----------
In this mailing:
Feedback continues
LAST CALL e-mail directory
Tina's notes
The burning answers
On the dark side
Administrivia
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Feedback continues:
This mailing has more feedback and a few housekeeping items.
Thanks to all who have sent in photos. Keep them coming, please. I think
the first 4 directories now have photos in them. I'm in the process of
touching some of these up, normalizing sizes, etc. I know I'm behind on
getting mine scanned and posted but I'm working on it. We are certainly
going to have an impressive collection of photos this year.
I think it is important that we do examine the (very few by comparison)
rough spots and negative feedback items. I've included a summary of
those I've heard toward the end of this mailing. Let's examine them with
the intent of smoothing out rough areas and making the DLV experience an
enjoyable one for all concerned.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LAST CALL e-mail directory:
E-mail directory will be mailed tomorrow evening.
Several e-mail directory entries have come in. If you want to get listed
in this, you have until tomorrow at 1700 CDT.
If you want to exchange e-mail addresses, please hit REPLY to this
message and say to the effect "add me to the e-mail directory."
Please indicate both the name you wish to be listed as, plus the
full e-mail address. Be sure to check for spelling.
Example:
Please add me to the e-mail directory.
Name: Annie e-mail: annie@annie.net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tina's notes:
>Regarding attendance total, I noticed in reviewing the archives that you
>had a weighted signup number of 66 at just 9 days before DLV started.
>That was pretty darn close to the actual number of attendees (62, IIRC).
Yes, it was hovering around 70 for the last few weeks before DLV. For a
set of blatant guess fudge factors in there, it was not too bad at all.
>I wouldn't worry too much about the no-shows. I know you did just a ton
>of work to make sure that people nervous about attending had plenty of
>support available.
I would call it concern rather than worry. We're probably doing about
all we can on this, and feedback has indicated such things as the Big
Sister program are working and helping those who are feeling a bit
unsure.
I've commented more in the last item in this mailing.
...
>>> 11:00pm Dance Night Gipsy, et. al.
>> I didn't go (ZZZzzzzz!), but those who did reported a great time.
>I was really pleased with how this turned out this year. We had a good
>turnout (over 20 by my count) along with some SOs really having fun.
>The timing was good too. We arrived around 11:30 before the crowd got
>heavy and had no trouble finding tables. That was great. I had never
>been to Gipsy before when I didn't have to stand all night.
>Everyone seemed to have a great time. I was really pleased that most of
>the girls got right out on the dance floor without hesitation. When I
>left at 2 AM, some girls were still going strong. The crowd was getting
>younger as it got later, but everyone seemed to really like us. My
>general experience has always been that T* girls are very popular at
>dance clubs.
>>> 2:00am Sat Late Night Gaming Imperial Palace
>> Again, I didn't go. I heard about one financial bath, though. :(
>This was not well attended. As the organizer, I want to apologize for
>being late in moving from Gipsy to the Imperial Palace. I didn't arrive
>until 2:30 AM. Only about 3 other girls attended. If I missed anybody
>before 2:30, I am very sorry.
>We had fun, and didn't run into any problems, other than losing (which
>rains on all of us equally, regardless of gender presentation). It was
>Friday night (actually Saturday AM) and still extremely crowded, as was
>predicted. I have to admit to being more nervous than expected.
>Walking dressed through casinos and going to shows doesn't bother me,
>but I have mild feelings of claustrophobia at crowded casino tables even
>in boy mode.
>Still, after we took over a blackjack table, many people came and filled
>in the empty spaces without giving us a second look. If they were
>bothered by us (their problem, not ours), then their feelings were
>out-weighed by their desire to gamble. So, it was a new experience for
>me and I am glad that I did it. And I think that Margeth is absolutely
>fearless. Her fierce attitude made it easier for me to plunge into the
>crowds as we walked around (and showed off a little).
...
>Re DLV 2001 in general, if you were there, then you know how much fun we
>all had. I saw less sad faces this year than ever before. If you
>missed it, then just kick yourself and vow to do better next year.
I do agree that feedback is extremely positive this year. Very few
negative comments. Look at all the smiling faces in the photos.
