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!

Perkins, yep. Unpressured.

And I'm trying to email Deena and getting a bounceback. I need a new email for her. Anyone? It's a time sensitive thing and I need it soonish.

Didn't need to be said twice.

Um...how 'bout them corsets?

Lots and lots of people without a quiet break can be exhausting.

This. I can be shy with a room of complete strangers and I'm glad I've already met many of the Buffistas to help ease my way into a larger crowd of them, but it's just that I'm like a two-year-old and get cranky with too much overstimulation after a while. I like being in the thick of things in the beginning, but I will eventually find a quite corner to sit in to let the brain calm down a little.

I can walk into a room of complete strangers and not be shy at all -- but I mean "complete," such as when I went to my first RWA chapter meeting up here. No knowledge of anyone, no expectations on either side.

F2F is a little nervous-making for me. I'm always afraid anyone who thinks I'm likeable online will be disappointed in person, because I think I'm better at writing (posting) than I am in person. But at the same time, I figure by the time Prom rolls around, I'll have met enough people individually, in small groups, that I'll be fine. And as a smoker, one of my best excuses when I need a minute away from the noise and large-groupiness of it all will be to sneak out by the pool and pollute my lungs grab a cig.