Hi All,

It's almost the New Year, and I felt the spectre ought to be raised regarding our next gathering. Florida has been suggested, which I'm more than happy with, provided we all get enough warning to find the time to go. Who has a vote? Who has suggestions? Who thinks the next one after this ought to be in Australasia or Europe? Got opinions? post 'em here!

Thanks for any tips or suggestions!

Erich Orser

Personally, I think two things:

1. It's a great idea, I think it would be fun to get to see the faces behind the avatars. OK, for me anyway...

2. Europe would for obvious reasons have my preference, if only for the quality of beer. UK? Regardless of the British views on food? Throw in some ammonite hunting for good measure?

You are so right Erich. I had such a great, incredible, fulfilling time at TONMOCON I. I will say that it was a LOT OF WORK to pull it off in a meaningful way (and no one knows that more than you and Melissa), but in the end it was more than worth it.

I do like the Florida idea -- I think everyone left the last event with the impression that that's where we'd meet next.

What's the deal with that new Atlanta aquarium? Wonder if that's a viable spot... I have no idea.

Hmmm....I lost my original response....I think Florida or the new aquarium is a wonderful idea! Jess would be thrilled! And the new aquarium looks awesome!

Carol

I would have to say that, even though I voted for Florida initially...the new aquarium sounds better. Especially since it is a travel hub for every major airline too !

Plus we could turn Buckhead into Squidhead, for the time being:)

One thing that I really appreciated at TONMOCON I was the opportunity to visit research labs (MBARI and Hopkins) and interact with the academic folks. I suspect Florida may offer similar opportunities (although they may be less "all in one place" than the Monterey area was) but I don't know of anything like that in Atlanta besides the Aquarium proper. Not that I'm an authority on what's in Atlanta, or where the coolest research labs are, but a google for "cephalopod atlanta" didn't seem to turn up a lot of research papers in the first few pages. (Although there are some fossils in the floor tiles at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta). Searching for "cephalopod gatech" didn't pull up any major ceph research labs at Georgia Tech, either.

Also, I thought having a large number of locals to the Monterey area seemed quite helpful this year; I don't know how many Atlanteans we have who would help out... there seemed to be several Floridians who were enthusiastic, as I recall.

On the flip side, the new Atlanta aquarium does seem pretty darned cool. Do they have an associated research lab or anything? Their web site refers to their "4R" program (Rehabilitation, Relocation, Rescue, and Research) but it sounds more like husbandry than basic science from my quick read...

Monterey was probably unique in that there is a world-class aquarium, several world class research labs, and a large number of local or semi-local TONMOers, so I suppose wishing to duplicate everything from TONMOCON I in a different location is foolish, though... (Maybe NZ would have all of the above; being an ignorant American, I don't know how close all of you Kiwis and your labs and aquaria are to each other).

Good points Monty. BTW, price is going to definitely be a factor. Monterey was incredibly accommodatating... well, it was an expensive town and expensive to get there, but the convention hall itself (which was really our "home base") was remarkably affordable. Hoping that other places will extend similar facilities at a similar price... otherwise... I imagine those blaring bagpipes aren't as bad the 2nd time around. :grin:

The one lab I know of (in florida) is Harbor Branch Oceanigraphic Institute, and I don't know if they do anything more than the (mostly in-bus) tours...There is SeaWorld and Bush Gardens though...

Hmmm... I'd forgotten about the new aquarium in Atlanta. They've got a whale shark in captivity there... and it is, after all, where "Squidbillies" is produced. I'm definitely angling more for Florida, though. I'd love to get to see the Johnson Sea-Link in person.

I'd like to bring up the possibility of making TonmoCon an every other year event. I've been involved in weeklong conferences/conventions, which is slightly different, but with classes, exhibits, vendors, etc. From the standpoint of putting them on, every two years is a lot easier. The people who make the arrangements aren't as likely to get burned out, and since it requires multi-state, and maybe multi-continent travel, the attendees have more time to save the necessary funds, so they can make their reservations early enough to get the best possible fares. If guest speakers or instructors (or researchers) are involved, it gives them more time to arrange their schedules. I don't know how many people attended TonmoCon one, but it's probably a lot easier to arrange if it's a fairly small group and everyone is responsible for his/her own accomodations. In time Tonmocon might get a lot bigger than the first one, and might expand to have more seminars, speakers, classes, tours, or whatever. I've been involved in site searches, scholarships, registration, and exhibits, and while some of that can be done on fairly short notice, some requires a lot more time. I would suggest that whatever location is chosen, if people have 18 months to plan for it, it will probably get better attendance than if they only have 6 months. How many of us in the states could afford to save enough to go to New Zealand in 6 months? I'd like to make it possible for everyone scattered around the globe to have a shot at going, no matter where we hold it.