Hopefully the positive experiences of others will encourage those who
were iffy this year and did not attend to take the plunge next year.
>Is it too early for suggestions for the 02 slogan? Bad suggestions follow:
>- Tippecanoe in '02.
>- DLV 2002 - more genders than digits.
>- DLV 2002 in Las Vegas - the Breast of the West.
>- DLV 2002 - we'll see you in '02.
>- DLV 2002 in Las Vegas - where the T girls go to play.
{groan}
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The burning answers:
>>1. Of the activities you attended, which did you most like and why?
>>Which did you least like and why?
>Most:
>Big Sister. I had a great Big Sister who helped me in building up my
>confidence, improving my enfemme appeareance, and just getting out and
>having fun. Its also a good way to get to know others.
>You and others who provided their car/van transportation, cell phones,
>and air tours. For those, like me that was a rider ... a very big *hug*
>and Thank-You!!
You're very welcome. *hug back*
>The folies and limo tour... Tim was a *exellent* bartender! ... It was
>great fun riding around in the limo and going to some very interesting
>places (as in the 4 Queens incident). The Folies B was a great musical
>show. It also was one of my goals...to go enfemme to a vegas casino
>show.
And ... your goal was met. Congratulations! :)
>The dam tour ... *awesome* ... Bob was a exellent tour guide.
>It was the first time for me to go out enfemme during the late afternoon
>(the sun still up) and dining for the first time enfemme at Milano's and
>Sahara.
>The dinners also gave me a chance to talk to, and meet others attending
>DLV, though I was very much a nervous wreck, and didn't really eat much.
>Its really hard to eat lady like, and not get your hair in everything!
>... :^) I kinda felt like Sandra Bullock's character in Miss
>Congeniality (sp?)
>Being in a group makes it alot easier to do things, than doing it alone.
>It really helped my confidence. But the main thing is that I did it,
>and enjoyed it, along with companionship of those who were there, very
>very much!
>Late night gambling. As I got more confident, I ventured independently
>of others and walked around the casino and gambled in the Tropicana and
>Sahara alone. I kinda liked it, and wished I did it a bit longer....
>I'll wait till next time.
>Least:
>LV Lounge AFTER the music and exotic dancers do their thong... err...
>thing. I have nothing against the exotic dancers, but I noticed that
>BEFORE 11 pm or whenever the dancing starts, the lounge is quite more
>relaxing, a bit more empty, and one is able to have a conversation.
>Around the time the dancing starts, the lounge seems to get quite
>crowded, and the louder music makes any conversations difficult. The
>mood quickly changes to a more of a exotic dancer bar. I can understand
>why the lounge does it, for it brings in the crowd and makes money, but
>if we are to use this venue to meet and talk, then another place would
>be better, or meet there at a time before the dancing begins.
We got a lot of comments about the LV lounge this time, mostly negative.
Big complaint was the inability to converse. Yes, they are in business
to sell alcohol, and apparently they think that the dancers will put
them at the peak of the curve.
One local opinion I heard says they are grasping at straws, hoping to
find something, anything, that works, and that they almost tanked a few
months back. We will probably have to wait until next year to see what
happens here.
...
>What I liked most was just the getting together with all of the
>others. This is my first real time out in public, so I was nervous,
>but everybody was so easy to talk to it was just wonderful. Thank
>you so much.
...
>>2. Of the activities you chose to skip, why did you do so? Was it lack
>>of interest, schedule conflict, time crunch, too public, etc.?
>I was planning to take the side tour to Rhyolite. But due to the time
>crunch, as I was leaving the next day, I had to do some other things
>before leaving LV. I still want to go to Rhyolite, and maybe if its
>offered again next year, I will sign up for it again. This would match
>with my goal on going enfemme during the day. I understand that the
>group did something else anyway?
That is correct. Shopping. :)
We could easily put this on the slate next year.
>The other was an event independent of DLV which I didn't know was
>happening till I got there. It was the Gun Show at Cashman Center. I've
>never been to one outside of my state, and wanted to go to it to see
>what it was like. This conflicted with the events on saturday.
We had people go there on Saturday, iirc.
...
