Greetings from Las Vegas!
After being pestered for the Low-Down, I thought I’d get y’all up to speed on my latest adventure.
My trip to the airport was less eventful this time around (meaning I wasn’t late), but the ride itself was quite exciting for the guy who almost died halfway through the flight. As it stands, I think if I’m going to have a seizure, I’d like to have it in a confined space with two doctors and a nurse, please.
I was delighted by not being assaulted by slot machine noise the moment the cabin door opened this time around. I’m starting to feel quite at home in the airport, actually.
Unfortunately, most cabbies have no idea where my hotel is (being off the strip and 6 months old), so I’m constantly giving directions. They also don’t take credit, so my Cash Monies are quickly being depleted. Damn it, that’s hooker money! (Okay, no.)
The hotel: free continental breakfast plus a reasonably-priced hot breakfast meant I could eat cereal, an egg and sausage bagel (large), and still cram a banana and apple in my book bag for later in the day. My room has a HUGE HDTV, and easy access for RGB, S Video, VGA, HDMA or Composite video. It makes me lament that I didn’t bring any frickin’ cables, ’cause it’s awesome, and so appropriate for the conference.
In fact, I really fancy the colors and layout of the place. It has a bit of an air of “stylish self-service”, like a higher-end japanese businessman hotel. More about this later.
The conference is great so far. A few hours after I got off the plane I was in a seminar on After Effects, and since then my brain’s been totally soaked with info on AE, Final Cut Pro, running a small-to-medium production company, and other totally useful things.
This morning, I put two lost editors under wing (it was instinct, really) and found out they’re from Ferndale – what are the odds? In slightly (ha) higher odds, I ran into Dan Boujoulian inside the keynote address space – his crazy hair might as well be a lighthouse, it’s a beacon. We caught up, had lunch, chilled out, s’good.
Of all the things I could have forgotten between my house, work, and Lucy’s place (where I visited for a few hours on my way out), my business cards are the least problematic. Still, with all the card swapping here, I feel naked without them. So what does any self-respecting graphic designer do? Make new ones, naturally!
So I whipped up a PDF of 16 or so, and discovered my hotel (you know, the one with the free wi-fi) lets you print for free downstairs. So I’m printing them out now, and if I see a kinko’s I’ll print them again on thicker stock.
Sunday is the last day us post-production people will have the conference to ourselves – the big NAB event begins on Monday. I’ll be attending the big party Sunday night – apparently, it comes with a free pass to a club that is, if that instructor is to be believed, normally 120 bucks just to get in the door. Kinda swank, eh? It’s business casual, no blue jeans or logos – I wonder if my black jeans are ‘stylish enough’.
I’m clearly a huge video dork, because there are few things I want more than A) a good meal and B) to sit down with the laptop and try to create something stunning with my new mental loot. Alas, “good” is relative, so I’ll go scrounge something and get to work on things.
By the way, I’ve been uploading photos to my facebook profile. Eventually, I’ll pull them down and put them on Picasa. Strangely, my 6 photos turned into 20 on the way, and I had to delete the extras.
Hope you’re having a great weekend, my peeps!
You’ll be at NAB? I’m going for RTNDA Career Day on Wednesday. I need a job!
Yeah, I’m here all week (try the veal!) drop me an e-mail (this lj at gmail), and maybe we can meet up.
I likely won’t be free to meet on a social level since I’m stuck shepherding five girls around Vegas, but if you’re at the conference Wednesday we can grab lunch or something.
I’m looking for producing jobs, particularly news; do you know anyone I could “network” with? I’m terrible at that.
Well, my TV instructor from Madonna U used to work for Channel 7, and he’ll be around during the conference, but I have no idea whether he’ll be around on Wednesday. If you give me your card, I’ll get your info to anyone I run into, but I mostly know regional people up here.
Are the girls all in the business, or just friends taking the opportunity to hit the town?
Lunch is cool – I believe the classes have a break between 1 and 2, and there’s a well-stocked cafeteria in the building.
They’re looking for reporter/anchor jobs, mostly. Mandy and I are looking for news producing jobs.
They’re looking for reporter/anchor jobs, mostly. Mandy and I are looking for news producing jobs.
Well, my TV instructor from Madonna U used to work for Channel 7, and he’ll be around during the conference, but I have no idea whether he’ll be around on Wednesday. If you give me your card, I’ll get your info to anyone I run into, but I mostly know regional people up here.
Are the girls all in the business, or just friends taking the opportunity to hit the town?
Lunch is cool – I believe the classes have a break between 1 and 2, and there’s a well-stocked cafeteria in the building.
