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TAM 7 Forum Party Proposal

Miss_Kitt said:
Hi, I'm Kitt.

I'm a Forumite, and I don't get drunk. I do occasionally have alcohol--I even put in an appearance at the Garden Bar one eveing (and if the delightful Canadian couple who shared the table with me would please let me know who they are, I'd love your e-mail!)...but I'm uncomfortable with people getting hammered. Especially with large groups of drunk folks, even friends.

Anyone want to work on a Not Getting Smashed Party for TAM 7? I volunteer to help organize. If we don't need access to large amounts of booze; if people aren't so drunk as to get rudely loud; if folks can actually Remember Their Manners, it might not be so hard to find a location. It might even be easy to find a location.

Please don't take this as a personal slam on anyone's idea of How to Party. I just think we could have an event where drinking was not the central event, and still have a great time.

I would love to hear back from folks, thanks, Kitto
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I have been to two TAMS (5 and 6), and two Forum Parties. At neither party have I seen any bad behavoir, much less bad behavoir that I could superficially put down to being alcohol related, such as agression, fighting, getting sick in the middle of the room, etc. I don't think that alcohol, in any way, shape, or form has been responsible for the issues that have ended the most recent forum parties early. The real issues have been too little space and too much noise. The noise is simply a result of a lot of people talking in a space that was not designed for that, not booze. That being said, I think that it would be great if forumites (and others) who object to being around drinking, and thus would tend to avoid the forum party entirely, have an alternate (and teetotal) party, but to admonish a bunch of well bahaved adults that want to drink not to overimbibe or not to drink at a social occasion would be met with ridicule, scorn, sarcasm, and (most likely) laughter.
 
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Miss_Kitt said:
Anyone want to work on a Not Getting Smashed Party for TAM 7?
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As a non-drinker, I would not mind attending, and even hosting, such a party. The problem is one of critical mass: Can we realistically get enough attendees interested to make such a party worthwhile?

My own 30th birthday party was such a thing: Drinking a light amount alcohol was allowed, but everyone was encouraged NOT to "get drunk". And, its turnout kinda suffered from that, I think.


ETA: And, as Tsar said: The alcohol was not the problem of the previous parties. It was the noise of all the people, which really can't be helped, even if there was no alcohol. You can't realistically keep that many people "polite and quiet".
 
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I completely support the idea of the teetotal party, even though I'd be at the drunk party. TsarBomba, it's very possible that people can get annoyed by the behaviour of drunk people even when such behaviour doesn't appear to cross the line of decency. I accept that, and hope that such people can get just as much enjoyment from the evening as I do getting drunk.
 
Miss_Kitt said:
Hi, I'm Kitt.

I'm a Forumite, and I don't get drunk. I do occasionally have alcohol--I even put in an appearance at the Garden Bar one eveing (and if the delightful Canadian couple who shared the table with me would please let me know who they are, I'd love your e-mail!)...but I'm uncomfortable with people getting hammered. Especially with large groups of drunk folks, even friends.

Anyone want to work on a Not Getting Smashed Party for TAM 7? I volunteer to help organize. If we don't need access to large amounts of booze; if people aren't so drunk as to get rudely loud; if folks can actually Remember Their Manners, it might not be so hard to find a location. It might even be easy to find a location.

Please don't take this as a personal slam on anyone's idea of How to Party. I just think we could have an event where drinking was not the central event, and still have a great time.

I would love to hear back from folks, thanks, Kitto
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I think I will pass on your "party".
 
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The point I'm trying to make...

TsarBomba said:
I have been to two TAMS (5 and 6), and two Forum Parties. .... I don't think that alcohol, in any way, shape, or form has been responsible for the issues that have ended the most recent forum parties early. The real issues have been too little space and too much noise. The noise is simply a result of a lot of people talking in a space that was not designed for that, not booze....to admonish a bunch of well bahaved adults that want to drink not to overimbibe or not to drink at a social occasion would be met with ridicule, scorn, sarcasm, and (most likely) laughter.
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TsarBomba (and other commenters):
I specifically did NOT admonish anyone. I specifically noted that I think adults have the right to party however they see fit. I think that as skeptics and as thoughtful people, you need to recognize what I call the "package deal" approach. That is, saying "I don't enjoy being around lots of intoxicated people" became transformed, in several minds, into "I hate drinking" "I want a booze-free event" and "I admonish anyone who drinks." I did not say any of those things. I went out of my way to not imply them--but people still infer them.