>Well, as you know, I skipped all of the day activities except the Dam
>Tour. I know I don't pass, so there wasn't much point in it. I was
>to late for the Follies show so I skipped that as well.
...
>>3. Did you patronize any of our recommended vendors? If so, are you
>>satisfied with their products and services?
>Are there any vendors that should be added to our list?
>Has anyone tried Parisian Wigs on LV Blvd?
I haven't, but it's been said that a wig shop that's not t-friendly
is soon to be out of business. :)
...
>I didn't go shopping at all.
...
>>4. Did you visit any clubs and bars that were not covered by the DLV
>>activities? Would you recommend them for a group activity?
>I saw some of the girls sitting at the little bar in the Casino at
>Sahara. I don't drink, so I didn't join them, but they looked like
>they were having a good time.
...
>>5. Did you do anything on your own that you would recommend we consider
>>as a DLV activity?
>Well, I did see the dancing fountains over at the Belagio, but that
>was En Drab.
...
>I don't know if you all saw this, but in the Desert Passage shopping,
>there was this Indian or Persian acrobatic group performing right in
>the middle of the mall. They were doing back-flips and springs and
>tumbling all to a drum beat. Very good free show.
...
>>6. How were your hotel accommodations? Would you recommend your hotel
>>to other DLV people?
>I stayed at Main Street Station in the downtown area. I've stayed there
>many times and I like it, and would recommend it. Its a clean room,
>average if not simple shower bathroom, but the room size is a bit bigger
>than average, and each room I've had has a big 8x8 mirror to help in
>getting ready.
>The hotel elevators and main entrance is on the side of
>the casino, so one doesn't have to wander through a casino, and allows
>for a quick entrance and exit. Each room has a good independent A/C unit
>with good controls. No central A/C.
>The elevators has mirrors, so if you are alone in the elevator, you can
>use the mirrors as a final check on how one looks.
>It has a decent buffet, and a great micro-brewry. It
>was priced a bit cheaper than the Sahara or IP. Limited TV cable
>stations, no pool.
>The bad part is that its downtown, so walking around should be limited
>to the casino/fremont street area. Taxis and the Bus Depot is one block
>away. It also tends to have alot of tourist from Hawaii, and its a Sam
>Boyd hotel, and NOT a 'Station' Casino, and Sam Boyd caters to alot of
>Hawaii residents. I haven't had any specific TG problems, though I
>wasn't going about trying to create any, so as far as it being
>T-friendly, I'm not sure that it truely is that.
If I remember the history, it was once a Station property, but was sold
to {mumble} who promptly ran it into the ground. It was dark for a while,
then the Boyd Group bought it as an overflow house for the California,
which does market heavily in Hawaii. They recently began to promote it
under its own identity again.
...
>My room at the Imperial was ok. Nothing fabulous, but ok. The casino was
>smokey and much too crowded for my taste. I didn't spend that much
>time there, so I can't complain much.
...
>>7. Would you attend another DLV? Why or why not?
>Yes! Its a great way to meet and get to know other t-girls from all over
>the country, in a relaxed, comfortable and friendly environment, and
>have fun together!
>Also for some, its the only time to see those you haven't seen since the
>last DLV! I wish there was more time to talk and get to know them
>better.
...
>Most definitely YES! Is there even a question here?
...
>>8. Would you prefer a more structured or a less structured schedule
>>of activities for DLV 2002?
>This was my first full DLV experience. I kinda like the way it was set
>up. Keeping it simple is the best!
...
>More daytime things that aren't so public, please. I guess that means
>I want more structure.
...
>>9. Do you have any suggestions for other activities that you think the
>>group might enjoy?
>You need something optional that isn't so public fr the days. At SCC
>you can either go on the tour, or stay and do the seminars. Going
>to the movie would be something, but I didn't hear anything about
>it until the next day.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On the dark side:
Yeah, I know, rain must fall, doodoo happens, Murphy shows up ...
It's important we take a look at the things that don't go the way we
wanted, or the way we expected.
I know I like to put a positive spin on things, but in this case I'm
just kinda reporting them as I saw and heard them. I think it's good
if we would open discussion on these items, those we haven't already,
that is ...
