait a minute, I take that back. I WAS dehydrated the entire time that I was there. My lips were continually chapped.

I'm still trying to regain the water moisture that I lost in my body while there. I'm just glad to be back home where, apparently, it is more humid than I thought.

G6

[sparklecat]

Originally posted by Lisa
Assuming we're at the same place next year, is anyone willing to arrive a day or two early just for socializing?

Yup :D Or stay late, either one. I had a blast hanging out with you all.

[Lisa]

Originally posted by sparklecat


Yup :D Or stay late, either one. I had a blast hanging out with you all.
I had a blast hanging out with you too Sparkle. I meant what I said last night on PalTalk. No, I don't have kids, but if I had a daughter, I'd want her to be exactly like Sparklecat. She was the sweetest skepchick at the conference.

[sparklecat]

*smiles* Thank you.


And you'd make a kick-@ss mom too :D

[Luciana]

Who gave one star to this thread?

I wish I had arrived one day earlier, but as a dozen people here can certify (because they participated in the Get Tickets for Luciana Effort :D), on the 13th was impossible, and on the 12th was just too close.

But yes, definitely, we should meet earlier, and that should allow some time for rest, which I needed badly and only now, at home, I got it.

Such a pity it's over. I wish I could have talked some more to some of these cool folks.

[Interesting Ian]

Originally posted by TLN


I look forward to your next post decrying personal attacks.

Ready for PalTalk yet you miserable pseudo-intellectual coward?

I'm there now dipstick. No-one else is here.

[TLN]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
Such a pity it's over. I wish I could have talked some more to some of these cool folks.

Nothing stopping us from all getting together for a non-event. I would have gone, but I don't like the JREF much. I like most of you though. :)

[Pete]

I'd like to thank the members of the forum. They were all friendly. They would even talk to an outsider like me. :)

[Julia]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Luciana Nery


Somebody took pictures of me wearing the blindfold during the Chocolate Challenge. I want to know who you are! Needless to say, I was the last person to take off the blindfold, all the while making a major fool of myself. What can I say?? I couldn't [i]see that people had taken off their blindfolds already...

Julia!!! I was so delighted to meet her. I'll have to kick myself in the butt numerous time in order to punish myself for not having taken a picture with her. :( We were roommates and yet... well, next year. She's really pretty and much shorter than me, imagine that.
**********************************


As far as people taking photos of you blindfolded . . . I noticed a few. Patricio had his camera aimed at all of the challengers for most of the event!

Yes, I too was kicking myself for not having a picture taken of us together. Actually, I don't think I wound up in any photos (probably just as well!), and I couldn't take any because I realized at the last minute my camera was broken.

I agree with those saying we should get there earlier next year. The time went by so fast. There was so much socializing I had to leave undone - many people I wanted to meet but never had a chance to locate them and introduce myself.

Some impressions on those I did meet, later . . .

[NoZed Avenger]

I would like to jump in briuefly and apologize for not getting a 'goodbye' in to everyone as planned Saturday.

I had to take an earlier flight and miss the last round table on Saturday, so did not get to say farewells.

Thanks to everyone for the nice time, regardless.

N/A

[sparklecat]

Now I'm starting to get teary myself. I miss you all! :(

[Patricio Elicer]

Home ..... home again...

My plane took off Mon 10:00 pm, Las Vegas time, and just came home an hour ago, after 17 hours of flights, waits for connections and stops.

All I can say for now is that TAM2 was waaaay too exciting. Too many activities for so little time. Extra activities Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam well worth the effort.

Well, that's it for now. More to come....

Just wanted to tell that I'm alive and well, just in case anyone cares :D

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Originally posted by Interesting Ian


Oh God no! The guy is a complete retard! :eek: I'm definitely never going if there's any chance of meeting him.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

I'm sure Mr Dawkins will be crushed.

[Patricio Elicer]

Scrut!!!,... clean you PM box

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Originally posted by Lisa

Assuming we're at the same place next year, is anyone willing to arrive a day or two early just for socializing? I arrived on Wednesday, but we had all those welcome packages and name tags to assemble. The nefarious creature only known as "Hal" even dragged me out of the bar at one point for this onerous task, the bastage.

Assuming the same schedule next year, I think I will come the previous weekend, and take 3-4 days to explore the Nevada desert. And visit Area 51!

[Dinonychus]

Originally posted by The Central Scrutinizer


Assuming the same schedule next year, I think I will come the previous weekend, and take 3-4 days to explore the Nevada desert. And visit Area 51!

Area 51 nothing. I'd love to spend a day or two exploring Red Rock Canyon again. I know I went along with everyone on Sunday, but with my health, 30 minutes in one spot just isn't enough time to explore.

[exarch]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
Somebody took pictures of me wearing the blindfold during the Chocolate Challenge. I want to know who you are!Hmm, I wonder who that could be ...
* whistles *

And the dryness!!! What's up with that?? In 30 minutes, my long hair was dry, first surprise. I scratched my leg, and drew blood. then it got worse: my facial skin started to peel off. Lips cracked.So I wasn't the only one who wasn't used to the desert air.


As for the question about having more time to socialize, I suggest staying an extra day or two just for that after the amaz!ng meeting itself is finished. Getting to know the people at the start of the meeting wasn't a problem (the reception was more than sufficient for the JREF-members-clique to form), finding the time to do stuff was. Afterwards seems like the best time to do that.

We should also organise it all a bit more, decide beforehand where to go to have dinner, make the necessary reservations in advance, where to meet each other and at what time. Most of the time people were just running around cluelessly, asking others if they knew where the group would go, where everyone was, and nobody really knew or decided, unless Renata took charge and rounded everyone up :D
http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon14.gif

Maybe we could get an aditional group rate if all the foumites stay another night or two, or we could collectively relocate to a slightly cheaper hotel or something. We have a whole year to work it all out ;)

[dimossi]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery

I saw dimossi and AtheistArchon playing the slots. Just thought it would be important to mention. I'm such a snitch sometimes!

Actually, it wasn't the slots we were playing, it was the full-pay video poker machines. I don't play slots. ;)

Dimossi's Rational Guide to Gambling:
1. Only play full-pay video poker games (I was playing Dueces Wild. When playing optimal strategy on a full-pay version of DW you are looking at a payout ratio of 100.76%. This is one of the few games in the casino where the player has an advantage over the house.)
2. Play slowly until you get a free drink or two.
3. When finished with your drink, cash out. :D

Anyway, it was a pleasure meeting you Luciana. I enjoyed our conversation about some of the more interesting cultural aspects of Brazil.

