[dlv] DLV 2005 updates ...

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This is the Diva Las Vegas 2005 announcement mailing list.
This list contains only announcements and high importance items.
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. . . . .
In this mailing:

Ta-da
Things to come
Activity highlight - Lake Mead Cruise
Dress - Packing and travel hints and notes
Web sites (updated)
Activity highlights
Dress notes
Summary schedule of activities
Administrivia
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Only 70 days Until DLV 2005!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ta-da:

The big news this week is that we just broke the 100 mark on validated
attendees. Congratulations to Dina of Las Vegas for being our 100th.

We're now sitting at 101 validated attendees with no validations
pending. Good show, gang! :)

It seems like the 100 mark is what everybody was holding their breath
for, and this year we passed it over a month before we passed it last
year! All signs are pointing to a great turnout this year, somewhere in
the 120-130 range.
. . .

Welcome to all who recently joined the list and to those who recently
registered.

If there are any questions or concerns, please let us know.
. . .

There was no general mailing last week. Mailings will be sent out every
1-2 weeks until April.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Things to come:

Those who requested roommates should have recently received information
from Diane, our Roommate Coordinator. If you requested a roommate when
you registered and did not get this note, please write in and report it.
. . . . .

Within the next 2 weeks or so our Big Sister Coordinators will begin the
process of matching Big Sisters to Little Sisters. Those who have
requested a Big/Little Sister should expect to hear something within the
next few weeks.
. . . . .

If you requested a Big/Little Sister or roommate and have not
registered, please do so without delay as your roommate and/or sister
matching is dependent on a validated registration. See links below if
you need them.
. . . . .

Activity sign-up begins on or about April 1.

Most of our activities are no-sign-up-just-show-up, but several do
require such things as a headcount, reservation, and in some cases an
advance payment or other hoop-jump.

The way this works is that those of you holding validated registrations
will receive a personalized clickable link to your own personal activity
sign-up screen via e-mail. Just click on the link, make your selections,
and you're all set.

If you change your mind, you can add, remove, or change your activity
selections at any time.
. . . . .

Just prior to DLV, everybody who holds confirmed registrations will
receive what we call the Large Final Mailing.

This will include, among other things:

. Your personalized final confirmation and itinerary.
. Local contact information and check-in instructions.
. Final detailed schedule of activities.
. Very explicit driving directions to all activities.
. List of volunteer drivers and people who need rides.
. Link to a map of activity locations and photographs.
. Notes on dress suggestions, general and activity-specific.
. Detailed behavior and restroom guidelines.
. Photography guidelines.
. Vendor/merchant discounts and promotions.

This will be sent out the week prior to DLV.

Yes, that will be a lot of information. However, this Large Final Mailing
replaces that package of dead trees that you may expect to receive when
you check in. We're as paperless as possible. You can print out what you
want to and skip what you don't want.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity highlight - Lake Mead Cruise:

Most of our general mailings prior to DLV will feature one of our DLV
2005 activities. This week we feature Tuesday's Lake Mead cruise.

We will be taking a mid-day sightseeing cruise aboard the Desert
Princess, which is an authentic, three-level, Mississippi-style
paddlewheeler.

Daytime on Lake Mead gives passengers a chance to enjoy the full beauty
and majesty of the area. Plenty of sunshine and refreshing breezes are
yours to enjoy while you take in the breathtaking sights.

Photographers will love the colorful landscapes and panoramic views.
Just a few of the awesome landmarks include Fortification Hill, a
clearly-defined, extinct volcano, The Arizona Paint Pots, a wonderland
of color and of course, the magnificent Hoover Dam.

The Desert Princess is the pride of the Lake Mead Cruises fleet. She is
spaciously equipped with 2 climate-controlled enclosed decks and an open
promenade deck just perfect for taking in the cool, clean air and the
wondrous sights.

The cruise is narrated and is expected to take about 1 1/2 hours. We'll
be back in Las Vegas with plenty of time to get ready for the Night Of
The Soiled Doves activities in the evening.

We will meet at the rendezvous point (location announced in the Large
Final Mailing) at 10:30am and carpool to Lake Mead Landing.

Dress: Casual, boymode or girlmode. The cruise operator recommends
layered clothing, since the lake may be breezy and lake breezes can be
cool compared to the air temperature in Las Vegas.

Cost per person, with the available discount, will be $18. See mailings
and activity sign-up screen for details.
. . .

