Full Version: Vegas Oscars.....
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#1]
25 Feb 2007
To: ALL
The EE Forum Members!!! (was there ever any doubt?)
To Dave Lavaneri, for making the super human effort to party at the Beach Party despite only having 2 hours of sleep. And of course, for making Engraving Etc. what it is. It was a pleasure to see you again and get the chance to get to know you better.
To Joe and Toni Hayes, without whom I would never have any comprehension of stackable cheerios OR the complexties of why the coke machine disappears in the Hilton triangle. You guys are the best and I had a lot of fun being with you. I think Joe should change his handle to "real-live engraver", he did such an outstanding job on the laser solutions panel.
To Chuck and Lisa Burke, for all of their efforts in making the Beach party such a FABULOUS evening. (don't worry, I'm clearing my camera card as I write this). I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know both of you.
To Tom Geenen for all of his efforts in finding and securing the Imperial Palace. It was a great location and a great time. We had a lot of fun in the conversational neutral zone known as the "middle of the group table" Friday night at Margaritaville. That was fun!!
To Dee and Harvey, , Dee, somehow you got to leave Vegas with your new camera AND Harvey!! Don't know how that happened exactly..I think Harvey shoulda been a gimme because it was my crossed fingers that got you that camera!! ;-) <sigh> I will just have to try harder in 2008.
To Cody and Janna You guys are just the sweetest and I enjoyed seeing you again. You would definitely win the award for Best Use of a Guitar at a Beach Party.
Ok, the music is starting and I think they are telling me time is up. I know I spoke to so many others of you at the show, Rolf, Mick, Buzz and Arlene, Al. I really enjoyed meeting so many of our members at the Beach Party. It was great.
Oh yeah, the classes and the show were ok too. ;-) Actually the classes were fantastic. The show seemed small to me and the vendors as a whole didn't really seem that enthusiastic about being there. Maybe I'm wrong, this is only my second year.
It was a fantastic show this year.....it was great to see all of the forum members that were there...those of you who couldn't make it were missed!!
Thanks again everyone!!
Becky
aka "the Domestic Engineer"
EDITED: 25 Feb 2007 by KIAIJANE
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
25 Feb 2007
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#1] 25 Feb 2007
Becky,
Thank you for the synopsis.
I didn't get much more sleep, the night of our party, than the night before.
It's all Ruben's fault! Well...not...entirely his fault. :-)
After security kicked our group out of the upstairs lounge (11 pm) >.< we decided to hang out a little longer at the downstair Imperial Palace "watering hole." Time flew, to the point we got hungry again.
We wandered around for a while and came across some pretty hefty Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches. That hit the spot. :-)
Got my four hours sleep and it was back to the trade show. I-)
EDITED: 25 Feb 2007 by DGL
From: JHayes55 [#3]
25 Feb 2007
To: ALL
Getting sleep in Las Vegas did not seem to be on the agenda this year and I am still feeling the effects of it. We had a late arrival flight to LV and my internal clock does not reset with time changes – I get up each day at 4:30 to 5:00 am (Central time) it does not matter when I go to bed, that’s when I wake up. Each evening we had the honor of spending time with some of our great friends – I would not have missed a minute of it for sleep. Each night it was midnight or well after when we turned in – each morning I started my day about 3:30am LV time. Our wake up call on Sat. morning was at 3:00 am to be at the airport 2 hours before our 6:00am flight. Not much sleep that night either.
Best of all when I got the airport I had forgot to pack my pocket knife in my checked bags – I emptied my pockets in bowl and did not notice it. Need to say the TSA x-ray did not miss it – I got a lecture from a cocky young man who asked if I knew that I could not carry a knife on the plane. I did not try to explain to this idiot who seemed to want to make a federal case of it - I simply told him quietly to do what he needed to do. Another TSA official got my attention and asked me what I wanted to do with it and I said that it was a gift from my brother in-law but did not know I had any options since my bags were already checked at another building at the airport and I did not have time to go back there. He was very nice and escorted me to a small box where I could mail the knife back to myself (for a $9.00 charge) and then go back through security check once more. We shall see if it gets back to me. Nice to know that security is doing their job – sad that they have to have some people feel this is the only way to show authority. By the way did I mention that I hate terrorists?
The plane ride from LV to St. Louis was interesting since I was seated beside a gentleman who had an awards shop in St. Louis for about 30 years and was a member of a buying group of large awards shops across the U.S. We talked through the whole flight and he was nice enough to invite me to call him anytime and to take a tour of his place if I wanted to.
The flight from St.Louis to Marion, IL was a real ride. While waiting for our flight I saw an old friend from home who had just came in from Marion on the little twin prop job that we would be fling out on. He is a pilot himself and flies a lot for business and his comment was that the flight was the second worse he had ever been on. He was correct – high winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms made the 35 minute trip very rough. Not something I want to do often.
