New to TAM, what did I get myself into....

[habu]

I have been debating internally about even creating this thread. After little thought and a ton of what-the-heck.. here goes.

I've mentioned in the rollcall that this will be my first TAM(really any major event beyond a SITP) and since my n00b status is fresh on this board there is much that is still unknown. I do have a fair understanding of convention settings in hand, but judging from the posts TAM is really different from the business convention/User Group meetings I am accustomed to. Other than perhaps one or two of people there is no one I know and being pretty shy walking up to someone chances are there might be a good deal that can be missed.

So my question is this, what did I get myself into :D What should I expect ?

What pointers, can the TAM vets give a noob like myself ?

Thanks, and if you haven't been able to tell, I am really excited to be able to go to TAM8 :cool:

[Chris H]

Feast your eyes on this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9upTLWRZTfw

[Chris H]

Sorry. I meant this...

http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=164889

[habu]

Very Cool... THANKS Chris!

[Chris H]

Very Cool... THANKS Chris!


Which one? ;)

[NoZed Avenger]

So my question is this, what did I get myself into :D What should I expect ?

What pointers, can the TAM vets give a noob like myself ?



Run. Run for your life as if the very hounds of Hell were chasing you, and you were smothering in BBQ sauce.


It's too late for me. I'll try to distract them.

Tell Mom . . . tell her I miss her.

[MLynn]

This will be my 6th TAM. The South Point is the same venue as last year and everything is self-contained: Rooms, conference room, Business Center (very handy), Food, casino, bowling, etc.

People come and go depending of what speakers/presentations they are most interested in. The schedule is so packed that you will not be bored. There will be books and a merchandise table there too.

I would encourage any new attendees to NOT be nervous, meet people and just enjoy yourself! A good ice breaker is attending the Thursday 5-7pm Welcome reception (if it's done again this year). Free food too.

Oh, bring extra money if you want to take a cab to the Strip - can be expensive, but then if it's split up in group travel, it's not so bad. :D

[Allecher]

Thanks for asking this, Habu! I am in a similar situation.

I read the whole thread that Chris H linked to and now I am hungry for something called Tim Tams.

[kittynh]

There is also going to be a forum welcome table, and buttons that let people know you are new. Ask any questions at the forum table, and there should be fun extra events posted... bowling, meeting up for dinner.. and really just find the BAR. We take over the BAR (near the ice cream, NY Deli, off track betting and slots). Then buy any women drinks (really it's required) and join in! Just sit down and enjoy.

[Dicon]

What pointers, can the TAM vets give a noob like myself ?


As long as you have your performance well rehearsed and you don't suffer any wardrobe malfunctions, you'll be fine. Just remember, the theme for this year's Newbie Initiation is "Showtunes from the 40s."

[SkepticScott]

A good ice breaker is attending the Thursday 5-7pm Welcome reception (if it's done again this year). Free food too.I've been told that yes, there will be a reception Thursday evening.Oh, bring extra money if you want to take a cab to the Strip - can be expensive, but then if it's split up in group travel, it's not so bad. :DThe bus is cheaper at $7 for a 24-hour pass, but much slower. Last year I was in Vegas for a couple days before TAM and I used the buses a lot.

[habu]

Very Cool... THANKS Chris!

Which one? ;)

Both actually :D

There is also going to be a forum welcome table, and buttons that let people know you are new. Ask any questions at the forum table, and there should be fun extra events posted... bowling, meeting up for dinner.. and really just find the BAR. We take over the BAR (near the ice cream, NY Deli, off track betting and slots). Then buy any women drinks (really it's required) and join in! Just sit down and enjoy.
Duly Noted... buttons, bar, buy drinks. That I can do.

As long as you have your performance well rehearsed and you don't suffer any wardrobe malfunctions, you'll be fine. Just remember, the theme for this year's Newbie Initiation is "Showtunes from the 40s."
I'm hosed.... ;)


Thanks for the tips and I'm heading off to the other thread to digest as much of it as I can.

[rustypouch]

Don't forget fun with Mr. Pinky.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Don't forget fun with Mr. Pinky.

That's a given.

[RSLancastr]

I'll reiterate one thing: Don't hesitate to walk up to any of the speakers (up to - and especially - James Randi) and speak with them. Also, be sure to give anyone in a motorized wheel chair a wide clear path. These things are heavy.

[Wowbagger]

I second the notion of not hesitating to speak with the speakers. Even the famous ones. TAM makes it a point of making them accessible to us hoi polloi.

[Miss_Kitt]

Welcome, welcome! A few years ago, I was new on the JREF forum, and going to my first TAM. And since then, it has become the guaranteed event of my year. You are going to have FUN, my friend!

First of all, do not hesitate to walk up to people and introduce yourself. Many of us (Forumites) will be wearing badges that have our avatars and Forum names on them, so you can recognize us. Heck, there are still people whose real world names I would not recognize on a bet...but I love dearly.

Do take a minute to talk to whomever you'd like to among the speakers, too. Or 'famous skeptics' that you see in the audience. I'm still kicking myself for not having breakfast with Joe Nickell when I had the chance--I had an attack of the 'shys' and just smiled instead of accepting the nod towards the seat by him. Now I realize that he--like about everyone you'll meet at TAM--is genuinely interested in meeting other people who share the worldview of wanting to know what's real, what's keen, and what's funny in the world.

Also, I highly recommend attending the talent show, which IIRC is being called a Ham Party this year. That's a complete hoot!

Looking forward to meeting, Miss_Kitt
aka, "that giraffe and sunset avatar person"

[RSLancastr]

I second the notion of not hesitating to speak with the speakers. Even the famous ones. TAM makes it a point of making them accessible to us hoi polloi.
I've wondered: is the sigular of hoi polloi, hous pollous?

