We're drunk, we're tired, and we're writing all of this down before we forget.

Minicon 2001 arose from a series of random events, involving cheap plane tickets, a need to get away from CNN, and some amazing moves by pac-bell to arrange an entire building to ourselves at the Alexis Park. The weather in Las Vegas was spectacular, the party was fantastic, and this was the coolest party in recent memory I've had the privilege of being a part of. Thanks to everyone who showed... you made it happen!

Beginning on Friday night, some truly amazing people began arriving by car, plane, and anthrax-infected sheep (which later turned out to be a Love Ewe). Shortly thereafter, drinking began in earnest at the debauchery suite. This continued until at least 9:00 AM. All the while, pac-bell, kubla and junk worked diligently to get the t1 and wireless access points working. Their hard work was rewarded, and well-connected laptops browsed porn by the poolside (among other things) all weekend.

The next day, TProphet, XBS, and cyben went to Costco, and procured over $350 worth of alcohol (at Las Vegas prices, which we should note are much less expensive than in most of the country). Shortly thereafter, the drinking began in the debauchery suite, for the second night in a row. This may not sound particularly exciting, but we should point out that we're not just drunks--we're drunk hackers. Drunk hackers can dream up some really unusual activities and drinking games. Take strip chess, for instance. This began with two girls, Amy and Patch, going to the back room to play "strip chess." Shortly thereafter, Amy and Patch were wearing no shoes, and the guys who quickly followed them were wearing little more than boxer shorts. Amy kicked everyone's ass. Suddenly, strip chess was interrupted by a number of drunken marauders who erupted into the room flinging beauty bark (of all things). Dreck quickly took cover in the bathroom, holding a painting for cover. All the while, trippy spun some amazing d&b techno while people took flaming shots of bacardi 151.

Sunday was supposed to be a day for people to recharge their batteries and chill. This didn't quite work out as planned, especially at the Star Trek Experience. Barkode, xbs, wilx, joel, zsnark, patch-p0, kubla, and amy went to the restaurant and bar. These crazy people proceeded to drink over $150 worth of alcohol, while telling the waitress their criminal histories (in detail) and asking her preferences concerning double anal penetration and leather thongs. They did leave an $80 tip, to try to make up for their impudence. Meanwhile, TProphet and cstone went to the desert to chill. Some people reconvened in the second debauchery suite, where all manner of naked craziness ensued involving cash, alcohol and strippers. Meanwhile, the rest of Minicon gathered in the original debauchery suite, swapping pictures, stories, and e-mail addresses. And of course, a final round of heavy drinking.

Quotes

<xbs> Damnit, where's the Russian (paul)? How do you make a white russian?
<rim-d> Here's to liver damage! (while taking a shot of bacardi 151)
<cstone> Look at me, I'm a stupid tourist! Here's my kid! I'm throwing away his college tuition in these idiot casinos! (remarking on the Strip scene)
<phelix> That's, like, triple-fist penetration... (looking quizzically)
<pac-bell> HEY GUYS CHECK OUT THIS URINAL POOP!
<far-call> All I remember is thinking "whoa, my thumb hurts," and "the shot glass is on fire," and then barkode started slapping me...

Excerpt From a Conversation at the Top of the World Restaurant:
Waitress: Are you all some sort of alumni?
barkode: No, we just do the same things.
Waitress: oh..what business are you in?
Bill: Yours.

Afterward

We'd love to see your pictures and log files. Please send your links to zhixel, who will gladly post them here! Some people are already asking where and when the next minicon will be. One of the things that made this event so successful was that it was entirely unplanned, and was just the right thing at the right time. After all, it came out of nowhere in a week and a half. It may never be possible to have another event as amazing as this one. I'm interested in your thoughts--tell me what you think.