Subject: dlv2k Detailed feedback ...
From: Annie (annie)
Date: Wed May 31 2000 - 23:00:06 CDT
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Feedback in this mailing:
Unless something else eventful comes in, this will be the last major
item on the DLV 2000 mailing list. We'll keep it open for any final
comments and feedback that may come in, and then dissolve it and
start up the organizational (dlvorg) list for those who want to help
plan the event coming in 2000.
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Feedback:
>Everything was Just Great!
>Don't change a Thing!
Well, uh, the only constant in this world is change. :)
I would use the term "grow" rather than "change" for what's happened to
DLV over the past few years. We're still somewhat small, still informal,
and still with a mission to enjoy life and each other's company.
If you time-warped and went back to one of the first DLV's, you would
find the same attitude, the same spirit of fun, the same comaraderie,
and yes, some of the same people. :)
If you're concerned about DLV morphing into yet another Fanfair clone,
it's not gonna happen. If people want something like that, they can
throw a dart at a calendar and they will be within a few weeks of one
somewhere. If there's a desire for something like that in Las Vegas, it
will happen, if people organize it, but will not replace DLV.
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No-show feedback:
>>If there's anybody here who bailed out, I would be interested in
>>knowing why. No hard feelings, I promise. If there's anything any of
>>us could have done to make things more comfortable for you, please let
>>us know.
>Well, as you see, I didn't make it again this year. I really didn't
>plan to, either, but since you want to know why people don't come.
>I don't know any other way to put this. I'm scared shitless. It's
>nothing you all are doing, it's all me. Don't get me wrong, I
>want to go very bad, I can't get up the nerve. I thought of going
>and just staying as my boy-self, but that wouldn't be fair to all
>of you.
Actually, it's perfectly cool to do some things or all things in
boymode. We want you in any shape or form, as long as you're comfortable
with it. You would find no thoughts of unfairness to the group at all.
If you wanted to test the water and try girlmode for something, you
would get more assistance and support than you would ever need. :)
>I guess I'll dream and try again next year.
If you never have dreams, they will never come true. :)
>All I've ever done is go to a couple of support groups. Only dressed
>for one one time, and I didn't get much out of them. Your trip sounds
>exciteing and fun, but so scary I've got to pass, sorry.
I didn't think we were *that* scary a group! <vbfg>
But seriously, ask any of those who took their first real peek out of
the closet this time. Yes, there was a lot of nervousness, but that
went away soon. The only time I really felt sorry for somebody new was
when she had to use the facilities >>BAD<< but was uneasy going to a
public ladies room.
Just remember, if you decide to take that trip next year, you will be
among friends, even though you haven't met any in real life before.
Everybody wants you to have a good time.
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Feedback:
>We had a great time even though we didn't do a lot of the dlv events...
May I ask why you didn't do more of the DLV things? Did they not interest
you, were you short of time? Were you off doing your own thing, maybe?
>Only improvement I can think of would be to select one hotel as a
>'base' and strongly encourage everyone to use it.
Well, we tried to do something like that, suggesting three hotels. We
did have a number of people at the IP, as suggested, but one large group
was at the Hilton, and others were scattered from Stratosphere to Luxor
to some off-Strip places.
Our people have strong preferences for their favorite hotels, and in
many cases the driving force is money. People who regularly play at the
various places can get comp (free) or reduced (casino rate) rooms quite
easily, and it's absurd to tell them to pay more to stay at our
recommended hotel.
Others have noted they *like* to stay off the beaten path, away from the
crowds and yes, away from the rest of the group.
Another said she intentionally does NOT like to stay at her regular
favorite hotel when coming to DLV.
Yes, I agree it would be "nice" to have everybody in one place, but with
our informal model, and the volitility of room rates, it ain't gonna
happen unless somebody can negotiate a VERY good price with one of the
popular places. If anybody wants to try to do this, be my guest, or
rather I'll be your guest. :)
Comments?
>(We stayed at the Sahara and it was just fine with us, plus they have
>5x odds on craps with a $1 minimum: cheap entertainment)
I think Sahara is the only major Strip casino that still regularly has
$1 minimums (minima?) on table games. Seems like many of the others have
gone to $5. $2-3 tables seemed to be scarce this trip.
I stayed at Sahara this time, and it is nice, but it was my third choice.
The two places I normally stay, and can usually get casino rate, (Stardust
and Riviera) could not get me in for the entire N+I and DLV period at a
good rate.
I got the LA Times rate at the Sahara, which is not that much more than
casino rate at Riviera.
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Feedback:
>>We need to know what you liked, what you did not like, anything you
>>would like to see happen, and any difficulty you had with any aspect
>>of the event.
>What I liked about Diva is that ther's nobody on an ego-trip. When you
>go to Southern Comfort, there are these people who are like Hey, look
>how cool I am. All over the place. At Diva, everybody is nice, not all
>Me Me Me Me.
I agree our people are the finest in the community! :) Very caring and
funloving, and they do care that everybody has a good time! Our event
simply does not attract the self-centered types.
