dlv Welcome back -- Getting ready for DLV 2003 ...

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This is the Diva Las Vegas 2003 announcement mailing list.
This list contains only announcements and high importance items.
See information on discussion list below.
If you no longer wish to receive this list, see instructions below.
Replies to this message will be forwarded to: dlv@geekbabe.com
Submissions/questions should be sent to: dlv@geekbabe.com
Abuse/complaints should be sent to: abuse@omahug.org
. . . . .
In this mailing:

Welcome
Pre-registration is open
Conditions Of Participation
Shuttle van
Big Sisters
Web pages and DLV gallery
Room sharing
Suggested hotels
Summary Schedule of Activities
Web Sites
Administrivia
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Only 109 days left, gang!
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Welcome:

Happy New Year!

Hope everybody enjoyed the holidays. :)

Welcome to everybody who just joined the list. We had quite a few join
in December. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.

Plans are going full speed ahead for DLV 2003 and everybody's getting
excited already. It looks like another record-setting event is now
underway!
. . . . .

The steps you need to take if you want to attend can be summed up:

1. Read the web site to be sure you know what DLV is and is not, and if
DLV is something you would want to attend.

2. Register for DLV. URL is below.

3. Make your travel and/or hotel reservations, if necessary.

Simple, isn't it? :)
. . . . .

An important change has been made in our mailing lists for DLV 2003.

This mailing list will now contain only announcements and other items
that are very important.

Beginning this Sunday, this list will normally come out no less often
than monthly and no more often than weekly. Mailings will usually be
made on Sunday.

In April, it will come out as needed, sticking to the Sunday schedule
as much as possible.

All discussion, chit-chat, questions and answers, etc., have been moved
to the DLV Discussion List. The DLV Discussion List is available in two
forms, first as a mailing list, and second as a web forum. Content is
the same on both.

If you would like to receive the DLV Discussion List by e-mail, please
send in a brief note to: dlvdisc@geekbabe.com and state that you wish
to subscribe to the DLV Discussion List.

To participate in the web forum, please visit the url:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/dlv2003/dlvdisc/

You may read and post via this URL.
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Pre-registration is open:

Pre-registration for DLV 2003 is now open for members of this list.
General DLV registration will open February 1.

To register for DLV 2003, please visit the URL:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/reg.html

The information we collect will be for DLV planning only, we will not
give any of it out, etc.

Yes, this will also help us answer the perennial question "how many
people are coming" earlier and more accurately.

It's perfectly fine to indicate "don't know" in many of the fields.

Cancellation, update, and code recovery are available via the URL above.

A few notes on registration:

1. Please read the DLV 2003 Conditions Of Participation (this mailing and
on line via the registration screens) before you register.

2. Returnees, volunteers, and Las Vegas locals: Please register, nobody
is assumed to be on the list.

3. We're asking everybody who plans to attend DLV to please register
individually, except in the case of SO's attending with their spouse or
partner. History has shown us that drop-ins and tag-alongs often times
miss out on important information.

4. Please do not share the above URL with those not on this list.

5. Please report any difficulty with the web registration screens. In
case of an error, a cut-paste or screen capture of the error will be
helpful.
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Conditions Of Participation:

This next item is something new for this year, and it's somewhat of a
necessary evil.

It's not intended to scare anybody off, and I'm sure it's in line with
what 99.9% of you are comfortable with. This is something that is being
published simply to clarify what is expected of you when you register
for and attend DLV.

If anything is unclear to anybody regarding any of these points, please
write in and we will clarify any points you do not understand.

+DLV 2003 Conditions Of Participation:

+We're extending this invitation to you to join us for the event we call
+Diva Las Vegas providing you agree to the following conditions:

+1. That when you register for Diva Las Vegas, you do so with the intent
+of following through, showing up, and participating as you indicated.
+We expect you to please cancel your registration if you find you are
+unable to attend DLV.

+2. That you dress and act as a lady or a gentleman, in accordance with
+the gender you are presenting at any given time.

+ a. That your dress and behavior be appropriate to the time, place and
+ circumstance of each activity.

+ b. That you refrain from dressing or acting in a manner intended to
+ flaunt transgenderism, or a manner which is primarily intended to
+ attract attention.

+ c. That you refrain from illegal activities. PATENTLY ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR
+ WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND IF NECESSARY WILL BE REPORTED TO THE
+ APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES.