[Sidhedevil]

I, too, would be up for a Forum Day after the close of TAMIII (or even just a Forum Dinner and Carousing, if people don't mind leaving the next morning).

And, er, what Dimossi said about video poker. If one finds the machines that have the "100% payout" signs on top, a reasonably skillful player (or even me) can break even and get free drinks.

[Quinn]

Originally posted by Girl 6
But, I think we did roll with it and who can forget Quinn playing the piano in the end? :D

Seeing as how I had been sleeping for 3-4 hours a night and hadn't managed to practice for several days beforehand, I had rather hoped that everyone would forget. :D But G6, you are entirely too kind as usual, and I thank you and the others who were there for indulging me.

And about the dreadful one-man cover band: the really tragic thing is, there was actually some talent buried under all that cheese. The guy did a better Ray Charles than anyone I've ever heard (and I'm a huge Ray fan), and when I heard him play something other than a synth guitar solo (*shudder*), he played very well. It's unfortunate that it's easier for him to make a living leading drunken tourists through a karaoke version "Brick House" over and over again.

[Lisa]

Quinn, no one is "indulging" you. You were damned fine on the piano. I enjoyed it immensely.

Now about our lounge lizard enterainment....
I dunno, maybe if he had stuck to instrumentals and turned the volume down to "ears only slightly bleeding" he wouldn't have been too bad. The lounge lizard version of KC and the Sunshine band was, IMHO, a bad choice. That is what caused Mike and I to flee the area, hands over our ears, on Friday night.

[Luciana]

Originally posted by exarch
Hmm, I wonder who that could be ...
* whistles *

You'll send it to me over Paltalk one of these days. :)

[shanek]

Originally posted by Lisa
Quinn, no one is "indulging" you. You were damned fine on the piano. I enjoyed it immensely.

I'll second that. Quinn, you were awesome, and as a classically-trained pianist who at one time was quite good I know whereof I speak.

[Electric Monk]

Originally posted by Quinn
Seeing as how I had been sleeping for 3-4 hours a night and hadn't managed to practice for several days beforehand, I had rather hoped that everyone would forget. :DLittle chance of that! I have several pieces recorded, and they came out pretty well for a little microphone on the camera.

It's just very cool having people with that kind of ability in a group like this. Thanks for sharing. :)

--James

[Phil]

Originally posted by Electric Monk
Little chance of that! I have several pieces recorded, and they came out pretty well for a little microphone on the camera.

It's just very cool having people with that kind of ability in a group like this. Thanks for sharing. :)

--James
Are you kidding me? Quinn stunk. He was awful. I can't believe we humored him as long as we did. I was actually glad my ears started bleeding from the noise so I didn't have to hear anymore. Shees. What a maroon.

On second thought, he was amazing!!:D

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Quinn


Seeing as how I had been sleeping for 3-4 hours a night and hadn't managed to practice for several days beforehand, I had rather hoped that everyone would forget. :D But G6, you are entirely too kind as usual, and I thank you and the others who were there for indulging me.


Eh, noooo... I'm not too kind! I was providing evidence for my claim that you are an awesome piano player! :D

And, of course, you proved me right! :D

G6

[exarch]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
You'll send it to me over Paltalk one of these days. :)Paltalk you say ...

I just love how you can see the surprise on her face, even through the blindfold :D

[WonderfulWorld]

Originally posted by Lisa
UnrepetantSinner wanted to request a lounge lizard version of Gun N Roses "Welcome to the Jungle".I was waiting for the guy to break into "What's New Pussycat".

:D

(Actually, I thought the guy was pretty talented, just utterly without taste. If he'd done one more K.C. and the Sunshine Band tune, I was going to jump out a window. Or start gambling.)


I was in Vegas a day early. Next year, wherever we are, I definitely need to be there a few days early. I missed a lot in Miami last year and Vegas this year.

[Jeff Wagg]

It was a pleasure meeting everyone. I enjoyed hijacking the table in the coffee shop especially (Thanks Big Nickel!).

Big Nickel warned me to be less serious..but I have to say that I had a GREAT time with the heavy lunch time discussions. It was a treat to have folks engage rather than run away.

Looking forward to next year! I would like to enter some choclate from Snowflake Chocolates in next years chocolate challenge.

[bignickel]

Well, I'm not sure I 'warned' anyone about not being serious; I hope instead that I suggested people relax. If I gonna take 4 days off and spend them in Vegas, I'm certainly going to relax. :D

That said, I had tons of information crammed into my head while I was there. Lots of it intellectual (speakers) and alot of it visual (Skepchicks!) Sparkle, Luciana, MoeFaux, Girl6, Julia, Lisa,... my heart goes pitter patter pitter patter...

I was hoping that one of the Skepchicks would hop on Quinn's piano and sing ala "The Fabulous Baker Boys". Maybe at TAM3, and little more alky ;)

[exarch]

Originally posted by bignickel
I was hoping that one of the Skepchicks would hop on Quinn's piano and sing ala "The Fabulous Baker Boys". Maybe at TAM3, and little more alky ;)Not that I'm saying skepchicks are heavy, but I don't think pianos were made with a singing woman on top of it in mind.

We already had the chocolate orgy and the Penn & Teller fire-hazard, breaking the piano would definitely get the JREF kicked out of the Tuscany for good :p

[Brown]

Originally posted by exarch
...breaking the piano would definitely get the JREF kicked out of the Tuscany for good...You say that as if it were a bad thing.

I would not recommend returning to the Tuscany for TAM3, TAM4 or any other TAM.

[Phil]

Originally posted by Brown
You say that as if it were a bad thing.

I would not recommend returning to the Tuscany for TAM3, TAM4 or any other TAM.
I had no problem with the hotel. What rubbed you wrong, Brown?

[bignickel]

Originally posted by exarch
Not that I'm saying skepchicks are heavy, but I don't think pianos were made with a singing woman on top of it in mind.


Any piano that was not designed for a woman to be lounging on it while singing... NEEDS TO BE RE-DESIGNED!

[SkepticScott]

Phil asked what was wrong with the hotel.

Some minor items:

I personally had problems with the mail service. I ordered 100 "Get Out Of Hell Free" cards, and because they were running late, I had them mailed to the hotel. I received an email saying that they were mailed on Tuesday. I still hadn't received them by the time I left Monday, and they still weren't at the hotel when I called yesterday.