>Now, as to what I didn't like, it was all rush-rush-rush to get to the
>shows and stuff, and then rush to the bar just to sit shooting bull.
>Can we maybe have a happy medium? Not that I didn't enjoy it, I loved
>talking to you people, just that it was full-speed fast or sitting
>around.
This is the first I've heard of any major problems with times other than
Saturday evening.
>Also, and I know your not responsible for this, I had the do-not-disturb
>sign on the door handle, but the maid kept knocking every day, and when
>I didn't answer she would call on the phone. Can't they see that I don't
>want to be bothered? As I said, You can't do anything about this.
Maybe I can't, but you sure can. Phone the hotel's housekeeping
department, ask for a supervisor, and explain very assertively that "Do
Not Disturb" means just that! If it happens again, phone the desk and
ask to speak to a hotel manager. If it gets that far, somebody will get
a major @$$-chewing. I've worked in hotels in the past, and that sign
means to not bother the guest except in emergency, period.
Out of curiosity, which hotel was this?
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Feedback from Downunder:
>Somebodies been writing, haven't they Annie... Must be a holiday weekend
>in the US!!!!
Actually, yes. Have you hugged a Veteran today? :)
>I guess its time to make some comments:
>> Nobody reported any major problems getting in touch with the group,
>> finding places, getting a ride, etc.
>A couple problems I had.
>Because I left home so early (3 May US time!) the final "War and Peace"
>issue of the DLV E-mails hadn't been delivered. This was a problem! They
>contained all the directions etc and since I don't normally carry and 30
>Lb? printer on my travels it was really, REALLY difficult to print it
>all out. Perhaps next year getting that final set of directions out
>earlier would be possible?
Main reason I did this (rather did not do it) is due to the TONS of them
left just sitting on the tables when we vacated Goodtimes Friday night
in 1999. SaraJayne was nice enough to print them out, and I just
duplicated them at Kinko's that afternoon. It's no biggie to do, but I
got the impression people were not using them.
Sending out the directions a bit sooner may also be an answer. Streets
will not change that much in a week or so. :)
>LaCage. Well organise but I (and I stress the "I") didn't fully
>appreciate the Tuesday deadline so ended up with a rush to get my
>booking for the show.
>Splash. Seems there were several of us didn't get the correct
>instructions. We were waiting in the wrong place and didn't know what
>the situation was about the tickets.
>> Most important, everybody was friendly and funloving. I have yet to
>> hear any reports of anybody not having a good time. :)
>Definitely had a good time.
>> When: 8:00pm
>> What: Pre-DLV get-together
>> Where: Las Vegas Lounge, see directions.
>>
>> Again, I think this came off quite well. One person did have a bit of
>> trouble finding it, but this seemed an isolated case.
>That was probably me! Missed it altogether to start with and then found
>it but no easy place to park. It was late, I was tired, so I went off to
>bed.
Parking is a major headache at a number of places. We should maybe let it
be known the LV Lounge is on the south end of a major shopping area
(Commercial Center) and plenty of lighted parking is available by the
adjoining buildings.
>> When: 5:00pm
>> What: Group dinner.
>> Where: Freezone, see directions.
>>
>> This one was supposed to be an organized thing, but the person putting
[munch]
>> The Milano's crowd raved about the food. The people who went to Keys
[chomp]
>> IMAO, we really don't need formal organized dinners, we simply need to
[snip]
>Wish I'd got there!!
It was very good! I'm toying with the idea of having a semi-official DLV
dinner there (Milano's, not Freezone) next year, but I'm afraid we would
fill every seat in the house. Maybe something like a pre-pre-DLV din-din
or something ... I ended up going back there kind of on the spur of the
moment (in total boymode) as I was on the way to the airport and kinda
hungry for something other than a bag of stale peanuts. I was waited on
by the same guy who waited on the group twice, and he was very
surprised. He did eventually recognize me, and said there was quite a
difference. :)
He asked about the group, and said he would love to have us back anytime.
>I agree about the meals. Choose a location and people order and pay for
>what they want. Its having the group together that's important rather
>than the organisation itself.
When I go to conventions and conferences (both t* and non-t*) that have
catered meals, I'm always hearing gripes about the food. Nobody seems to
like it, and I agree. I'm seldom as satisfied with a meeting room meal
as I am with something I've ordered off the menu. I also know the hotels
and restaurants gouge something terrible for these.
>> .. . . . .
>>
>> When: 7:00pm
>> What: Welcome get-together.
>> Where: Good Times Lounge, see directions.
>>
>> As with the other years, this turned out quite well, both in terms of
>> turnout and enthusiasm. No complaints, everybody had a good time that
>> I heard.
>Somebody came up with a good idea to take a group photo. Absolutely
>brilliant. There was a big turn out and it was a great chance to meet
>everyone again!
Yes, agreed. Maybe next year we can announce that we will be taking group
photos at such a thing, and encourage *everybody* to make it. I estimate
we actually got less than half of the total group in those shots. As I
think back, I can even think of people who were at the Goodtimes that
evening who are not in the photo.