[RSLancastr]

And, read a report of the coolest TAM experience ever in the history of TAMkind! (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=73353)

Actually, a list of my TAM expriences reads like some sort of A Skeptic's Progress:

TAMs 1,2 & 3: Couldn't afford to go.

TAM4: Sunday paper presenter on Stopping Kaz: One Skeptic's efforts to use the Internet to Stop a religious Charlatan

TAM5: interviews by New York Daily News, CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 show and Penn Jillette's radio show

TAM5.5: Speaker about Skepticism and Activism

TAM6: Spoke about StopSylvia & plans for upcoming Stop Sites

TAM7: Received Citizen Skeptic award

TAM8: (Watch this space)

What a ride!

[kmortis]

I'll reiterate one thing: Don't hesitate to walk up to any of the speakers (up to - and especially - James Randi) and speak with them. Also, be sure to give anyone in a motorized wheel chair a wide clear path. These things are heavy.
But Rob, that's why I wear steel toed shoes. :D

One caveat to Bob's real point. You're gonna be nervous. You're gonna be tounge tied. Go and chat with them anyway. My only TAM 7 regret is that I didn't chat with Phil more when I had the chance. From the "luminaries" I've heard from (mostly via podcasts) they understand that you're nervous, so you won't be that stupiud sounding.

Also, enjoy the little spontaneous moments tha occur. Last year some attendee brought the juggler's pins (they look like bowling pins, but jugglers use them), and he was juggling them in the hall between lectures. Penn and Michael Gudeau walked up and started juggling with him. It was fun.

[Allecher]

Thanks for the reinforcing words, everyone, but now I've got something else to be worried about. What if I strike up a conversation with some nice fellow and don't realize that it was someone famous until much later? :o

I would recognize James Randi, DJ, or Phil, but wow, some of the other names you have mentioned on the forums have me running for Google. I've got some faces to memorize!

[kmortis]

Thanks for the reinforcing words, everyone, but now I've got something else to be worried about. What if I strike up a conversation with some nice fellow and don't realize that it was someone famous until much later? :o

I would recognize James Randi, DJ, or Phil, but wow, some of the other names you have mentioned on the forums have me running for Google. I've got some faces to memorize!
Naa...just chat up everybody (except Scrut), and you'll do fine.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I've wondered: is the sigular of hoi polloi, hous pollous?

Ironically, we were discussing Hoi Polloi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoi_Polloi_(1935_film)) at the pub this evening.

[RSLancastr]

But Rob, that's why I wear steel toed shoes. :D

How strong?, between me and the chair, that's somewhere between 450-500 pounds!

One caveat to Bob's real point. You're gonna be nervous. You're gonna be tounge tied. Go and chat with them anyway. My only TAM 7 regret is that I didn't chat with Phil more when I had the chance. From the "luminaries" I've heard from (mostly via podcasts) they understand that you're nervous, so you won't be that stupiud sounding.

Wow, Philmore was there? I would have liked to have seen them! :D

Also, enjoy the little spontaneous moments tha occur. Last year some attendee brought the juggler's pins (they look like bowling pins, but jugglers use them), and he was juggling them in the hall between lectures. Penn and Michael Gudeau walked up and started juggling with him. It was fun.

There are definitely some fun and spontaneous moments in the hallways. And some aren't alcohol-fueled!

[kmortis]

How strong?, between me and the chair, that's somewhere between 450-500 pounds!
WEll, I once had a pallet of bottled water dropped on them. That's slightly over a ton. I think I got ya covered.


Wow, Philmore was there? I would have liked to have seen them! :D
Yeah, and Missers Bergman, Ossman and Proctor were lurking around the corner...carrying pliers.



There are definitely some fun and spontaneous moments in the hallways. And some aren't alcohol-fueled!
And always remember kids, to find the lecture halls, turn at the horse's ass.

[SkepticScott]

What if I strike up a conversation with some nice fellow and don't realize that it was someone famous until much later? :o

I would recognize James Randi, DJ, or Phil, but wow, some of the other names you have mentioned on the forums have me running for Google. I've got some faces to memorize!A covert glance at a person's name badge would help. :) Besides their name, look for a sticker or ribbon.


if they have a sticker, it's probably a forum avatar (see http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=170658)
speakers will have a ribbon reading "speaker" below their badge
Randi and DJ will have ribbons probably reading something like "founder" and "president"
Hal will have a "Master of Ceremonies" ribbon
volunteers will have "volunteer" ribbons
JREF staff will have "staff" ribbons

This is unofficial and I may be wrong, but we've always had the ribbons and I don't think we'll stop this year.

[kmortis]

A covert glance at a person's name badge would help. :) Besides their name, look for a sticker or ribbon.


if they have a sticker, it's probably a forum avatar (see http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=170658)
speakers will have a ribbon reading "speaker" below their badge
Randi and DJ will have ribbons probably reading something like "founder" and "president"
Hal will have a "Master of Ceremonies" ribbon
volunteers will have "volunteer" ribbons
JREF staff will have "staff" ribbons
This is unofficial and I may be wrong, but we've always had the ribbons and I don't think we'll stop this year.
You can also tell Hal by the number of people around him not laughing at his jokes.

[SkepticScott]

You can also tell Hal by the number of people around him not laughing at his jokes.He's also a source of innumerable puns and the person you want to announce anything important, as everyone who was at TAM1 knows.

[kmortis]

He's also a source of innumerable puns and the person you want to announce anything important, as everyone who was at TAM1 knows.
And, honestly, next to RSL hisself, Hal is probably the most approachable of the luminaries at TAM. He's also quite the interesting guy once you get him talking.

