New England Pre-TAM Bash

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Okay then, Saturday, January 13 is the date for the New England Pre-Tam Bash, also known as TAM4.9836. Cynthia and I will host it at our home in Carlisle, Massachusetts. PM me for address and directions.

The bash starts at 2 pm, with a pot-luck supper later on, to allow late-comers a chance to have something to eat. We will provide all manner of drinks, while the rest of you will provide the food. Don't everyone bring tuna casseroles, please. The party breaks up by 10 pm.

KittyNH has kindly offered to chauffer people from Boston. Please PM her to arrange a time and pickup spot.

Post here if you can attend. Don't miss out on the chance to gossip about TAM before it happens.

~~ Paul

[SkepticScott]

I'll be there. I'll bring chicken fingers from the Chicken Shack, cleverly disguised as a tuna casserole.

I can pick up and drop off people at the North Billerica train station, or Alewife T station if they ask nicely.

[Mattfn]

Me, myself and I will attend. We can't all afford to go to Las Vegas, so this will be as much TAM as the other two will get.

I'll think up something to disguise as tuna casserole.

M-A :moose:

[supercorgi]

I may have to go to Belgium for work at about that time. I won't know until next week. I want to go because I love all you guys and I won't be going to TAM this year. I need my dose of rationality (and just good old camaraderie)!

[kittynh]

Belgium!!!

Bring back chocolates!

[supercorgi]

Belgium!!!

Bring back chocolates!

Yum, chocolates. I plan to bring back many. When last my coworker went to Belgium, she brought back about $400 worth of chocolates. I'm not so crazy, but I'll bring some back.

[mumchup]

Belgium!!!

Bring back chocolates!

And Beer!!!!!!
(just kidding)

I'm trying to get my schedule in order so I can come to the pre-TAM festivities.

[Beady]

Yum, chocolates. I plan to bring back many.

Seriously, put us down for some. They're not my bag, but Mrs Beady loves 'em.

[kittynh]

go to a food store, like Del Haze (look for the Lion). Buy the store generic brand (dark chocolate is best). Even the cheap store brand is BY LAW better than anything made in the US. Leonidas is great fun, and you get a pretty package, but for bringing home go to a food store. They will have an excellent selection.

Leon's in Brussels is THE place to eat. Ignore all the other flashy toursit restautrants...Leons, and you will like mussels. I have to say that Hector Chicken is really good for fast food. Very yummy! Do not eat at Quickie Burger. DO NOT EAT AT QUICKIE BURGER!!!


DO NOT (AM I BEING CLEAR HERE?) EAT AT QUICKIE BURGER!!!!!!!!
(remember, you have to pay to use the toilets, you will go broke if you EAT AT QUICKIE BURGER!!!)

[mumchup]

It looks like I'm going to be able to make it to the pre-TAM bash. And so is my sister Cap'n Chaos (tentatively). For anyone who hasn't met her, she's awesome. She's the person punching Rebecca on the street in NYC in the Theater of Science thread.

[Hindmost]

Should be able to make it...hmmmmmmmm...what we need is a club house centrally located for all our meetings. Something with a view. Perhaps a tree house.



glenn

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Bump.

~~ Paul

[YoPopa]

Bump.

~~ PaulThanks for the bump chum er Paul.

I almost missed this thread. I think that I will be able to attend. Can't get too much tuna casserole.

[SkepticScott]

Bump! Less than a week to go!

[Bele]

New to the group, long term skeptic... Thanks to SkepticScott for pointing out this forum and this thread in particular!

I see the get together usually breaks around 10, but how many folks come later? That weekend is Arisia in Boston, a great sci-fi/fantasy/ literature convention that goes until 6:00ish.

[SkepticScott]

I see the get together usually breaks around 10, but how many folks come later?Welcome, Bele! I'm sure you can arrive whenever, no one will turn you away because you weren't there early. Paul can confirm.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Welcome, Bele! Do come meet a bunch of us. No problem if you arrive at 7pm. We'll save some food for you.

~~ Paul

[Kitten]

Well... I am currently working 7 days a week in the lab trying to produce some data, but I can probably slip away later afternoon/evening. I'll do a few hours of work Saturday morning and then will try to escape from lab as soon as I'm able.