LOL...the sad part is...we are planning for not 2006, but 2007. A well oiled machine has yet to rear it's head ! How long did we plan for the first one ? Anyone remember?
People like you are what make this group run so well...I couldn't organize a well-timed belch, let alone a large meeting. Tony, Melissa, Erich and the rest went to the ends of the earth to make the first one happen...I am sure they need a breather!

Do we want to poll on the Atlanta, Florida gambit?

I'd be open to either one, but I would really like to go to Kiwi land. Anybody know any ceph scientists down there? Hmmm????:wink:

Sorseress, you raise good points... I'm not sure I have it in me (or my bank account) for 2006... I think Greg's right, this is a 2007 thing...

I couldn't organize a well-timed belch, let alone a large meeting.
Burp!

I think you should add Galveston, Texas (a town on a barrier island along the Gulf coast near Houston) to the list of possible locations. If you go off season (spring is beautiful there), hotels can be reasonable and there are a number of conference facilities. I would imagine a visit to the NRCC could be arranged. Lots of other interesting things to do there, too.

Nancy

All this talk is really exciting, especially since I didn't make it to TONMO CON I! I'm in agreement with the 2007 idea, and would probably vote for the Florida or Texas location. I would really love to see that new aquarium, but it seems to me that that would be the only feature to the area. Monterey sounds like it worked so well because there were a host of places to visit and explore. Again, though the thought of going to the NRCC seems absolutely perfect for this site, what else is there in the area?

Out of curiousity, is there any prospect of going for a group dive or snorkel? In that case, shouldn't we maybe be thinking about the Baja Mexico area....:twisted:?

On the plus side, this discussion lets people know that there is the possibility of another TONMO CON and therefore if people are interested they can already start saving, even before we even agree on a location. It also gives organizers a lot more time to find another perfect site, no pressure! :wink:

Cheers!

Well, one of the big lessons learned at the first tonmocon, was that a lot of time was spent socializing, not necessarily going to different venues. I learned more about cuttles from an afternoon with Sir Righty at the pub than I would have at any aquarium lecture. And they had beer too. (bonus)
The area we pick should have one attraction, a good meeting place, and good $ value.

Is there anyplace in the caribbean? Summer rates might be attractive.

How about visiting James Wood in Bermuda? He has lots of squid...and I am only 1/3 kidding. :smile:

I like the brainstorming, and Texas or Florida sound good, as does NZ.

I am willing to help in any capacity.

BTW, thanks Greg! My group of 11 are mating all the time right now, so get that house built!

Aw...everything's on the other side of the fricking world...
And I think I'll finish paying back my loans at the end of 2006 from going to TONMOCON 1. So, no more TONMOCON-ing for me if it's in Florida or Texas or the Caribbean. :cry: Lack of money is always a big source of sadness.

But if it's NZ, then there might be something I could manage...

Chrono, that's why we're talking 2007 now instead of 2006. I'd like to get the ball rolling relatively early, obviously, but one thing I feel the need to bring up - since I'm a big chicken - is that any event planned for Florida, Texas, or other low-lying regions - let's try to avoid hurricane season. Earthquakes I can deal with, but sustained high winds and storm surges? Uh, no.:goofysca:

Good call on Bermuda! I think Florida, Atlanta, Texas and Bermuda are all viable choices... NEAq is quite nice as well... no hurricanes there!

Are there any nature/marine conferences that you could possibly team up with, either officially or un-officially?
It would be good if people could kill two birds with one stone, and I would imagine you would pick up lots of random visitors who might become interested.
What about a linked Tonmocon II, perhaps one in NZ and one in Fl? Perhaps a vidoe link or something. (I'm geussing this isnt that practical - just chucking some ideas into the mix.) :grin:


The NZ dollar will be pretty sweet in 2007 , well for Americans at least :lol: . So that would mean you guys would have a bit more spending power (probably around 15% -30% more than the present), making the trip a (little) easier on the wallet.

