Last year I was a virgin. I'm not afraid to admit that TAM6 was my first. I went in unprepared and nervous but I felt my way around carefully and breathed in every moment. Just like that my TAM cherry was popped and I was hopelessly hooked. This year I went in feeling somewhat more confident, I was able to break out of my shell and foster a closer relationship with my new love. TAM7 has left me heady and breathless and next year can't come soon enough.
I took away something from each and every speaker. Bill Prady was the keynote speaker. He is producer and writer for "The Big Bang Theory." Unarguably the best sitcom on television. Joe Nickell is the only salaried paranormal investigator in the world. I learned much from his workshop and bought two of his books thus earning me the honor of being Mr. Nickell's close, personal friend. Phil Plait (aka the nicest guy in the world) thinks I look like Felicia Day and that's okay with me. Michael Shermer, Adam Savage, Penn & Teller, Jennifer Ouellette and all the rest. I was very happy to see my favorite Australian Richard Saunders again. I've decided that he is the sweetest man on earth. I was going to take him home with me but when I called the airline they politely explained to me that even with air holes in the crate, Mr. Saunders would likely not arrive alive and I would very much like to see him next year alive and well. Then there is the man who I blame for my obsession (but not in a bad way) the Amazing James Randi. My hero and a legend forever in the minds of skeptics the world over. There was an impromptu wedding that I was forced to attend, much to my delight. I wish Rebecca and Sid all the best.
This year also showed the incredible generosity of my fellow skeptics. Nevada has the worst vaccination rate in the nation and we were given the opportunity to help remedy this dire situation through JREF. The number I last heard was $8500.00! This is enough to give 500 children free vaccines, saving lives. There was also a food drive which saw a boatload of tuna, peanut butter and cash donated to the local food bank.
The best part of TAM though is my interactions with fellow attendees. I love walking through the casino wearing my name tag and walking past others adorned with blue lanyards. I nod at them and even though they are likely complete strangers, I feel a sense of camaraderie. I very much enjoyed interacting with forumites on a more personal level this year. Eos of the Eons (my roomie and all around beautiful person), Exarch, RustyPouch, Fitter, The Central Scrutinizer, Hutch, Cleon, Xenxabar, Tobias The Viking, Phyz, Wowbagger, King Merv, Nankay, Mattus Maximus, and Doubt. Plus meeting fabulous new friends like Paperskater, Arthwollipot, and Kennedy plus a ton of skeptics from Edmonton (Yay!). I cherish each minute spent with each person, I hope to see them all next year and meet many more.
So until the misty feelings wear off, I'll likely be walking around with a goofy grin on my face from recalling fond memories. The only bad thing about TAM? That there is 359 days until the next one.
I took away something from each and every speaker. Bill Prady was the keynote speaker. He is producer and writer for "The Big Bang Theory." Unarguably the best sitcom on television. Joe Nickell is the only salaried paranormal investigator in the world. I learned much from his workshop and bought two of his books thus earning me the honor of being Mr. Nickell's close, personal friend. Phil Plait (aka the nicest guy in the world) thinks I look like Felicia Day and that's okay with me. Michael Shermer, Adam Savage, Penn & Teller, Jennifer Ouellette and all the rest. I was very happy to see my favorite Australian Richard Saunders again. I've decided that he is the sweetest man on earth. I was going to take him home with me but when I called the airline they politely explained to me that even with air holes in the crate, Mr. Saunders would likely not arrive alive and I would very much like to see him next year alive and well. Then there is the man who I blame for my obsession (but not in a bad way) the Amazing James Randi. My hero and a legend forever in the minds of skeptics the world over. There was an impromptu wedding that I was forced to attend, much to my delight. I wish Rebecca and Sid all the best.
This year also showed the incredible generosity of my fellow skeptics. Nevada has the worst vaccination rate in the nation and we were given the opportunity to help remedy this dire situation through JREF. The number I last heard was $8500.00! This is enough to give 500 children free vaccines, saving lives. There was also a food drive which saw a boatload of tuna, peanut butter and cash donated to the local food bank.
The best part of TAM though is my interactions with fellow attendees. I love walking through the casino wearing my name tag and walking past others adorned with blue lanyards. I nod at them and even though they are likely complete strangers, I feel a sense of camaraderie. I very much enjoyed interacting with forumites on a more personal level this year. Eos of the Eons (my roomie and all around beautiful person), Exarch, RustyPouch, Fitter, The Central Scrutinizer, Hutch, Cleon, Xenxabar, Tobias The Viking, Phyz, Wowbagger, King Merv, Nankay, Mattus Maximus, and Doubt. Plus meeting fabulous new friends like Paperskater, Arthwollipot, and Kennedy plus a ton of skeptics from Edmonton (Yay!). I cherish each minute spent with each person, I hope to see them all next year and meet many more.
So until the misty feelings wear off, I'll likely be walking around with a goofy grin on my face from recalling fond memories. The only bad thing about TAM? That there is 359 days until the next one.
Comments
You are on my list of best new friends from TAM too.
See you in '09!
-Eos