[CriticalThanking]

What if I strike up a conversation with some nice fellow and don't realize that it was someone famous until much later? :o
The first night of my first TAM (5?), I was wandering in the hallway and tried to listen in on a small group of TAMmers. One turned and grabbed me and used me as a prop while he performed a magic trick. I later found out it was Jamie Ian Swiss, whom I had never heard of before. :o The rest of the crowd was TKingDoll's (another forum old timer) crowd from the UK. Everyone was unbelievably friendly.

The more drinks I bought him, the friendlier Marquis de Carabas became.

CT

[rustypouch]

Thanks for the reinforcing words, everyone, but now I've got something else to be worried about. What if I strike up a conversation with some nice fellow and don't realize that it was someone famous until much later? :o

I would recognize James Randi, DJ, or Phil, but wow, some of the other names you have mentioned on the forums have me running for Google. I've got some faces to memorize!

Why is that a worry?

So you're friendly to some C-list celebrity and don't know who they are. Meh. I am sure they like booze and goats.

[Gilmar]

The celebs are often there to be with like-minded people as well. As much as it's a value to us, it is to them too. They're pretty approachable.

[Cuddles]

What if I strike up a conversation with some nice fellow and don't realize that it was someone famous until much later?

Don't worry, as long as you can recognise Phil, you can recognise most skeptics. They all look pretty much the same.

I later found out it was Jamie Ian Swiss, whom I had never heard of before.

I still haven't heard of him.

[DocM]

You may joke about this, but at TAM London that was a major source of confusion. I just asked Phil and Richard Wiseman to sign "Death from the Skies" and "Quirkology" both, since that seemed a bit less embarrassing than asking them who they were. Well, less embarrassing for me...

[NoZed Avenger]

The more drinks I bought him, the friendlier Marquis de Carabas became.


Dear Lord. What did the clinic say?

[Wowbagger]

You may joke about this, but at TAM London that was a major source of confusion. I just asked Phil and Richard Wiseman to sign "Death from the Skies" and "Quirkology" both, since that seemed a bit less embarrassing than asking them who they were. Well, less embarrassing for me...Here's one possible way to tell the difference between Richard Wiseman and Phil Plait.

If he's chatting with Rebecca, chances are, it is Phil.

If he's chatting with Teek, chances are, it is Richard.

This rule is not perfect. There are exceptions. But, it's just one thing to keep in mind, when trying to sort them out.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Here's one possible way to tell the difference between Richard Wiseman and Phil Plait.

If he's chatting with Rebecca, chances are, it is Phil.

If he's chatting with Teek, chances are, it is Richard.

This rule is not perfect. There are exceptions. But, it's just one thing to keep in mind, when trying to sort them out.

Or, the one speaking with a British accent is Richard. The American is Phil.

[DocM]

Well, after seeing the interview Rebecca did with Richard I wouldn't be surprised if he stopped talking to her.

[CriticalThanking]

I still haven't heard of him.Oops. Jamy Ian Swiss (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamy_Ian_Swiss) is a specialist in close up magic and is a long time skeptic. In addition to the references listed there, he is the founder of the Capital City Skeptics and a regular on DJ Grothe's For Good Reason podcast. He is a friend of Randi and has spoken at a TAM or two. He was master of ceremonies at NECCS (http://www.necsscon.org/) last week.

CT

[MLynn]

And, read a report of the coolest TAM experience ever in the history of TAMkind! (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=73353)

Actually, a list of my TAM expriences reads like some sort of A Skeptic's Progress:

TAMs 1,2 & 3: Couldn't afford to go.

TAM4: Sunday paper presenter on Stopping Kaz: One Skeptic's efforts to use the Internet to Stop a religious Charlatan

TAM5: interviews by New York Daily News, CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 show and Penn Jillette's radio show

TAM5.5: Speaker about Skepticism and Activism

TAM6: Spoke about StopSylvia & plans for upcoming Stop Sites

TAM7: Received Citizen Skeptic award

TAM8: (Watch this space)

What a ride!
Yay, Robert! It will be good to see you again!

[SkepticScott]

If he's chatting with Rebecca, chances are, it is Phil.

If he's chatting with Teek, chances are, it is Richard.It also assumes that the person knows what Rebecca and Teek look like. :)

[Dicon]

If he's chatting with Rebecca, chances are, it is Phil.

If he's chatting with Teek, chances are, it is Richard.



It also assumes that the person knows what Rebecca and Teek look like. :)


If she's chatting with Phil, chances are, it is Rebecca.

If she's chatting with Richard, chances are, it is Teek.

Problem solved.

[Wowbagger]

It also assumes that the person knows what Rebecca and Teek look like. :)At least they look different from each other.

[Dicon]

Phil will be the one wearing the purple shirt.

Richard will be the one wearing the purple shirt.

[JamyeJ]

I went to TAM last year without knowing anyone. I had listened to podcasts for several years and had seen pictures from previous TAMs but I was completely alone.

I flew into Vegas and took the shuttle to the hotel. During checkin, I was right behind Derek from Skepticality and I recognized his voice and went to shake his hand and say how much I enjoyed his work. He was very nice and talked to me for a bit and told me a little about what to expect.

I joined the twitter group on my iPhone and immediately saw that many groups were forming up to go to dinner, go out for drinks, and there were open invitations to anyone who wanted to go. I went down to the hotel bar for drinks and found dozens and dozens of folks in groups large and small, all very welcoming and inviting.

Within hours I had met most of the podcasters I listened to every day, and had talked to Phil Plait about Santa Claus and had chided Rich Orman for his portrayal of people with southern accents, and had bought a beer for Brian Dunning. I got to hug Penn and Teller and James Randi himself, and everyone I met was very nice and I left having made dozens of close friends that I maintain contact with regularly.