>>
>> When: 9:30pm
>> What: La Cage (Frank Marino Show).
>> Where: Riviera Hotel, north Strip.
>
>> I enjoyed the show, even though this is the 4th year in a row I've seen
[bobbitt]
>Pretty good show. I was disappoint that Frank (aka whoever) wasn't
>outside when we left. I wanted to get a picture together :-(
>> We had a number of people who were late, and a few who BARELY made it.
[clip]
>Actually I think there were ONLY THREE people there on-time!
I don't think anybody actually missed it due to being late, but there were
some who had to catch their breath after running from the parking lot to
the box office in heels. :)
>> There were a few issues reported here. One of our people lost a book in
[chomp]
>Actually we were probably all a bit unlucky in that the Pool Competition
>was on in the Riveria that weekend and seemed to attract a roughish
>looking crowd down near the car park end of the hotel.
That billiard tournament is an ongoing yearly thing at the Riviera. I
remember one year I was staying there and I met the group (for LaCage)
down by the rear entrance. I remember seeing them engrossed in watching
the competition.
We've seen La Cage every year when the billiard tournament was on, and
this is the first time I've heard of anybody being uncomfortable because
of it. I stayed at the Riviera last December, and they were host hotel
for a large group attending the National Finals Rodeo. :)
>Mind you the
>Riveria Car Park is not one of the most salubrious in Las Vegas, is it?
I've stayed there many times, and I almost always park in that lot. This
was the first time I have ever had to drive all the way to the very top
level to find a space. I've never felt unsafe in that lot, in either
mode. They do have a second similar parking structure right behind the
main one, but that is one heck of a hike to the showroom area.
>While I didn't get any cat calls there I did get called a "Disco Honey"
>by some semi drunk guy who was leaving the lift as I entered it in the
>building I was staying in on the way out to LaCage. Fortunately, the guy
>who appeared to be about to try and chat me up, fell drunkenly out of
>the lift and I hit the Ground button!
>God! I hate lifts!!!
I sure wish I could find the copy of Leah's "Close Encounters of the
Elevator Kind", which told the tale of riding elevators with various
"civilians" during Fall Harvest a few years back.
>> When: 7:30pm
>> What: Splash (production show).
>> Where: Riviera Hotel, Strip at Riviera Blvd
>>
>> I didn't go, but met the group at Keys afterwards. Comments?
>> Thanks again to Tina (Thanks, Tina :) for coordinating this.
>Bit of confusion about the tickets and the meeting point but I enjoyed
>SPLASH. The bikers were sure clever. And the thought of that
>contortionist still makes my back sore!
>> When: 9:00-10:00am
>> What: Golf
>> Where: Las Vegas Golf Club
>>
>> I'm not a golfer, but it seems like those who went had a good time
>> except for one very bad case of sunburn. It also started a bit later
>> than we planned.
>Who got sub burn?
Well, I won't mention names, but she immediately went off to find a 7-11
to get some sunburn cream and use the ladies room. <vbfg>
>I know Julie wanted me to smoother myself in sun creme
>around the 17th, 18th hole I never noticed anything after that.
>> Thanks again to Julie (thanks, Julie) for coordinating this.
>Might bring my clubs next year ... that will remove one of my excuses!
>Perhaps one of those clip visor thingies, that would take the hair
>excuse out of play....Three, maybe four, months at golf school that
>would help with most of the other problems!!!
>I thought it was great event and thanks to Julie for organising. Perhaps
>it should have been made clearer that is was "dress up event" as well.
I thought the mode of dress was discussed a few times in the list.
>This should be a definite for next year, maybe something we could do on
>Friday morning instead of Monday?
Ok, all we need is a volunteer to make it happen. :)
>I know Annie doesn't want to get involved in organising accommodation
>etc,
It's not that I don't wanna see anything like this happen, I just don't
want to get stuck doing it.
>but it did seem like we had one travel agent type person there who
>had access to some good deals in LV. Should be something we can all
>leverage off next year.
Yes, and she did get a number of people some very good rates at the
Imperial Palace, one of our suggested hotels. If she's willing to do
this next year, maybe even a bit more in advance, I think it would be
great. I see no problem at all with her posting announcements of this
service in the mailing list.
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Web Sites:
DLV main page http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/
Michelle Jenkins http://www.idis.com/mpj
Tina http://home.att.net/~tinatawdre/
annie http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/
Julie http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Park/9289/
Rickie's Place http://www.freeyellow.com/members2/rick121
Margeth http://www.geekbabe.com/margeth/
Melissa's Magic Realm http://www.geocities.com/melissa_t17
The Cactus Rose Club http://www.geocities.com/crc_az
Debbie Sage http://intermind.net/~sage/
Vicki's Little Page http://hometown.aol.com/vickits44/myhomepage/index.html
Mindy http://www.fortunecity.com/village/freedom/785/
Bea http://BeatrizZ.tripod.com/
Any others? If so, send them in (just hit REPLY).
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Administrivia:
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