But wait, there's more!

Diane (AZ) will be leading an early-bird sunbathing group who will be
spending some time on the beach by Lake Mead and then joining the group
for the cruise.

The beach is not expected to be crowded at this time of day, so if you
have always wanted to spend some time on the beach in your preferred
mode, this is it!

Remember these activities at activity sign-up time.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dress - Packing and travel hints and notes:

This next item is primarily intended for those who will be traveling to
DLV by commercial air. If you're local or driving your own vehicle with
lots of space, you can most likely skip this part. :)

Some pack for DLV by just throwing things into a suitcase and taking off
for the airport. Others plan their outfits for the various activities in
great detail, while some try to bring EVERYTHING, so they will have
every possible option.
. . .

Limits and restrictions:

Most airlines allow two checked bags and one carry-on bag per passenger.
Some (Southwest) allow three checked bags. A few (Midwest Express,
America West) say three bags total, one which may be carried on, but
experience shows that they do not cross-check carry-on bags with the
number of checked bags. Size and weight restrictions of check-ins and
carry-ons vary from airline to airline.

Most airlines do allow extra bags for a modest to steep fee per bag.
. . .

Security and inspections:

Yes, there will be some kind of inspection process for both checked and
carry-on bags. For those concerned about this, the bottom line is:

THEY HAVE SEEN IT ALL BEFORE, MANY MANY MANY TIMES OVER!

If you're uneasy about airport security, please read the above line
again. :)

They don't care about frilly unmentionables. They only care about a
specific list of prohibited items, and items that cannot be readily
identified.

In your carry-on, you will want to avoid carrying any noncommercial
home-made or makeshift breast forms that are not readily identifyable,
particularly those which contain any kind of a goo or gel, such as "boob
goo" or blue ice. The checkpoint screeners are coached to watch out for
things which they can't identify that are composed of liquids or
jelly-like materials.
. . .

Packing tips:

You will definitely want to carry important things such as medications
and anything that can't be readily replaced in your carry-on bag. If you
consider the fact that bags are occasionally delayed or misrouted, and
in some cases actually lost, you can make plans so that you don't put
all of your eggs in one checked basket.

One suggestion is to carry a "minimum compliment" in your carry-on, of
just enough to get by for a day or so, but enough so you won't have to
go into panic mode should your checked bags get misrouted. (And again,
those people at the checkpoints have seen it all before, over and over.)

The percentage of bags lost or misrouted is actually very low. However,
speaking from experience, when it does happen, don't expect your airline
to bend over backwards to locate and deliver your items.

Yes, some of the airlines (United is one) may be able to track your bags
through the system and tell you exactly where they are, however, once
that bag is on its way to Guam, it will take some time to get it back.
Others like Southwest don't really have any automated baggage tracking
system in place.

If your bags aren't there at the carousel for you, don't panic. First
look at other carousels that serve your airline, even though one is
marked for your flight. I've seen this happen several times at various
airports.

If you had a tight connection or missed a connection, it's very possible
that your bags may not come in on your flight, or may even be there
already. Check with the baggage office that serves your airline. These
are located around the perimeter of the bag claim areas. You may find
that your bags beat you to Las Vegas! You may also have to wait until
the next flight comes in from your intermediate stop.

In a busy airport like McCarran, expect to deal with an attitude
somewhere between casual concern and downright indifference should you
report missing baggage. About all the local baggage agent can do is take
a missing item report and enter it into their reporting system. Don't
expect them to immediately drop everything and scour every aircraft,
baggage truck, and conveyor belt looking for your bags.

If your bags were "interlined" (handed off from one airline to another),
be prepared for some back and forth finger-pointing.

Bags that are totally lost, never to be seen again, are very rare, but
this does occasionally happen. Misrouted and delayed bags are much more
common.
. . .

No matter how carefully you fold and pack, it's inevitable that some of
your items will show some wrinkles and/or creases. Some of these can
"hang out" after a while just by hanging them up in your hotel room, but
two very handy items to have are an iron and a garment steamer. Many
hotels now provide irons in rooms (Sahara does, check with your hotel
for others), and those that do not have them available for loan, but the
steamer is very handy for items that are difficult to press or those
that cannot be ironed. You can get a steamer at most department stores
for $10-20 or so.

A folding garment bag is great for dresses, but still, you will find
that some creases and wrinkles may occur.