I made a friend that went to the Bodies Exhibit with me, and took me to the Penn and Teller show, and another who tooled around the strip with me a bit after most other folks had gone home, and had friends in the pool at the Skepchick party.

TAM was without a doubt one of the most fantastic convention experiences in my life, and I've been going to conventions since I was young.

I went in alone, with no support structure or knowledge of what I was getting myself into, and scared. I left physically exhausted, mentally refreshed, and with dozens more friends. It was, not to sound cliche... AMAZING. :)

[DocM]

Wow. Shouldn't that be marked as Advertisement? ;)

And if may own experiences don't live up to that, can I sue?

[JamyeJ]

I don't mean to sound advertiz-y at all, just wanted to share my personal experience.

I went on scholarship last year, as a teacher it's hard for me to afford a trip like this, so I was bound and determined to get the most out of it that I could.

IF you are willing to get out there and introduce yourself to people, you will find plenty of friendly people to meet. I have very few social inhibitions, so it was probably a bit easier for me to get out there and talk to people.

Your experience may vary, but I would be very surprised if you'd be asking for your money back by the end of the convention.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Look, it's really simple. Just come to the official TAM bar and talk to people. Butt right in, sit down, and start talking. It's the bar, baby.

~~ Paul

[Horatius]

Look, it's really simple. Just come to the official TAM bar and talk to people. Butt right in, sit down, and start talking. It's the bar, baby.

~~ Paul



Exactly. Listen for a bit, then say, either "I agree!" or "I disagree!" as appropriate, then get ready for the onslaught...FUN!

[DocM]

I don't mean to sound advertiz-y at all, just wanted to share my personal experience.

Hey, I was kidding. I'll be there, it will be the first time for me, I'm very curious, and if it doesn't blow my mind, I know that I'll be the one to blame. Though I can assure everybody that it will be because of a lack of proximity to bars. (Just don't let me stand close to George Hrab or other people who don't drink. They will remember what I said even when I don't...)

[kmortis]

I went to TAM last year without knowing anyone. I had listened to podcasts for several years and had seen pictures from previous TAMs but I was completely alone.

I flew into Vegas and took the shuttle to the hotel. During checkin, I was right behind Derek from Skepticality and I recognized his voice and went to shake his hand and say how much I enjoyed his work. He was very nice and talked to me for a bit and told me a little about what to expect.

I joined the twitter group on my iPhone and immediately saw that many groups were forming up to go to dinner, go out for drinks, and there were open invitations to anyone who wanted to go. I went down to the hotel bar for drinks and found dozens and dozens of folks in groups large and small, all very welcoming and inviting.

Within hours I had met most of the podcasters I listened to every day, and had talked to Phil Plait about Santa Claus and had chided Rich Orman for his portrayal of people with southern accents, and had bought a beer for Brian Dunning. I got to hug Penn and Teller and James Randi himself, and everyone I met was very nice and I left having made dozens of close friends that I maintain contact with regularly.

I made a friend that went to the Bodies Exhibit with me, and took me to the Penn and Teller show, and another who tooled around the strip with me a bit after most other folks had gone home, and had friends in the pool at the Skepchick party.

TAM was without a doubt one of the most fantastic convention experiences in my life, and I've been going to conventions since I was young.

I went in alone, with no support structure or knowledge of what I was getting myself into, and scared. I left physically exhausted, mentally refreshed, and with dozens more friends. It was, not to sound cliche... AMAZING. :)
You forgot to add that you managed to lay the ground work to scam, um...I mean convince Rich to add you as a co-host to the DFA podcast as the Education Expert. (good job on the 'cast, BTW)

[DocM]

Oh, you're THAT Jamie. :)

Hope you are better, by the way.

M.

[JamyeJ]

Yep, guilty as charged, I'm *that* Jamye. The one that's actually a lady, or so our reviewer claims.

In my defense, I had no idea at the time that Rich was looking for another co-host. After finding out that I had my own podcast, he asked if I was interested and I was very enthusiastic about giving it a try. I still manage to squeeze :crowded: in an episode when my busy teaching schedule (and health) permit.

And thanks, I am feeling much better, and have almost fully recovered from my stay in the hospital.

[DocM]

Glad to hear that, Jamye. (<- See? I got it right this time.)

[Disclaimer: I have not yet appeared nor do I want to appear in any podcast. (I don't even have a skeptical blog.) Nevertheless, I bet that I can do a better German accent than Rich Orman.]

[kmortis]

Glad to hear that, Jamye. (<- See? I got it right this time.)

[Disclaimer: I have not yet appeared nor do I want to appear in any podcast. (I don't even have a skeptical blog.) Nevertheless, I bet that I can do a better German accent than Rich Orman.]
I can do better accents than Rich, and I'm willing to be DFA's Official Engineering Consultanttm. Hell, I have the face for radio.


And Jayme, you do a good job when you're on, although Flynn is still my fav.

[Cuddles]

You may joke about this, but at TAM London that was a major source of confusion. I just asked Phil and Richard Wiseman to sign "Death from the Skies" and "Quirkology" both, since that seemed a bit less embarrassing than asking them who they were. Well, less embarrassing for me...

I wasn't joking, I look like them as well. It was nice of you to ask me to sign your book though. :)

[DocM]

Better safe than sorry, you know?

This time I'll just let everybody sign my iPad...

[Disclaimer! Important!: No, I won't! Anybody who touches my iPad with a pen will be able to sell the movie rights of what follows to Quentin Tarantino!]

[kmortis]

Better safe than sorry, you know?

This time I'll just let everybody sign my iPad...

[Disclaimer! Important!: No, I won't! Anybody who touches my iPad with a pen will be able to sell the movie rights of what follows to Quentin Tarantino!]
What if we used WhiteOut instead?

