View Full Version : Official "OMG I'm here at TONMOCON IV" Thread!
Post your pics, your whereabouts, your experiences, your thoughts about TONMOCON IV here!
:cheers:
(Agenda (http://www.tonmo.com/blog/entry.php?91-TONMOCON-IV-AGENDA))
ieatfalalfel
Oct 07, '11, 12:58pm
unless something happens (im looking at the mother who is pissed at me) i will be leaving soon! if she gets made enough to say i cant come then i will just tell her the hotel is non refundeable1
I'm here, I'm here, I'm HERE!!! I made it on the plane all by myself- and I'm only 41... In the lobby to use the free WiFi with my stuffed GPO to identify me. Think I'm the first one here, it's only 1:05, so I think I'll walk up to the zoo for something to do as I don't se anyone else garishly adorned with cephalopod jewelry.
Just got back from the Zoo. Love listening to the comments people make as they pass by the GPO... "EW, gross!!" More than one person could deserved to have that comment made about them! However, one look at her and you can tell she's old, holding her distended mantle in her mantle in her webbing, it always reminds me of how pregnant women hole their bellies. The also have 3 very small and super cute Sepia officinalis, lots of fun watching people as they pass by and tell their kids the tank is empty and not worth looking at...
I'm sitting in the lobby of the Marriott with my stuffed GPO in the table, looking for more TONMOers to show. It's just 5 now, so I'm thinking I'll get some company soon! There is a convention of some type here with lots of folks from Africa, and there are some ladies in some really beautiful outfits. Lots of gorgeous fabrics and formal dress styles, what a fun weekend for people watching!
ieatfalalfel
Oct 07, '11, 5:19pm
I'm still on my way but I'll be the really young guy with tentacles instead of fingers! Just wondering, do you know if nancy or Colin are coming? I'd love to have my copy of their book signed!
:-( Unfortunately they won't be making it!
BTW, OMG, I'm here. And check out my room, AKA "location of the after party" :wink: ...
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Just took a call from Olaf. Time to start the party! See everyone at Harry's...
:party:
ieatfalalfel
Oct 07, '11, 6:46pm
Are all the rooms like that!? NICE!
Pix!
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Cowrie
Oct 07, '11, 7:28pm
Just got back from the Zoo. Love listening to the comments people make as they pass by the GPO... "EW, gross!!" More than one person could deserved to have that comment made about them! However, one look at her and you can tell she's old, holding her distended mantle in her mantle in her webbing, it always reminds me of how pregnant women hole their bellies. The also have 3 very small and super cute Sepia officinalis, lots of fun watching people as they pass by and tell their kids the tank is empty and not worth looking at...
I'm sitting in the lobby of the Marriott with my stuffed GPO in the table, looking for more TONMOers to show. It's just 5 now, so I'm thinking I'll get some company soon! There is a convention of some type here with lots of folks from Africa, and there are some ladies in some really beautiful outfits. Lots of gorgeous fabrics and formal dress styles, what a fun weekend for people watching!
....at least they were there when I left last night! Pretty cool, huh? Thanks to New England Aquarium.
Tamie Gray DeWitt
Invertebrate Exhibit
Smithsonians National Zoo
CaptFish
Oct 07, '11, 8:39pm
Ohhhh maaaannnnn, have a drink for me. I'm quite upset I could not make it.
neurobadger
Oct 07, '11, 8:55pm
Octavia isn't THAT old, is she?
Wonder what happened to Beyonce, the National Aquarium's octopus. Someone tell me how she is.
Pass the Kraken Rum around and then more pics. please!:heee:
so much fun
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squidkidsmom
Oct 07, '11, 9:36pm
We will be there in the morning (me, husband and our two squid loving kids). Unfortunately, we will be arriving a little late and have to leave before the zoo due to family stuff! Still we look forward to seeing and hearing all that we can!
tonmo
Oct 07, '11, 10:02pm
Me and ieatfalafel
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tonmo
Oct 07, '11, 10:37pm
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Nancy
Oct 07, '11, 11:09pm
Enjoying the pics (from here in Dallas' unfortunately )!
Please label the photos so we know who everyone is!
sorry I couldn't be there in person.
Nancy
tonmo
Oct 07, '11, 11:50pm
I wasn't kidding
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tonmo
Oct 08, '11, 12:25am
Time for folks to say hello -
Sedna! Hi, I'm here still!
Evening All, Not typing too quickly :grin: wish me luck on my presentation tomorrow! "D"
Having a great time talking all things ceph esquid/erin
Pumking is almost as good as Yuengling. "Greg B."
Thales
Oct 08, '11, 12:28am
Just left Tony's room to get some sleep! Good times, fun people!
tonmo
Oct 08, '11, 12:42am
I just kicked everyone out. I need breakfast then in the room at 8:15! Wish me luck. cya tomorrow.
Great night last night, now onto the conference room!
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What a great night! Thanks for your awesome hospitality, Tony!!
anothersquid
Oct 08, '11, 8:55am
Greetings all from the lecture room. Was a great drives down from Ottawa. Took about 13 hours, but we weren't rushing. Great weather for the trip so far. Great to meet so many at the pub last night.