I was told that the JREF shipped 500 folders to the hotel, where they were received and signed for. Yet the hotel couldn't find them! That's why all the registration folders were different colors; Linda had to make a trip to OfficeMax on Wednesday. The hotel paid for the folders, of course, but that doesn't make up for losing them in the first place!

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

World said:
I was waiting for the guy to break into "What's New Pussycat".
What do you expect in a bar? Thrash? Rap? Acid? Note the presence of a dance floor.

~~ Paul

[Brown]

Originally posted by Phil
I had no problem with the hotel. What rubbed you wrong, Brown? Little things, mostly.

The door to my bathroom wouldn't close. When I used the facilities, I had to make sure that all my shades were closed if I wanted privacy. Keep in mind: this hotel is brand new.

The fans in the bathrooms were the loudest bathroom fans I'd ever heard.

The lamps in my room were virtually worthless. Reading in my room was difficult.

When someone walked in the room above mine, each footstep sounded like a thunderclap.

On at least one of the days, aircraft landing at the airport flew over the hotel, resulting in a loud roar every two minutes or so.

The location was rather inconvenient. (The smartest thing I did on my visit was rent a car... and I'm a person who loves to get around by walking. It would have helped, of course, if the monorail had been operating.)

The facilities for the conference were not really all that great. Quite a few people with "decent" seats could not see what was going on. The lighting was uncomfortable for the speakers.

Some of the staff were rude. Rudeness of staff is, I understand, a very uncommon thing in Las Vegas. (I encountered rude staff at only two other places other than the Tuscany: one security guard at Harrah's and one dim-bulb dealer at the Monte Carlo.)

The soda machine in my building was perpetually empty. I eventually went out and bought a case of soda and put it in my fridge (which was, by the way, too noisy).

[shanek]

Originally posted by exarch
Not that I'm saying skepchicks are heavy, but I don't think pianos were made with a singing woman on top of it in mind.

You'd be surprised.

[exarch]

Originally posted by SkepticScott
Phil asked what was wrong with the hotel.

Some minor items:

I personally had problems with the mail service. I ordered 100 "Get Out Of Hell Free" cards, and because they were running late, I had them mailed to the hotel. I received an email saying that they were mailed on Tuesday. I still hadn't received them by the time I left Monday, and they still weren't at the hotel when I called yesterday.I think your quarrel here is with the US mail. I sent some chocolate from Belgium to Eos in Canada and a girl in the US on December 22nd, and both of them received their package in the past week (the girl from the US yesterday morning local time). Two others whom I sent a package are still awaiting.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by bignickel
I was hoping that one of the Skepchicks would hop on Quinn's piano and sing ala "The Fabulous Baker Boys". Maybe at TAM3, and little more alky ;)

I was seriously thinking about it, but then I thought that I might scratch the piano with my heels or something. ;)

G6

[Luciana]

I had problems with the hotel too. The room, for example. It was spacious, but very badly designed. The wardrobe was too small and its doors positioned inconveniently. So much space but there was no way you could leave your luggage out of the way.

Remember, there were three of us sharing the room, which should be fine considering its size. But it wasn't. Too few drawers in the room, none in the restroom. Why not? Also, why was the shower's glass transparent and not opaque, so that one could shower with privacy why others got ready? Not enough towel racks, not to three towels.

Our keys kept getting defective. It was such an annoyance to try and try and finally get back to the front desk, show ID and get new ones.

When I tried calling housekeeping, I made quite a few unsuccessful calls, as the phone number listed in the phone's directory was wrong. That's so careless.

When I finally made through housekeeping, I ordered an extra bed for Julia, who'd be arriving later on. I left. When I returned I found the mattress and the sheets - but no one bothered to actually make the bed. And in all the subsequent days, Julia's bed was never made, even though we surely paid for it, and it goes without saying that the room couldn't be said to have had a decent maid service if a whole bed remained unmade.

Later I called to get a shower cap. It only arrived 4 hours later when I called a second time.

And as Brown said, too dark. Packing at night became a chore because, even with all the lights on, I still couldn't see things right.

Last year's hotel, in Fort Lauderdale, was sooo much better in every aspect.

[markb]

I had a bunch of problems with the hotel, too. Some might be nitpicks, but they add up. Let's see...

The closet door fell off its track.
The towel hook next to shower was incapable of holding towels.
The soap kept sliding off the soap tray in the shower.
There was no place to set anything in the shower beside a single bar of soap.
The gutter on the shower door drained the wrong direction, leaving a puddle of water on the floor after I opened the door.
I think there were only a couple cable channels in addition to the local broadcast channels.
Local phone calls cost $1.
The number listed on the phone for wake up calls did not work.
The breakfast buffet at the cafe was unfit for human consumption.
The steak I had at the steakhouse was overcooked.
Worst of all, I was charged almost double for the steak dinner that I charged to my room.

I also had problems with noise coming from upstairs and the soda machine being empty.

I would not stay at that hotel again.

[Wyvern]

Wow, Luciana. That is pretty bad. I'm sorry it was like that over your way.

Just to provide some balance, I didn't have any problem with the hotel other than not liking the lighting in the room. But then, how much time did I spend there? :D Our maid service was excellent. I even had a problem with one phone the first night as I was trying to connect to the internet. I called to report the problem, then went OUT as I couldn't stand waiting around with all those wonderful JREF people waiting to be met, and when I came back it was fixed. I liked the proximity to the Strip without being right on the Strip. The hotel rates were awesome.

Nevertheless, since there are people who had difficulties, I would be interested in trying a different place just to compare, if we come back to Vegas next year.

[Quinn]

Originally posted by Girl 6
I was seriously thinking about it, but then I thought that I might scratch the piano with my heels or something.

That settles it; next year you will be dragged up to sing (and writhe, of course). And yes, grand pianos can easily hold the weight of a skepchick.

As for the hotel, my main problem was with the staff, particularly at Marilyn's. I think they had three different unions of waiters to bring soft drinks, alcohol, and food, and none of them spoke to each other.

I've heard rumors that the Toronto tourism commission has already contacted the JREF and expressed interest about next year, and that the JREF is trying to interest other cities as well and get a little bidding war started. If that's the case, I doubt we'll end up back in Vegas, since I can't imagine them going out of their way to attract a group of people with a better-than-average understanding of probability and statistics.