Reading the thread, I saw a number of posts saying (I paraphrase), "We can't rent a room from the hotel because their booze costs too much and they won't let us bring in outside liquor." Using such a facility would solve the Too Much Noise problem instantly. What I find amazing is that rational people would find it unreasonable to attend what is (presumably) an event about meeting in person people you know online unless they can also drink a lot. I did not suggest a no-alcohol party--please reread my original post--I just suggest a party where there weren't a lot of people drunk. There will be lots of bar-centered events around TAM anyway. I'm just suggesting that maybe the Forum party could be in a noise-allowed space even if that means that for that event, booze is less central. The Thursday night event at TAM6 had a pay bar, but a lot of people seemed to enjoy it anyway...

So, hopefully being heard (read?) to say exactly what I'm saying this time: Does anyone want to put together a not-centered-on-drinking event, so we can rent a space that will solve the noise-complaint problem?

People who think you can't have a party without lots of alcohol are welcome to tank up elsewhere, and just 'top up' at the event if bar prices are too high for you. ; )
 
Miss_Kitt said:
So, hopefully being heard (read?) to say exactly what I'm saying this time: Does anyone want to put together a not-centered-on-drinking event, so we can rent a space that will solve the noise-complaint problem?
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Hey, I'll do it! :)

But, good luck gathering lots of others!!! :rolleyes:


It seems alcohol is the "necessary evil" for TAM parties. :(
 
Not centered on drinking event? Since when was the party centered on drinking? We got kicked out because of the noise. No one that I saw was stupidly drunk. The noise as mostly talking with people we did not hate, which is not a common occurance for me, and I think many people here.

Don't worry, I was 'tanking up' constantly during the conference.

Since when is drinking an evil at all?

And I wanted to bring other supplies to the party so there would not be as mcuh drinking, but was worried about taking them on a flight across the border.
 
Miss_Kitt said:
TsarBomba (and other commenters):
Too Much Noise problem instantly. What I find amazing is that rational people would find it unreasonable to attend what is (presumably) an event about meeting in person people you know online unless they can also drink a lot.
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I don't think its about wanting to drink "a lot", more about not wanting to have to drink $9 watered down well drinks. Quality over quantity.
 
Miss_Kitt said:
The Thursday night event at TAM6 had a pay bar, but a lot of people seemed to enjoy it anyway...

So, hopefully being heard (read?) to say exactly what I'm saying this time: Does anyone want to put together a not-centered-on-drinking event, so we can rent a space that will solve the noise-complaint problem?
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And we already have one such event: On Thursday night, as you mentioned. The Forum/Skepchick party is about more than just drinking lots, it's also about drinking (and eating) good stuff. At TAM5, we had the "Great Beer Tasting" event, as well as the "Chocolate Challenge". I also remember someone has some sort of fancy cheese....And the chocolate phalluses, don't forget those!. At TAM5.5, myself and a few others brought some nice scotches that were very well received. None of that can happen in a venue where the hotel insists on controlling all of the food and drinks, and only offers the usual "Bud and Bud light, some bland cheese and a few sad fruits*" kind of service.








*Not that I'm saying Tobias is sad, of course. He's actually quite gay!
 
Horatius said:
And we already have one such event: On Thursday night, as you mentioned. The Forum/Skepchick party is about more than just drinking lots, it's also about drinking (and eating) good stuff. At TAM5, we had the "Great Beer Tasting" event, as well as the "Chocolate Challenge". I also remember someone has some sort of fancy cheese....And the chocolate phalluses, don't forget those!. At TAM5.5, myself and a few others brought some nice scotches that were very well received. None of that can happen in a venue where the hotel insists on controlling all of the food and drinks, and only offers the usual "Bud and Bud light, some bland cheese and a few sad fruits*" kind of service.








