Hate to throw yet another temptation on the fire, but I went to the Lacis Museum with folks from the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild and I'd imagine at least some Buffistas would want to hit it while in town. Wonderful exhibit with really jaw-droppingly well-preserved costumes. And then there's Lacis itself which is so chock full of textile and craft porn that even though I live in walking distance of it, I have to keep away until I'm possessed of a full wallet. [link]

Mmmm, lace.

Oh, that's lovely. I have the big grin now.

Oh Deena, I remember how everyone was plotting to get you to DC in '04. I get to meet you now!

kate, btw, if the Shady Grove in your tag refers to what I think it does, we can have a couple of very interesting conversations.

Ginger explained, deb, but you've piqued my curiosity. I hope we can find time to compare Shady Groves.

Ginger, Seekrit McGarrigle Message: That very song is included in my soon-to-be-posted buffista music mix!

It's the first slow dance I had where my dance partner was scoping out the same women I was and we were commenting on the ultimate hotness all around us.

Isn't that fun? Hec, you were/are very much a part of the hotness factor. I hope you heard the regret as well as the snark.

Looking forward to seeing everyone, especially Brenda, my most excellent DC roomie!

SailAweigh, yay for first F2F!

Shy and/or apprehensive virgins, many of us have been through the same thing. As the F2F approaches, the nervous-to-excited quotient embiggens some. The same will be happening to me, and to others, I am certain. Strangely enough, it all turns out well. It's a mystery.

And now I'm ear/brainwormed with the Young Frankenstein version/scene of "Sweet mystery of life".

My brain, she is odd at times.

Lacis looks lovely.

Hee Perkins. I've had worse earworms.

This looks like it will be the biggest F2F yet. This pings many of us with the shy and apprehensive feelings. And yet each F2F I have attended I was completely comfortable. In many ways we know each other better than we do our IRL friends. I just can't wait to have new voices to match with the screen names. That is the best part for me. When I read posts from those of you I have had the joy of meeting I add the voices and body movements to the posts.

I hope we can find time to compare Shady Groves.

My "Shady Grove". It has some very nice piano on it. Personal album with a lot of associations going back a long way. Anyway.

A question, not to be condescending or tricky or smug, but from the seat of someone who's really really trying to understand this: Is anyone really worried about meeting the other people attending this for the first time? I'm asking because I'm missing the shyness-with-others gene and I'm hoping that if anyone really is nervous, there's something we can do at this end to ameloriate that, beyond mere reassurances. So please to let us know?

I don't think there's really anything to ameliorate it, because it's something that hinges upon one's own sense of self and sense of confidence and all that. And it's perfectly possible to know one is nice/fairly clever/has a cute outfit/blahblahblah selfesteemcakes, and yet STILL feel sort of shy. imho. fwiw. ymmv. acronymofyourchoice.

It isn't so much meeting people for the first time, but a number of Buffistas have issues with crowds. (I'm missing the shyness gene myself) Everyone needs to be assured that running off to a corner, around the block, or to a room for a people break is totally acceptable.

I'm not shy, but I am quiet and enjoy a bit of peace now and again. Lots and lots of people without a quiet break can be exhausting.

Fay, that's sort of what I figured, but I thought I'd better check. Because if there actually is anything physically doable, or doable in the way of prep and hosting, I'd be on it.

But if not, well, not. Just going to trust that the first basics of a really good party - everyone is uncommonly well-fed, well-lubricated with the slurp of their choice, and unpressured - will handle whatever ease-making is needed.

(And boy, does that read pompously. Ah well. )

edit: Laura, yep. That's part of what I meant by "unpressured" - the space to not do stuff, as well as the space to do stuff.

What Fay and Laura said. I think this might be one of those things where trying to fix it will only make it worse.

Yep. I think the thing that is most helpful has already been taken care of--having the Prom in a space where people can run away and recharge from time to time. That's the beauty of Prom in the hotel.

Deb, you've done a phenomenal job. I am so excited for this F2F!