I kind of like the Bermuda connection too...Atlanta would be the easiest for me, Florida would be fun...but...

Anything good in Europe??? I haven't been to the Netherlands since the 60's, the British Isles or the Med for about 20 years, and I'm always ready for a trip to nearly anywhere in Europe. Bermuda would be fine too, or Florida, I'm not so sure about Atlanta, really big city, hard to get around, etc, etc. The fave is still NZ.

Ok, I've been thinking about this. (That's always a dangerous thing.) Erich's right about trying to avoid the hurricane season, so I would like to suggest that anyone who has job specific vacation limits let us know early. If you are a teacher or a student, and you know that your school year always ends at about the 2nd week in June (or whatever the case may be,) and if you have any desire to attend Tonmocon II, then please let us know that you hope to be able to come, and let us know the earliest possible date that you think that would be possible. This is strictly wishful thinking, OK? No one need have any solid expectations at this early stage, it's simply an attempt to find out if there is an early cut off date before which many of you would not be able to attend. Those of you whose vacation times are flexible need not pay any attention to this. Repeat! There is no commitment needed here. This is purely research. If we choose a site anywhere in hurricane territory, the earlier we are in the summer, the better. Late spring is probably not feasible for most students and teachers, because that's when the work load tends to come to a peak. Long holiday weekends in early spring and winter might not work because of inflated prices then, since so many people seek relief from the drudgery of winter. This request is not limited to students or teachers. If any of you have specific limits on your vacation times, please let us know. We are in the earliest stages of planning, so this is when we need to find out about things like this.

Part 2 of the obsessive early planner post.
The group that I have been associated with (Mid Atlantic Fiber Association) held week long conferences, with the emphasis on education in our field. We, of necessity, chose places that could accomodate classes. We needed classrooms with open space for looms, or spinning wheels, as well as classrooms with impervious surfaces, sinks, heat sources, etc. Until this last summer, all of our conferences were held at universities. They had everything we needed, but unfortunately, spinners and weavers seem to be an endangered species, as our keynote speaker noticed, most of the heads in attendance were grey. Some of our membership simply could no longer handle the many stairs, etc. so last summer we met at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia. From the point of view of accessibility, it was great. It was, however, significantly more expensive than our previous venues. We probably won't have the same kind of requirements for specific classroom space, but the prices at universities in the off months can be very attractive, and they do have a multitude of various options for meeting spaces. The other thing they can have, is dorm space and eating plans. The dorms can be great money savers for people, but there was no requirement to use them, many people chose to stay in hotels instead. They usually have meal plans available too, and although it may not be haute cuisine, that too may be an affordable option, at least for breakfast and lunch.
If we start seriously looking at a location, it might be a very good idea to see if any of the labs have an affiliation with a nearby university. Even if there is no such affiliation, if there are any universities nearby, they may be very happy have a way to make a few extra dollars during the summer months.

if you pick FL then close enough to visit the johnson sea link at harbour branch in port st lucie is a must. and kennedy space port is just a hop skip and a jump. the 'canes don't really start till late july .

That's usually true, but last summer they started earlier, and some experts think that trend may continue for a few years, at least. We might be best off to think last week in June, if we're talking Florida, Bermuda, or Galveston.

Let me know when the date/location is set and I'll try to book my band somewhere nearby so I can come.

I'm up for it wherever! As long as I can start saving now I'm sure I could manage to get enough together for 2007.

OMG, just checked out Tony's account of TONMOcon I and it looked so fun! Which makes the whole thing even more painful for Yours Truly.... the one who (if slightly impaired memory serves) came up with the original idea of TONMOcon lo these many aeons ago, and now appears to be unable to ever attend an actual event.

Bermuda? UK? Continental Europe? The Antipodes? Hell, at this point I can't afford to go even if TONMOcon II is in freakin' Florida! In fact, according to Chancellor of the Exchequer Richard the Frugalhearted, anyplace other than the Mid-Atlantic or New England states is beyond my means from now unto the Second Coming.

MAJOR bummer! :cry:

Is there.... is there.... just a ghost-shrimp of a chance that someday, somehow, there will be a TONMOcon in Boston, or Cape Cod, or Mystic, or Baltimore, or perhaps even :::gasp::: Coney Island?