Thanks for hostinng, Paul!

[Hamradioguy]

I had hoped to make this but I am also supposed to be attending a "Poor Taste" party the same day (At 3:33PM- don't ask). It's not far as the crow flies but I'm no crow, and it's a [rule 8] of a drive. Let's see how I can do this. Hmmmm.....Poor Taste party to a (hopefully) Good Taste party.

[mumchup]

I'm not going to be able to go... I have too much to do this weekend. I wish I lived a little closer to all the parties.

[Boo]

I've been waiting to see what this week brings and I shall not be able to attend either. There is just too much to get done before TAM.


Everyone enjoy and somebody pop a top for me.



Boo

[supercorgi]

Everyone enjoy and somebody pop a top for me.


Do you mean that someone should unbutton her blouse in your memory? I'm sure if we get Rebecca liquored up enough she'll oblige. :D

Sorry to hear you can't make it though. :(

[exarch]

Well... I am currently working 7 days a week in the lab trying to produce some data, but I can probably slip away later afternoon/evening. I'll do a few hours of work Saturday morning and then will try to escape from lab as soon as I'm able.

Don't rush too much and give yourself radioactive acid laser burns or something :D

[SkepticScott]

Don't rush too much and give yourself radioactive acid laser burns or something :DIf you do, make sure you get some cool superpowers to demonstrate at the party. :cool:

[SkepticScott]

Bump -- tomorrow

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

I've been waiting to see what this week brings and I shall not be able to attend either. There is just too much to get done before TAM.
You know, I keep hearing this. What's to do? Throw a few clothes in a bag and take a shower. And the shower isn't until Sunday. :D

~~ Paul

[kittynh]

Paul, maybe you could shower before your party? Huh?

I have found that I currently need 4 suitcases for TAM.

Pool Boy has offered to repack for me while I am at your party.

I need a younger, stronger Pool Boy that will not object to so much luggage.

[Boo]

You know, I keep hearing this. What's to do? Throw a few clothes in a bag and take a shower. And the shower isn't until Sunday. :D

~~ Paul

*packs up dirty laundry, twins, teenager, grocery list and dirty dishes; mails it to Paul*



Ok, NOW I'm ready.;)



Boo

[rebecca]

In Kitty and Boo's spirit, Paul: go find me a cute party dress, size 8-ish. Then write a 20-minute TAM presentation, with PowerPoint slides. Then plan a gigantic party. Then pack my bags and get my ass to the airport by Tuesday evening.

Okay, now I'M ready!

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Paul, maybe you could shower before your party? Huh?
No, that was Boo's pre-TAM shower. Sunday would work. :D


I have found that I currently need 4 suitcases for TAM.
What in hell are you taking? That's almost one suitcase per day, for crying out loud.


*packs up dirty laundry, twins, teenager, grocery list and dirty dishes; mails it to Paul*
Would it help if I shopped for you tomorrow morning and then loaded up your car when you came?

~~ Paul

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

In Kitty and Boo's spirit, Paul: go find me a cute party dress, size 8-ish.
Unnecessary. Anyway, you probably have one already. You can wear it twice, don't you know. Trust me, we don't remember if we've seen it on you before.

Then write a 20-minute TAM presentation, with PowerPoint slides.
A 20-minute presentation requires a page of notes: 1/2 hour. The PowerPoint slides take about 10 minutes each: 2 hours.

Then plan a gigantic party.
Now that is important! Tell everyone to bring stuff. Make sure the room is available. Done. Trying to plan for this crowd is like herding wombats.

Then pack my bags and get my ass to the airport by Tuesday evening.
Packing should take a most a half hour. You'll be ready by Tuesday.

Anyone else need any help planning their next few days? :D

~~ Paul

[rebecca]

All my problems are solved! I'll show up to my own crappy party wearing an old dress so that when you take photos of me you can't tell if it's this year or last year. Then I'll realize I'm missing half the things I should've thought to pack had I given it more than 30 minutes time, and then I'll give the world's most gawdawful presentation ever!

[Kitten]

Hmm... I don't understand. The party (to which I may show up a little late) takes ~4-5 hours of time.

