Idea for TAMI IV [Archive]

The Bad Astronomer

18th June 2005, 04:53 PM

Yeah, yeah, I know time is already booked up. So maybe this should be informal, then... but I'd love to get some folks together to go to the Star Trek Experience at some point. I have not yet seen it, and I want to.

And I will do everything I can to get Murray Gell-Mann to come along as well. I cannot even imagine how cool it would be to buy him a drink at Quark's bar... :D

Disco

18th June 2005, 05:01 PM

TAMI IV, is that like Jennifer eight?

MHB (5)

Zep

18th June 2005, 05:23 PM

Drinking games on Star Trek?

Kiless

18th June 2005, 06:18 PM

We went there for TAM3. It was fun, but like most things, a tourist trap so bring money. Brought a shirt for a friend, with a Hello-Kitty style Dr Spock on the front. :)

I had a delicious non-alcoholic 'Data's Day' but I'd suggest the Warp Core Breach drink, as when it was served it does that cool fog waterfall effect because it contains dry ice. :)

Jeff Wagg

19th June 2005, 07:43 PM

Originally posted by The Bad Astronomer
Yeah, yeah, I know time is already booked up. So maybe this should be informal, then... but I'd love to get some folks together to go to the Star Trek Experience at some point. I have not yet seen it, and I want to.

And I will do everything I can to get Murray Gell-Mann to come along as well. I cannot even imagine how cool it would be to buy him a drink at Quark's bar... :D

I'd be happy to go to Star Trek at the Hilton with you, with or without Gell-Mann. With would be better though. I'll have a car, and I'll be out there from Tuesday to Monday.

kittynh

20th June 2005, 01:05 PM

I'll go!!!

I'm pretty old school Star Treck, like I'd like to buy a tribble....

A Hello Kitty style star treck shirt! I'm there!!!

Larry Barrieau

20th June 2005, 07:26 PM

I enjoyed talking to you at TAM I, II, and III, so that's enough of a draw. I liked the first Star Trek but didn't pay much attention after that.

Jeff Wagg

20th June 2005, 07:41 PM

I'm still game for going, but I have to warn those of you who've never been there..it's way overpriced.

And I had one of the saddest moments of my life there. It was early, and I was the only one around. I overhead one employee tell another: "Man, when I came here I loved Star Trek. I was a complete Trekker. Now I hate this ****. This place stole my dreams."

<sniff>

SpaceFluffer

20th June 2005, 08:55 PM

Holy flurking schnitt, how cool would it be to go there with Gell-Mann? Count me in! (If I'm there, which I may not be).

Kiless

20th June 2005, 10:10 PM

Originally posted by Jeff Wagg
I'm still game for going, but I have to warn those of you who've never been there..it's way overpriced.

And I had one of the saddest moments of my life there. It was early, and I was the only one around. I overhead one employee tell another: "Man, when I came here I loved Star Trek. I was a complete Trekker. Now I hate this ****. This place stole my dreams."

<sniff>

Yes, Kitty - get some stuffing and a bit of artificial fur from your local craft store and avoid getting ripped off by their 'Tribbles'! We only got the shirt and one of their memorial chips for a pair of friends who are massive Trekkies. And if you stick to the entre selection you get well fed without the additional cost of what appears to be paying for a dish with a fancy name... but no additional benefits.

kittynh

21st June 2005, 04:32 AM

well I own 6 guinea pigs (hey they are hard to sex!). We figured out where they got the idea for tribbles. Our piggies make the tribble noise when you pet them. It's cool.....

MLynn

23rd June 2005, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by The Bad Astronomer
Yeah, yeah, I know time is already booked up. So maybe this should be informal, then... but I'd love to get some folks together to go to the Star Trek Experience at some point. I have not yet seen it, and I want to.

And I will do everything I can to get Murray Gell-Mann to come along as well. I cannot even imagine how cool it would be to buy him a drink at Quark's bar... :D
I don't even know if I and the spike heels can make it to TAMIV next year, but I'd love to go to the STE if I'm there.

SkepticScott

27th June 2005, 02:50 PM

My great disappointment at STE was that they didn't stock Star Fleet Battles. You'd think that that store, of all places, would stock that boardgame! :(

Doubt

27th June 2005, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by SkepticScott
My great disappointment at STE was that they didn't stock Star Fleet Battles. You'd think that that store, of all places, would stock that boardgame! :(

hmm......