+ d. That you be polite and courteous when dealing with other DLV
+ participants, vendors, merchants, hotel/restaurant/showroom staff,
+ and the general public.

+3. That you agree to attend Diva Las Vegas with the understanding that
+it is at your own risk, and that DLV organizers, volunteers, and other
+participants are not responsible if something unexpected or tragic
+occurs.
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Shuttle van:

The DLV organizers have been discussing the possibility of a shuttle van,
professionally driven, as an option for local transportation to and from
our activities and our suggested hotels. Estimated cost would be a few
dollars per person each trip.

We need feedback to determine if we should look into this further. If
you are interested in this for your local transportation, please hit
REPLY and say so. This will happen only if there is significant interest
shown, so if you would like something like this, please say so.
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Big Sisters:

I would like to take a few minutes (lines) to say a word about our Big
Sister program. This is geared primarily toward those who are new and
don't have much public exposure, or those who may be feeling a bit
uneasy about the upcoming trip, but Big Sisters are available to anybody
who needs one.

Big Sisters are volunteer DLV veterans who are standing by to help as
needed, either prior to DLV, or during.

Before DLV, if you would like to correspond with somebody one-to-one
about problems or concerns regarding DLV, just send a brief note to
dlv@geekbabe.com and say that you would like to get in touch with a Big
Sister. Examples of concerns might be questions that you don't feel
comfortable asking on one of the mailing lists, request for an honest
fashion critique, etc.

During DLV, if you need some fashion advice, Big Sisters can help. If
you are uneasy and can't get the nerve to walk out of your hotel room
(this has happened) we'll have a Big Sister meet you, assure you, and
escort you if necessary.

If you think you would like to be put in touch with a Big Sister, just
send a note to dlv@geekbabe.com and we'll get you in contact with one.

Also, if you have attended DLV in the past and would like to volunteer
to spend some time helping others, please say so.
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Web pages and DLV gallery:

Yes, many of us have personal web sites. A great way to become
acquainted before the big event in April is to take a look at each
others' sites. We keep a running list of web sites of DLV people, and
if you have a site and it's not listed, we would love to list it.

Due to the fact that some pages have disappeared or moved over the last
year, we are starting our list again from scratch.

Just send in your URL to dlv@geekbabe.com (or just hit REPLY) and we
will add it to the list.

Another way to become acquainted with one another is to share your
photos in the DLV Gallery. Several people are already featured. To
view the gallery, visit the URL:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/gallery/

DO NOT SEND PHOTOS TO THE DLV LIST ADDRESS, IT WILL NOT WORK.

To submit photos for the gallery, please send them via e-mail using
any of the standard file attach methods to: annie@annie.net

DO NOT SEND PHOTOS TO THE DLV LIST ADDRESS, IT WILL NOT WORK.

You may send anywhere between 1 and 5 photos for the gallery, with at
least one being a clear face shot if possible. Individual .jpg images
are preferred. No nude, explicit, or adult theme photos please. You may
also send in the following information for inclusion in the gallery:

1. The years you have attended DLV. (The gallery is open to all, not
limited to those who attended in the past.)

2. Your personal web site URL. Optional, noncommercial sites only, no
"adult" sites please.

3. Your email address. Optional, this will be encoded so it will be
clickable by most browsers, but not readable by most spambots.
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Room sharing:

DLV, just like any other event where people pay for hotel rooms, can
be more affordable if people share rooms. We want to (again) have a
"roommate clearing house" in this mailing list.

If you've already booked a room, and would like for somebody else to
stay with you and share the expense, or if you're looking for somebody
who has extra space, please write to this list (dlv@geekbabe.com) with
the word "Roommate" somewhere in the subject line. Please include the
following items in your e-mail:

1. Your name.

2. Your e-mail address.

3. What date you will be arriving and what date you will be departing.

4. Do you have a room to share, or do you need space in one.

5. Any annoying habits or traits you have. (Do you smoke, do you snore,
are you a very early riser, compulsive talker, late-nite MTV addict,
etc.)

6. Any additional notes or comments.

When we have roommate items, we will include them in a special ongoing
section toward the bottom of each mailing. Those interested in sharing
rooms can then contact each other by e-mail and make arrangements.