My biggest concern is that of no-shows. It was highest (both in
number and in percentage) this year of all years. I can understand
cancellations, even for reasons of uneasiness, but the amount of no-call
no-show no-write no-nothing people still bothers me. Many of these were
the ones actively participating in the pre-DLV discussions, those who
turned in responses to headcounts, etc.
As I look over the photos and see all the smiling faces, and read over
the feedback which is overwhelmingly positive, I know we're doing
something right, but as I look over the list and the number of people
who said they were definitely coming but simply did not show up, I
wonder if there's something we could be doing better.
Alas, this seems to happen at every t* activity I've been associated
with. DLV is not the only one that sees this. One of the people present
told me she was indeed a no-show at one of the recent mainline t*
conventions.
I think we went out of our way to assure new and uneasy people that they
would be among friends in a caring and supportive environment. I don't
see much more we can do on this.
Comments?
...
We had a couple restroom incidents. One was early in the morning, and
the person who was confronted admitted she was not dressed appropriate
to time place and circumstance, and may have been quite obvious. She was
approached by a security guard who very courteously suggested it might
be more appropriate to use the other restroom.
The other incident was at one of the casino nightclubs. A local gg was
helping somebody with her makeup, and apparently they caught the
attention of a security guard who noticed them taking a long time in the
restroom. Security people do keep a particular eye out for those who
pair off and sneak into a restroom for some extracurricular activities,
so the guard may very well have thought that may have been the case.
...
There was a confrontation of one of our people by a obnoxious
drunken lout at a gaming table. (Hmmmm ... is there such a thing as a
non-obnoxious sober lout?) A pit boss and security guard intervened
and ejected said lout. The casino people are not stupid. If they have a
t-girl offering them action at a table, they are not gonna jeopardize it
by allowing a heckler to start something.
...
Two people missed the Kenny Kerr show, one due to a makeup disaster
resulting in a time crunch, the other reported a long and slow taxi line
at her hotel.
...
One person (local) reported not being able to find the Las Vegas Lounge.
...
Speaking of the Las Vegas Lounge ... I heard more complaints about that
one than all other venues combined. No, it's definitely not the same as
it was a year ago. They've apparently decided that what they are doing
will drive $$$ to the bottom line. I'm sure there will be discussion of
this in the DLVORG list when we talk about locations for activities for
next year.
...
I heard one complaint about Goodtimes being too smoky. I was there 3
times this year and did not notice this myself.
...
There was one major complaint, and several lesser comments, about some
dress and demeanor issues during the dinner at the Sahara buffet.
A few comments on that ... First, a group that large is almost always
gonna get read. Pope is Catholic, bears do it in the woods, 1 != 2.
It will happen.
We don't need the Fashion Police or a dress code. We have to cut some
slack to those who are relatively inexperienced in public. They will
learn what works in public and what doesn't by trial and error and
some support and encouragement.
However, there's a time and place for everything, and a dinner buffet is
not the time or place to be intentionally flamboyant or to show off the
latest in evening wear. We have to be considerate of those who do not
wish to attract undue attention.
Enough said.
Comments on any of these, gang?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:
This is the Diva Las Vegas 2001 mailing list.
Diva Las Vegas 2001
May 2-7, 2001
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
One address for all items regarding this list, additions, removals,
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/dlv01arc/
To unsubscribe: Simply reply to this message with the word UNSUBSCRIBE
in either the Subject: field or the first line of the message body. The
word "unsubscribe" (case is insignificant) should be the only item in
the subject field or the first line of the message, justified to the
left.
NOTE: WHEN UNSUBSCRIBING, THE FROM: LINE OF YOUR UNSUBSCRIBE MESSAGE
>>MUST<< HAVE THE SAME ADDRESS AS WHAT WE USE TO SEND TO YOU. IF IT
DOES NOT, THE UNSUBSCRIBE WILL FAIL, AND YOU MAY NOT GET A FAILURE
NOTICE. SPELLING COUNTS.
Please pay attention to the above. Many automated unsubscribe requests
fail for this reason.
To send material to this list: Send submission as regular e-mail to
the address: dlv@geekbabe.com
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
----------
(This posting was entered by Annie