I'm *very* busy these days, working until 10 or 11 most nights. But even going to the party, I still have the rest of weekend to pack, read isotope papers, run samples in the argon lab, pack new samples to be irradiated, research plane tickets to Thailand, find giant wire baskets for rocks, et cetera. We have to ship all our stuff by container to Australia within three weeks or so! Eeek!

Then again, the most important task of the weekend-- finding a dress for the TAM forum party-- has already been accomplished. That's probably why I feel so relaxed.

Seriously, though, Becca.. just wake up a little early on Saturday or something. I'd hate for you to miss a good party.

*hugs*

[Beady]

Mrs Beady & I send our regrets. I'm going home from work early, hacking and sneezing and feeling generally like crap. I would apologize, but it seems counterintuitive to feel sorry for not spreading the plague among a group of people about to engage in major debauchery.

Have fun, gang! :(

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

All my problems are solved! I'll show up to my own crappy party wearing an old dress so that when you take photos of me you can't tell if it's this year or last year. Then I'll realize I'm missing half the things I should've thought to pack had I given it more than 30 minutes time, and then I'll give the world's most gawdawful presentation ever!
See, wasn't that easy?

What's to plan at the party? You need a room and some eats.

No one will ever look at the photos from an old TAM, so the dress doesn't matter.

You can buy anything you're missing in Las Vegas. They probably won't let you carry it on the plane anyway. ... Oh my, you're not planning on checking luggage, are you?

The presentation must be good, so if you need an hour to make notes, be my guest. Don't forget Paul's Presentation Ratio: One page of notes for each 20 minutes of talking.

~~ Paul Not to be taking me seriously

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Then again, the most important task of the weekend-- finding a dress for the TAM forum party-- has already been accomplished.
Oh all right, so I'll bring a special, clean T-shirt just for the forum party.

~~ Paul

[rebecca]

~~ Paul Not to be taking me seriously

I know, it came across harsher than I meant because I'm stressed out and was up all night in the fetal position because of it. Bleh.

Okay, but JUST because I see that today is Kitten's birthday, and I haven't seen her in ages. Bah!

[Kitten]

I know, it came across harsher than I meant because I'm stressed out and was up all night in the fetal position because of it. Bleh.

Okay, but JUST because I see that today is Kitten's birthday, and I haven't seen her in ages. Bah!

Love you, Rebecca. If you want to borrow anything of mine for the party (shoes, dresses, et cetera) or want a friend to help you shop for the perfect dress, I'm there.

Dredging sample baskets can wait!

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

I know, it came across harsher than I meant because I'm stressed out and was up all night in the fetal position because of it. Bleh.
Oh no, I didn't include that bubble because I thought you sounded harsh. I just didn't wany anyone to .. you know ... like ... take my incredibly life-simplifying suggestions seriously or nuthin'.

But do I hear in your voice that you might be coming? That would be sweet!

~~ Paul

[Mattfn]

You know, I keep hearing this. What's to do? Throw a few clothes in a bag and take a shower.
Yeah, easy for you people who are still the same size you were last month, nevermind last TAM! (Not actually complaining about that too much! :D )

But the square foot in the suitcase taken up by the nebulizer machine required for us asthmatics because of Vegas' smoke, makes packing a highly intense and stimulating intellectual exercise.

That said, I'm gonna start packing at 8pm Monday night, and plan on being in bed by 10:30, shower and all. I leave Tuesday after work. :p

I'll bring some cheese to go with this and all the other whines to the party!

Mattfn :moose:

[Hamradioguy]

I have found that I currently need 4 suitcases for TAM.
I need a younger, stronger Pool Boy that will not object to so much luggage.

4 suitcases for a week? HUH? WHen I was visiting a friend in Oregon over the holidays I met a woman who is about to leave for 2 MONTHS in Thailand. All her clothes and "essentials" will go in one standard carry-on and a small teardrop style backpack.

[kittynh]

I go to Europe for 10 days or longer with only a carry on.

Hey Thailand is HOT and you don't want to take clothes there, you want to buy clothing.