Last I knew, there was still a legal issue between the two companies behind the game.

I have a small pile of SFB game materials stacked up in my closet. Nobody around here plays it.

supercorgi

23rd July 2005, 10:57 AM

Hey count me in. I was a big Trekker back when I was in high school (original Trek so you know how long ago that was!), watched Next Gen but never paid much attention to Deep Space 9 or Voyager. I tried to get into Enterprise but mostly found it sort of boring. But I'd still love to go.

Will I have time? This is my first TAM and first trip to Las Vegas. (TAM Virgin alert!)

Hutch

23rd July 2005, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by supercorgi
Will I have time? This is my first TAM and first trip to Las Vegas. (TAM Virgin alert!)

Supercorgi, shouldn't be a problem. The STE is at the Hilton, which is about a 25 minute walk from the Stardust (or 2-3 minutes by car). Depnding on the crowd, it should last about 60-90 minutes. As noted, it ain't cheap, but then few things in Vegas are.

If you are coming in a day early or staying over a day, should be no problem. The sessions end about 4PM each day so there is plently of time to make it. Just make sure you figure out who is the BA and the others here (we won't be that hard to find, I assure you).

I'm there, BA (been on the Klingon portion before, but not the Borg part).

supercorgi

24th July 2005, 09:27 AM

Originally posted by Hutch
Just make sure you figure out who is the BA and the others here (we won't be that hard to find, I assure you).

I'm there, BA (been on the Klingon portion before, but not the Borg part).
BA? Please explain. Thanks.

Darat

24th July 2005, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by The Bad Astronomer
Yeah, yeah, I know time is already booked up. So maybe this should be informal, then... but I'd love to get some folks together to go to the Star Trek Experience at some point. I have not yet seen it, and I want to.

And I will do everything I can to get Murray Gell-Mann to come along as well. I cannot even imagine how cool it would be to buy him a drink at Quark's bar... :D

Good idea, I had wanted to go see it but did other things instead. Like a trip to the Grand Canyon.

CFLarsen

24th July 2005, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by supercorgi
BA? Please explain. Thanks.

Bad Astronomer. Phil Plait, the starter of this thread, responsible for this site (http://www.badastronomy.com/), guilty of writing this book (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471409766/badastronomy/002-0308499-4863229?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1), and marginally better Master of Ceremonies at The Amazing Meeting than Hal Bidlack. Hal is a snappier dresser, though.

Phil's short moniker is "BadAss". Ask Nancy Lieder, Richard Hoagland and Bill Kaysing why. :)

supercorgi

24th July 2005, 01:33 PM

Originally posted by CFLarsen
Phil's short moniker is "BadAss". Ask Nancy Lieder, Richard Hoagland and Bill Kaysing why. :)
Oh, I was going to guess "Big Ass" but I'm just as glad I didn't. ;)

27th July 2005, 07:40 AM

Phil wrote:
Yeah, yeah, I know time is already booked up. So maybe this should be informal, then... but I'd love to get some folks together to go to the Star Trek Experience at some point. I have not yet seen it, and I want to.

And I will do everything I can to get Murray Gell-Mann to come along as well. I cannot even imagine how cool it would be to buy him a drink at Quark's bar...

My reply:

I would love to go! I haven't seen this yet either, even though I've been to Vegas at least 5 times since the STE has been open. I also have the distinct pleasure of being good friends with a cast member, Nog (Aron Eisenberg) from DS9. He and I went to high school together.

--Tim

Soapy Sam

1st August 2005, 07:37 AM

Phil- Honest answer please.
If you had the choice between being at Tam IV and being on a drilling rig in the North Caspian on March 26th 2006, which would YOU choose?

Soapy Sam

1st August 2005, 10:16 AM

Typo- in above post- for "26th" read "29th".

The Bad Astronomer

1st August 2005, 12:59 PM

I have no clue what you're talking about, so that's an easy choice.

Soapy Sam

2nd August 2005, 12:03 AM

For shame, Sirrah!.:hit:

The track of a total solar eclipse will cross the North Caspian on March 29th 2006. I hope to be here. But if I could change my work schedule to make TAM, I would miss it. (Also Xmas & New Year). Too complicated to explain. The eclipse was the final straw.

