Today I flew to TAM. I was supposed to be meeting a friend here, but he got sick and used up his vacation pay, so I am here alone. This was only the second time that I have flown by myself. I was a little worried that I hadn’t done everything correctly, and that they wouldn’t let me on the flight. I was worrying needlessly, however. I made it through security without any problems, and was one of the first people on the plane. I even had a window seat with an empty seat next to me.
When checking into the Tropicana in Vegas, I was standing behind Massimo, from the Skeptically Speaking podcast. I was told my room would be ready in just a short while, and after two hours, I decided to go for a walk. I walked the entire length of the strip, and purchased a bus pass on the way back. I wanted to make sure I got back in time to register. I still hadn’t received a text saying my room was ready, so I went to the front desk. They had somehow forgotten to notify me, so they gave me a $50 voucher.
During registration, I saw James Randy, but I was too shy to go up and talk to him. I probably should have because this was most likely my only chance.
After getting my room, and getting settled, I went to the Drinking Skeptically in the lounge. I felt uncomfortable, but started talking with another person who was also sitting alone. We wound up going to Chili’s together for dinner. Oddly, after we ordered the same thing, a bacon cheese burger, I found that he was also a software developer. Al liked to talk, so I could sit and listen, and not have to worry about saying anything stupid. Again, my shyness poking through.
Tomorrow the conference begins.