[dlv] DLV 2009 - 2 weeks 2 go ...

[External Poster]

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2009 announcement mailing list.
This list contains only announcements and high importance items.

If you no longer desire to receive this list, see list removal
instructions below.
. . . . .
In this mailing:

Two weeks to go
What you need to do
Deadlines and cutoffs
Large Final Mailing
Activity sign-up
Rides to early DLV activities
Limo Tour update
Golf payment reminder
Good beginner activities
Murder Mystery menu
Official DLV 2009 Group Photo
Welcome Celebration dinner updates
Rooms and roommates
Summary schedule
Administrivia
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Only 15 days Until DLV 2009!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Two weeks to go:

Title says it all! We're heading down the stretch toward DLV!

Yes, there is still time to get in on DLV 2009! See instructions
below if you have not registered and want to participate.
. . . . .

It's estimated that between 2/3 and 3/4 of the activity sign-ups
are in, and the numbers still appear to be converging upon a
150-ish figure for a final total turnout for DLV.

Thanks to all for a prompt response to the activity sign-up
this year. The activity sign-up has been very smooth so far.

We apologize for the bad link that was sent out with some of
the sign-up reminders earlier this week. A resend was made
with the corrected link.
. . . . .

One important note, which is more and more important the
closer we get to DLV is that if any time you're expecting
something, such as a sign-up mailing, a response from one
of our volunteers, etc., and it doesn't happen, let us
know, the sooner the better. We are fast approaching our
"crunch time" so the sooner we know about an issue, the
more effectively we can deal with it.
. . . . .

We hate to see anyone miss DLV, but if you're registered and
you know that you are not going to make it, please cancel. You
can do this either from the registration screen or via e-mail.
This gets you off the rolls and in many cases lets others move
up on waiting lists.

Besides, it gets rid of all of those e-mail nag-o-grams. :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What you need to do:

If you have not registered for DLV 2009 yet:

The first thing you need to do is register. Register here:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/register2009.html

Shortly after you register you will receive a validation
e-mail. Please read this carefully and do what it says
to do. This will validate your registration.

After your registration has been validated, you will receive
your activity sign-up mailing within the next few days.

You must be registered and validated by May 3 to fully
participate in DLV.
. . . . .

If you have filled out the registration screen but have
received absolutely nothing in e-mail:

SOMETHING IS WRONG! WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT, NOW!

Please e-mail us (dlv@geekbabe.com) and explain the
circumstances.
. . . . .

If you have filled out the registration screen but not
responded to your validation e-mail:

You need to read it (yes, read it carefully, it tells you
exactly what you need to do) and do what it asks you to
do.
. . . . .

If you responded to your validation e-mail but have not
received anything back:

Again, SOMETHING IS WRONG. WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT!

When you respond to your validation e-mail you should get
either one of these in return:

1. An automated note that your registration is validated.

2. A semi-nice personal note telling you to go back and
REALLY read the validation e-mail and respond as it asks
you to do.

If you didn't get one of these, let us know, and we will
take things from there and get them on the right track.
. . . . .

If you have registered (by about 1:00am CDT Saturday morning)
but have not received your activity selection e-mail:

SOMETHING IS WRONG! WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT! We need to
check things and see what is going on.

E-mail us, explain what's going on.
. . . . .

If you have registered but not made your activity selections:

Please make your activity selections as soon as possible. If
you have any questions about this, or if things don't work
for you as they should, please write in and explain what is
going on.

Activity sign-up also reconfirms your intent to attend DLV.

If you don't wish to sign up for any optional activities,
either submit a blank activity sign-up screen or write a
brief "reconfirming" e-mail to dlv@geekbabe.com explaining
that you will indeed be attending.

If you have difficulty with the activity sign-up screens,
let us know and we will do it for you manually if necessary.
. . . . .

If you've registered but don't want to do any of the optional
activities:

Either submit a blank activity sign-up screen as stated above
or send a brief note to dlv@geekbabe.com saying that you are
still attending but you will not be signing up for any of the
optional activities.
. . . . .

If you have made your activity selections:

You're all set! Pack your bags and get ready! If you want
to change any of your activity selections, in most cases
you can do this up until May 4.
. . . . .