[Wowbagger]

Anybody who touches my iPad with a pen will be able to sell the movie rights of what follows to Quentin Tarantino!What if we were looking for something to sell to Quentin Tarantino?

[DocM]

What if we were looking for something to sell to Quentin Tarantino?

Much as I like watching his movies, I wouldn't want to live in one. But that may be just me...

As a compromise: I'll just put the iPad in a ziplock bag and you can all write on the bag? Once it has been established that writing on the bag is the thing to do, I'll remove the iPad and we can all enjoy TAM.

[kmortis]

Much as I like watching his movies, I wouldn't want to live in one. But that may be just me...

As a compromise: I'll just put the iPad in a ziplock bag and you can all write on the bag? Once it has been established that writing on the bag is the thing to do, I'll remove the iPad and we can all enjoy TAM.
And THEN we can write on the iPad?

[hcmom]

The more drinks I bought him, the friendlier Marquis de Carabas became.

CT

So that's where poor Kate went wrong, she bought MdeC one too many drink?

[Horatius]

So that's where poor Kate went wrong, she bought MdeC one too many drink?


Let's be honest here, it doesn't take that much.....

[saganite]

I went to TAM last year without knowing anyone. I had listened to podcasts for several years and had seen pictures from previous TAMs but I was completely alone.

I flew into Vegas and took the shuttle to the hotel. During checkin, I was right behind Derek from Skepticality and I recognized his voice and went to shake his hand and say how much I enjoyed his work. He was very nice and talked to me for a bit and told me a little about what to expect.

I joined the twitter group on my iPhone and immediately saw that many groups were forming up to go to dinner, go out for drinks, and there were open invitations to anyone who wanted to go. I went down to the hotel bar for drinks and found dozens and dozens of folks in groups large and small, all very welcoming and inviting.

Within hours I had met most of the podcasters I listened to every day, and had talked to Phil Plait about Santa Claus and had chided Rich Orman for his portrayal of people with southern accents, and had bought a beer for Brian Dunning. I got to hug Penn and Teller and James Randi himself, and everyone I met was very nice and I left having made dozens of close friends that I maintain contact with regularly.

I made a friend that went to the Bodies Exhibit with me, and took me to the Penn and Teller show, and another who tooled around the strip with me a bit after most other folks had gone home, and had friends in the pool at the Skepchick party.

TAM was without a doubt one of the most fantastic convention experiences in my life, and I've been going to conventions since I was young.

I went in alone, with no support structure or knowledge of what I was getting myself into, and scared. I left physically exhausted, mentally refreshed, and with dozens more friends. It was, not to sound cliche... AMAZING. :)

Don't you just love when that happens? It's why I've been going back to TAM every year without fail since ye olde TAM5.

[LilaMae]

So my question is this, what did I get myself into :D What should I expect ?

What pointers, can the TAM vets give a noob like myself ?



1.Fly in a day early.

2.Don't get sick and end up missing the first day and a half of TAM praying for death in your hotel room.

3.Have an iPhone with which to follow the TAM Twitter feed so you can know what social happenings are going on every minute of every day in every possible place [where there's booze]. You can also sync up to the various TAM apps the techno-geniuses will create out of thin air.

4.And finally...these are the last people in the world you should be nervous about approaching. They are truly the most kind, egalitarian, non-judgmental and intelligent group of people you could ask to be around. There are a few....shall we say...socially impaired types. Just be friendly and try not to upset them with loud noises or sudden movements.

[rustypouch]

Don't you just love when that happens? It's why I've been going back to TAM every year without fail since ye olde TAM5.

And I thought it was because of me... sigh.

[arthwollipot]

Seriously - this can't be emphasised enough - just walk up and talk to people. Yes, I know if you're shy this can be hard. But the only way to meet people is to... meet people. Walk up, say "Hi, I'm habu from the forum" and let it go from there. Ya gotta do it. Ya just gotta.

[DocM]

Hm, won't that be terribly confusing when we have 20 people claiming to be habu from the forum? Not that I mind, that will make it a lot easier to shift the blame to somebody else. (I generally find it easier to find cocktails than finding somebody else to blame for what follows. But I firmly believe that this should not result in a change of my drinking habits.)

OK, seriously: Arth is right. All of the people I talked to at TAM London were extremely nice and approachable. I could still kick myself in the head for not telling Tim Farley what a great job he is doing, but I was still in the process of thinking "Oh great Cthulhu, I know all of these people. They're famous!" and that I simply could not contribute anything sensible to a discussion with them. That was pretty stupid. As I found out, even the best-known skeptics are happy when you talk to them and tell them that you enjoy their work. After all, they're surely not doing this for the money.

[arthwollipot]

As an alternative...

Start a podcast. Email Bart to arrange interview times. Get a "press" badge on your convention pass.

That's how I got to talk with Adam Savage, Joe Nickell, Rebecca Watson, George Hrab...

[habu]

1.Fly in a day early.

2.Don't get sick and end up missing the first day and a half of TAM praying for death in your hotel room.

3.Have an iPhone with which to follow the TAM Twitter feed so you can know what social happenings are going on every minute of every day in every possible place [where there's booze]. You can also sync up to the various TAM apps the techno-geniuses will create out of thin air.

4.And finally...these are the last people in the world you should be nervous about approaching. They are truly the most kind, egalitarian, non-judgmental and intelligent group of people you could ask to be around. There are a few....shall we say...socially impaired types. Just be friendly and try not to upset them with loud noises or sudden movements.

Driving in a day early from LA.... that part is covered. Hopefully should meet some folks volunteering. Hopefully won't be sick, been there before at Vegas... two day hangover, it sux. Those stupid machines and the accompanying lights have no sympathy... ahem
Have iPhone. Learning to just speak up, buy drinks and don't be shy.


