TAM2: It's over.

[Dinonychus]

Assuming the same schedule next year, I think I will come the previous weekend, and take 3-4 days to explore the Nevada desert. And visit Area 51!

Area 51 nothing. I'd love to spend a day or two exploring Red Rock Canyon again. I know I went along with everyone on Sunday, but with my health, 30 minutes in one spot just isn't enough time to explore.

 

[exarch]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
Somebody took pictures of me wearing the blindfold during the Chocolate Challenge. I want to know who you are!

Hmm, I wonder who that could be ...
* whistles *

And the dryness!!! What's up with that?? In 30 minutes, my long hair was dry, first surprise. I scratched my leg, and drew blood. then it got worse: my facial skin started to peel off. Lips cracked.

So I wasn't the only one who wasn't used to the desert air.


As for the question about having more time to socialize, I suggest staying an extra day or two just for that after the amaz!ng meeting itself is finished. Getting to know the people at the start of the meeting wasn't a problem (the reception was more than sufficient for the JREF-members-clique to form), finding the time to do stuff was. Afterwards seems like the best time to do that.

We should also organise it all a bit more, decide beforehand where to go to have dinner, make the necessary reservations in advance, where to meet each other and at what time. Most of the time people were just running around cluelessly, asking others if they knew where the group would go, where everyone was, and nobody really knew or decided, unless Renata took charge and rounded everyone up

Maybe we could get an aditional group rate if all the foumites stay another night or two, or we could collectively relocate to a slightly cheaper hotel or something. We have a whole year to work it all out

 

[dimossi]

I saw dimossi and AtheistArchon playing the slots. Just thought it would be important to mention. I'm such a snitch sometimes!

Actually, it wasn't the slots we were playing, it was the full-pay video poker machines. I don't play slots.

Dimossi's Rational Guide to Gambling:
1. Only play full-pay video poker games (I was playing Dueces Wild. When playing optimal strategy on a full-pay version of DW you are looking at a payout ratio of 100.76%. This is one of the few games in the casino where the player has an advantage over the house.)
2. Play slowly until you get a free drink or two.
3. When finished with your drink, cash out.

Anyway, it was a pleasure meeting you Luciana. I enjoyed our conversation about some of the more interesting cultural aspects of Brazil.

 

[Sidhedevil]

I, too, would be up for a Forum Day after the close of TAMIII (or even just a Forum Dinner and Carousing, if people don't mind leaving the next morning).

And, er, what Dimossi said about video poker. If one finds the machines that have the "100% payout" signs on top, a reasonably skillful player (or even me) can break even and get free drinks.

 

[Quinn]

But, I think we did roll with it and who can forget Quinn playing the piano in the end?

Seeing as how I had been sleeping for 3-4 hours a night and hadn't managed to practice for several days beforehand, I had rather hoped that everyone would forget. But G6, you are entirely too kind as usual, and I thank you and the others who were there for indulging me.

And about the dreadful one-man cover band: the really tragic thing is, there was actually some talent buried under all that cheese. The guy did a better Ray Charles than anyone I've ever heard (and I'm a huge Ray fan), and when I heard him play something other than a synth guitar solo (*shudder*), he played very well. It's unfortunate that it's easier for him to make a living leading drunken tourists through a karaoke version "Brick House" over and over again.

 

[Lisa]

Quinn, no one is "indulging" you. You were damned fine on the piano. I enjoyed it immensely.

Now about our lounge lizard enterainment....
I dunno, maybe if he had stuck to instrumentals and turned the volume down to "ears only slightly bleeding" he wouldn't have been too bad. The lounge lizard version of KC and the Sunshine band was, IMHO, a bad choice. That is what caused Mike and I to flee the area, hands over our ears, on Friday night.

 

[Luciana]

Hmm, I wonder who that could be ...
* whistles *

You'll send it to me over Paltalk one of these days.

 

[shanek]

Quinn, no one is "indulging" you. You were damned fine on the piano. I enjoyed it immensely.

I'll second that. Quinn, you were awesome, and as a classically-trained pianist who at one time was quite good I know whereof I speak.

 

[Electric Monk]

Seeing as how I had been sleeping for 3-4 hours a night and hadn't managed to practice for several days beforehand, I had rather hoped that everyone would forget.

Little chance of that! I have several pieces recorded, and they came out pretty well for a little microphone on the camera.