*Not that I'm saying Tobias is sad, of course. He's actually quite gay!
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HEY.. now that was uncalled for.. what have i EVER done to you to make you think i'm gay.....

oh wait..
 
Honestly, what I would like to see more-so than alcohol-reduced parties are smoke-free parties.

Not that the smoke at the TAM6 version was a problem. There were only a small number of smokers there. But, who's with me?
 
I like US's idea. I nominate myself for the committee. :)

Nothing at all wrong with using the hotel servers, granted they don't forget the food. :D(elbowing to the Flamingo techs who didn't record Saturday)
 
Miss_Kitt said:
TsarBomba (and other commenters):
I specifically did NOT admonish anyone. I specifically noted that I think adults have the right to party however they see fit.
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I did not suggest that you did admonish anyone, however you were proposing a future act of admonishment at a future party where we would admonish future party goes not to be drunken bores, in the future. That would be a reall buzz kill before the buzz even started.
 
Wowbagger said:
Honestly, what I would like to see more-so than alcohol-reduced parties are smoke-free parties.

Not that the smoke at the TAM6 version was a problem. There were only a small number of smokers there. But, who's with me?
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I agree, since by the time I get to TAM7 I will be a non-smoker. But smoking is prohibited indoors just about everywhere in Australia - are there places in the US where it is still allowed?
 
Any restrictions on partying will make the party a pooper. I'm allergic to tobacco and get a rash when around the smoke, but I take antihistamines if I want to hang with partiers or go to a gathering of any sort with people who smoke. I expect there to be some smoke, some drink, some other stuff that people do at parties. Putting restrictions on others will just convince them not to come. I can put up with stuff for a some hours with awesome folks to hang around and have fun. I don't think Vegas has many smoking restrictions.


Anyhoo, the toughest part is finding an affordable place to party and make some noise. I feel that we'll have to get some kind of venue (hall, ballroom, whatever). Then we need some kind of someone (DJ, whatever) with a good sound system. Then there can be some dancing too. Now, THAT's a party! Tickets can be sold cheap to help cover costs. I'd be willing to pay 25 bucks to come, or even more if I have to.


Soooo, being in Canada, it's pretty tough to cost compare vegas Venues. Is there anyone who lives closer to Vegas that can help with that?
 
arthwollipot said:
are there places in the US where it is still allowed?
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Well, there are smoking and non-smoking hotel rooms. The party, this year, was in a smoking room. Though, there were only a small number of smokers in it, so it was not a big deal.

Eos of the Eons said:
Any restrictions on partying will make the party a pooper.
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I think smoke-free is a reasonable restriction. Though smoking was not a problem this year, you never know: it could become an issue next year, depending on various factors. (number of smokers, size of room, performance of air circulation systems, accessibility to outside (via balcony or whatever), types of things smoked, etc.)

Eos of the Eons said:
I don't think Vegas has many smoking restrictions.
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That seems to be true.

There is still a lot smoking in bars, casino floors, etc.

Eos of the Eons said:
Anyhoo, the toughest part is finding an affordable place to party and make some noise. I feel that we'll have to get some kind of venue (hall, ballroom, whatever).
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This will require research, but wherever we go, I think we should preserve the freedom to bring in our own snacks and drinks, if we want.

Eos of the Eons said:
Then we need some kind of someone (DJ, whatever) with a good sound system. Then there can be some dancing too. Now, THAT's a party!
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These days, anyone with an iPod, and relatively decent speakers, can be the DJ.

Eos of the Eons said:
Tickets can be sold cheap to help cover costs. I'd be willing to pay 25 bucks to come, or even more if I have to.
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I was thinking about establishing a "minimum suggested donation".

Eos of the Eons said:
Soooo, being in Canada, it's pretty tough to cost compare vegas Venues. Is there anyone who lives closer to Vegas that can help with that?
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I wish I could help. I am having trouble even researching venues for a costume party, in New York City.
 
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