Hm, won't that be terribly confusing when we have 20 people claiming to be habu from the forum? Not that I mind, that will make it a lot easier to shift the blame to somebody else. (I generally find it easier to find cocktails than finding somebody else to blame for what follows. But I firmly believe that this should not result in a change of my drinking habits.)

OK, seriously: Arth is right. All of the people I talked to at TAM London were extremely nice and approachable. I could still kick myself in the head for not telling Tim Farley what a great job he is doing, but I was still in the process of thinking "Oh great Cthulhu, I know all of these people. They're famous!" and that I simply could not contribute anything sensible to a discussion with them. That was pretty stupid. As I found out, even the best-known skeptics are happy when you talk to them and tell them that you enjoy their work. After all, they're surely not doing this for the money.

Crap... there's 19 more of me ?? :eek: No matter how much they look like I'm the real one, really and not the future version of me either, so make sure you shoot the right one, OK ?

[SkepticScott]

5. Check out the Forum table. KittyNH is running it and she is one of the sweetest, nicest people I know.

[Sc00ter]

5. Check out the Forum table. KittyNH is running it and she is one of the sweetest, nicest people I know.

You should hang out with her on her home turf.. OOHHH BOY..

;)

[kmortis]

Seriously - this can't be emphasised enough - just walk up and talk to people. Yes, I know if you're shy this can be hard. But the only way to meet people is to... meet people. Walk up, say "Hi, I'm habu from the forum" and let it go from there. Ya gotta do it. Ya just gotta.
My first night at TAM7, I walked in to the Del Mar, not having met anyone in the flesh aside a handful of people (of which only two were at that TAM - KittyNH and Jeff Wagg). I looked around and saw Wowbagger and Horatio sitting next to each other, walked up and said "Hi, I'm kmortis". They didn't kill me or ever run away screaming in terror, so I assume that we got a long. I was a bit put out when Wowbagger didn't insult me though...:p

[kmortis]

You should hang out with her on her home turf.. OOHHH BOY..

;)
Or at Larry's house-in-the-woods-that-he-built-hisself.:)

[Horatius]

I looked around and saw Wowbagger and Horatio sitting next to each other, walked up and said "Hi, I'm kmortis". They didn't kill me or ever run away screaming in terror,



But in my defense, I did consider it!


I'll leave it vague as to which "it" I'm referring....:D

[Yogzotot]

Mhm, interesting challenge for TAM9 - lose weight and hair, grow a beard, buy a purple shirt. Presto - evil triplet! Phil and Richard may be well confused...

[DocM]

Hey, I already got a kinda sorta beard and a real life purple shirt!

[Yogzotot]

I don't think you want to do the hair thing, though...

[k-ho]

I am a first timer too, and I'm about to register. Is it totally lame to only go Friday and Saturday? I kind of feel like that's what I want to do, but I don't want to miss out if the dinner on Thursday is totally awesome. What is the deal with Sunday too?

[SkepticScott]

Is it totally lame to only go Friday and Saturday?No, it's not. Attend as much or as little as you like.
I kind of feel like that's what I want to do, but I don't want to miss out if the dinner on Thursday is totally awesome.The reception is a great place to socialize and meet several hundred fellow skeptics. Many of the speakers will be there, so there's a chance to meet them. There's also The Great Tomsoni and Company show that evening, which should be fantastic.
What is the deal with Sunday too?There are the paper presentations if you're interested in the more academic side of things. Robert S. Lancaster presented a paper several TAMs ago and look at what he's done since. I don't know anything about the challenge event on the schedule yet. I'm sure Alison will have an update soon. Financially, if you're a JREF member, the fee for all days is only $25 more than Friday and Saturday only.

If you do attend only Friday and Saturday, try to meet some people and do something together outside of TAM. Join a different group for lunch each day. That way, when you come back for TAM9, you'll get the full "how have you been and what have you been doing for the last year?" experience as you see all these people again. :) Most of the my fun at TAM is seeing so many people that I only see once a year.

[Sc00ter]

There are the paper presentations if you're interested in the more academic side of things. Robert S. Lancaster presented a paper several TAMs ago and look at what he's done since. I don't know anything about the challenge event on the schedule yet. I'm sure Alison will have an update soon.

There's also workshops on Sunday this year.

[Kil]

So, this will be my fifth TAM. Should I now start worrying that I don't do the twitter thing?

Why does everyone run when they see me? Does my Skeptic Friends Network t-shirt offend? How come I can't get a roommate? What did I ever do to you guys?

SLAP!!! Okay, I'm over it... Whew...

[Kil]

Okay, see, the above was a joke. I have had nothing but good experiences at TAM. The JREF forum members have been great...

[k-ho]

ok update, i'm going for the whole shebang! very excited now. and i may be able to rope my boyfriend in, he seems interested.

[bumlet5]

This will officially be my second TAM, but I skipped a year so it kind of feels like my first, since I've been out of the loop awhile.

[SkepticScott]

k-ho & bumlet5, it'll be good to see you at your first, or virtual first, TAMs.

[k-ho]

wow, our names together just don't sound right do they?:D

[bumlet5]

Maybe reversed? Bumlet5 and K-ho? A little bit better, but not much.

[NoZed Avenger]

wow, our names together just don't sound right do they?:D

Maybe reversed? Bumlet5 and K-ho? A little bit better, but not much.

Nice band name, though: K-ho and the Bumlet5

[k-ho]

yes, a band that would be in a tarantino movie!

[bumlet5]

I have to warn you. I don't sing, but I do play a mean Triangle.

[rustypouch]

I have to warn you. I don't sing, but I do play a mean Triangle.

