Do you remember your first meet? Your best meet? The biggest meet? The smallest meet? This could be some fun and possibly give us some ideas for future meets.

My first meet was as Bally's and was put together by Claire Harris. Joe and I enjoyed the meet even though we didn't know anyone. The food in the coffee shop was not that good but I've had worse <g>.

There were about 12 people, I think. But the only people I remember being there were Claire, Gary the taxi driver, and Joe Gamble the poker player and disc jockey now?

I don't even remember what year it was.

All American at the Rio with Bill S. putting the meets together. Always nice meets there. Met Tobie(sp) and her husband. Lee & Sue made one of these meets too, I think. Yup, I do remember that they were there <g>. Bill's brother Joe sure knows how to order good wine! And someone sent wine to one of these Rio meets? But don't remember who.

The smallest meet was at the Green Shack with Rick & Teri, Joe & I, and Larry the cook. We had a very nice chat with them. Wish we could see them more often. They are such nice people.

Biggest meet was at Country Star. Was the worse meet I have been to. Too many people, not being able to chat with everyone in a comfortable manner. Good point was that I met Lee & Sue, and John C. Met Veronica there too but with so many people and she kept such a low profile <bg> that I don't remember meeting her there.

Alias, Smith & Jones there were 20-30 people. My ribs were terrible and the cole slaw just as bad. I had looked at that place a long time ago to buy but was not interested because of being in a strip mall and I don't think you could see the place from the street- no visibility. The place had trouble among the three partners, if I recall correctly, and a judge had to make some decision forcing one partner to sell- something like that. The place eventually burned down and I think some animals may have been killed in the animal shelter next door.

I know I met a lot of nice people that night at Alias but it was so long ago, I don't remember who. Mostly talked with a couple of young sisters, some people from Florida, and Gary. Were John & Joanne there that night also?

Two or three meets at the Green Shack were really comfortable. Met a lot of nice people in that place: John & Joanne, Fred & Beth, Billie White, Doye, Debbie, and a ton of others. I believe Veronica sent some good wine for this meet too.

Two meets at Holy Cow put together by Teddy Hiteman. Lovely girl!! Nice meets but one meet there was too noisy because HC had some kind of sports promotion that night. Food was okay and priced reasonably. Would love for Teddy to meet up with us again.

MSS meets have ALWAYS been pretty cooooool. Good happy hour appetizers, good beer, and have always enjoyed the company there. Really did meet Veronica here.

Santa Fe or the Fiesta, I can never remember which is which. But I enjoyed very much meeting with Blossom and Hal, Marty & Gladyc, and can't remember who else. Daisy, I think we met at one of these places for the first time, no?

Can't remember where I first met JMT or Jeff & Patty or young Greg? Who and where am I missing <bg>??

Well, this note wore me out. Now for a 15 minute nap and then out for a beer. See ya in awhile.

------------------
gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB



[This message has been edited by gailsacco (edited August 29, 1999).]

How could I forget? Met Ed and Irene at Papamio's in Sam's Town and at Tommy Rockers. Nice people and I wish they would join us more often.

Also met Bob Gaynor at Papamio's and really looking forward to putting a few down with him next time he's in town.

Also met Mark & Nadia, Lee Ann & Michael at MSS and Tommy Rockers. Great people!

And Lee Ann's Christmas Star works pretty good as a lucky charm too <s>.

I'm going out for that beer now and I'lll be kicking myself for not remembering more. But I'll be back <bg>.

------------------
gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

I remember where I first met Daisy, I think. It was at the Rio in Mama Marie's Cucina. Billie White and her husband were there. And John C, you were there too, right?

P.F. Chang's --great food!! This is where I met Dave F. and young Greg. Hey, met with Lee & Sue here once too.

Ti Amo is the name of the buffet at Santa Fe.

------------------
gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

Gail, I sent some wine to a meet at the Rio. It was one that Mark V put together. I don't know if you were at that one or not.
My first meet was actually one that I arranged at the Rio. I can't remember everyone that was there, it was so long ago.
I do remember that Marla and Brian, & Bob G & Gregg from Ohio were there. Since then I have been to many meets. I agree that MSS Brewpub is a great place to have them. I also like Tommy Rockers. The less formal the place the better.
The meets are always fun. I did get bad food at the Country Star when we were there. I sat with Blossom and Hall and Gladyce and Marty.
I'm sure some others have some memories of some other meets.
I have a picture of JMT from one of the meets at TR's. I think we should put it into the talkvegas photo area of the bb. I'll email you the picture<G>

[This message has been edited by John (edited August 29, 1999).]

