Just wanted to say that while the BA was supposed to talk to the Seattle Society for Sensible Explanations but wasn't able to due to unforeseen events, I was pleased to meet him, and you can tell the Mrs BA I thought he was better looking in person than in his photos.

Dr Ray Hall filled in for the BA and gave us a great presentation on the age of the Earth. Tim Kammer MC'd a Q&A about the Moon hoax which there was enough knowledge in the room to provide most answers for. (Not that we didn't miss having Phil speak.)

Turns out Dr Ray Hall headed the committee to pick the speakers for the 20 minute Sunday sessions at TAM and Dr Harriet Hall (not related) who is one of the speakers was also there so I got to meet some people who will be at the big TAM skeptic's conference in Las Vegas in 2 weeks.

I had no idea Seattle had this big skeptics group. Guess I spend too much time in the virtual world. Looks like a great bunch of folks and I look forward to joining the next meeting.

And of course, I look forward to hearing Phil speak at TAM since I missed hearing him tonight.

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The real news, including science news corporations may not allow on stations they own. http://www.democracynow.org/

So what happened to Phil?

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Van Rijn's original Invisible Elf was running for the North Carolina Senate, but dropped out of the contest after the paparazzi snapped him with a cute pixie just outside Disney World in Florida. Now he has settled down with her as they await their first child, writing his biography of life in Van Rijn's backyard, - Now you prove me wrong

I didn't want to give personal details but it wasn't a big deal or anything weird or embarrassing or anything like that. I'm just conscious of privacy given the field I'm in.

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The real news, including science news corporations may not allow on stations they own. http://www.democracynow.org/

Regardless, I missed it! Why doesn't anyone tell me these things are going on?

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Gillian

"Now everyone was giving her that kind of look UFOlogists get when they suddenly say, 'Hey, if you shade your eyes you can see it is just a flock of geese after all.'"

"You can't erase icing."

"I can't believe it doesn't work! I found it on the internet, man!"

Gilli, hi! Sorry, I thought the BA would have posted something here since he posted it on the JREF forum.

Take a look at the SSSE website. I only found out about this group of skeptics myself a couple weeks ago. And I found there are 2 forum members from different forums who live within miles of me I had no idea were so close. I've only ever met Aurora. He lives as far away as you do.

Anyway, maybe you'd like to come to the next meeting of the SSSE. If you do, let me know and I can meet you. There are no regular dues or membership fees to join. I think they may assess intermittent membership dues if they need money for anything. The cost of the dinner pays for most of the group's costs.

And I met this wonderful Dr Harriet Hall. She's a retired FP MD. She writes a column for the Skeptical Inquirer. She lives around here somewhere as well.

Anyway, it looks like a nice bunch of folks. I look forward to seeing them again.

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The real news, including science news corporations may not allow on stations they own. http://www.democracynow.org/

It's a transportation thing as well--I'd probably be on the bus. But it's something to think about, anyway.

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Gillian

"Now everyone was giving her that kind of look UFOlogists get when they suddenly say, 'Hey, if you shade your eyes you can see it is just a flock of geese after all.'"

"You can't erase icing."

"I can't believe it doesn't work! I found it on the internet, man!"

Thanks, BeSkep! I really wish I could have talked-- that is the first time ever that I have canceled a talk.

As it happens, I think I had a norovirus. Look it up, and tremble. But it was gone in a few hours, and I'm much better. I even ate some rice and chicken tonight!

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Phil Plait
The Bad Astronomer
http://www.badastronomy.com
badastro@badastronomy.com

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Van Rijn's original Invisible Elf was running for the North Carolina Senate, but dropped out of the contest after the paparazzi snapped him with a cute pixie just outside Disney World in Florida. Now he has settled down with her as they await their first child, writing his biography of life in Van Rijn's backyard, - Now you prove me wrong

The noro group viruses usually have a short incubation period and I'm still well. But I've got to break that hand shaking reflex of mine.

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The real news, including science news corporations may not allow on stations they own. http://www.democracynow.org/

Glad you are better. Those noroviruses can be pretty nasty.

Yeah BeSkep, if I had known then... but I thought it was simply something I had eaten.

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Phil Plait
The Bad Astronomer
http://www.badastronomy.com
badastro@badastronomy.com

Six days and still well.

So if you find you have shaken the hand of someone with an infection, carefully avoid touching your face (eye,nose,mouth) until you can wash your hands. BTW, I suspected an infection despite your reassurances so no worries about telling me not to worry.

So I'm curious, did it hit the conference attendees?

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The real news, including science news corporations may not allow on stations they own. http://www.democracynow.org/