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TamTips

Chris H said:
I've booked a room at South Point from the Thursday (July 8th) until the Monday (July 12th) - someone please tell me I got those dates right?
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Yes, those are correct. The schedule hasn't been posted yet, but at TAM7 Thursday was optional (pay) workshops, followed by a reception (free) and magic show (pay). At past TAMs Sunday was a half-day of paper presentations; at TAM7 that was followed by Connie Sonne's test.

kittynh said:
just remember, the horses ass.
you'll know it when you see it.
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Yes, you will.
The Grand Canyon isn't that far. Well worth the drive or perhaps signing up for a helicopter tour.
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I took a helicopter tour into the merely impressive west end of the Canyon, http://www.papillon.com/popris/show_package.aspx?package_id=19&lang=en-US . It was well worth it, and I got some fantastic pictures and videos. It's a half-day trip.

This year I might take their combination bus & helicopter tour to the incredibly impressive South Rim. :) That's a full-day trip.

Thank you everyone who praised the volunteers. They are fantastic people. I'll start a thread for volunteers in March. By then most people should know when they will be there, and what events they're going to (I work around your schedule).
 
TamTip:

Go into the gender-appropriate restroom payday evening and look for free drink coupons. I found three in the ladies room right off the casino floor (one of which was wasted by my Mom on a Corona). Apparently the South Point had a program where local people could stop by with their paycheck, get it cashed at the cashier's window, and try to win a prize. Most often, the prize was a coupon for a free drink at the Del Mar. I suppose the ones I found were left there by people who didn't want the drinks, but didn't want to throw them away (they were on the counter next to the trash can). Seeing as how there was no one else in the restroom at the time, they were mine, all mine!
 
kittynh said:
if you have money to blow then the shows are fantastic! Being that you are coming a long way ask for suggestions for a good show to see. Penn and Teller are good, and you will meet them at TAM. THe great thing is that most of the speakers like to hang around and are very friendly.
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I've had several on my wishlist for quite a few years now. Penn and Teller, Copperfield, Mac King, Lance Burton, Blue Man Group...that's just off the top of my head! I'll probably get to Vegas a few days early just so I can get the shows out of the way before TAM. Very much looking forward to it!
 
Chris H said:
I've had several on my wishlist for quite a few years now. Penn and Teller, Copperfield, Mac King, Lance Burton, Blue Man Group...that's just off the top of my head! I'll probably get to Vegas a few days early just so I can get the shows out of the way before TAM. Very much looking forward to it!
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When you register for TAM they usually have discounted P&T tickets and transportation available. I'd do that, plus you usually go with a group of people from TAM.
 
Chris H said:
Now that people have well and truly started thinking about TAM, I thought it might be cool if some of the TAM veterans posted some tips and advice for the newbies who are thinking about making their first trek to the holy land...
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Yes. Don't go. They never live up to the hype and can never repeat the magic of TAM 1 and 2.


;)
 
Here's an idea. Become a host or correspondent for a podcast. Before TAM, email Bart to arrange interviews with as many people as you can. You'll miss out on some stuff because you're interviewing, but you'll get one-on-one time with some completely awesome people, and furthermore you'll get a press pass that'll get you into press-only events!

What can I say? It worked for me. :D

PS. Want to be an official correspondent?
 
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Chris H said:
Penn and Teller
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As sc00ter said, the JREF usually has discounted P&T tickets, and usually coordinate a bus or two for transport. Last year, IIRC, it was a $5 'honor system' contribution to defray the cost of the buses. If you can't take the bus, a cab to or from the Rio is about $20, and you can share it with three other people. Or you could take the bus and walk from the Strip to the Rio.
Mac King
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His show is in the afternoon, so you should be able to easily fit it in to your pre-TAM activities. His show is great!
 
There is a TAM scholarship program, which will cover all or part of your registration fee if money is a bit tight this year. You can apply once the TAM8 pages are up and the scholarship page appears. Apply early!

When you see a bunch of forumites hanging around the bar, come right on over, introduce yourself, and buy everyone a round of drinks. We really are friendly. Don't be put off.