Vegas Baby!
Yeeeeaaaahhh boooyyyy
Where should I take the girls for a night out on the town?
Depends on what you like? Give me some specifics (ages, food options, club/dance/alcohol yes/no).
For youngsters – GameWorks (Tropicana & LV Blvd), Arcade at NYNY. CircusCircus AdventureDome.
For 21+ – any nightclub (just pick one). Tao at the Venetian, Pure at Caesars, Rain at the Palms, etc.
But if you are not busy during the day, we have natural beauty around here. Check out the new Springs Preserve, hike Red Rock (our desert tortise just woke up today, signalling the offical Las Vegas start of spring), the desert gardens and chocolate factory at Ethel M (in Henderson), etc.
Welcome to Vegas – the weather is great this month (albeit a bit windy this week).
May I suggest that Pure is pretty significantly overblown. Depends on the people, but I was unimpressed.
Kona – I didn’t know you’re out here!
Damn, I thought everyone knew I was in LV.
Oh, I didn’t list those clubs from experience. In fact, I think ALL of those venues are overblown and overpriced (bottle service is a total rip-off). But maybe it was because I’m “old”.
If I am going to a bar to drink and hear music, there are still plenty of free venues inside the casinos that won’t blow off your ears, are not over crowded with underdressed wannabes, and have plenty of ventilation.
Are you nearish town? I’m a forgetful dork, that’s why. ;)
Tomorrow’s my last full day here – my plane leaves around noon Thursday.
If you have time tomorrow to hang out for a bit, let me know! (short notice, I know).
…
on a really weird note, while I was writing this I saw an advertisement on the TV in my room for an air show on the Detroit River. That’s… really strange.
I have a speaking engagement Wednesday at 5:30p for an hour. email me (my nickname, use gmail).
I have a speaking engagement Wednesday at 5:30p for an hour. email me (my nickname, use gmail).
Are you nearish town? I’m a forgetful dork, that’s why. ;)
Tomorrow’s my last full day here – my plane leaves around noon Thursday.
If you have time tomorrow to hang out for a bit, let me know! (short notice, I know).
…
on a really weird note, while I was writing this I saw an advertisement on the TV in my room for an air show on the Detroit River. That’s… really strange.
Damn, I thought everyone knew I was in LV.
Oh, I didn’t list those clubs from experience. In fact, I think ALL of those venues are overblown and overpriced (bottle service is a total rip-off). But maybe it was because I’m “old”.
If I am going to a bar to drink and hear music, there are still plenty of free venues inside the casinos that won’t blow off your ears, are not over crowded with underdressed wannabes, and have plenty of ventilation.
May I suggest that Pure is pretty significantly overblown. Depends on the people, but I was unimpressed.
Kona – I didn’t know you’re out here!
Depends on what you like? Give me some specifics (ages, food options, club/dance/alcohol yes/no).
For youngsters – GameWorks (Tropicana & LV Blvd), Arcade at NYNY. CircusCircus AdventureDome.
For 21+ – any nightclub (just pick one). Tao at the Venetian, Pure at Caesars, Rain at the Palms, etc.
But if you are not busy during the day, we have natural beauty around here. Check out the new Springs Preserve, hike Red Rock (our desert tortise just woke up today, signalling the offical Las Vegas start of spring), the desert gardens and chocolate factory at Ethel M (in Henderson), etc.
Welcome to Vegas – the weather is great this month (albeit a bit windy this week).
Yeeeeaaaahhh boooyyyy
Where should I take the girls for a night out on the town?
Vegas Baby!
I likely won’t be free to meet on a social level since I’m stuck shepherding five girls around Vegas, but if you’re at the conference Wednesday we can grab lunch or something.
I’m looking for producing jobs, particularly news; do you know anyone I could “network” with? I’m terrible at that.
Yeah, I’m here all week (try the veal!) drop me an e-mail (this lj at gmail), and maybe we can meet up.
You’ll be at NAB? I’m going for RTNDA Career Day on Wednesday. I need a job!
How’d you get off the airplane and NOT be assaulted by the noise of slot machines?
Dunno, maybe they turned it down, or I landed in a different section this time.
Dunno, maybe they turned it down, or I landed in a different section this time.
They are pretty quiet now – no more coin dropping, it’s all paper printouts.
When I flew in last year, it was mind-numbing; it’s the ringing, see.
When I flew in last year, it was mind-numbing; it’s the ringing, see.
They are pretty quiet now – no more coin dropping, it’s all paper printouts.
How’d you get off the airplane and NOT be assaulted by the noise of slot machines?