Vegas Heathen meeting, part deux

Just returned from the TAM 2010 reception, which is a bit redundant come to think of it, as TAM stands for 'The Amazing Meeting'. So what I have just written is 'just returned from the The Amazing Meeting...', an extraneous use of a definite article.

Excellent gathering of heathens and blasphemers, some 1300 of the buggers. The opening address was by D.J. Grothe, James Randi and Michael Shermer, followed by a Q and A session with Richard Dawkins and Randi. Not surprisingly, the questions pretty much all revolved around the question of belief in fairy tales, or religion, which is the same thing. Strangely, no appearance by God was evident. Refreshments included shrimp, easy enough to taint, even for an oh-so-busy God. No, nothing untoward. Here was a gathering of over one thousand atheists in one easy to smite room and no big fireworks. Disappointing. The band even entertained with blasphemous music, one particular ditty presented in the style of a gospel tune with the lyrics 'I don't believe in no Jesus' and such like. Great harmonies, wonderfully presented, yet this almost mocking musical interlude was not interfered with in any supernatural way! C'mon God, you big pussy...What better way to make your presence and your displeasure known than to barbeque the whole damned bunch in one fell swoop, or swell foop even?

In any case, all is unfolding splendidly, a jolly fine cast of the strange, the cream of the heathens if I might say so myself. It is a curiously intellectual yet engaging crowd, with none of the pomposity that I usually find is rampant at most scientific conferences. Who knew that a gathering of the hellbound could be so refreshing. If hell is going to include these folks, I'm in.