Hope springs eternal (with apologies to Melissa).... :sun:

The Tanster

Tani, you were missed at TONMOCON I.

You won't find me objecting to one of the NE / atlantic aquariums! :smile:

Eight-armed hugs, Fearless Leader!

:notworth:

If you give me enough time I can, this time, make the little badges for the convention. ONce again, I won't be able to attend but I would love to contribute.

KRin

Aw, crap, here I was, thinking I might be able to attend the 2006 one... currently planning to be on the U.S. East Coast for 3-4 weeks this June or July. We'll probably be stopping through at least the NEAq and Baltimore along the way (and spending 2 weeks in DC), so... maybe we could do a mini, off-year TONMOCON (one-day meet-up-at-aquarium-type-deal?) this summer for anyone on the mid- to upper- East Coast and anyone else who wants to travel?

I could easily travel to the north east, once given sufficient advance notice. Baltimore has some niceness to it, once you know your way around: the bay shrimp at Bertha's (Fell's Point) deserve special mention!

I'm there.

I think a mini hook up tonmocon is a great idea...don't know if I can make it, but any time you get a bunch of us yahoos together, you have magic !

It's possible that I might be able to make a mini in the DC area in early/mid(?) July. I'm planning on attending a family reunion in northern North Carolina in late July (I think, I'll have to go back and look at old emails) and I was already planning on spending at least a couple of days in Maryland visiting friends before heading south. I was going to meet my brother there (in N.C.)and then head to his place in St Augustine with him after the reunion, but if the timing works out, I could fly out a day or two early for a mini Tonmocon. Fair warning to anyone who hasn't been there at that time of the year. D.C. in July is usually like Hades on a bad day. Even Phoenix in July isn't as miserable.

I know, that's why we always fled back to MN for the summer - I mean really, who builds a nation's capital in a swamp?! (Hmm... same people who build a city below sea level and then artificially maintain the river channel close by when it wants to change course... yeah :roll:) ... but it's just not looking like we can avoid it. Wish I could be there for the cherry blossoms, but other family commitments are conspiring against me there.

Let me know when the date/location is set and I'll try to book my band somewhere nearby so I can come.

If we're talking 2007, then I might have my own giant Cthulhu costume. Want to do a Mighty Cthulhu Old Time Revival Show for Tonmocon II? This, of course, would mean that I'd have to drive instead of fly, but if we're lucky, Rebecca and I might be working from home by then. These are real silly shows. Ask Monty.

Everything that's cephy is on the other side of the world. Oh how I wish I was still in Canada! At least the GPO's nearer...

the bay shrimp at Bertha's (Fell's Point) deserve special mention!

Shrimp? what about their Mussels?

I'd be game for the DC/Balt sideshow....

i vote Galveston. ive been dying to see the NRCC. that place is graceland for everyone who loves cuttlefish.

Everything that's cephy is on the other side of the world. Oh how I wish I was still in Canada! At least the GPO's nearer...

I didn't know that you used to live in Canada! Where? I'm from London, Ontario, but am currently living out in Halifax, Nova Scotia for university. I'm just dying finally being so close to the ocean but not being able to do anything cephy, but at least I now have tide pools to satisfy my curiosity.

A mini TONMOCon sounds pretty good to me! I don't think I'll be exactly in the area, but depending on timing I could be persuaded to make a trip... Hey Kat, any plans for making it as far north as Niagra?

Cheers!

I'm liking the sounds of mini-Tonmocons. I am of course a huge fan of the big international bi-annual events, but if other Tonmo members are down with throwing smaller events together to suit their regions, I think it's awesome. Someday, however, I dream of a big international event we all can attend.

You know, that is a pretty good idea, Erich.
We could have US tonmocons east/west, etc...tonmocon New Zealand...

And yes, someday, a large event.