Extra hangers! Yes, the hotel will have some hangers, but knowing how
many outfits our people tend to bring, you will need extras. They don't
take up that much room, so if ya got 'em, bring 'em. :)

* "Space bags" can help for bulky items. These are available at any
department store. Some compress by rolling up, squeezing the air thru a
one-way valve. Others compress by connecting them to a vacuum cleaner.

These are very handy for bulky items that don't wrinkle, such as
sweaters, and also very useful for saving space by compressing and
confining dirty laundry on the way home.
. . .

If you *absolutely* have to take more than the airline allows (or if
you're really shy about security and inspections and such), you do
have a few options.

Most hotels will receive packages for guests. Phone your hotel for the
address and how to label your packages. Many hotels charge for this
service, and some hotels handle this in their "business service" center
which may not be open weekends. Many of these business centers are
closed on Sunday and some are closed on Saturday, so if you arrive on
the weekend, you may not be able to claim your stuff until Monday.

One of our local vendors will receive packages for DLV attendees.
Details on this will be provided on request for those who have validated
registrations. You may then pick up your package(s) during normal
business hours any day except Monday.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Web sites (updated):

Main Diva Las Vegas page: www.geekbabe.com/dlv/
DLV Discussion Forum: www.geekbabe.com/dlv/dlvdisc/
DLV Gallery: www.geekbabe.com/dlv/gallery/
Michael Cagle: www.michaelcagle.biz/

Newcomer registration: www.geekbabe.com/dlv/regnew.html
Returnee registration: www.geekbabe.com/dlv/regret.html
Update/cancel/uncancel: www.geekbabe.com/dlv/reg2005.html

Personal sites (newest additions first):

Julie Carter: www.geocities.com/julie7_46/
Tawni: www.geocities.com/tawni_st_croix
Gloria: www.geocities.com/gloriam_photos
Tina: home.swbell.net/tinatdre/
Jamie Renae: www.jamierenae.com/
Annie: www.geekbabe.com/annie/

Want to be included? Just send your name and URL to dlv@geekbabe.com and
state that you want to be listed. Personal, noncommercial sites only, no
"adult" sites, please.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity highlights:

Past activity highlights are in the list archives on the web:

Lunch With Ginger: http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv05arc/0006.html
Side trip to Death Valley: http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv05arc/0007.html
Dance instruction : http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv05arc/0008.html
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dress notes:

Quick links to the previously-sent dress items:

Dressing and the weather: www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv05arc/0008.html
Dressing and the daily schedule: www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv05arc/0007.html
General information: www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv05arc/0006.html
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary schedule of activities:

Preliminary and subject to change.

Sunday, April 24:
10:00am Religious services
6:00pm Happy Hour
7:00pm Dinner
8:30pm Welcome Celebration

Monday, April 25:
10:00am Death Valley Tour
1:00pm Lunch With or without Ginger
2:00pm Walk Off Your Lunch
3:00pm Bowling
6:00pm Happy Hour
7:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Little Girl Tea Party
8:00pm Mainstream option
8:00pm Alternative option
11:00pm Slumber Party

Tuesday, April 26:
9:00am Sunbathing
10:30am Lake Mead Boat Cruise
1:00pm Lunch With or without Ginger
2:00pm Walk Off Your Lunch
5:00pm Night Of The Soiled Doves II
6:00pm Happy Hour

Wednesday, April 27:
8:00am Air Tours
1:00pm Lunch With or without Ginger
2:00pm Walk Off Your Lunch
2:30pm Dance Instruction
6:00pm Happy Hour
Ev Eating Out Night
Ev EON get-together

Thursday, April 28:
AM-PM Golf
10:00am Art Tour
10-4 Glamour Boutique Open House
1:00pm Lunch With or without Ginger
2:00pm Walk Off Your Lunch
6:00pm Happy Hour
Ev Production show
Ev Pity Party
Ev Limo Tour

Friday, April 29:
1:00am Charles Bar
11:00am Shopping trip
11:00am Secret Garden / Dolphin Habitat
1:00pm Lunch With or without Ginger
2:00pm Walk Off Your Lunch
6:00pm Happy Hour
7:00pm Dinner
8:30pm Annual Mixer
10:00pm Lou Martinez Revue

Saturday, April 30:
AM-PM Garden Party
8:30pm Michael Cagle Show
11:59pm Rocky Horror Picture Show
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:

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

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. . . . .

Diva Las Vegas 2005
April 24 - 30, 2005
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

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