If you let your validation lapse:
If you let your activity activity sign-up lapse:
If your registration was cancelled for any reason:

It's easy to un-cancel. If you cancelled on the web, you
can easily reverse the process yourself. If you had either
a validation or sign-up lapse, write in and explain the
circumstances and we'll get things back on track for you.
. . . . .

To all:

If you haven't made your travel and lodging arrangements,
please do so immediately. Room rates are reported to still
be good - FOR NOW!

Information on our suggested hotels appears here:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/dlv2009/2009hotels.html

If you have any difficulty finding a room, phone the Las
Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority at 1-877-VISIT-LV
(1-877-847-4858). They will know who has rooms available
and can book rooms for you if needed.

If you want to save some $$$ and share a room, see the
room share info below.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deadlines and cutoffs:

Heads up! :)

Sunday, May 3 (time flies! one week from tomorrow!), will be
the last batch of activity sign-up mailings. You must have a
validated registration by Sunday, May 3, at about 8:00am CDT
in order to sign up for many of the optional activities.
. . .

Monday, May 4 is the deadline for golf payment. See golf
payment information on the activity sign-up screen. See note
below.
. . .

Monday, May 4, at about 11:00pm CDT will be the cutoff for
all on-line activity sign-ups and changes. After that time,
participation in activities which require a sign-up, if
space is available, must be arranged with the activity
coordinators in person during DLV.
. . .

Tuesday, May 5, at about 8:00am CDT will be the cutoff for
registration for DLV 2009.
. . .

Saturday, May 9, will be the deadline for cancellations for
the Limo Tour.
. . .

Monday, May 11 will be the deadline for payment for the Murder
Mystery Dinner Theater. See activity sign-up screen for
payment instructions.
. . .

Monday, May 11, 6:00pm PDT. Those who plan to pay for the Limo
Tour on Tuesday of DLV week must make arrangements to pay (as
in have a definite time agreed upon to meet one of our volunteers
and make payment) prior to this time. Those on the waiting list
may "bump" those unpaid who have not made arrangements to pay
as of this time.
. . .

Monday, May 11, 9:00pm PDT will be the deadline for payment
for the English High Tea. See activity sign-up screen for
prepayment info, payment in person may be made at any major
DLV activity prior to or during Monday evening.
. . .

Tuesday, May 12, noon, will be the deadline for payment
for Night Of The Soiled Doves. Starting Tuesday afternoon,
those on the waiting list may "bump" those unpaid on the
confirmed list.
. . .

Tuesday, May 12, 5:00pm PDT will be the deadline for payment
for the Limo Tour. Those not arriving at DLV prior to this
deadline should make arrangements with someone who will be
present to make payment for them.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Large Final Mailing:

On or about May 5 we will be sending out the Large Final Mailing
to all who hold validated registrations to DLV 2009.

This is a whole collection of information you will need to make
the most of DLV 2009, which includes, among other things:

* "Bare Minimum" quick-start in-a-nutshell summary.
* Final detailed schedule. ("Pretty-printed" this year.)
* Contact phone numbers, Big Sister Emergency Hotline.
* Link to main activity map and Boulder City activity map.
* Ride share information, lists of drivers and riders.
* Your personal "itinerary", activities you're signed up for.
* Discounts and promotions. Some good ones this year!

A good suggestion is to print out all of the Large Final
Mailing, take it with you, and read it on the plane.

Please be watching for this in your inbox on or about May
5.

If you need an advance copy of the Large Final Mailing,
please let us know. This will be available starting around
May 1.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity sign-up:

Activity sign-up is in full swing. Everyone who holds a
validated DLV 2009 registration as of Saturday morning
should have received their activity sign-up e-mail. If you
have not received this, please let us know, as something is
wrong.

Please visit the activity sign-up screen and submit a response
even if you don't wish to do any activities. This reconfirms
your intent to attend and participate.

As of this morning, the following activities are full and in a
waiting list state:

Limousine Tour, Wednesday. See notes in this mailing.
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, Friday.

Night Of The Soiled Doves is right on the edge! It went into a
waiting list state early Friday morning but now has one slot
available because somebody changed their sign-ups.