I can't stand to rewear clothing that smells like cigarette smoke! In Europe I wash a LOT and get by with 3 outfits, including the one I'm wearing! Black skirt and black pants covers it all.

Vegas is to have a few fancy outfits and some fun shoes too. I expect I'll be in old jeans most of the time though!

Thailand, why take anything? (Well, burn cream ofcourse, my Thai friend is the one that got me cooking).

Seriously, usually I am the best at only doing carry on. But this is my one time to actually check luggage!

[mumchup]

Happy Birtday Paul!

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

A marvelous time was had by all. Started just about 2pm and broke up about 9pm. Photos were taken, so they should appear here soon. Louie the Supercorgi was the life of the party.

All the regulars were honored by the presence of Exarch and BillC, stopping over in New York and Boston on their way to TAM.

Happy birthday Kitten!

~~ Paul

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Vegas is to have a few fancy outfits and some fun shoes too. I expect I'll be in old jeans most of the time though!
Kitty was wearing reasonable shoes. Kitten was wearing ridiculous shoes. I noticed she took them off when she arrived. Maybe she just didn't want to ruin our wood floors.

~~ Paul

[SkepticScott]

Paul,
Thanks for hosting! It's always fun to see your model kits.

[Larry Barrieau]

Beautiful house, great food, and great company. Thanks Paul!

[YoPopa]

Paul,

Thanks again for hosting the Pre-Tam bash and extending it to those of us who will remain Pre-Tam for at least another year.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

It was our pleasure to have all you fine folks over yesterday. We'll do another one in the spring, when we can enjoy the woods and screened porch.

~~ Paul

[kittynh]

well here are some photos, though I'm sure someone else has a better photo of the BEAUTIFUL cake.

http://s09.picshome.com/dbb/littel_party_ones.jpg (http://www.picshome.com/)

Paul gets a gift for both himself and his wife.

[kittynh]

kitten gets a gift from exarch, but is confused....

http://s09.picshome.com/dbb/littel_party_kayaker.jpg (http://www.picshome.com/)

[kittynh]

once explained, it seems to be a big hit.

http://s09.picshome.com/dbb/little_party_kayaker_2.jpg (http://www.picshome.com/)

[kittynh]

There is nothing more fun than sitting around the fire, listening to Rebecca tell stories. He was THAT big?

http://s09.picshome.com/dbb/little_party_rebecca_brag.jpg (http://www.picshome.com/)

[kittynh]

http://s09.picshome.com/dbb/little_party_cake_one.jpg (http://www.picshome.com/)

A wonderful volcano cake for both birthday boy and girl.

[kittynh]

And a big hug for the cake maker!!!!

(that was a GREAT cake!)

did I mention it tasted good too?

http://s09.picshome.com/dbb/litte_party_cake_thank.jpg (http://www.picshome.com/)

[kittynh]

http://s09.picshome.com/dbb/little_party_3.jpg (http://www.picshome.com/)

confused MIT geek gets some help with this gift from Rebecca. Maybe next birthday Kitten will be sitting around the fire with some stories to tell!

[Kitten]

Thanks for hosting a wonderful party, Paul! And thanks to the Europeans for my surprise birthday party!

Can't wait for TAM!!!

[Beady]

It was our pleasure to have all you fine folks over yesterday. We'll do another one in the spring, when we can enjoy the woods and screened porch.

Don't forget Beltane is going to be celebrated at Beady's. A minor complication is that it coincides with Cinquo de Mayo.

[kittynh]

So we will serve MExican food, which is so easy to procure in Vermont.


Paul, did you drink the tea yet? Dont' pack it for TAM or you wife will get really mad.

[rebecca]

Paul, thanks for hosting a lovely party. Your house is gorgeous and I'll be moving in next week. It was great seeing everyone, as always!

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

I haven't tried the tea yet.

Rebecca, if you're out this way and you need a place to crash, just holler. The moving in thing, though ...

~~ Paul

[kittynh]

oh come on Paul, I'll bet she babysits.

And she will take care of the geko.

[SkepticScott]

oh come on Paul, I'll bet she babysits.

And she will take care of the geko.If Rebecca takes care of the gecko, it's even money that she'll have it posing in the SkepPet 2008 calendar.