Please remember, any roommate agreements are private arrangements
strictly between the people involved, and DLV organizers and volunteers
are not responsible if things don't work out (etc. etc., yada-yada, you
know the drill).
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Suggested hotels:

Diva Las Vegas, unlike most T* community events, is not centered around
one particular hotel. Our activities occur all over town, and are not
concentrated in any one facility. Hotels are, therefore, used only for
such things as sleeping, changing, etc.

When you attend Diva Las Vegas, you are free to stay wherever you want.

We do, however, suggest a few hotels each year, primarily for those who
are unfamiliar with the area, or for those who want to stay where other
DLV people will be staying. All of our suggested hotels have been
observed to be T*-friendly (or at least T*-oblivious) over the years.

These suggestions are just that, suggestions. There are no arrangements
made, no rooms reserved specifically for DLV, and no group rates. It has
been shown that for the Las Vegas casino-hotels, the rates offered to
groups of our size will actually be higher than individuals can easily
obtain on their own.

There are no guarantees. Our suggestions are based in good faith on past
experiences. We cannot predict the future.

Our suggested hotels for DLV 2003 are (in alphabetical order):

Imperial Palace
Sahara
San Remo
Tropicana

In the past, our people have also stayed at many other places with
very good reports for most of them. Some notes and a link to the big
list appears at http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/lvthings.html
. . . . .

Rates: Most people are interested in getting the most desirable hotel
rates for their DLV stay. History has shown us the following regarding
hotel rates in Las Vegas:

1. Las Vegas hotel rates vary significantly and often without notice
due to many factors.

2. Sometimes the hotel desk and web site will quote the lowest cost per
night, sometimes the online services such as Travelocity will have
better rates, sometimes independent travel agents will have them, and
other times aggregators and resellers will.

3. Rates often escalate, significantly, 4-6 weeks prior to DLV.
. . . . .

Following are descriptions of these properties.

With each description is the address, toll-free number for reservations,
official hotel web site, and a link to the CheapoVegas review for that
hotel. Additional and more detailed customer ratings are available at
www.ratevegas.com and some of the hotels are rated and commented upon
from a T* perspective at http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/vendors/

Rates quoted below are from recent reports at ratevegas.com and are
listed weekday/weekend.
. . . . .

Imperial Palace:

3535 Las Vegas Blvd S
800-634-6441
Hotel web site: http://www.imperialpalace.com/
CheapoVegas review: http://www.cheapovegas.com/imperialpalace.html

The Imperial Palace is a moderately-large casino-hotel located just
north of the Strip-Flamingo intersection. It's midscale in price and in
amenities. IP has both hotel rooms in various interconnected towers and
motel style rooms toward the rear.

Moderately large casino heavy on machines and low-minimum tables.

Several restaurants, food court, coffee shop/buffet (good) and large
buffet up front which is not considered to be the best. IP is noted
for their vintage auto collection.

This has been a favorite place for DLV people to stay since 1997.

Typical rates (from ratevegas.com): $89-130/130-180

2002 feedback ratings, unscaled 4 responses:
(* = satisfaction, + = comfort)

5: ***++++
4:
3:
2:
1: *

Hints: Imperial Palace has been known to adjust rates at check-in if
better rates are available, and if you ask. Garden rooms (motel style)
are good for those who are uneasy walking through common areas.
Additional (and faster) elevators are located at a few places in the
hotel towers. Finding these will be an exercise for the student. :)
. . . . .

Sahara:

2535 Las Vegas Blvd S
888-696-2121
Hotel web site: http://www.saharavegas.com/
CheapoVegas review: http://www.cheapovegas.com/sahara.html

The Sahara is a large legacy Las Vegas casino-hotel located on the north
Strip at the Strip-Sahara intersection. Midscale in amenities and low in
price compared to others on the Strip. Hotel-style rooms in three towers.

Large casino featuring a wide variety of machines and $1 Blackjack.

Several restaurants, good 24 hour coffee shop, (reasonably) good and
inexpensive buffet. Nascar-themed amusements.

This has been a favorite of the DLV people over the past several years.

Typical rates (from ratevegas.com): $49-99/69-129

2002 feedback ratings, unscaled 16 responses:
(* = satisfaction, + = comfort)

5: ********++++++++
4: *****++++++
3: ****+
2: +
1:

Hints: Reservations agents will often quote slightly higher rates for
"deluxe" rooms in their newest (Tangiers) tower. History has shown that
those who reserved regular rooms (Tunis and Alexandria towers) are often
assigned these "deluxe" rooms at check-in.
. . . . .