The following are getting close to full:

Milano's dinner, Tuesday.
Lake Mead Boat Tour, Friday
Boat Tour Breakfast, Friday
SBS Social, Saturday.

If you have any questions or concerns about activity sign-up,
or if something doesn't seem to work as you expect it to,
let us know, the sooner the better.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rides to early DLV activities:

If you will be needing a ride to your first DLV activity and
you are not acquainted with anyone who will be driving, let us
know and we will do our best to find a driver for you.

For us to do this, we need to know WELL IN ADVANCE, meaning
prior to DLV, that you will be needing a ride to your first
activity.

(As a heads-up example, if you phone our contact people at
the very minute the Welcome Celebration is getting underway,
asking for a ride, you will be told to please take a taxi.)

If you are in need of a ride to your first DLV activity, send
us a brief e-mail with the following:

1. Your name.

2. Your first DLV activity.

3. Your preferred pick-up time.

4. Where you are staying. (Unfortunately "don't know" is not
acceptable in this case.)

5. Contact information, such as cell phone, hotel phone, who we
should ask for, etc. We must be able to make contact with you in
Las Vegas.

No promises, but we'll do our best to get one of our drivers to
give you a ride (at your own risk, of course) to your first
DLV activity.

If you're staying somewhere out of the way, or if for some
reason we can't find a driver for you, it's very "safe" (yes,
really it is!) to take a taxi.

Taxi drivers depend on tips for much of their income, so they
will seldom if ever jeopardize a tip by being rude or making
any mention of your mode of dress. Our people have regularly
used Las Vegas taxis since the early days of DLV, and no
incidents have been reported.

If you need to take a taxi, go to one of the main entrances of
any of the major hotels and either join the taxi line or tell
the doorkeeper you need a taxi. They are almost always available
promptly.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limo Tour update:

The response to the Limo Tour has been very heavy this year.

If you want to go on the Limo Tour, please don't be
discouraged by the "FULL" sign on the sign-up screen. Sign
up and get on that waiting list. We're making a special
effort this year to confirm as many waiting list people as
early in the process as we can. We'll begin to clear the
waiting list people at the Welcome Celebration on Monday
of DLV week.

As to payment, we're sorry to have to be so pushy, but we've
had problems collecting in the past, and this year we need to
be very assertive in collecting for the Limo Tour. Your
understanding and cooperation are appreciated.

Limo Tour payments may be made in person at any of the following
DLV activities:

1. Pre-DLV gathering, Sunday. (Not on schedule. Details in LFM.)
2. Studio Lites Open House, Monday.
3. Happy Hour, *Dinner, *Welcome Meet-And-Greet, Monday.
4. *Harmony Nail Spa Open House, Tuesday morning.
5. *Happy Hour, Hard Rock Cafe, Tuesday.
6. *Other times/locations by arrangement.

* IMPORTANT: Those not able to pay in person by 6:00pm Monday
should e-mail limo@geekbabe.com and make arrangements for a
specific time/place at which payment will be made. Those not
arriving by Tuesday afternoon should arrange for someone to
make the payment in person for them prior to 6:00pm Tuesday.

Unpaid tickets go up for grabs by the waiting list at 6:00pm on
Monday of DLV week unless a definite time and place have been
set where payment is to be made.

Sorry, we will not be offering mail-in or Paypal payment for the
Limo Tour. If you will not be able to pay in person in time,
please make arrangements for someone who will be present to make
payment in person for you.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Golf payment reminder:

A reminder that payment for golf must be received by Monday,
May 4.

THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE HARD-STOP, DROP-DEAD DEADLINE!

Golf payment instructions appear on the activity sign-up
screen. Golf details appear in the mailing list archive here:

http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv09arc/0012.html

Payment may be made with Paypal, credit card, Visa/MC brand
debit card, or electronic check.

Now, if you are signed up for golf at this time but know
that you will not be playing, or not be making payment,
please be courteous to our golf volunteers, go back into
the activity sign-up screen, and cancel your golf
reservation.

IT IS EXPRESSLY "UN-COOL" TO CANCEL YOUR GOLF
REGISTRATION BY SIMPLY FAILING TO FOLLOW THROUGH
ON MAKING PAYMENT!