Why a mean one? Can't it be a nice, happy triangle?

[bumlet5]

Why a mean one? Can't it be a nice, happy triangle?

I can do a nice happy triangle as well, but I like the mean triangle better.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I have to warn you. I don't sing, but I do play a mean Triangle.

Are you Ed Grimley?

[bumlet5]

Are you Ed Grimley?

I should have been. I have the hair for it.

[saganite]

ok update, i'm going for the whole shebang! very excited now. and i may be able to rope my boyfriend in, he seems interested.

I am shocked, SHOCKED, that none of the guys on here have strongly suggested that you leave your boyfriend at home. At any rate, hooray for more women at TAM.

[SkepticScott]

I am shocked, SHOCKED, that none of the guys on here have strongly suggested that you leave your boyfriend at home.I can't disappoint Saganite, so I'll be the first to strongly suggest that you leave your boyfriend at home.At any rate, hooray for more women at TAM.Ditto. :D

[k-ho]

what is this, TAM Hedonism edition?

[JamyeJ]

Are you saying that last year wasn't? :)

[DrKarlKid]

I dont Know wether anyone has asked this yet but like JamyeJ i am a newb to TAM but the one in Australia has anyone got any hints/helps/hello/hetcetera

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I dont Know wether anyone has asked this yet but like JamyeJ i am a newb to TAM but the one in Australia has anyone got any hints/helps/hello/hetcetera

Could you rephrase that in English?

[DrKarlKid]

Could you rephrase that in English?
Apologies trying to be funny obviously does not work for me. what i tried to say is that i will be a first timer at TAM Australia later this year and was wondering whether there was anyone who has been to TAM Australia before and can give me the low down.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Apologies trying to be funny obviously does not work for me. what i tried to say is that i will be a first timer at TAM Australia later this year and was wondering whether there was anyone who has been to TAM Australia before and can give me the low down.

No one has ever been to TAM Australia.

[DrKarlKid]

No one has ever been to TAM Australia.
Ha made an arse of myself again. did not realise this year is going to be the first:D

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Ha made an arse of myself again. did not realise this year is going to be the first:D

You can expect that the Foster's will be flowing!

[DrKarlKid]

You can expect that the Foster's will be flowing!
Ha i love it when everyone thinks Aussies drink fosters it makes me remember those terrible ads with Paul Hogan, I personally have not seen a fosters bottle for many years. but your right i am sure the beer will be flowing.:D

[Wowbagger]

i am sure the beer will be flowing.:DAs will the Tim-Tams...

[DrKarlKid]

As will the Tim-Tams...
Thats a new wqau to enjoy your tim tams. melted, through a straw

[SkepticScott]

DrKarlKid,
I expect the first TAM in AU will be a lot like the TAMs in the US: lots of after-hours get-togethers, you'll sit at tables of total strangers during lunch (who become good friends by the end of lunch), and we'll all promise to be back in 2011.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Ha i love it when everyone thinks Aussies drink fosters it makes me remember those terrible ads with Paul Hogan, I personally have not seen a fosters bottle for many years. but your right i am sure the beer will be flowing.:D

Why do you guys deny it? We know you all drink it.

[Wowbagger]

Thats a new wqau to enjoy your tim tams. melted, through a strawNo, we use the Tim-Tams as a straw…

Why do you guys deny it? We know you all drink it.Dude.... I might not drink beer, myself. But, even I know that's not funny! You're basically accusing all Australians of exceptionally bad judgment and taste.

[saxonthebeach]

This will be my first TAM and I'm really nervous. I don't have much of a web presence, and by not much I mean pretty much none. I don't tweet, or twoot, or whatever the hell it is, and I made a Facebook account and promptly forgot my login and password and said to hell with it.

I've always been a Skeptic though, even before I knew what that was (same old story, really) and I've wanted to go to TAM for years but couldn't afford it. This year I'm going and I'm kinda freaked about it. What do i wear? What do I say? What if mix up Phil Plait and that other guy looks like Phil Plait :o ? What if I get drunk and start singing comedy songs by the Arrogant Worms or Jonathan Coulton? What if I pass out when I meet James Randi?? What if I don't make enough posts to get a cool avatar?

Aaaaahhhh!! *rocks back and forth, humming quietly to myself*

[habu]

I know how you feel. I'm on facebook, but really none of the other 'social media' and I don't post here enough to get a kewl avatar... other than that no real web presence. Unless you count some car forums.

Oh the other guy that looks like Phil is George Hrab... I think. While I too am nervous, it's going to be a great time no matter what happens and with a smidgen(technical term) of luck I'll make some good friends who share the same mindset.

[DocM]

Calm down everybody. Deep breaths. Now repeat with me: Every slim middle aged man with glasses and a tendency to hide hair loss by having really short hair looks like Phil Plait. (Hm, funnily, that definition does include George Hrab, who looks nothing like Phil Plait. At least until Phil Plait works out a lot more and gets some snappy suits.)

To get an avatar, you need only 50 posts, which can be done pretty quickly in the humor section without anybody complaining.

I have also never been to a TAM in Vegas, but here's my solemn promise: If I hear anybody drunkenly singing comedy songs and that person wears a "1st TAMmer" button, I will be the first one to applaud. Or throw peanuts. Whatever seems appropriate to take the embarrassment out of the moment and the resulting YouTube video.

[Wowbagger]

If you wear a 1st TAMer button (available at some table during the conference), we will go easy on you. We know you are nervous, and a newbie, so if you start singing "Miracles" by ICP, you could be forgiven, at least more-so than a TAM veteran who should know better.

I don't see Richard Wiseman's name on the list of guests, so it looks like there is no chance of anyone getting him confused with Phil Plait, this year. I doubt you'll really get Hrab and Pait confused. They both have a very different demeanor, in spite of the bald heads.