[Brown]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
I had problems with the hotel too. The room, for example. It was spacious, but very badly designed. The wardrobe was too small and its doors positioned inconveniently.I noted this, too, and I also was rather put off by the "don't steal me" hangers in the closet. Whether such hangers are standard for Las Vegas or not, I don't know. All I know is that they were inconvenient and there weren't enough hangers in my room to hang up my clothes. There also weren't enough drawers. Many of my clothes were simply stacked on top of my suitcase.

I did not share a room, and I was very glad that I did not. I noted that use of the bathroom would be very uncomfortable if the room had two or more people in it.

I also forgot to mention the fact that the hotel placed me in one of the most inconvenient rooms on the entire complex. (I was in building M, on the far side. I ran into Dr. Park in that building, and he might have been stuck in building M also.)

Some attendees (inlcuding myself) noted that the maid opened the windows. Since we were on the first floor, that may not have been the wisest move from a security standpoint. My big gripe was that, when I returned to my room, it was very chilly and I had to operate the heater for nearly an hour to warm the room to a comfortable temperature.

[bignickel]

Originally posted by Girl 6

I was seriously thinking about it, but then I thought that I might scratch the piano with my heels or something. ;)


That is the risk that must be taken for the sake of art! :)

[Brown]

Originally posted by markb
I had a bunch of problems with the hotel, too. Some might be nitpicks, but they add up. Let's see...

...
The towel hook next to shower was incapable of holding towels.
The soap kept sliding off the soap tray in the shower.
There was no place to set anything in the shower beside a single bar of soap.
...
Local phone calls cost $1.
...I forgot to mention these gripes, too. I noticed that when the soap slid off the soap dish, it would shatter when hitting the shower floor. So I did quite a bit of showering using pieces of soap. Also, I prefer to shave in the shower, but this was not feasible at the Tuscany. And finally--not to gross anyone out, but it is the truth--I awoke one morning to find a roach in my shower.

[bignickel]

Originally posted by Paul C. Anagnostopoulos

What do you expect in a bar? Thrash? Rap? Acid? Note the presence of a dance floor.


I'm all for the dance floor: but I don't believe that that necessitates a lame lounge singer.

Especially when a competent DJ can be had for a lot less. One who managed to escape the 70's, fer instance...

"the chills, that you spill, up my back, keep me filled, with satisfaction..."

[shanek]

Originally posted by Brown
I noted this, too, and I also was rather put off by the "don't steal me" hangers in the closet. Whether such hangers are standard for Las Vegas or not, I don't know.

Those have been in practically every hotel I've ever been to.

Folks, I travel around all over the place, mostly on business. I've been to Florida, Montana, Utah, Tennessee, Connecticut, so many places. In my experience, if the things you're talking about are the worst complaints you can make about the hotels, then that's doing pretty darn good. You wouldn't WANT to stay in some of the places I've been to.

Of course, you could argue that the problems of the hotel make the price of staying there ridiculous; there, I would agree.

My opinion is, I don't need the fancy stuff in the hotel or the spacious rooms like there was at the Tuscany. To me, a hotel room is a place to crash. I'd be perfectly willing to stay in much smaller hotel rooms that maybe aren't as nice if it keeps the price of going there down.

[shanek]

Originally posted by Girl 6
I was seriously thinking about it, but then I thought that I might scratch the piano with my heels or something. ;)

If that were to happen, then I would be very jealous of the piano. :D

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Bignickel said:
I'm all for the dance floor: but I don't believe that that necessitates a lame lounge singer.
I thought his voice was pretty good. Are you suggesting that there is some music from the '80s or '90s that he could have sung? Dave Matthews perhaps? Or some Candy Striper Death Orgy?

Perhaps I'm just an old fart . . .

~~ Paul

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Quinn


That settles it; next year you will be dragged up to sing. And yes, grand pianos can easily hold the weight of a skepchick.


Cool!! I think I can dig up a dress for that! And, I will start practicing the low Marilyn Monroe breathy voice thing...

:roll:

G6

[Patricio Elicer]

Speaking of the hotel facilities, there were some things that bothered me, #1 being by far the worst:

1) No computer internet service. Personally I find this an unforgivable neglect on a world that is increasingly internet dependant. I bought the internet-through-the-TV service, but I simply couldn't make it work to access my email account (no way to place the cursor in the username and password fields). $10 thrown to the trash.

2) Toilet's fan way too noisy

3) No facility to place the shampoo bottle in the shower compartment.

4) Bathroom's hooks incapable of holding the towels

5) No appropriate bathroom's hooks to hang clothes

6) Shower door didn't close properly, water spilled out

[Electric Monk]

Doors, doors, doors. From the inside to the outside:

1. Shower door did not stay closed.
2. Bathroom door would not latch.
3. Room door would stick and not close itself.
4. Exterior door to the stairs would stick ajar as well.

This was in building A.

--James

[WonderfulWorld]

Part of the problem with the maid service, at least in my room, was that the maid didn't speak a word of english. I was able to speak enough spanish to explain a problem to her, and she did everything she could to help, but the problem had to wait until she found someone to whom she could communicate the problem, and who also had time to help. Eventually, a guy arrived with the proper tools and the problem was corrected.

Yeah, it was a pretty lousy hotel. The rooms looked good, until you looked closer. I'm not sure how you could "scout out" a problem like that, though, without an experience like this year to inform you. Eventually, you learn enough to create a checklist, or you hire a professional to find and arrange accomodations. That's the way it goes, I suppose.

[shanek]

Originally posted by Girl 6
Cool!! I think I can dig up a dress for that! And, I will start practicing the low Marilyn Monroe breathy voice thing...

Lemme know what you want to sing and I'll practice up on it.

[shanek]

Originally posted by WonderfulWorld
Yeah, it was a pretty lousy hotel. The rooms looked good, until you looked closer. I'm not sure how you could "scout out" a problem like that, though, without an experience like this year to inform you. Eventually, you learn enough to create a checklist, or you hire a professional to find and arrange accomodations. That's the way it goes, I suppose.

Or you just look at a site like this:

http://las-vegas-hotels.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g45963-d224853-r1188818-Tuscany_Hotel_And_Casino-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html

Note that some of the comments here are exactly what people here experienced.

[Finella]

Originally posted by Quinn

And about the dreadful one-man cover band: the really tragic thing is, there was actually some talent buried under all that cheese. The guy did a better Ray Charles than anyone I've ever heard (and I'm a huge Ray fan), and when I heard him play something other than a synth guitar solo (*shudder*), he played very well. It's unfortunate that it's easier for him to make a living leading drunken tourists through a karaoke version "Brick House" over and over again.

