Arrival Dates for TAM5

[Jas]

Hey, just looking through flight schedules and stuff...what day are most people arriving? I would like to volunteer for some things (putting together registration packets, etc.), if possible, so I'm wondering about what days most people are getting in.

Granted, it's Vegas, and I'm fairly sure I'll find ways to amuse myself.

[Loon]

I'm looking at arriving on the 16th, but I won't have that settled for at least another month.

[Patricio Elicer]

I'm planning at arriving Mon 15th at noon. I'd like very much to volunteer this time (on TAM related issues, of course :D )

[Antiquehunter]

I'm planning on arriving a few days early and staying a couple of days past. I have a hunch as these events get bigger, more 'non-TAM time' will be a requirement to maximize socializing.

But - no dates are firm yet - I gotta get through THIS break before I can plan my break in January...

[SkepticScott]

Nothing is set for volunteering yet, but we'll most likely be putting together the registration packets on Wednesday the 17th, the day before TAM5 starts.

[wollery]

I may well arrive a few of days early, partly to get acclimatised, and partly to do some sightseeing, as I'll have to leave pretty soon after it's finished.

I'm also willing to help put together packs, hang bunting, etc.

[Wowbagger]

I will arrive at least one day in advance. (I have not made the flight reservations, yet, but I did register for TAM5.)
I do not have anything in particular scheduled for pre-TAM time in Vegas, so I am open to ideas if anyone comes up with anything.

I suppose I could help put together packets, if there is nothing better to do.

[TJ]

I'll be there on Wednesday and leave on Monday. I might be able to share a room too, stay tuned.

[TobiasTheViking]

i'll arrive at 20:04 the 17th. baring delays. :)

[Hutch]

As a two-time TAM'er, I would recommend arriving on Wednesday or even Tuesday, especially if you have never been to TAM/Vegas before. There is literally that much to see and do.

You might also want to consider staying Sunday night if you can afford it. Last year I arrived on Wednesday and departed on Tuesday (6 nights) and still didn't come close to meeting everybody and doing everything.

Upshot, if your budgets tight, come in Thursday afternnon and leave as late Sunday as flights allow (3 nights). Believe me, you'll wish you had more time to spend.

As for things to do, last year we had: Poker Tournament, Thai Diner night, Red Rocks, Hoover Dam, Forum Party, Pub Crawl, Gun Shop, and probably other things that groups of Forumites organized and did. There is sure to be even more this year (I'd like to take a group to the Atomic Testing Museum and there was this place for doing indoor freefall skydiving that looked interesting...:eek: :cool:

Keep an eye on this subforum, things will get busier here as the time approaches.

[RSLancastr]

As for things to do, last year we had: Poker Tournament, Thai Diner night, Red Rocks, Hoover Dam, Forum Party, Pub Crawl, Gun Shop, and probably other things that groups of Forumites organized and did.Don't forget the shows being put on by Hal, Jamy Ian Swiss and Banachek this year as well!

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Don't forget the shows being put on by Hal, Jamy Ian Swiss and Banachek this year as well!

The one Jamy Ian Swiss put on last year was incredible. I was front and center (along with Patricio). I couldn't figure out how he did any of it, partly because he is so good, and partly because he had a smoking hot chick from the audience that sat at the table for most of the show.

[The Bad Astronomer]

I'll chime in with a vote for Banachek. He's totally cool.

I'm going to try to get in a day early this year. I stayed a day after last time, and while it was fun, most people were too exhausted to do much so I had to slum it with Rebecca.

[CFLarsen]

I'll chime in with a vote for Banachek. He's totally cool.

I'm going to try to get in a day early this year. I stayed a day after last time, and while it was fun, most people were too exhausted to do much so I had to slum it with Rebecca.

Whatta drag.

[xenxabar]

Just booked for arrival on the 16th.

[Luciana]

Oh, well, I've been to 3 out of 4 TAMs, and after the Conference is over, let me tell you - you'll be too tired to do anything. Because there is always so much happening, and you have to wake up so early, chances are you'll be in bad need of sleep. Andyou can do that at home! So trust me, if you stay there past Sunday, you won't be good for anything.

If you arrive early, though, you get to do whatever you wanted to do in Vegas, meet some people earlier, get acquainted with everything, etc. Just hanging around at the registration desk is great, because you get to greet people as they arrive.