View from stage
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tonmo
Oct 08, '11, 10:13am
Ethics discussion
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tonmo
Oct 08, '11, 10:14am
The panel
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Thales
Oct 08, '11, 12:53pm
That was fun!
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other side of room
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Quick little vid from last night... :smile:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6abjBdx-NNHgeTL05ksPrQ?feat=directlink
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ieatfalalfel
Oct 08, '11, 11:05pm
:madsci:^^ that was fun! Are we doing anything for breakfast? It's been extremely fun to put faces with names this weekend and hear such wonderful presentations and learn so much! Thanks everyone for putting this on!
In the hotel lobby waiting for the shuttle to take me to the airport :( All good thing must end, and this was the best!!! Thanks to Tony and D for all the hard work! I am SO glad to have met so many of you in person finally, and to meet up again with D and Richard. I feel so extremely lucky to have made it.
I say Seattle for TonmoCon 5, and hope to see the rest of you who couldn't come his time!
Danna
Oct 09, '11, 11:59am
Thanks so much for sharing all the pictures! Nowhere near as good as being there in person, of course, but still very cool to get a feel for it. Happy Cephalopod Days!
I second sedna's Seattle suggestion . . . not just for the alliteration, but I have family up there and could definitely make it. ;)
Really great event! Yes, me, sedna, D, OB, Neal, Colin (Purple Tentacle Colin, not Zappa Colin), and WK were having that conversation -- Seattle feels right for TONMOCON V in 2013!
The best thing about my pics is that they were timely (thanks Tapatalk, and also instant upload on Android to Google+!). I posted the whole lot on Facebook this morning - http://www.facebook.com/tonmodotcom. I know there were MANY other pics taken and I hope to see them uploaded here soon! I also got a couple of vids of the cuttle feeding time that we got to see during exclusive access to the nat'l zoo invert exhibit last evening.
WAMAS, the Nat'l Zoo and the Nat'l Aquarium were all outstanding in their hospitality. Marriott too! (but they were the ones to take all the money :wink: - but a great venue and well worth it.)
Ohhhh maaaannnnn, have a drink for me. I'm quite upset I could not make it.
Us too, capt! Your ears must be burnt to a crisp! :smile:
Pass the Kraken Rum around and then more pics. please!:heee:
That did happen - many Monty toasts!
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Those were all kicked by the way.
Home again, home again... Thanks again, Tony and everybody! Only complaint, NOT LONG ENOUGH!
I second Sedna! Had an absolutely wonderful weekend: now back on Dutch soil, but shan't wait around til 2013, if you don't mind, for more TONMO related travel :wink:
DWhatley
Oct 10, '11, 2:32am
OB,
MiniCons are always IN
anothersquid
Oct 11, '11, 10:06am
I have all my pics from the two aquariums posted here: http://photos.squidzone.ca/Nature/TONMOCon-Aquarium-Visits/19473410_npF8W4#1524106697_3RMwBMx
Here are some highlights (not all cephy, but there's only so many ways to photograph an octopus in a tank :) ):
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PurpleTentacle
Oct 11, '11, 8:25pm
That did happen - many Monty toasts!
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Those were all kicked by the way.
Yeah, it was kind of a rough sunday morning :)
DWhatley
Oct 11, '11, 8:32pm
PT,
I did not "tag" you on FB but please add your identity. I will probably make the album available to "friends" only after my unofficial friends have found themselves. It would have been nice to limit it to tonmodotcom friends but that option is not available so, for this week they are open to the public.
anothersquid
Oct 11, '11, 8:32pm
Did my picture post get stuck in the approval queue?
DWhatley
Oct 11, '11, 8:35pm
Yep, that is what you get for not being an active member :sagrin: All clear now.
btw, anyone who was at TONMOCON and isn't already friends with me on Facebook, please do! Tony Morelli here. :smile:
So much more to follow up on from this event - keep the pics and reviews coming! There are also a few discussions that were left unfinished that we should kick up here in the forums... I'll be getting 'round to a couple soon.
Nice job with the pics! Skill!
I have all my pics from the two aquariums posted here: http://photos.squidzone.ca/Nature/TONMOCon-Aquarium-Visits/19473410_npF8W4#1524106697_3RMwBMx
Here are some highlights (not all cephy, but there's only so many ways to photograph an octopus in a tank :) ):
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anothersquid
Oct 11, '11, 8:58pm
The mostly-white GPO in the first picture there... is that an indication that it is presently annoyed with the attention, unwell or some other issue, or is it just feeling "white"?
anothersquid
Oct 11, '11, 9:01pm
Nice job with the pics! Skill!
Thank you. Aquarium photography is an interest of mine. I'm still learning... had a lot that didn't turn out. You guys are only seeing the passable ones :) I still have a lot to learn.
The mostly-white GPO in the first picture there... is that an indication that it is presently annoyed with the attention, unwell or some other issue, or is it just feeling "white"?
I noticed that and thought it might be a bit sickly... but just as we were leaving, OB, sedna, D, neurobadger and I noticed that the GPO was showing some reddish-brown coloring and was showing some stripes as well... we were encouraged by that!