Dammit, Quinn, now I have "Brick House" in my head. AAaaagghh.

Cheesy he was, but I would have appreciated him more if he didn't repeat his sets all the time... ("it's laaadies night, oh what a night!").

How did I miss your playing, Quinn? Dammit again! I say we need to get a band together next time. I'll play rhythm guitar and rock flute.

---,---'--{@

[Charlie in Dayton]

I got dibs on air bass...

...Toronto, in the winter?...why not? h3ll, that's close enough to drive...just slap some snow tires on the Chebby...

...I have got to make it to next year's meeting...

[bignickel]

Originally posted by bignickel
I met and chatted with so many interesting people this year.


AND RENATA!!!! SHE RULES!

I bow down now. hub bub hub bub hub bub....

[shanek]

Originally posted by Finella
How did I miss your playing, Quinn? Dammit again! I say we need to get a band together next time. I'll play rhythm guitar and rock flute.

I play bass, but I don't trust airport security, so I'll probably only bring it if it's somewhere close enough to drive.

[MoeFaux]

I will agree on several of the complaints. You could hear people walking around outside the room and above you, more so than I've heard at other hotels.
And the conference facilities, while nice, were difficult for us. I don't know if anyone in town does theatre type seating, though.
The projector sucked.

Bathroom fans - hey, loudness is a common thing for those in Vegas. You should hear mine (I'm at a type of extended stay apartment).
Dim lights, yes, another common thing, I don't know why.
Rudeness. Well, I don't think that can really be excused...but here I go. Vegas gets so many people in and out, with so many conventions. I've seen a lot of great customer service, but yes, it's better in other towns. I think Vegas is a little stuck up that way, in that while we value the customer, we don't value the customer as much as a hotel in say, Fresno would.

I do want to put in a good word and say that the Tuscany was all right. I've been in nearly every hotel on the strip and I've seen some bad hotels. Tuscany had a great lobby area and restaraunts, a good casino, clean and new and all that other stuff. For it's price, it was pretty great.

[exarch]

Originally posted by Patricio Elicer
1) No computer internet service. Personally I find this an unforgivable neglect on a world that is increasingly internet dependant. I bought the internet-through-the-TV service, but I simply couldn't make it work to access my email account (no way to place the cursor in the username and password fields). $10 thrown to the trash.

2) Toilet's fan way too noisy

3) No facility to place the shampoo bottle in the shower compartment.

4) Bathroom's hooks incapable of holding the towels

5) No appropriate bathroom's hooks to hang clothes

6) Shower door didn't close properly, water spilled outSame comments, since I was in the same room. A few more though:

The handle to regulate the water temperature had to be spun through the cold part until getting to the hot part, and gravity kept making it go colder again.

At one point one of the main entrance doors to my building (the E building) was stuck. I ended up having to walk to the other side just to get in.

Also the coffee in the room didn't taste very good :rolleyes:

About the conference space, there was only one elevator at one end of the hotel, and an escalator at the other end, so to get up there you had to walk through the entire hotel. At some point I had found a flight of stairs, but someone came chasing after me saying they were off limits to the guests.
:confused:

On the plus side, we were on the top floor, so we didn't have the noise problem from upstairs neighbours (we probably created it though :().


And just as a reference, Vegas is supposed to be rather cheap, but when I stayed at the Motel6 in South Bend for only $30 a night, in a room exactly half the size of this one, it was in excellent condition, my shower worked, had enough space to put soap and shampoo bottles, and had a much easier temperature regulation knob. I also had a king size bed, a lot more channels on TV (including a few paid channels like HBO, for free). Local calls were also free.

Still, I'm not complaining, the hotel was pretty nice, despite all the little shortcomings. How much would we end up paying if we had been in a hotel on the strip for instance?

[Jeff Wagg]

I've stayed at a few Vegas hotels, and Tuscany ranks among the highest. Why?

1) Cheap. I paid only $47 a night through travelaxe.
2) Location. On the strip is nice if you're walking, but it's a nightmare if you're driving. It's so nice to be able to park near your room.
3) You can get to your room WITHOUT going through the casino. This is very very rare in Vegas.
4) Plenty of space.
5) The room had a refrigerator, and many had stoves.
6) Despite the noise from other rooms and the very loud fans, the rooms were pretty quiet compared to hotels on the strip. No casino or late-night band noise.
7) Easy check-in and check-out. I've waited over 30 minutes to do both at Luxor and Imperial Palace.
8) Very little smoke. The casino, while small, was very clean and relatively smoke free as was my room.


This hotel excels at NOTHING, but as a complete package it's a great place to stay. In fact, I'm staying there next week AGAIN because even during Super Bowl week, when things are really expensive, I'm still paying only $47 a night. AND all the comments from others are completely accurate, but I get the sense that many of you don't travel all that often, or only stay at 5 star properties. Also, Vegas is different from most places. TV channels at Vegas hotels are always skimpy, supposedly because they don't want you to stay in your room for long.

The young female bartender at the reception was exceptionally rude.

[athon]

It all sounds like such a wonderful time.

My plans at this stage are to work here in the UK for the rest of this year, and then return home through the US to attend next year's TAM. What a way to end a year's travelling!

Athon

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Jeff Wagg
I've stayed at a few Vegas hotels, and Tuscany ranks among the highest. Why?

1) Cheap. I paid only $47 a night through travelaxe.


Whoa!!! How did you end up paying $47/night???? I paid more for my room! :eek:

G6

[Jeff Wagg]

I used an Internet tool called Travelaxe (www.travelaxe.com). They hooked me up with this odd outfit called hotelkingdom.com, and they had the low rates.


Originally posted by Girl 6


Whoa!!! How did you end up paying $47/night???? I paid more for my room! :eek:

G6

[Stimpson J. Cat]

Damn, I'm glad I went to the meeting. I haven't had that much fun standing up since... well... ever.

Unfortunately I missed Thursday. My flight did not arrive in Vegas until 10:00 PM. It was cool to finally meet so many of the people I have become friends with here.

I especially have to thank Paul Anagnostopoulos, without whose help I would not have been able to attend.

It was also cool to meet people like James Randi, Penn, Julia Sweeney, and Dean Cameron. And of course, all of the presentations were amazing. Not to mention the Penn and Teller show...