It's just very cool having people with that kind of ability in a group like this. Thanks for sharing.

--James

 

[Phil]

Little chance of that! I have several pieces recorded, and they came out pretty well for a little microphone on the camera.

It's just very cool having people with that kind of ability in a group like this. Thanks for sharing.

--James

Are you kidding me? Quinn stunk. He was awful. I can't believe we humored him as long as we did. I was actually glad my ears started bleeding from the noise so I didn't have to hear anymore. Shees. What a maroon.

On second thought, he was amazing!!

 

[Girl 6]

Seeing as how I had been sleeping for 3-4 hours a night and hadn't managed to practice for several days beforehand, I had rather hoped that everyone would forget. But G6, you are entirely too kind as usual, and I thank you and the others who were there for indulging me.

Eh, noooo... I'm not too kind! I was providing evidence for my claim that you are an awesome piano player!

And, of course, you proved me right!

G6

 

[exarch]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
You'll send it to me over Paltalk one of these days.

Paltalk you say ...

I just love how you can see the surprise on her face, even through the blindfold

 

[WonderfulWorld]

UnrepetantSinner wanted to request a lounge lizard version of Gun N Roses "Welcome to the Jungle".

I was waiting for the guy to break into "What's New Pussycat".



(Actually, I thought the guy was pretty talented, just utterly without taste. If he'd done one more K.C. and the Sunshine Band tune, I was going to jump out a window. Or start gambling.)


I was in Vegas a day early. Next year, wherever we are, I definitely need to be there a few days early. I missed a lot in Miami last year and Vegas this year.

 

[Jeff Wagg]

It was a pleasure meeting everyone. I enjoyed hijacking the table in the coffee shop especially (Thanks Big Nickel!).

Big Nickel warned me to be less serious..but I have to say that I had a GREAT time with the heavy lunch time discussions. It was a treat to have folks engage rather than run away.

Looking forward to next year! I would like to enter some choclate from Snowflake Chocolates in next years chocolate challenge.

 

[bignickel]

Well, I'm not sure I 'warned' anyone about not being serious; I hope instead that I suggested people relax. If I gonna take 4 days off and spend them in Vegas, I'm certainly going to relax.

That said, I had tons of information crammed into my head while I was there. Lots of it intellectual (speakers) and alot of it visual (Skepchicks!) Sparkle, Luciana, MoeFaux, Girl6, Julia, Lisa,... my heart goes pitter patter pitter patter...

I was hoping that one of the Skepchicks would hop on Quinn's piano and sing ala "The Fabulous Baker Boys". Maybe at TAM3, and little more alky

 

[exarch]

Originally posted by bignickel
I was hoping that one of the Skepchicks would hop on Quinn's piano and sing ala "The Fabulous Baker Boys". Maybe at TAM3, and little more alky

Not that I'm saying skepchicks are heavy, but I don't think pianos were made with a singing woman on top of it in mind.

We already had the chocolate orgy and the Penn & Teller fire-hazard, breaking the piano would definitely get the JREF kicked out of the Tuscany for good

 

[Brown]

...breaking the piano would definitely get the JREF kicked out of the Tuscany for good...

You say that as if it were a bad thing.

I would not recommend returning to the Tuscany for TAM3, TAM4 or any other TAM.

 

[Phil]

You say that as if it were a bad thing.

I would not recommend returning to the Tuscany for TAM3, TAM4 or any other TAM.

I had no problem with the hotel. What rubbed you wrong, Brown?

 

[bignickel]

Not that I'm saying skepchicks are heavy, but I don't think pianos were made with a singing woman on top of it in mind.

Any piano that was not designed for a woman to be lounging on it while singing... NEEDS TO BE RE-DESIGNED!

 

[SkepticScott]

Phil asked what was wrong with the hotel.

Some minor items:

I personally had problems with the mail service. I ordered 100 "Get Out Of Hell Free" cards, and because they were running late, I had them mailed to the hotel. I received an email saying that they were mailed on Tuesday. I still hadn't received them by the time I left Monday, and they still weren't at the hotel when I called yesterday.

I was told that the JREF shipped 500 folders to the hotel, where they were received and signed for. Yet the hotel couldn't find them! That's why all the registration folders were different colors; Linda had to make a trip to OfficeMax on Wednesday. The hotel paid for the folders, of course, but that doesn't make up for losing them in the first place!