[arthwollipot]

I didn't get a 1st TAMer button last year!

[Horatius]

What do i wear?

Funny T-shirts are all the rage.

What do I say?

Whatever you say, end every sentence with "...but I doubt it!" and you'll be fine.


What if mix up Phil Plait and that other guy looks like Phil Plait :o ?


Join our club; we have funny t-shirts.

What if I get drunk and start singing comedy songs by the Arrogant Worms or Jonathan Coulton?

We'll beat you severely about the head and neck. Or join in. 50/50 shot on that.

What if I pass out when I meet James Randi??


Make sure you don't fall on him. He's a little guy, don't ya know!


What if I don't make enough posts to get a cool avatar?


Post more.

Aaaaahhhh!! *rocks back and forth, humming quietly to myself*



....yeah, you'll fit in.

[bumlet5]

so if you start singing "Miracles" by ICP, you could be forgiven

Does singing it mockingly count? What about the SNL version?

[ejk]

What if I get drunk and start singing comedy songs by the Arrogant Worms or Jonathan Coulton?

They'll make you part of the talent show.

[SkepticScott]

I didn't get a 1st TAMer button last year!Probably because there were no "First TAMmer" buttons last year! :)

[Wowbagger]

Does singing it mockingly count? What about the SNL version?Depends on the context.

And, it depends on how much you tolerate the people who will try to explain to you how magnets work.

[habu]

do you get points for singing, drunkenly, with the ICP make-up ??

'cause it is Vegas ya know.

[paperskater]

Soooooo excited!

[Wowbagger]

do you get points for singing, drunkenly, with the ICP make-up ??Perhaps more-so at Rebecca's party, than anywhere else!

[habu]

Even better I got tix for that shindig too :eye-poppi :eye-poppi

[saganite]

This year I'm going and I'm kinda freaked about it. What do i wear? What do I say? What if mix up Phil Plait and that other guy looks like Phil Plait :o ?

Allow me to share a story with you. Phil and I became friendly when we both posed for Skepchick calendars the same year. I was all a-twitter that HE would deign to speak to someone like me -- remember my name, no less!

So when my monthly issue of Skeptic Magazine showed up and he was on the cover, I wasted no time dropping him an email congratulating him on it. He emailed back and...well, you can probably guess what he said.

"Thank you very much for the kind email, but the fact that I made the cover of Skeptic is news to me." Turns out the guy being profiled was...duh...Richard Wiseman.

I was mortified and apologized a hundred times (like really, if I'd just bothered to READ the article, or even the copy on the cover of the magazine, I'd have sorted out the mix-up), but Phil couldn't have been cooler. Amazingly, it did nothing to tarnish our friendship. So...I guess if there's a moral to this story, besides the fact that I am incredibly blonde sometimes, it's that Phil has a very good sense of humor about being mistaken for other people -- something that's a recurring theme at TAM, by the way. The only thing that has changed, apparently, is that the Richard Wiseman jokes have given way to George Hrab jokes.

[Miss_Kitt]

It's like the jokes about Hal being unfunny or boring. Hal is one of the classiest, funniest, most charming gentlemen I have ever met. He is friendly, smart, able to multitask, and has what I can only call a nobility of character that stands out even at TAM.

Just insert yourself into any hallway conversation, make it a point to talk to people at the reception and at meal time, and remember that part of the skeptic worldview is recognizing that "experts" are only to be given more weight than the general public in their area of expertise. You have as much right to put in your opinion (and why your hold it) to Randi on, say, What should we do about the near-Earth asteroid project in a time of severe national debt as he has to give you his. On whether or not certain things can be done by sleight of hand, his word carries more weight.

Okay, now I'm getting really psyched! See y'all soon, MK

[Chris H]

"Thank you very much for the kind email, but the fact that I made the cover of Skeptic is news to me." Turns out the guy being profiled was...duh...Richard Wiseman.



Had a tweet from Mr Wiseman a couple of days ago confirming that he won't be coming to TAM Vegas this year, so Phil should be safe in regards to mix ups this year. :-)

[Horatius]

Had a tweet from Mr Wiseman a couple of days ago confirming that he won't be coming to TAM Vegas this year, so Phil should be safe in regards to mix ups this year. :-)




Well, unintentional mix-ups, at least.

[saxonthebeach]

Had a tweet from Mr Wiseman a couple of days ago confirming that he won't be coming to TAM Vegas this year, so Phil should be safe in regards to mix ups this year. :-)

Whew, that's a load off my mind. Now to study photos of George Hrab...
Wait, he looks *nothing* like Phil Plait!

Well maybe a little. Around the skullular region ;-)

[UnrepentantSinner]

Post to the forum, especially in this section. That way people will know you. You might also wish to post a photo of yourself so people will have an easier time recognizing you (though that didn't work so well for me at TAM 1).

[kmortis]

1) If you hang around Toby long enough, you will meet all of the forumites and most of the other attendees.
2) Buy Geo Hrab a diet coke (he's easy to spot, he's the best dressed man in the room)
3) Compliment Rich Orman (aka TsarBomba) on his well done accents

[DocM]

3) Compliment Rich Orman (aka TsarBomba) on his well done accents

Forget it. He announced to call the police if I dared talk to him...

I may have to resort to throwing peanuts from a safe distance.

[Wowbagger]

You might also wish to post a photo of yourself so people will have an easier time recognizing youDidn't someone start a thread for this, at some point?

[UnrepentantSinner]

Didn't someone start a thread for this, at some point?

Don't know. I used to start one in the past but haven't in a while.

[k-ho]

Perhaps more-so at Rebecca's party, than anywhere else!
yes!