By far the coolest thing was just hanging out with people. Sunday evening I had the pleasure of touring the strip with Doubt, The Central Scrutinizer, Renata, and Luciana. All very cool people, and I think Luciana is even more beautiful in person than in the pictures I have seen. What really knocked my socks off was Renata, though. The people who have been commenting on how gorgeous she is were not kidding, and I think her smile is going to be burnt into my memory for the rest of my life (if I'm lucky). I was kind of depressed that I had to bug out early Sunday night, but in retrospect, it was probably for the best. Any longer and I am afraid I would have given in to the overwhelming compulsion to drop to me knees and pledge my undying devotion to her.

Anyway, it was a great meeting. Thanks to everyone who was there for making it so great. Special thanks to the organizers for the immense effort I am sure they put into it, and extra-special thanks to Paul for allowing me to be there.


Dr. Stupid

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

My pleasure, Stimpy.

And folks, his signature is correct: He is stupid. His persona on the forum is a complete fake. How does he do it?

~~ Paul

[Sidhedevil]

I didn't stay at the Tuscany (my brother had never been to Vegas before, and I thought he would enjoy staying on the Strip), so can't comment about the rooms--they looked clean and spacious, if ill laid out and noisy.

Regarding the conference and catering services, I can speak from my years of conference planning: The A/V service on Thursday was unconscionably bad. There is no excuse for that lack of responsiveness from a hotel's conference services staff.

I think that Omar and his colleague were responsive enough to Linda and Karl to make things happen better on subsequent days, but the fact that the A/V folks were so unprepared for Thursday doesn't give me a high level of confidence in the Tuscany conference staff as a whole.

The food was fine, but the catering staff were inattentive and sloppy. There were only two conferences in the hotel, and the catering staff should have been able to handle breaks, etc., more flexibly and efficiently.

The general room set-up, etc., was lax. To me, the fact that the tablecloths weren't clipped to the tables in the conference room and kept sliding off demonstrated a lack of professionalism and care by the conference services department. I know that sounds bizarrely nitpicky, but screwing up something that basic just doesn't augur well!

As to the bartender at the reception being rude: if folks are talking about the dark-haired young woman at the back left of the room, my brother and I were hanging out by her station, and I was appalled by how offensively some conference attendees were treating her. Admittedly, one needs to get used to that sort of thing as a bartender, but I would definitely have lost my temper in her shoes. Of course, she didn't have any excuse for taking it out on other attendees!

[exarch]

Originally posted by Sidhedevil
As to the bartender at the reception being rude: if folks are talking about the dark-haired young woman at the back left of the room, my brother and I were hanging out by her station, and I was appalled by how offensively some conference attendees were treating her. Admittedly, one needs to get used to that sort of thing as a bartender, but I would definitely have lost my temper in her shoes. Of course, she didn't have any excuse for taking it out on other attendees!I didn't notice that. I did go over to get an MGD, to which she replied she didn't have any. so I said I had seen people walk around with them, so she went through the trouble of going over to the other bar and get one for me, which I thought was really thoughtful. Although this might have given other people who joined the line while she was away the impression that she was slacking or something. You can't please everyone :rolleyes:

[UnrepentantSinner]

The (dyed) blonde waitress with the nice boobs and the belly ring, while inattentive enough that I hit the bar myself was cute enough for me to overlook that fact.

[Phil]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner
The (dyed) blonde waitress with the nice boobs and the belly ring, while inattentive enough that I hit the bar myself was cute enough for me to overlook that fact.
You are correct, sir. I didn't get one drink from her, but she was delightful.

[Patricio Elicer]

Originally posted by Stimpson J. Cat
What really knocked my socks off was Renata, though. The people who have been commenting on how gorgeous she is were not kidding, and I think her smile is going to be burnt into my memory for the rest of my life (if I'm lucky). Same impression to me Stimpy. I'm still thrilled by her intelligence, beauty and kindness.

BTW, it was nice to meet you IRL, though it was just a handshake.

[Jeff Wagg]

edited to fix formatting typo

As to the bartender at the reception being rude: if folks are talking about the dark-haired young woman at the back left of the room, my brother and I were hanging out by her station, and I was appalled by how offensively some conference attendees were treating her. Admittedly, one needs to get used to that sort of thing as a bartender, but I would definitely have lost my temper in her shoes. Of course, she didn't have any excuse for taking it out on other attendees! [/B]


Enlighten me...how were attendees being rude? (I have no doubt that they were...I saw other instances of cheap-skatedry and general self-centeredness.) I must have gotten to her after that, because all she said to me was "This is a weird conference." When I pressed her on why she thought it was weird, she wouldn't answer me and hurredly handed me a watered down drink.

I'm just trying to understand what happened.

[Interesting Ian]

Originally posted by Stimpson J. Cat

What really knocked my socks off was Renata, though. The people who have been commenting on how gorgeous she is were not kidding, and I think her smile is going to be burnt into my memory for the rest of my life (if I'm lucky). I was kind of depressed that I had to bug out early Sunday night, but in retrospect, it was probably for the best. Any longer and I am afraid I would have given in to the overwhelming compulsion to drop to me knees and pledge my undying devotion to her.

Dr. Stupid [/B]

And she plays a mean game of chess as well!! . . . er . . . LOL

[exarch]

Originally posted by Jeff Wagg
Enlighten me...how were attendees being rude? (I have no doubt that they were...I saw other instances of cheap-skatedry and general self-centeredness.) I must have gotten to her after that, because all she said to me was "This is a weird conference." When I pressed her on why she thought it was weird, she wouldn't answer me and hurredly handed me a watered down drink.Are you suggesting it wasn't a weird conference? After all, we are a weird bunch indeed :D

[Jeff Wagg]

Originally posted by exarch
Are you suggesting it wasn't a weird conference? After all, we are a weird bunch indeed :D

Honestly, with the exception of the spontaneous magic erupting all over the room, I think we were a pretty tame bunch.

I've worked in the hotel industry, and many conferences are much stranger than ours. Two that come to mind were the NuSkin conference an the Western Dairy Association.

[Phil]

Originally posted by Jeff Wagg


Honestly, with the exception of the spontaneous magic erupting all over the room, I think we were a pretty tame bunch.

I've worked in the hotel industry, and many conferences are much stranger than ours. Two that come to mind were the NuSkin conference an the Western Dairy Association.
I've been to some writers conferences that get downright bizarre.

[Mr. Skinny]

Question......did the forum members tend to address each other by their forum names, or by their real names?

