What can I say? Another great convention. It was nice renewing (1 year) old friendships and making new ones. To echo what others have said, this is like a great big family reunion without the family fueds.
Last year I posted a picture with half a person cut off. It did not take me long to find out that the unknown (to me) person was Mark Bufton. Mark, as promised, here you are in your entirity.

Katie Smith & Mark Bufton

My convention trip started out in the smoking lounge at the Norfolk airport when I approached a suspicious looking person and asked "are you Bob?" Yes, this person replied. Bob Whiteman? I asked. Yes he replied. I had started the trip with a living breathing Limo Stud (and his wife Cricket). Off to a good start.
Ignoring the screaming kids (there were more screaming kids on the flight to LV than there were on the flight to Orlando, but more on that later) I kept good chipper thoughts. Upon landing, I see Katie and Tyrus who picked me up from the airport. Off to the Fish bar where I meet a few more suspicious characters.

Bill Minsterman, Brian "Wags" Wegner and Katie (again)

Off to the Palms for a good dinner in a pleasant atmosphere. Mexican food & drink, Mermaids and Go-Go Dancers. Only in Vegas!
On Wednesday I meet a "newbie" chipper. For those of you who have formed a positive online opinion of him, let me assure you that he is just as nice in person. The Beau of the Ball, Brother Will Knight. (more on Will later in another post)

Thursday night, I had a wonderful dinner with Jill @ Pietro's. Thanks Jill!!

The Boneyard tour was certainly one of the highlights of the trip. (Thanks Mike Skelton!)

Barbara & Jim Episale, Will Knight

Happy 2nd Anniversary to the Episales

The Keno King STILL owes a lot of people a story (he did not tell it is as promised) but I think that I have become the Coupon King. These coupons came in very handy and I harvested MANY of them . Can you believe that anyone would NOT use these coupons?

Dinner with Katie, Jay Sands, Paul Donohue, Bill Minsterman, Brian Wegner, Will Knight at the San Remo coffee shop was only missing one thing, the Keno King.

My drinkin' buddies Tyrus Mulkey, Katie Smith (& Myself)

BTW although I do smoke, I am just holding that cig for a friend who did not want to be photographed with it

There are so many people to thank for such a great experience. I am already thinking ahead to next year.
On Sunday night I was supposed to fly out of LV. The flight was oversold, so I volunteered to get bumped. The nice lady at the Southwest counter wanted to put me in a DoubleTree. Can't you get me in a casino I asked? Well I can do Terribles she said, but the flight crews hate it there and I think you will like the DoubleTree better. I assured her that Terribles would be just fine....and it was.
Back to the airport on Monday. Flight again oversold. Again I volunteer, thinking that I could stand another night in LV. It was not to be. I did get the voluntary bump, but I ended up in Orlando via Phoenix. Amazingly, with a plane FULL of kids, not one cried until AFTER we landed in Orlando. Got to the Airport Renaissance after one this morning and flew home at 9:30am today.
Since I paid $215 R/T for the LV trip, I have to be happy with $615 in Southwest flight credits. Looks like my next 2 or 3 LV trip will include free airfare.
Thanks to too many people to mention who made this trip a memorable one. What a GREAT group of people!
Already counting the days,
Murph