Maybe at TAM V.

31st August 2005, 11:23 AM

Phil,

Even though I already agreed to go to this, and I will, which day were you thinking? I just extended my hotel through Monday, 1/30, so I was going to recommend visiting the Star Trek Experience on Sunday afternoon, 1/29, after TAM4.

By the way, one of my very best friends, Aron Eisenberg, played Nog on Star Trek DS9. He's actually doing videography now, for weddings. I thought about recommending him to do the videography for TAM 4, since I know Hal was looking for one, but I'm not sure if he'd be able to spend that much time in Vegas (without making money, that is).

c4ts

12th September 2005, 07:23 PM

Originally posted by The Bad Astronomer
Yeah, yeah, I know time is already booked up. So maybe this should be informal, then... but I'd love to get some folks together to go to the Star Trek Experience at some point. I have not yet seen it, and I want to.

And I will do everything I can to get Murray Gell-Mann to come along as well. I cannot even imagine how cool it would be to buy him a drink at Quark's bar... :D

I went there. Just looking at the space casino made me think I'd died an gone to nerd heaven, and there was gambling and loose waitresses!

xenxabar

17th September 2005, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by Jeff Wagg
I'm still game for going, but I have to warn those of you who've never been there..it's way overpriced.

And I had one of the saddest moments of my life there. It was early, and I was the only one around. I overhead one employee tell another: "Man, when I came here I loved Star Trek. I was a complete Trekker. Now I hate this ****. This place stole my dreams."

<sniff>

Prices have gone up quite a bit since I was there last (1998 methinks). I believe I paid $15 or $17 and now the price is $34.99 (plus amusement tax of 9%) for the museum and rides. Anyway, on to the savings. Although I have not tried this myself, I have been informed from one of my thriftiest friends that tickets to STE may be available at half price (or at least a discount) from the following: http://www.tix4tonight.com/
The best part is that there is one located right across the street from the Stardust.

c4ts

18th September 2005, 07:32 PM

Originally posted by xenxabar
Prices have gone up quite a bit since I was there last (1998 methinks). I believe I paid $15 or $17 and now the price is $34.99 (plus amusement tax of 9%) for the museum and rides. Anyway, on to the savings. Although I have not tried this myself, I have been informed from one of my thriftiest friends that tickets to STE may be available at half price (or at least a discount) from the following: http://www.tix4tonight.com/
The best part is that there is one located right across the street from the Stardust.

And then there is the giant Coke bottle...

xenxabar

19th September 2005, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by c4ts
And then there is the giant Coke bottle...

Gotta wash down all those M&Ms that you got next door somehow.

phyz

19th October 2005, 12:08 AM

I'm up for it, Phil. And I keep pestering Dan Durda to get to TAM but he seems to be too immersed in his science. I say we go to STE and have a drink to the memory of Jim "Astrofest" Loudin. Are you keepin' up with my inside-reference name dropping, BA?

The Bad Astronomer

19th October 2005, 12:09 PM

I have never heard of any of those people, or of you either for that matter.

Checkmite

23rd October 2005, 09:42 PM

I'll see if I can make it - I was a big Trek fan in my younger years.

rebecca

24th October 2005, 05:33 AM

Phil

24th October 2005, 07:56 AM

Phil, I love you. . .

Rebecca, not in front of the Trakkies.

Oh . . . you weren't talking to me.

Well, since you have eschewed the nerdiest activity ever conceived for Las Vegas, let alone an Amazing Meeting, I love you, anyway.

Dicon

24th October 2005, 07:39 PM

A total uber-geek tip:

If you do go to STE and for whatever reason only have time to do one of the two rides, go the Klingon route. The Borg version is fine and all, but side-by-side, the Klingon one is the better of the two.

(Seems strange to refer to these as "rides," but I couldn't think of a better term.)

The Bad Astronomer

25th October 2005, 12:12 PM

Yes, rebecca, there is a degeneracy of Phils here. Of course you meant me, but still.

Nice sig, by the way.

Phil

25th October 2005, 12:40 PM

Yes, rebecca, there is a degeneracy of Phils here. Of course you meant me, but still.

Nice sig, by the way.