I know some folks use their real names (I mean, who the heck would choose Paul C. Anagnostopolous as a screen name) but on PalTalk, everyone is used to addressing me as "Skinny", so I wondered what people did at TAM?

I'm trying to imagine yelling "Hey, Unrepentant Sinner" across a crowded hotel lobby or "Stimpy, come over here".

Inquiring minds want to know.

[shanek]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny
Question......did the forum members tend to address each other by their forum names, or by their real names?

I know some folks use their real names (I mean, who the heck would choose Paul C. Anagnostopolous as a screen name) but on PalTalk, everyone is used to addressing me as "Skinny", so I wondered what people did at TAM?

I'm trying to imagine yelling "Hey, Unrepentant Sinner" across a crowded hotel lobby or "Stimpy, come over here".

Inquiring minds want to know.

Oddly enough, I found myself addressing them directly by their real names but when talking about them to others used their forum names. I thought it was kind of weird.

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny
Question......did the forum members tend to address each other by their forum names, or by their real names?

Most people called me "Merc", which is close enough either way.

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by shanek


Oddly enough, I found myself addressing them directly by their real names but when talking about them to others used their forum names. I thought it was kind of weird.

Very interesting shane. I'd probably end up using some combination as well.

[Electric Monk]

Originally posted by shanek
Oddly enough, I found myself addressing them directly by their real names but when talking about them to others used their forum names. I thought it was kind of weird. This was my experience as well. It seems right to refer to someone by the name which will be most familiar to the person with whom you're speaking.

"Unrepentant Sinner" was a bit awkward to use in conversation, though.

--James

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by Electric Monk
"Unrepentant Sinner" was a bit awkward to use in conversation, though.

--James
On PalTalk I call him variously: USA, nematode, or @sshole. :D

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Electric Monk
This was my experience as well. It seems right to refer to someone by the name which will be most familiar to the person with whom you're speaking.

"Unrepentant Sinner" was a bit awkward to use in conversation, though.

--James Funny, I had to call him "U.S." or "U.S.A."--nothing else would come out. If you are reading this, US, d@mn, it was a pleasure to meet you. How's the shoulder?

[exarch]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny
On PalTalk I call him variously: USA, nematode, or @sshole. :DI can only remember a few people's real name, and much to my surprise, Phil is not called Phil IRL :con2:

Some people I kept calling by their screenname because I figure they're probably used to being called that, like Merc, Phil, Girl6, etc... . I got the feeling it was easier to get Moe's attention calling her Moe than calling her Kelli (like there aren't already 2 million other Kelly's out there ...)

I'd probably call you Skinny if I ever met you :D

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny
Question......did the forum members tend to address each other by their forum names, or by their real names?

I know some folks use their real names (I mean, who the heck would choose Paul C. Anagnostopolous as a screen name) but on PalTalk, everyone is used to addressing me as "Skinny", so I wondered what people did at TAM?

I'm trying to imagine yelling "Hey, Unrepentant Sinner" across a crowded hotel lobby or "Stimpy, come over here".

Inquiring minds want to know.

I tended to call people by their Forum names because that is the name I already associate with them. My wife mentioned US once by his real name and, even though I remember his real name, it took me a couple of seconds to figure out who she was talking about.

[exarch]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep
I tended to call people by their Forum names because that is the name I already associate with them. My wife mentioned US once by his real name and, even though I remember his real name, it took me a couple of seconds to figure out who she was talking about.I was having some difficulty with all the Marc's. Avatars would really have helped in that case. In fact, there were a few of people I couldn't quite figure how I knew them until I first returned to the board and saw their avatars again.

Some others though have really unusual names or avatars which are easily associated :D

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by exarch
I was having some difficulty with all the Marc's. Avatars would really have helped in that case. In fact, there were a few of people I couldn't quite figure how I knew them until I first returned to the board and saw their avatars again.

Some others though have really unusual names or avatars which are easily associated :D

Yeah,when I ran into Marc I had to think for a minute which Marc he was. Fortunately, except for the Mark with the Daffy Duck avatar, all of the other Marks had last names or initials attached and I don't think the other Mark was there (or if he was I never saw him), so that made things a little easier.

But yeah, having a unique name does make it a lot easier to remember who is who. Though in my case, many people remembered me as "that guy with the name I can't pronounce". Like you, though, there werw several people I recognized the name but had to wait until I got back and saw their avatar before I really knew who they were, so I think avatars onthe badges might be a good idea for next time.

[exarch]

Eh, there's Mark with the Daffy Duck avatar, and then there's Marc with the drooling anime character with the big grin :p

[bignickel]

Don't forget MarkB of the "missing Windows icon" avatar!

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep


Yeah,when I ran into Marc I had to think for a minute which Marc he was. Fortunately, except for the Mark with the Daffy Duck avatar, all of the other Marks had last names or initials attached and I don't think the other Mark was there (or if he was I never saw him), so that made things a little easier.

But yeah, having a unique name does make it a lot easier to remember who is who. Though in my case, many people remembered me as "that guy with the name I can't pronounce". Like you, though, there werw several people I recognized the name but had to wait until I got back and saw their avatar before I really knew who they were, so I think avatars onthe badges might be a good idea for next time. Yeah, I was a Mark, so I was just thrilled to be a Merc which made everybody's life a little easier...

...as for you, I just thought of you as Nyarsomething with the wonderful wife Chani...(sorry, man, but it's the truth; you are a great guy, but you didn't give me that kiss...)

I think I'll go hide now...

[sparklecat]

I don't think people used my real name once :p

[Mr. Skinny]

That's really interesting folks! I was always curious as to what everyone would do IRL.

exarch.....calling me Skinny is fine with me, though Patricio and Wolverine seem to like my Senor Flaco name on Paltalk. Girl6 might be comfortable with Flaco also, dunno.

I try to remember first names, but it's easier for me to call Fidelio, LeFevre, buddyh, etc. by their screen names, even though I know their real first names.

I haven't been to either TAM :( , but large forum avatars on the "stinking badges" would be really helpful, I think.

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by sparklecat
I don't think people used my real name once :p Oh, this is embarassing...I know for a fact I did not use your real name...

I could not tell you your real name now for a million bucks.

And the worst part is, I really really liked you! You had a look in your eyes like you took in the entire room at once, got all the jokes, and kept them to yourself. What a cool look. I wish I could do that. But your name? How humiliating...I have no clue.

Sorry, sparklecat. Please don't take it the wrong way...

[MoeFaux]

I wanted everyone to call me Moe. And most everyone did.

