Welcome to your last year on the planet. Yup, apparently we’re all going out in a great big explosion of Mayan doom sometime late this year. I’m sorry, I don’t know the details. It’s just what I hear, and I always believe what I hear.

Anyway, since I feel it is my job to make sure your final year starts off as good as possible, I’ve decided to have yet another a very special video chat just for you. So make sure you come, because there will be many other doomed souls there to share in the reckless abandon that will be your last year, ever.

Here’s the link, see you there [9pm ET, Friday, 1/6/2012]:
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/socialgroup20120106/

This Friday, Dec 16th, at 9pm ET, we will be hosting our 2nd Annual SkeptiCamp Virtual Post Mortem! What is that you say? Well, let’s copy&paste in the words of SkeptiCamp’s creator, Reed Esau (from the SkeptiCamp wiki site):

On December 16th, a panel of SkeptiCamp organizers will meet in an online video conference to discuss lessons learned from the past year of events. This is an open event where anyone is welcome to attend. This is the SECOND such event. Our first one was in November 2010 mp3 audio.

SkeptiCamp focuses (in part) on producing substantive events within the reach of informal groups of skeptics anywhere around the world. These events most often are put together by inexperienced organizers who must build upon the experience of others who have successfully hosted events of their own. To develop those practices we must collaborate; we must share our experiences of organizing events so that others can benefit.

All the lessons learned that we discuss at the Virtual Post Mortem should find their way into this wiki.

We’d like to recruit one organizer from every city to serve on the panel, where we ask each to offer two notable items from their event that went well, and two things that went wrong.

For those things that went wrong, we’ll discuss the ways we might avoid them in the future.

See the What Went Right and What Went Wrong pages for past examples. Duplication is okay, as it indicates recurring problems.

So, If you’ve organized or helped organize a SkeptiCamp, anywhere in the world, during this year (2011), or if you just want to learn from those who have, join us!

Here’s the chat link:
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/skepticamp20111216/

Yup, there’s a chat tonight. There’s no guest though, just all of you fabulous people, which I find just as interesting. 

Forgive me if I’m not feeling too creative with this week’s post, and forgive me for not posting it sooner. To make it up to you all, here’s a cool nerdy picture of Simon Pegg for your amusement. Well, he amuses me.

Here’s the video chat link

That’s right, there IS a video chat tonight, at the usual time, 9pm ET, and yes there is going to be a very special guest. I just can’t tell you who it is. Well, I could, especially now because he’s confirmed that he will be able to make it, but I’d rather just tease you. I’m mean like that. I’d tell you to trust me, and that if you join the chat with us, it will be fun, but you won’t, because I’m mean, and you can’t trust a big meanie.

Anyway, try to figure out who’s going to be there and bring some questions, or if you’re really motivated, send me some suggestions for “science or fiction”.

Here’s the link, see you then!
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/mysteryguest20111117/

Yes, there is a video chat tomorrow, Friday, Nov 4th! I know you’re excited, I’m excited too! There’s nothing that validates my reclusive anti-social life more than virtually pretending I’m doing something social when I’m really alone, with my cats and my computer. Well, anyway.

As you know, one of my favorite things about VDS is the story telling. I can’t get out to all of the mega-skeptic-nerdy-social events around the country, so I do my best to get people who do attend these things to come on video chat and share their crazy stories, while we all make fun of them. (We’re really crying on the inside because wished we were there)

Apparently there was a mega-skeptical event last weekend, on Halloween, in New Orleans, and from what I hear IT WAS CRAZY! So, I know at least ONE of you out there must have some great stories to tell (I’m looking at you Bob, Brian, and um … others). So get your ass on video chat tomorrow so we can all be envious of your good times. (Or I may make you suffer by subjecting you to more cute cat pictures) 

Here’s the link for tomorrow’s chat:
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/socialgroup20111104/ 

With all of the Halloween festivities going on this weekend, you are correct in assuming that I didn’t schedule a video chat this Friday. I will most likely be dressed in some elaborate craziness, and sipping on some sort of pumpkin themed adult beverage at a gathering of zombies and other creepy things.

But, If you happen to be in front of a computer, in costume or not, this Friday evening, make sure you jump onto Google+ at least long enough to join Mayhem Time. That’s right, the wonderfully talented, and brilliant Sara Mayhew is hosting a Google+ hangout this Friday evening to celebrate the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) awarding her a $10,000 grant for her series, Legend of the Ztarr. Make sure to congratulate her fully!

Here’s the facebook event notice, or if you can’t pull it up, here’s the google+ link.

I know you’re all super excited about special guest Maki Naro next week, but don’t forget you can get your video chat fix this week as well. Our regular “Social Group” meets this Friday, October 7th, at the usual 9pm ET. See you there!

Here’s the chat link:
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/socialgroup20111007/ 

Next Friday, October 14th, Maki Naro, from the spectacular blogs Sci-ənce and Mad Art Lab, will be joining us on video chat. Apparently, he “is an artist, incurable geek, and lover of cooking, public radio, small animals, and Blade Runner”. Also, “He can hit a man from a hundred yards while riding at full gallop”. Whoa! Now we’re talking! Well, all I know is that he sports one of the best beards in skepticism (ahem, not *the* best, obviously).

Anyway, come hang out with him, myself, and a bunch of other people, next Friday. It’ll be fun! 

Here’s the link for this chat:
http://connectpro30341441.adobeconnect.com/makinaro20111014/

Well it’s Friday again, so you know what that means … or well, it doesn’t. Yup, there’s no chat tonight. Yes, this is one of those regular Fridays that I have to spend time with those tiny little skeptics that live with me, and eat my food, and are always expecting me to do things for them (and I love it). 

Anyway, since you’re not going to be hanging out with skeptics on the video chat, make sure to go listen to some of the Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe’s 24 hour show. I don’t know if I’ll be able to listen to the whole thing, but I’m going to make sure to listen tomorrow evening, right about the time when they start become delirious (I suspect it’ll be quite silly). 

Don’t forget! Next Friday we’re having on Sara Mayhew! See you then.