San Remo:

115 E Tropicana
800-522-7366
Hotel web site: http://www.sanremolasvegas.com/
CheapoVegas review: http://www.cheapovegas.com/sanremo.html

This is a mid-size midscale casino-hotel located just east of the
Strip-Tropicana intersection and next door to the Tropicana hotel. Small
but nice casino with a good variety of table and machine games. Several
restaurants, Italian, Japanese, and a combined coffee shop/buffet.

Typical rates (from ratevegas.com): $50-100/80-200

Not rated in the DLV 2002 survey.

Hints: The Saturday evening show we plan to attend, as well as dinner
and Happy Hour, will be at the San Remo. "Garden" (motel style) rooms
are good for those who are uneasy in common areas such as the hotel
lobby and casinos.
. . . . .

Tropicana:

3801 Las Vegas Blvd S
888-826-8776
Hotel web site: http://tropicanalv.com/
CheapoVegas review: http://www.cheapovegas.com/tropicana.html

Large legacy Las Vegas casino-hotel that is considered by many to be
the anchor of the south Strip. Has hotel tower rooms and motel-style
'garden' rooms. Very large and complete casino, good buffet, various
restaurants, bars, and snack bars. Has a very impressive exhibit of
Las Vegas and Gaming paraphernalia.

Typical rates (from ratevegas.com): $85-105/150-250

Not rated in DLV 2002 survey.
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Summary Schedule of Activities:

This schedule is under development and is subject to change without
notice.

Date Day Time Activity
========== ========= =========

Apr 21 Mon
Morn/Aft Side trip A-Le-Inn -- Optional

Apr 22 Tue
5:00pm Pre-DLV Happy Hour/dinner
8:00pm Welcome Celebration
11:00pm Dancing

Apr 23 Wed
Aft Primm Valley Mall shopping
Hidden Woman Open House
Evening Red Shoe Night
5:00pm Happy Hour
6:30pm Dinner with entertainment
10:30pm Karaoke

Apr 24 Thu
Morn Air tours
Noonish Buffet lunch
Aft Glamour Boutique Open House
Eve Happy Hour
Club Girl Talk
Dinner
Jubilee
Limo Tour

Apr 25 Fri
Morn Air tours
9:00am Golf
5:00pm Happy Hour
6:00pm Dinner
7:30pm Annual Mixer
after Dance Night

Apr 26 Sat
Aft Southern Belle Society Garden Party
7:00pm Happy Hour
8:00pm Buffet dinner
10:30pm Showgirls Of Magic

Apr 27 Sun
Aft High Tea
Side trip
5:30pm Buffet Dinner
8:00pm Farewell Get-together
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Web Sites:

This is an ongoing list of noncommercial web sites of DLV people. If you
would like to see yours added here, just reply to this mailing with your
name and URL.

Another note, we do no screening of these. Some may be inappropriate for
minors or for those easily offended. You have been warned. :)

DLV main page http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/

DLV People Gallery http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/gallery/

annie http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/
Julie http//www.geocities.com/julie7_46/
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Administrivia:

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2003 Announcement mailing list.

This list is limited to announcements and other high-importance items.

Questions/answers and discussion items are redirected to the DLV 2003
Discussion list, which may be subscribed to separately or viewed on the
web. To subscribe to the DLV 2003 discussion list, send a brief message
to dlv@geekbabe.com and state that you wish to receive the DLV 2003
discussion list.

To view the DLV 2003 discussion list on line, visit the URL:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/dlv2003/dlvdisc/

Diva Las Vegas 2003
April 22-27, 2003
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

One address for all items regarding this list, additions, unsubscribe
requests, changes, submissions, questions, etc.:

dlv@geekbabe.com <--- NOTE: all lower case

Please do not send binary attachments (photos, etc.) directly to the
list, as the list processor will not properly handle them. If you want
to send photos and the like, mail to: annie@annie.net

Archives of this list appear on the web at:

http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv03arc/

To unsubscribe: Simply reply to this message with the word UNSUBSCRIBE
in either the Subject: field or the first line of an OTHERWISE BLANK
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the only item in the subject field or the first line of the message,
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To send material to this list: Send submission as regular e-mail to
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