Man, I loved that book, "A Degeneracy of Phils". I heard the author committed suicide before it was published.

TriangleMan

26th October 2005, 02:07 PM

Count me in to go see STE. This will be my 5th time in Vegas and I haven't gotten around to seeing it yet. (At TAM3 I decided to see the Blue Man Group as my main 'Vegas show')

Checkmite

27th October 2005, 11:47 AM

We went there for TAM3. It was fun, but like most things, a tourist trap so bring money.

Aside from the ticket and perhaps dinner, the only thing I would consider buying there might be a very specific model kit that I can't find anywhere else. And if they have it, it's probably overpriced, so I don't think I'll be spending too much money there.

Major Billy

31st October 2005, 04:44 PM

This is a _great_ idea Bad As.

Will we all get together at Quark's for dinner after?

PaulK

8th November 2005, 01:31 PM

I went to see STE during TAM 2. I even walked from the hotel to the place and back. I'm up for going again - best times would be thu, fri or sat. evening.

Hutch

12th January 2006, 10:09 AM

Bump this because there was quite a bit of interest but nothing ever got finalized or 'put on the schedule'

Bloody astronomers with all that star-gazing stuff, leaving us poor logisticians to pick up after them...;) ;) :D

At a quick look, Saturday between 5-8pm looks promising, before the Forum Party/Chocolate Challenge takes place, or Sunday after the Red Rocks tour.

Do we want to decide on a day and start a list? Work with me here, Telescope-Boy! :cool: :o ;)

Basic info: Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm. There are two major rides, BORG 4D, open 12:30-7:30pm Sun-Thur and 12:30-9:30pm Fri-Sat. The Klingon Motion simulator is 1130-6:20pm Sun-Thur and 1130-8:20pm Fri-sat. they also have a "behind the scenes" show that I guess runs failry continiously.

Costs--for both Klingon and Borg, it's $36.99 (about $29.99 for each alone). The "behind the scences" stuff is $29.99 if include with the rides.

Sooo...not cheap, for for die-hard Trek fans, it may be worth it.

At the Hilton, about a 25 minute walk or 5 minute drive from the Stardust.

12th January 2006, 10:13 AM

Hutch

12th January 2006, 10:24 AM

Hutch,

Mrs. TJ and I are in for Sunday evening, after Red Rocks. If you want to start the list, put us down. Thanks!

Sunday evening may work best--everyone from California is heading back home--depends how many folks are staying Sunday night, or leaving late at night.

Let's see what some others (and the BA) say.

Mattfn

12th January 2006, 10:32 AM

Saturday evening before the party, or Sunday evening after Red Rocks tour seems good....if I can get a later ride to the airport than I currently have.

My Grandmother will say "Oh you dummy!", if I don't go. Grandmother embodies a Star Trek fan and has never minced words.

Mattfn :moose:

rikzilla

12th January 2006, 11:03 AM

Put me down as a definate maybe...
Quark's bar with MGM and the approachable quasi-celebrity of BA??
Hell, sounds like fun!
-z

Chanileslie

12th January 2006, 01:48 PM

We were planning on hitting the Star Trek Experience on Sunday, so we are in if there is anything organized.

supercorgi

12th January 2006, 04:27 PM

I vote for Sunday after the Red Rocks tour. I've got to figure out where I put all those old ST pins I had.

Beleth

12th January 2006, 04:33 PM

I had a delicious non-alcoholic 'Data's Day' but I'd suggest the Warp Core Breach drink, as when it was served it does that cool fog waterfall effect because it contains dry ice. :)
Do not drink anything named after the worst thing that can happen to a starship.

Translation: The one I shared with two other people knocked all three of us so far on our keesters that we had to take a taxi back to our hotel.

Hamradioguy

12th January 2006, 08:48 PM

If supercorgi is in than I'm in! Can we fit this in after Red Rocks and before my late eve. flight out?

exarch

13th January 2006, 05:42 AM

Phil, I love you.

It would be hilarious to go and make fun of all the Trekkies and get more "Phil Time" in, but I'm afraid I just can't justify the expense. So call me when you're finished and we'll hit the (Earth) bar.
Same for me. I already did the STE at TAM2 (a few months before they added the Borg "ride"), so I'm up for doing Quarck's bar, but the rest is just too darn expensive.