Mindy, Edy, and Mardi have put in a lot of effort to give
you a great time out on the course. Please help them with
keeping the roster accurate so they can do foursomes,
cart assignments, etc.

Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good beginner activities:

Diva Las Vegas is the most mainstream of all of the major TG
events. However, we do have many activities that will be
well within the comfort level of total beginners who are just
getting out in public.

Here's a list of our activities which are specifically
recommended for beginners. All of these are in venues
which are known to be TG-friendly, have minimal exposure
to the general public, and will welcome your business.

In particular, the early safe activities can be used to "get
your feet wet" in anticipation of some of the more public
activities.

Religious Services, Sunday (off-schedule, see LFM)
Pre-DLV Get-Together, Sunday (off-schedule, see LFM)
Studio Lites Open House, Monday
Happy Hour, Dinner, Welcome Meet and Greet, Monday
Harmony Nail Spa Open House, Tuesday
Milanos option, Eating Out Night, Tuesday
Quiet evening at home option, Eating Out Night, Tuesday
Pajama Party, Tuesday
Pub Crawl, Tuesday
Karaoke, Wednesday
Glamour Boutique Open House, Thursday
Night Of The Soiled Doves, Thursday
Post-NSD Gathering, Thursday
Murder Mystery, Friday
Pity Party, Friday
Jam Session, Friday
SBS Social, Saturday

For those who are looking for the activities at which the
dress guidelines are the most relaxed, these are the ones:

Quiet evening at home option, Eating Out Night, Tuesday
Pajama Party, Tuesday
Pub Crawl, Tuesday
Karaoke, Wednesday
Night Of The Soiled Doves, Thursday
Post-NSD Gathering, Thursday
Pity Party, Friday
Jam Session, Friday

See the dress notes on the final schedule for specifics about
what is and is not appropriate to wear to any activity.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Murder Mystery menu:

Holly sends in the following:

The menu for the Murder Mystery on Friday evening is as follows:

Appetizer: Beef Sate w/Vegetable Stir-Fry
Salad: Fruit Salad
Side Dish: Ratatouille or Roasted Red Potatoes
Entre: Rosemary Roasted Chicken Breasts served w/a butter cream sauce
Dinner Rolls w/butter
Desert: Cheesecake Zango's w/Dipping Sauces
A variety of soft drinks, bottled water, and punch will be available
throughout the evening as well as snack food (nuts, mints, etc.).
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Official DLV 2009 Group Photo:

We would like to get as many of the DLV group together in one
place for an "official" (if there is such a thing) group photo
at 9:00pm on Wednesday of DLV week. This will happen during
the break between dinner and the Limo Tour (and other after-
dinner activities).

If you will not be attending the Wednesday dinner and/or the
Limo Tour, please plan to drop by and pose with the group.

The exact location, and a confirmation on the exact time,
will appear on the final schedule in the Large Final Mailing.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Welcome Celebration dinner updates:

The good news here is that the price of Monday dinner has been
DECREASED from the originally posted price. Thanks to Kimberly
Komplin for the Monday dinner arrangements.

Dinner will be concurrent with the Welcome Celebration and will
be a buffet:

Dinner Menu (optional for those who wish to have dinner there)
will be:

House Salad with Dressings
Dinner Rolls with Butter
Beef & Cheese Enchiladas
Meatloaf with Gravy
Smoked Chicken
California Veritable Medley
Pasta with Meat Sauce

Dessert
Peach Cobbler
Ice Cream with Chocolate Sauce / Whip Cream

Price for dinner - $14.95, payable at the activity.
----------------------------------------------------------
Slot Tournament Optional for those who wish to participate
----------------------------------------------------------
Raffle for Door Prizes @ $1.00 per ticket.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rooms and roommates:

Please coordinate all room sharing efforts with our Room
Share Coordinator. (roommate@geekbabe.com)

We're very aware that lodging will be the greatest expense for
most of you attending DLV. Sharing a room two ways cuts this
expense in half, in one third for three to a room, and 1/4 for
four in a room.

We have a Roommate Clearing House for DLV 2009. You can either
contact our Room Share Coordinator via e-mail at:

roommate@geekbabe.com

.. or sign up to participate in the Roommate Clearing House
when you register on the web.