Watch out for Paul C. Anagnostopoulos. He can't remember your name, be it your real one or your forum name. If he appears to be an idiot, keep trying. He's pretty good except for the name thing.

~~ Paul
 
SkepticScott said:
As sc00ter said, the JREF usually has discounted P&T tickets, and usually coordinate a bus or two for transport. Last year, IIRC, it was a $5 'honor system' contribution to defray the cost of the buses. If you can't take the bus, a cab to or from the Rio is about $20, and you can share it with three other people. Or you could take the bus and walk from the Strip to the Rio.
His show is in the afternoon, so you should be able to easily fit it in to your pre-TAM activities. His show is great!
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As far as the Bus goes... Make sure you do whatever they say to do. Last year we were told to email Jeff, and I did. There was some confusion, but best to follow the instructions to save a hassle, both for you, and for the staff of the JREF. That said, it all worked out in the end.. Horray to Jeff and Linda.. They saved my ass.. I had issues with my ticket.
 
Sc00ter said:
As far as the Bus goes... Make sure you do whatever they say to do. Last year we were told to email Jeff, and I did. There was some confusion, but best to follow the instructions to save a hassle, both for you, and for the staff of the JREF. That said, it all worked out in the end.. Horray to Jeff and Linda.. They saved my ass.. I had issues with my ticket.
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And make sure you do whatever they say to do logistically also. The bus was to be at place X after the show, which it was. However, some people thought it should stay there and wait for them all night, while they visited with friends and wandered around the casino.
 
If you see a TAM group in conversation, do not be afraid to join in. My first TAM, I knew no one on sight. I was listening to a small group - one person obviously from the northeast US and the rest from England. Within a minute, I had met tkingdoll and was being used as a stage assistant by magician Jeremy Ian Swiss.

If you hear a group is going to some restaurant, show, bar, strip club, chess club, etc that interests you, it's ok to ask to come along. It may be a gig with reservations required ahead of time, but you will not have your head bitten off** for asking, and you will likely have a great time.

Volunteer! It will hieghten your TAM experience, not interfere with it. Scott is great about working around your schedule. You will meet more people, and get to talk during the times when there aren't 5000 more things vying for your attention.

Wear the badge. We may be 1000 people strong at TAM, but there will be thousands more in the hotel.* Ignoring the joke about staring at chests, it is the only way I have a chance of associating names with faces.

You can't do everything. You can't be everywhere. You have to sleep at least once during TAM. It's sad, but you'll get over it.

CT




*You would not want to accidentally lick a non-TAM attendee's arm. [Don't ask.]
**We go for other things first.
 
Paul C. Anagnostopoulos said:
There is a TAM scholarship program, which will cover all or part of your registration fee if money is a bit tight this year. You can apply once the TAM8 pages are up and the scholarship page appears. Apply early!

When you see a bunch of forumites hanging around the bar, come right on over, introduce yourself, and buy everyone a round of drinks. We really are friendly. Don't be put off.

Watch out for Paul C. Anagnostopoulos. He can't remember your name, be it your real one or your forum name. If he appears to be an idiot, keep trying. He's pretty good except for the name thing.

~~ Paul
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Weird, possibly. question for you: Do you have trouble when you are talking with blanking out on other nouns or is it only names?
 
The Central Scrutinizer said:
True, although, given Las Vegas' 10 miles long blocks and 1000 degree heat, isn't as easy as it sounds. I did it 2 years ago. :)
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At TAM6 I had the excellent idea to go out for a walk on The Strip at 5pm. Fifteen minutes into the adventure were enough for me to realize how excellent the idea was. My skin kind of burning, my hands swollen and difficulty to breath. 180º turn, and back to the air conditioning refuge. I don't know for sure, but it must have been over 40ºC in the shade, the highest ambient temp I have ever experienced.
 
The Central Scrutinizer said:
And make sure you do whatever they say to do logistically also. The bus was to be at place X after the show, which it was. However, some people thought it should stay there and wait for them all night, while they visited with friends and wandered around the casino.
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Hah, then bitch when the bus left when they said it would. Penn and Teller hang around TAM all the time, you don't HAVE to see them right after the show.
 
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