John, Got the picture. Absolutely should go in the photo gallery <g>!

I just remembered another meet. Lee says he doesn't organize meets but he lies. He and Larry organized a great meet at the Flamingo Hilton Garden Bar aka Lee's Bar.

Met Larry and (gun-packing) Loretta that night for the first time. Another great couple!

------------------
gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

Gail,
I don't see how you can remember all those meets and keep them straight. I was going to make a post, but after reading yours there is no way I could even get close to remembering names.
The first people I met from the BB where
JMT & Jeff, at MSS. Now there is a scary way to be introduced to this gang! LOL Jeff didn't stick around long (can't remember why). Talked with JMT for a bit, and found out some of the stuff I was hearing about him was all baloney. He's really a nice guy. I know he doesn't want this to get out, but we're all 114 friends here, right? we can keep a secret?

Second meet The Green Shack, Here I met Gail & Joe & Larry, Marty & Gladyce, Jeff M, Lynn Sills, Oooo this getting old stuff is a pain, I am drawing a blank!

Next meet was the Country Star meet, and Gail your 100% correct, it was the worst meet I've been to. I met a lot of great people that night though. John C for one, talking me into going inside to meet the organizer that I've had a shakey relationship with on the other BB almost from the start of my posting days. Turns out he had some commericial guest speakers. What a bunch of you know what! Anyway, Met Veronica, Terri & Walt that night as well. I was in rare form that night, I'm still appoligizing to V for that one. I didn't mingle, then after the BIG SHOW, we hung out with Gail, Joe & Larry at the bar. The food was poor, and the group too large.

Next was a Bill S meet at the Roi All American. Gail got serverd something there that wasn't what it was supose to be. Met Ken S. & his wife there, I think Randy C. Blossom & Hal, Daisy might have been at this one, but we didn't talk. Again, things are hazy after those names.

Now we've been meeting Gail almost every trip to LV since then, at assorted places around LV.

After those first meets they all start running togeather.
But I've meet Billie, Beth & Fred, Layne, Larry & Loretta, Gary F, The Queen of Q-pon & partner, a wonderful german couple I can't remember their names, Gails kids and some of thier friends, Gregg, Joe S, Ellen (soon to be Ellen S.), Cyn, Ed & Irean, JohnSr, and many more. If I left out your name, I'm so sorry, drop me a e-mail and reming me....PLEASE!

------------------
Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com



[This message has been edited by Lee-PA (edited August 30, 1999).]

Gail, Wow! You have a great memory. Our first meet was Alias Smith and somebody, where we sat across from You, Joe, and Larry. We also meet Joe Gamble, Nikkei and Lloyd Neel, Bill S., Gary and many others. Smallest was a lunch at Marie Calendar

I wrote a really long note about this last night and then my server disconnected, so never again will I write anything online! Now I have to try to remember AGAIN whom I have met and where, but I

Wow V, what a memory you have. Are you sure I shouldn't post how we met?<G>

------------------
John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

John: Sorry, I never mentioned that I met your wife Linda both in April and July. Let me correct that and say I met St. Linda

V, you jogged my memory, I now remember meeting You, Teri, and Walt at Alias, I also remember

Lee>>The first people I met from the BB where JMT & Jeff, at MSS. Now there is a
scary way to be introduced to this gang! LOL<<

Lee, that certainly IS a scary thought <vbg>!!

Lee, John Sr., Veronica: Thanks for reminding me of the ones I didn't remember.

Yup, Lots of dead brain cells is right on target. Beer, husbands, and kids make ya real
old real fast <g>.

John, I don't remember if I went to Mark's meet at the Rio. Mark, Was I there?

Lynn Sills- what a nice guy! He would catch a plane out JUST for the meet, stay the
one day and leave the next.

Terri (lovely girl!! and will make a GREAT teacher)
Walt (kept V & I out of trouble at Caesars),
Ellen (soon to be Ellen S.), Layne, Cyn, Nickey and Lloyd Neel, Ellen & Eric, Ken
and Diane, Sandy & Will,

Linda (John's wife)- she's so quiet- unlike John <g>. John, Kristen & Megan were
at TR's too, right?

Great kids, Sandy & Tammy at Papamio's, I still want to see their version of the trip
report <bg>.