My flights were all scheduled on Sunday, and I don't regret it, because if I had stayed in Vegas, I'd be spending the day in bed, or most of it.

[supercorgi]

The one Jamy Ian Swiss put on last year was incredible. I was front and center (along with Patricio). I couldn't figure out how he did any of it, partly because he is so good, and partly because he had a smoking hot chick from the audience that sat at the table for most of the show.
Jamy Ian Swiss was great! I got to sit up at the table while he was doing the card tricks and he had me completely boggled. Unfortunately, I'm not the smoking hot chick that you mentioned Scrut. :D

[rebecca]

I'll chime in with a vote for Banachek. He's totally cool.

I'm going to try to get in a day early this year. I stayed a day after last time, and while it was fun, most people were too exhausted to do much so I had to slum it with Rebecca.

Oh sure, slum it? I am so insulted. Let's go over what we did that last day:

1.) Woke up late
2.) Went to an all-you-can-eat buffet
3.) Ate a ton of pancakes
4.) Shielded eyes from sun while scurrying across the street
5.) Ducked into tacky souvenier shop
6.) Played with the lighters that had titties with LED-lit nipples
7.) Decided everything there was too expensive
8.) Engaged in embarrassing displays of affection out on the sidewalk

Okay, maybe it was a slummy kind of day. BUT YOU ENJOYED IT!

[elaine]

Coming in Thursday, leaving Sunday.

[Overman]

Ill will be populating the bar of the Riv Wednesday Morning and looking forward to seeing you all.

[SkepticScott]

My tentative plans are to arrive Tuesday, leave Vegas Sunday or Monday for the trip to Meteor Crater, then fly home Tuesday.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Jamy Ian Swiss was great! I got to sit up at the table while he was doing the card tricks and he had me completely boggled. Unfortunately, I'm not the smoking hot chick that you mentioned Scrut. :D

How do you know? ;)

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Tentatively I'll arrive Wed am and leave Monday evening.

[Wowbagger]

Both Jamy Ian Swiss and Banachek are amazing! I definitely registered for them all!
Not entirely sure about Bidlack in a wig, yet. But, I registered for him, anyway.

I have not registered for any of the pre-TAM workshops, yet. My strategy is thus:

* If there is room left in the "Critical Thinking in the Classroom", when I arrive, I will probably partake in it, even though I am not an educator: I would rather not take the seat of an educator who could use it more than I can. I will only join in if there is space.

* If there is no room left in that one, but there is room left in the "Grassroots Media" one, I might partake in it, instead.

* If there is no room left in either one, when I arrive, I will just save myself the $99. And, then I will hang out somewhere else with a bunch of other people.

How can I go wrong?!

[grayman]

I'll be there late Thursday until early Sunday. Bringing borderline woo of a wife.

[elaine]

Does she know you call her that?

[Metullus]

Does she know you call her that?
What? Wife?

I thought Jas was arranging dates for people when they arrive at TAM. Mighty nice of her...

I am arriving Wed and leaving Sunday. Or Monday. No later than Tuesday, for sure.

[Wowbagger]

I happen to notice there is an Indoor Skydiving facility in Las Vegas.

Anyone willing to try it as a pre-TAM5 event? I started a thread for the topic here: http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=1844334#post1844334

[grayman]

Does she know you call her that?

A typical conversation between us involving a chrystal talking, aura seeing, spirit channelling, reiki master, friend of ours:

SHE: "You have to respect other people's beliefs".

ME: "No I don't".

:)

[Loon]

A typical conversation between us involving a chrystal talking, aura seeing, spirit channelling, reiki master, friend of ours:

SHE: "You have to respect other people's beliefs".

ME: "No I don't".

:)

"It hurts me that you don't respect my belief that our friend believes in all sorts of lies and flummery."

[elaine]

A typical conversation between us involving a chrystal talking, aura seeing, spirit channelling, reiki master, friend of ours:

SHE: "You have to respect other people's beliefs".

ME: "No I don't".

:)

So you have these discussions often?