I live in FL and the "hurricane season" is a big media show. Hurricanes aren't that bad if you don't have levies to worry about(i.e. New Orleans). I was in Daytona at the Nat'l Reptile Breeder expo when a catagory 3-4 came through, if you are vacationing you really dont have any problems that they cause. You dont have to replace shingles on roofs, you dont have a car to get scratched by debris, you arent in a low lying area or mobile home, etc.
I would love Florida and help research anything you need, but would love to see the Galveston center just as much ( Cuttlefish Mecca).
A cruise could be a nice idea too. Time and places to talk, snorkeling/scuba for Octos (i've done it before and would again), inexpensive for food and lodging. On a cruise they can go around hurricanes and if you have alot of rain like in a hurricane they will give you a free cruise for TONMO CON III (www.icruise.com)
I just dont think the hurricanes should be a factor-i've lived here for 25 years and ain't scared. I would be much more scared of a earthquake than a hurricane.

if only there were more TONMOers in Hong Kong...sigh...
TONMOcon for NZ sounds good!

i think australia would be good because it is a very coastal country and QLD has underwater world and seaworld

also the idea of having 1 on each continent is a good idea:spongebo: :spongebo: :squidwar: :goldfish: :whalevsa:


ps what is it like i have never been

I would be much more scared of a earthquake than a hurricane.

Earthquakes are over with in about forty seconds. Either you're alive or you're dead, in which case it doesn't really matter. A hurricane can beat you down like a red-headed-stepchild for twelve hours straight, then drown you under thirty feet of storm-surge. I'll take my seismic disturbances, thank you, provided tsunamis are not included (they're the scariest of all - why if I live near the coast, I'll never build near sea level). Tornadoes and blizzards are nasty too. Give me a semi-arid sub-tropical coastal zone to live in any day. Particularly where the land rises from the sea rather vertically. Monte Carlo would be nice. So would Portofino or the Amalfi Coast.

A hurricane can beat you down like a red-headed-stepchild for twelve hours straight,
Nah, they are maybe 1-5 hours. Wish they were longer though. You normally get $1 Hurricanes at the bar while the storm comes though.:cheers:

5 hours of katrina was way too much and I'm 120 miles inland. Still cleaning up fallen trees and fixing roof damage. 6 out of 10 houses still have tarps for a roof.

Why so many houses?

Nah, they are maybe 1-5 hours. Wish they were longer though. You normally get $1 Hurricanes at the bar while the storm comes though.:cheers:

Wait, really? Oh Hell, let's go during hurricane season!

Why so many houses?
Just ain't got to them yet.

When we lived in Maryland, we rarely got hurricanes, but even there, where they are usually nearly spent before they arrive, there can be lots of damage. During Isabelle there were a lot homes destroyed, nearly including ours when a huge tree just missed it. Chrono, sometimes it takes a long time for insurance companies to come through with the money for repairs, especially when there are such a staggering number of claims. Last year in Florida and the gulf coast the insurance companies took a huge hit. It's possible some of the claims are not even processed yet.

Monterey was probably unique in that there is a world-class aquarium, several world class research labs, and a large number of local or semi-local TONMOers, so I suppose wishing to duplicate everything from TONMOCON I in a different location is foolish, though... (Maybe NZ would have all of the above; being an ignorant American, I don't know how close all of you Kiwis and your labs and aquaria are to each other).

Well now let me see....Auckland has Kelly Tarletons Aquarium & Steve, Kat and Co and their research facilities.

Dunedin has the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre & Aquarium and Portobello Marine Lab (all on the same site!), Karunui the Colossal Squid Model and .....er........me (for the time being anyway!) And we have Feelers and Myopsida and Southern Encounter Aquarium in Christchurch.

As far as Florida goes........the Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium is in Sarasota (& they have a preserved Giant Squid called Mollie [the mollusc :roll: ]).

J

I know the guy who runs the Southern Encounter Aquarium, he did some voluntary work with me last summer when he was travelling the world so I could probably try and get in touch with him.

We could all try and organise loads of tonmocons for the same dates in different countries, probably get some good PR there and maybe even get the world record for the most organised meetings at the same time or something!

Im really up for travelling anywhere and at any time of the year. Sorry I was away from the boards to hear about the last one, would have been grand!

We are talking about Florida, is that not where Octopets is based? I could be wrong on this and don't really know much about his facility but that could be worth a look!

Cheers

~Andy

Any ceph stuff at harbour branch? I haven't been to port st lucie in 14 years or so.

We are talking about Florida, is that not where Octopets is based? I could be wrong on this and don't really know much about his facility but that could be worth a look!
~Andy

Shame Octopets is closed...Otherwise, touring the Octopets facility would be waaay cool.

We are talking about Florida, is that not where Octopets is based? I could be wrong on this and don't really know much about his facility but that could be worth a look!


Wrong coast, I'm afraid-- Octopets is/was in Carlsbad, near San Diego, in far southern California...