Wendell, Chuck H. (Jeff

Gail,
That couple was the German couple I can't remember there names. I beleive they live in PA too. This getting old stinks, I CRS some days.
I'd also like to say I met John's wife Linda too!
You know you don't really realize how many people you've met in Vegas untill you start to add them up! WOW!
I couldn't pick a best meet though, but I must say I like the smaller ones, under about 12 people. But I think the big meets have something to offer too, if you a newbie to the group, you can blend in easy and your sure to find someone in the group you can relate too.


------------------
Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

I can't believe the memories some of you have, especially since I've seen how some of you drink .

I probably went to 6-8 meets at Bally's. Gail you're right about teh food there. Claire liked it because of some big round tables they had.

Best was probably at the buffet in Caesars coffee shop, that food was great. All the lobsters you wanted but chef carved beef tenderloin (filet mignon). Claire, Joe & Angie Gamble, me and Patti, and I think one other couple.

John Sr. mentioned my smallest, Marie Callanders. John gave me a ride back to teh Rio. Joe Gamble had told us about filet mignon at Silverton buffet, actually it wasn't called the silverton. Ran into John and his wife there that night.

Lee, I left MSS early cause we had just called the Fiesta and they were holding 2 poker seats for us.

Gail, Ray Downing is easy to remember. He looks just like Joe Friday from Dragnet.

Took the longest time to hook up with John Crabs and Veronica. I first met John Crabs in Columbus. He came to a Las Vegas night where I was dealing Hold Em.

Nobody mentioned meeting JMT's old friend Rocky. JMT used to bring him to Ballys.

A couple people that haven't been mentioned: Larry Peich, can't remember his beautiful wife's name. There was a gal from Cincinnatti who came with her mother and daughter to a couple Bally's meets.

Ther's only a couple names that have been mentioned that I've never met. I know JMT's been to a lot more of these than I have and I'll guess I've been to 25-30.



------------------
Jeff, Gambling Moderator
senatorjm@talkvegas.com

My first meet was at Trump Marina in Atlantic City. I had to drag Michael to the meet, but he had such a great time that now he can't wait for each meet. <vbg>

The smallest meet was also in Atlantic City, when Michael and I drove down for the day to meet Veronica.

The biggest meet I was at was probably the one at Tommy Rocker's in July.

As for the best meet, I don't think that I could pick a "favorite meet". I have enjoyed all of them and meeting everyone.

One more topic would be the longest meet I attended, which would in July at Main Street Station. We got there about 5PM, and I don't think we left until close to midnight. However, I think Daisy told me that this doesn't hold the record for the longest meet ever. <vbg>

Lee Ann
Past, Present and Future Forum Moderator
leeann@talkvegas.com

Gail, you are bringing back some good memories here! My first meet was at East Side Mario's, and it was great except that Blos & Hal kept staring at me<vbg>. I'm pretty sure I met you first at Bill's meet at the Rio (and Lee and Sue at that same meet), and FWIW, Toby is Laine's husband<g>. I know I first met Jeff, JMT, Billie & Doye at the Green Shack (anyone remember decorating the trunk of my car?), and I will never forget white-water rafting with Jeff & Patti (YEE HAW!)...That was a great day, even though Jeff dunked me in the Colorado River<g>. I met Veronica at the Rio and had the pleasure of introducing her to JMT at Sahara Speedworld. Fred & Beth came to my meet at Mama Marie's Cucina (Rio), and Bev & Ray were at Garduno's in the Fiesta. Trina came to my meet at the Cortez Room at the Gold Coast, and Ken & Diane were there, but I don't think that was the first time I met them. The fun hasn't stopped; I just met John a couple of months ago at MSS Brew Pub (he was the one wearing a balloon), and that's the same night I finally met LeeAnn and Michael. MSS must be "the spot" for pharmacist conventions, since I also met Lloyd & Nicky there. One of my regrets is that I didn't get to meet Claire.

I just realized we've only been talking Las Vegas meets......we've had some good NILV (not in Las Vegas) meets too. Debbie & David, Ed & Irene, Dick & Anne were at the first meet in Southern California, and I got to meet Wendell and Cyn down in San Antonio.
My favorite small meet would have to be a toss-up between meeting Dave in Reno and dining with JMT at the Burgandy Room.

I still laugh when I remember my doubts about meeting people "from on-line" ..I went to that first meet with the thought that if it looked squirrely, I was going to ask about restrooms and disappear<g>....instead, I hooked up with a great group of people and am always looking forward to the next meet. I can't say which one was best; I have enjoyed all of them.

I know that I will remember others just as soon as I hit the "submit" button, and my apologies to anyone I've left out...Lee's not the only one with CRS.

