@farmerman,
farmerman wrote:
Quote:What mde your club ever choose Pittsburgh.
Last year was my 30th in Mensa.
During that time, I believe that we have never had the Annual Gathering there,
tho the local citizens may very well have had many local "Regional Gatherings" there.
The way that it actually works is that the chartered local groups
of cities across the nation put in bids for the national convention.
This is good for the local treasury. Those whose applications are accepted
by American Mensa are granted the nation-wide convention for a designated year.
Obviously, more
FUN cities will draw more attenders, e.g. in recent years
we 've had it in Las Vegas ( I
LOVE that city ), Orlando, Phoenix,
we barely got out of New Orleans ( I
LOVE that city too -- its
extraordinary;
I have never been treated so well in any city as New Orleans ) slightly b4 Katrina.
In 1980, I was the treasurer for the NY convention. We had a good time; we usually do.
Teachers r disproportionately well represented in Mensa, with the result that we have
the Annual Gathering in summer each year. I 'm skeptical of the wisdom of
that.
Anyway, American Mensa must have
liked the proposal offered by the Pittsburgh group
and knew that we 've not been there for a while -- or ever.
farmerman wrote:
Quote:
NOT that its not a great choice, but you have to be selective as far as activities.
Im an easy one to keep entertained, but world class restaurants really arent something
that would make me choose the "Pit" . (Unless of course you are seeking some of
the greatest kielbasis and cavanoszi or krakowska sausages).
On the strength of your recommendation,
I 'll mention it to my friends. Our M.O. has been to scout out
the most attractive restaurants in the city that we attend.
I am the leader (founder) of NY 's elite dining special interest group,
the Opulent Mensan SIG and my friend Marty is the leader n founder
of the economy-minded dining SIG. (
Some Mensans r stingy.)
Marty usually has a Zagat of the city in question
and ferrets out the most intriguing restaurants.
Our convention is in the Hotel Omni William Penn.
Any idea if the sausage restaurants r close to that ?
Anyhow, for me, in addition to meeting old friends again,
the most interesting part of the conventions is the speakers.
We have a lot of speakers, sometimes on designated tracks.
Those tracks can be very useful; e.g., for many years, my work included litigation,
including case settlement. Most cases r settled before judgment is rendered
and even b4 the case is given to a jury.
Some of the techniques suggested by expert speakers on alternative
dispute resolution were
creatively brilliant -- like to take your breath away,
for reaching voluntary settlements. This is a matter of great importance to the litigants--
sometimes thay build their lives around their litigation. I remember once, after a settlement,
a woman (plaintiff) tearfully asked me for permission to take the paper door sign bearing the name
of her case that was finally resolved. I felt honored to be asked and to have been of help.
I used to tell them that "u shoud keep the decision-making process in your own hands
by working out a voluntary settlement, rather than throwing the dice and hoping that
the court will see things your way."
Anyway, the convention speakers were keenly helpful in supporting career purposes.
farmerman wrote:
Quote:Nobody has ever penned a paean re the great beers or wines of Pittsburgh as far as I know.
There was a big deal about whiskey a few years back but that was pretty much crushed.
I 'm not much of a beer person. In my childhood, I used to have to drink beer
and I never favored it much. My own taste runs to Armagnac.
David wrote:
Quote: I was very fond of Perry Como; smooth
farmerman wrote:
Quote:I think my dad coined the name "Perry Coma".
My mom used to collect PC records and play them on their 33.3 RPM "stereo"
He was an ez going guy; a mello fellow.
David