You know, I've gone through my phases of different beliefs before coming to this athiest, materialist I am now. I try to be respectful, and remember that. But when I did believe, I knew the difference between psuedoscience and real science so, I do tend to speak up when believers start to spout off about the "science" behind some of their beliefs. There tends to be some head-spinning on my part.

[elaine]

As a two-time TAM'er, I would recommend arriving on Wednesday or even Tuesday, especially if you have never been to TAM/Vegas before. There is literally that much to see and do.

You might also want to consider staying Sunday night if you can afford it. Last year I arrived on Wednesday and departed on Tuesday (6 nights) and still didn't come close to meeting everybody and doing everything.

Upshot, if your budgets tight, come in Thursday afternnon and leave as late Sunday as flights allow (3 nights). Believe me, you'll wish you had more time to spend.

As for things to do, last year we had: Poker Tournament, Thai Diner night, Red Rocks, Hoover Dam, Forum Party, Pub Crawl, Gun Shop, and probably other things that groups of Forumites organized and did. There is sure to be even more this year (I'd like to take a group to the Atomic Testing Museum and there was this place for doing indoor freefall skydiving that looked interesting...:eek: :cool:

Keep an eye on this subforum, things will get busier here as the time approaches.


What's Gun Shop?

eta- Like shop for guns?

[Hutch]

What's Gun Shop?

eta- Like shop for guns?


Nope, rent'em and shoot'em


http://www.thegunstorelasvegas.com/rental.htm

[BrianSI]

I'll prolly get there a couple days early and leave Monday. But not sure if I'll drive or fly from LA.

[xenxabar]

I'll prolly get there a couple days early and leave Monday. But not sure if I'll drive or fly from LA.
Driving might be a cheaper more convient option. I did it back in June when the temperature in the vehicle registered 115 F. For three people it was cheaper then plane tickets and didn't take much longer, either. Fortunately the temperatures will be nowhere near that high in January.

[TJ]

I'll prolly get there a couple days early and leave Monday. But not sure if I'll drive or fly from LA.


Just drive. It's only 4.5 hours from L.A., and with parking, security, the flight and getting your baggage you won't really save any time. Besides driving will be much cheaper. like xenxabar said.

[BrianSI]

Thanks for the advice. I like driving anyway. (And I have a Jeep Cherokee, if anyone wants a ride and has the same schedule.)

But ... I also live within a 30 minute $1.25 bus ride to LAX, and I'm good at packing light.

What I'm not good at is planning such details this far in advance. There will be a lot of things up in the air for me right to the end of the year.

[Jas]

I thought Jas was arranging dates for people when they arrive at TAM. Mighty nice of her...

I think you might be unique in thinking "romance" and "Jas" in the same thought.

[Metullus]

I think you might be unique in thinking "romance" and "Jas" in the same thought.
I pride myself on thinking outside the box...

[Loon]

I think you might be unique in thinking "romance" and "Jas" in the same thought.

Not true. You've been known to give out romantic advice. Or is that only when you're drunk?

[SkepticScott]

I think you might be unique in thinking "romance" and "Jas" in the same thought.I'll wager there are many skepdudes out there that are thinking those thoughts.

[Jas]

Not true. You've been known to give out romantic advice. Or is that only when you're drunk?
I didn't think that "Give it to me, Loon!" counted as romantic, but to each their own.

[Jas]

I'll wager there are many skepdudes out there that are thinking those thoughts.

As long as they buy me things, they can think whatever they like. I might even play along.

(For the record, my favourite colour is red, my perfume is Jean Paul Gaultier, and I prefer a manual transmission, but Tip/Steptronic is okay too, although keep in mind with the Steptronic, that the only Bimmer I would consider driving is the Mini. Just in case anyone was thinking "romantic" thoughts.)

[SkepticScott]

(For the record, my favourite colour is red, ... the only Bimmer I would consider driving is the Mini.Would the MatchboxTM version of that count, even just a little? :D

[Metullus]

As long as they buy me things, they can think whatever they like. I might even play along.

(For the record, my favourite colour is red, my perfume is Jean Paul Gaultier, and I prefer a manual transmission, but Tip/Steptronic is okay too, although keep in mind with the Steptronic, that the only Bimmer I would consider driving is the Mini. Just in case anyone was thinking "romantic" thoughts.)So if I drive to TAM in my red mini-cooper that would be a good thing?