------------------
Daisy-Beyond Vegas Moderator
daisy@talkvegas.com

LeeAnn, you are right ....the meet down in San Antonio still holds the record. We met for lunch on the Riverwalk around noon, had "a few drinks" in the afternoon, and the meet didn't break up until after dinner, somewhere around 9 p.m.


------------------
Daisy-Beyond Vegas Moderator
daisy@talkvegas.com

Sheesh, my short-term memory isn't so great either<g>. I just met Mark & Nadia in July! How could I forget Lynn Sills flying out just for the meet at the Rio? How could I not mention my mom's first meet?...with Jeff & Chuck at Trilussa. I wouldn't suggest anyone else meet there because neither the food or service was worth the price, but she really enjoyed the company.

Yes, Lee, Randy was at that Rio meet too; in fact, we embarrassed him because it was his birthday. I did talk to you that day, but you were in one of your, uh, jovial moods since you & Sue had been up gambling & winning all night<vbg>. That wasn't the first time I met Randy, he & his friend Keith came to the meet out at Garduno's.

I met Marion & Dolores at Tommy Rockers, I also remember meeting Gladyce & Marty and Gale at that first meet at ESM, and I met Gary that same week at a meet at the "country something-or-other"....and I'm still honored that Gary dressed up in a suit&tie for my meet at Mama Marie's. With all the negative comments about the Rio lately, it's only fair to say that the staff at Mama Marie's was really great in taking care of our group that night.

------------------
Daisy-Beyond Vegas Moderator
daisy@talkvegas.com




[This message has been edited by DaisyDeuces (edited August 30, 1999).]

My first visit with an on-line stranger in Vegas was in 1986. It was girls I met through airline, soap opera, and computer discussions, which turned into e-mail discussions, and finally meeting in Vegas. My first time for an organized get together with a group was in early 1988. My first Las Vegas BB meeting was at the Golden Nugget, which is where they first started, and I think it was over 10 years ago. My first Airline BB meet was called a Yahoo, and it was the year before the Dunes was imploded.

I think that pure numbers is the most fun I had, because I got to meet so many people. I won't embarrass myself or anyone else on who I have met, because I am very bad with names. Back when Claire was having meets at Ballys, I attended at least 90% of them. That's back when she would have one a month, and I went to Vegas two or three times a month. I met about 10 or 15 new people every month for a few years. other than those years I only hit about 50% of the meets.<g> I think it peaked in about 1992 or 1993. Cyn and Jeff are the only two people that have posted on this BB that I remember from those days.

The worst meet I went to was at the Fiesta, when there was an agenda to stop the regular meets that Teddy and Claire were doing. I will never forgive the guys that set that up that plan.

I really can't say what the smallest meet was. I've met one person so many times, and some of those times, two or three people said they might show up.

There are some people that I would rather forget, and some that probably would like to forget me. Sooooo, I'm not one to say that everyone is fun to meet. I will say that if at least 5 people from this BB are gonna be there, if there are other less desireables that show up, you won't remember them, but you will remember having a blast with the fun ones.

The biggest meet I remember is the one when the Dunes was imploded. It brought together the Yahooers and the Vegas BB folks for the first time. We had a huge dinner one night at Ballys Coffee Shop, and the Ballys Buffet the next night. One of the Yahooers had a big suite atop Ballys tower, and we watched the implosion from the top floor of Ballys.

I think we can thank Claire Harris, Ray Downing, Joe Gamble, Larry Piech, and Gary Fischer for making these meetings what they have become today. We had some bad meets with terrible food in some nasty places in the early days. These local pioneers who had their own lives to tend to, took time out meet total strangers, welcome them to their town, and host parties. They refined the meets, determining best places and times. They learned how and how not to set up meets that we often take for granted now. Back then, nobody would plan a vacation trip to Vegas based on when someone else would be there. People would post their dates in Vegas a month ahead of time, and Claire would figure out which week had the most people, and that Tuesday or Wednesday would be the night of the meet. And we did it all thorugh DOS with 1200 baud modems, and we liked it that way!<g>

V, regarding writing a long note and geting disconnected from the server. Is that an AOL thing? The reason I ask is that if you are on a regular dial up ISP, and you get disconnected, you can just keep on typing. When you finally hit the Submit Reply button, it will log on and send the note, and leave you logged on. You can also copy/cut the note after disconnect, and log on later, and paste it in a note at that time.

I have no idea what happens when you get cut off from AOL.