I refered to everyone I could by their screen name. It's how I knew them. I believe with Phil, he wouldn't respond to his screen name and I had to use his real name, but I didn't like to do it.

AP commented how weird it was to hear someone use my real name.

I think "Moe" is just such a big part of who I am. It's the nickname I always wanted. And it's how you all know me, some of my best friends, calling me "Moe".

I had no problem with people using my real name, but, I just liked being called "Moe" better.

I called US "US".

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by MoeFaux

I had no problem with people using my real name, but, I just liked being called "Moe" better.
I don't really know why, but this makes me very happy.:D :p :D :p :D

[UnrepentantSinner]

Wow! I can't believe I got a mention in a thread. Of course mine is one of the more cumbersome IDs on the forum so it shouldn't surprise me. That's also why I insist people use US or USA to refer to me as it's just too damn uncomfortable listening to the extra 2-3 seconds it takes to say my ID vs. the abbreviation.

About the only people I addressed by their real names was Pirate_Lad, Wyvern and EvilYeti except for those who use their real names for IDs like Marc, Paul A., Larry B., Patricio, Peterb, Luciana, etc. When I was referring to others in conversation I almost exclusively used IDs except for Electric Monk who was "James... Electric Monk."

I was going to suggest that we have a "Real Name" thread along the lines of my "post your photo" thread but since no one except me and a few others posted their photos I figured no one would post their real names to acclimatize us to addressing them properly.

My name is Bret and I prefer to be called that over Mr. Cantwell or any other nickname or ID I've adopted but over the last 6 years of Net usage I have developed an almost instintive response to US or USA.

I refuse to be defined by my mustache or the lack thereof. I do want to thank those of you who noticed my sans 'stache photo and came up an introduced yourself to me though. I am glad Mr. Skinny didn't attend because I might have mistakenly given him a hug thinking he was Moe. ;)

[exarch]

Originally posted by sparklecat
I don't think people used my real name once :pI did :D

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by sparklecat
I don't think people used my real name once :p

You have a real name?

[exarch]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner
My name is Bret and I prefer to be called that over Mr. Cantwell or any other nickname or ID I've adopted but over the last 6 years of Net usage I have developed an almost instintive response to US or USA.Oh no, you mean your name is not alan Smithee?!! :eek::p

I prefered calling you US. And I had trouble finding you, even though I knew what you looked like. Patricio ended up pointing me in your direction, since he knew I'd been looking for you since the start of TAM.

And dangit, you forgot to kick my ass :p

[sparklecat]

Originally posted by Mercutio
Oh, this is embarassing...I know for a fact I did not use your real name...

I could not tell you your real name now for a million bucks.

And the worst part is, I really really liked you! You had a look in your eyes like you took in the entire room at once, got all the jokes, and kept them to yourself. What a cool look. I wish I could do that. But your name? How humiliating...I have no clue.

Sorry, sparklecat. Please don't take it the wrong way...

*smiles* Well, thank you... not sure what precisely you mean, but it seems to be a compliment at least. And no offense taken- like Moe, some people just call me Sparkle or Sparkie or Sparks anyway.


And yes, I have a real name :p It's Justine.

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by sparklecat


*smiles* Well, thank you... not sure what precisely you mean, but it seems to be a compliment at least. And no offense taken- like Moe, some people just call me Sparkle or Sparkie or Sparks anyway.


And yes, I have a real name :p It's Justine. Now that you say that, I know....you signed my skepchick T-shirt...(and thank you!)

As for not understanding precisely what I mean, that is par for the course with my posts. I meant only that you have intriguing eyes. I read into them, which may have been good or bad, what I did. My reading may have been useless, but the fact remains that you have memorable eyes. So, yes, a compliment--that is what was intended, if not delivered.

[Phil]

Originally posted by exarch
I can only remember a few people's real name, and much to my surprise, Phil is not called Phil IRL :con2: . . .
Unfortunately when I signed up as a forum member, my real name was already being used by someone else, so I chose the first common name that popped into my head as my handle.

I think the person who was using my real name has since resigned. Perhaps I should talk to the admins about changing all my posts to reflect my real name. Or I could just petition The Bad Astronomer about becoming an honorary "Phil", and keep it as it is.

What do you guys think?

[sparklecat]

Originally posted by Mercutio
Now that you say that, I know....you signed my skepchick T-shirt...(and thank you!)

As for not understanding precisely what I mean, that is par for the course with my posts. I meant only that you have intriguing eyes. I read into them, which may have been good or bad, what I did. My reading may have been useless, but the fact remains that you have memorable eyes. So, yes, a compliment--that is what was intended, if not delivered.

Then I do thank you :)

[UnrepentantSinner]

Phil, given how hilarious you are I suggest something Latin sounding like "Humorous Maximous" or something like that. Maybe in light of your looks (you f***er) it could be Adonnis Humorous. Hey wait a minute, you live in Houston. Perspirus Maximus might be applicable as well...

[Phil]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner
Phil, given how hilarious you are I suggest something Latin sounding like "Humorous Maximous" or something like that. Maybe in light of your looks (you f***er) it could be Adonnis Humorous. Hey wait a minute, you live in Houston. Perspirus Maximus might be applicable as well...
Talk about hilarious . . .

edit because I'm still laughing - - - Perspirus:D

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner
Wow! .......I am glad Mr. Skinny didn't attend because I might have mistakenly given him a hug thinking he was Moe. ;)
Hehe.......Moe does kinda look like she could be my daughter. In her pictures it looks like she has that kinda low-fat, no-ass, little-waist thing going on.

Then again, I spent more time looking at her face and hair (as I did with Girl 6's pics, come to think of it). The combination of Moe's glasses and braces just seems so.......right.

[exarch]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny
Hehe.......Moe does kinda look like she could be my daughter. In her pictures it looks like she has that kinda low-fat, no-ass, little-waist thing going on.

Then again, I spent more time looking at her face and hair (as I did with Girl 6's pics, come to think of it). The combination of Moe's glasses and braces just seems so.......right.No!! Moe can't be your daughter, 'cause that would make her my sister, and I can't have thoughts like that about my sister :D

[Doubt]

Originally posted by MoeFaux
I wanted everyone to call me Moe. And most everyone did.



The weird part for me here is I have a cousin Moe. Full name is Maureen. She now hates being called Moe, even though the entire huge extended family still calls here that.

Of course, we could give Moe a new nickname…….Ball Peen H……….

No, she would just laugh too much.