All in all a great trip – I noticed a few companies missing that had been there each year in the past - Rowland engravers did not show up, J-Bob’s from Texas (a wonderful company and people ) to name a couple. Tojours (sp) had a very small booth this year. New Hermes had one of the best booths I have ever seen and personnel running over themselves. They won the best Mega Booth award. Rowmarks booth was awesome as usual. It seemed to me that the number of booths was about normal (550 was the number the ARA said). The crowd did seem light though. I believe the isles were wider than in the past. Classes seemed fuller than normal and some with not enough seats. All in all it is hard for me to guess if attendance was down or not.
From: Tom (TJGEENEN) [#4]
25 Feb 2007
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#1] 25 Feb 2007
From: Mick [#5]
25 Feb 2007
To: JHayes55 [#3] 25 Feb 2007
Joe,
You didn't get enough sleep, J-Bobs WAS there.
Mick
From: JHayes55 [#6]
25 Feb 2007
To: Mick [#5] 25 Feb 2007
Darn - now I am mad!!!! I missed them but I am glad they were there.
Does anyone know why Roland was not there - are they sending some sort of message? Normally they had a large booth with engravers and vinyl cutters.
From: JHayes55 [#7]
25 Feb 2007
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#1] 25 Feb 2007
Becky - thank you for all your kind words. Toni and I really enjoyed the time we spent chatting with you - we will plan more of that for next year.
Becky if you ever need to be adopted we will take you on as our daughter in a heartbeat. You’re a great forum member and a lot of fun to be around. It was nice to have someone to eat breakfast with early in the morning as well.
No doubt we will leave everyone wondering why the Hilton decided to put a People (rat) maze in the middle of things and I glad that I was not the only one that felt that way - now that we have found the solution we can keep it to ourselves and watch others wander around for days.
Stackable Cheerios - continues to me an area of wonderment for me and I would like to find the answer but absolutely decline to be the one who gives my body to science for this one!! >.< (It's an inside joke for Becky, Toni and I). Wasn't it odd that Cheerios came up at the supper table - do you think anyone thought we were weird for laughing when the word was mentioned!!! ;-) Being in the middle of the table trying to keep up with conversations on both end makes for a sore neck! What a great time - If I could get rested up for a day or two I would do it again next week. LV 2008 I cannot wait.
Those that missed have no idea of what you missed out on.
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#8]
25 Feb 2007
To: JHayes55 [#7] 25 Feb 2007
Joe, you and Toni should consider yourselves proud parents again!! I will take that offer in a heartbeat!! Thank you for your kind words.
It was odd and I do think we got a few sideways glances at the fact that we burst into laughter at the mention of Cheerios. I don't know that we helped ourselves by explaining it either. LOL :B
What a great time!!
Vegas 2008 or bust!!
Becky
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#9]
25 Feb 2007
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#8] 25 Feb 2007
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#10]
25 Feb 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#9] 25 Feb 2007
That is too cute!!!
You sure missed a great party Dave. And you were missed
Looking forward to seeing you next year!!
Becky
From: JHayes55 [#11]
25 Feb 2007
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#10] 25 Feb 2007
Becky - I left for a few hours to take Laura, your little sister, out for her 20th birthday tonight. Now that I am back I can see all the photos and you did a great job. After a review of them I have one regret - I did not get enough time to talk to everyone that I wanted to. So everybody has to come back next year too!!!!!!!!!
By the way did you ever notice how many engravers are follicly challenged?
Those that still have hair are mainly gray - everyone else is in a minority. What does that say about our profession.
What a great group of folks to spend time with. Thanks for the memories Becky.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#12]
25 Feb 2007
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#1] 25 Feb 2007
Becky,
Thank YOU for all of your help. I could not have pulled it off without it, or the help from Cody and Jana and Tom Geenen.
Thanks for posting the pictures and being the bash photog. You have a great eye for photography. You really do.
Anyway, thanks again.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#13]
25 Feb 2007
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#1] 25 Feb 2007
Ok,
I'm finally home. After sending a quick pm, I logged on the the forum.
Thank you Becky for your pictures...it was really sad having it come to an end and I am already counting the days till next year.
Because of the cancelled flights and all the airport was jam packed today. I did not think I was going to make my flight home.....the line to security was close to endless.
The show was great. Learned a few things and "maybe" just "maybe" will buy a diamond drag/rotary engraver.
I am tired as all get out and sort of glad to be home. Sort of because I miss everyone so much. It was great to get to know everyone better.
When my head clears I'll try to give an impression of the show it's self, but I tend to agree with you that EE might soon become THE reason to go. The party was GREAT, the food was GREAT, and the company was MAGNIFICENT.
Anyway.....enough for now.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#14]
25 Feb 2007
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#10] 25 Feb 2007
Becky,
Who is Dave? ;-)
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#15]
25 Feb 2007
To: ALL
Lisa,
I would like to extend my most humble apologies. I do not think I introduced you and Jeff and it was truly and totally a complete oversight. No excuse, but I had a lot going on and something inevitably had to fall through the cracks.
I may be mistaken about it, but I don't think so. So I humbly apologize for not introducing you and Jeff.
But thank you for being there. I hope you enjoyed it.