Mensa Annual Gathering (AG) Begins!

I've been to my first three sessions/workshops/talks. Not sure what to call them. They aren't lessons and they aren't really about practical stuff like workshops. So, whatever!

All three, "Reversing Accelerated Aging: How I Gained 40 Years of Life", "Decisions in Context: What Goes Into A Good (Or Bad) Decision?", and "What Makes a Good Science Fiction Story", have been good and packed with excellent information. The third one not as much.

In the third session I attended, the presenter admitted his definition was more about his opinion about what makes a good Science Fiction story than any sort of empirical study. Also, he seemed to think there is only one type of science fiction story and, well, there is comedy science fiction, romance science fiction, horror science fiction, etc. He brought in a lot of interesting clips and images, which was nice. He also talked about his triangle model: information, people, technology which is, I think, something he got from his place of employment. I did get a short list of books I need to read and movies I need to see. I also saw how nebulous the science fiction category is and why it's beginning to develop niches.

The most practical of the three was "Reversing Aging." The presenter told us that the basic program of exercises (kinda like flow yoga) is free on YouTube. I need to search on Scott Sonnon and find them. His website is rmaxinternational.com with more info.

The decisions session was about personal decision making and revolved around the three main ingredients for a good decision or ways to discover a good decision: information, inclination (what I think of a motivation), and resources. No decisions is good enough if you don't have enough information, aren't motivated to act on the information or you don't have the resources to follow through.

My head is getting that stuffy feeling from information overload, which is why I'm here blogging now instead of moving on to the next session I planned to attend. I need a break already! I'm sure my brain will be either as dry as a bone or as stuffed as a sausage by Sunday. I hope I keep remembering to take breaks and do non-intellectual stuff occasionally.

Tips for Talking to Mensans
If you want to have a pleasant conversation with Mensans never bring up two topics: food or Windows. The mention of either one of these two topics will derail any planned program or eliminate any other topic you were pursuing. Especially Windows, which I find incredibly boring because I stick to my Mac and Apple OS. The other topic you should probably steer away from is people who are intellectually challenged. There is a large amount of intolerance for those people and some Mensans love to vent.

On the other hand, you must pack a lot of information into any statement and don't breathe or someone will jump in with their opinion. Not really a bad thing, unless you are a speaker trying to reach a goal.

So far so good. No presentations derailed yet.

There's no place like Pittsburgh

Plain brown wrapper
Originally uploaded by elixir graphics

I arrived yesterday at the William Penn Omni for the Mensa Annual Gathering (AG or convention). Downstairs other members are starting to trickle into the hotel. I'm so glad I brought my iMac. I put it in a plain brown wrapper so that it looked much like this. I took a picture of the actual box in the actual room with my camera but I brought the wrong cable. Such is life.

I spent this morning rising leisurely, doing a spot of yoga, and then walking over to the Andy Warhol museum. One of the nice things about Pittsburgh is that most of the critical must-see tourist sights are within walking distance. Yesterday evening, after our six hour car trip here, my roommate and I walked out to The Point Park (so, okay, what's the point? No! where's the point.) a boat dock, fountain and light park, currently under renovation. Tons of wild plants are safely locked in behind six foot temporary fencing. I could tell they were desperate to get into the park and into their new digs. heh

The Warhol Museum is a definite must see. I suggest you put aside at least two hours to make the tour. You take the elevator to the top floor and then work your way down. It's all wonderful. A sort of cacophonous medley of sight, sound, music, art, sculpture and films. The only thing left out from the Warhol experience is the smell which only occurred to me after I watched my third "party" film and was nearing the final gallery. Certainly after hours of sex, drugs and rock and roll there were some fumes.

Be sure to go to the end of the hall on the last floor and step inside the silver pillow gallery. Lots of giggles. You can bat around the helium-filled silver pillows while watching a film of two dancers not dancing with silver pillows. There are multiple fans in the room so the pillows keep dancing even if you don't help them out.

I knew that Warhol had been seminal in a lot art movements. I had not realized just how far his reach was. He influenced movies, art, graphic design, music, packaging, and attitudes. My favorite saying, "I never fall apart because I never fall together."

I can recommend the Warhol Underground Cafe. I had the jerk chicken salad. Very tasty and chaotic. Sorta like Warhol.
Time to check in with the AG folks and tighten up my itinerary.

clowns and solitaire

isn't it bliss, don't you approve, one who keeps tearing around, one who can't move ... send in the clowns*





excerpted lyrics from "Send in the Clowns"