There's also been some interest in sharing such things as
rental apartments and timeshares and such. If you're so inclined,
please coordinate this with our Room Share Coordinator.

When you sign up for roommate matching, we'll ask you a few
questions, such as if you smoke, if you (knowingly) snore,
things like that, in order to make better matches.

On the roommate screen there is also a large blank area into
which you can put any comments or concerns you may have. For
example, you could say something like "I don't care about
smoking or snoring, I just want the cheapest room!" if that's
what you want.

One important caveat! The Roommate Clearing House is a good-faith
effort on all parts with NO GUARANTEES! Roommates assume all
risks. Please have a contingency plan. Your Room Share
Coordinator, as well as other DLV organizers and volunteers, will
not be responsible if a roommate fails to show, fails to pay,
fails to make reservations, does not get along with you, or in
any other way things don't work out.

Big thanks to Diane for coordinating the Roommate Clearing
House! :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary schedule:

Diva Las Vegas 2009 schedule
Tentative and subject to change
All times Pacific Daylight Time

Monday, May 11:
11:00am: Studio Lites Open House
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger
6:00pm: Happy Hour
7:00pm: Dinner
8:00pm: Welcome Meet and Greet
11:00pm: Late-night Get-Together

Tuesday, May 12:
8:00am: Diva Las Vegas Invitational Golf
9:00am: Harmony Nail Spa Open House
1:00pm: Lunch With Mary Beth
2:00pm: SO Get-Together
6:00pm: Happy Hour
7:00pm: Magic's A Drag show
7:00pm: Eating Out Night
7:00pm: Joes Stone Crab option
7:00pm: Quiet evening at home option
7:00pm: Milanos option
9:00pm: Post-show dinner
9:00pm: Activity options
9:00pm: Pajama Party
9:00pm: Star Trek IMAX Experience
9:00pm: Pub Crawl
9:30pm: Theater Night

Wednesday, May 13:
10:30am: Art Tour, morning session
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger
1:00pm: Art Tour Lunch
2:30pm: Art Tour, afternoon session
5:30pm: Happy Hour
6:30pm: Dinner
9:00pm: Official group photo
9:30pm: Drinks at Encore
9:30pm: Karaoke
9:30pm: Limousine Tour

Thursday, May 14:
2:00am: Charles Bar
11:00am: Glamour Boutique Open House
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger
5:00pm: Night Of The Soiled Doves
6:00pm: Local Happy Hour
7:00pm: Local dinner
7:00pm: Irish Pubbing
11:00pm: Post-NSD gathering

Friday, May 15:
9:00am: Pistol/rifle shooting
9:00am: Boat Tour Breakfast carpool assembly
10:00am: Boat Tour Breakfast
10:15am: Boat Tour carpool assembly
12:00am: Lake Mead Boat Tour
1:00pm: Lunch Without Ginger
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger
2:00pm: High Tea
6:00pm: Happy Hour
7:00pm: Dining options
7:00pm: Upscale option
7:00pm: Affordable option
7:00pm: Murder Mystery interactive option
7:00pm: Do your own thing option
9:00pm: Activity options
9:00pm: Gaming option
9:00pm: Do your own thing option
10:00pm: Pity Party
11:00pm: Acoustic Jam Session

Saturday, May 16:
1:00pm: SBS Social
2:00pm: Fashion Show Mall Fashion Show
6:00pm: Happy Hour
7:00pm: Dinner
8:00pm: Ending Bash
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2009 Announcement mailing list.

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

Replies to this mailing will be forwarded to: dlv@geekbabe.com
Submissions/questions should be sent to: dlv@geekbabe.com
Abuse/complaints should be sent to: abuse@geekbabe.com

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

To view the DLV Discussion Forum on line, visit the URL:

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

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

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

Archives of this list appear on the web at:

http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv09arc/
. . . . .

Diva Las Vegas 2009
May 11 - 16, 2009
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
. . . . .

To unsubscribe: Simply reply to this message with the word
UNSUBSCRIBE in either the Subject: field or the first line of
an OTHERWISE BLANK 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.

To assure a successful unsubscribe, please be sure the "This was
sent to:" line above is included in your unsubscribe request.

To send material to this list: Send submission as regular e-mail
to the address: dlv@geekbabe.com
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .