rockover

Germany fun for today Ok, some might consider this fun. I went to ARO´s Euromold conference. Let me begin by saying, every person entering is treated the same. You have to have a badge. If not, get in line and buy one for € ($ and € are about the same). No pre registration except for exhibitors. But, if they don´t have enough badges, they have to stand in line like everyone else, fill out a form and pay the money. Plan on about 1/2 hour or more. Only the lines are more like the lines that form at TML A/C lunch doors. Moooo. I thought about getting a picture of the mad rush for badges and then having TML use it when sending exhibitor and registration packets with a note, "Don´t let this happen to you. Order early and get enough". Alright, we walked the hall in Hall 8. From aisles are from A - P (as opposed to aisle 100, 200, etc.) and just as deep. I haven´t figured out their booth numbering system. Anyway, in Hall 8, about 1/3 of the booths are 40x60 or better (up to ~100x100). These had their own prototyping machines or cars. They also had their own table/chairs, cheese, crackers, candy, chocolate, beer, pretzles, german style sandwichs (one slice bread, meat, cheese, olive, toothpick), snacks and some even had champagne. A few, about 1/3 of these had their own bar. BAR, as in crescent table with a bartender and tap beer, along with washer, fridge, etc. Do you know how many had pens and pads available for customers? Probably 4. How many had beer? Out of 500, maybe 450. Beer on tap? about 300. There were 4 or 6 dining spots (mini snac´s). Sandwiches, beer, water, sodas. Deposit for any glass or plate. Don´t know why people stopped at these since the larger booths had plenty of food to go around. After walking up and down the aisles, about 2 hours worth, we went to Hall 9.0 (first floor to us American folks). This was more of the same (but aisles are from A - G), but the more important people were in Hall 8. There was a restaraunt on floor 9.0 and 9.1 along with Coat attendents at both Halls. Hall 9.0 also had two mini snac places. (remember, hall 8 & 9 are a good 10 minutes walking distance from the main Exhibit location - via outside. You can take a taxi, or an underground train for 1.50. One of the booths in Hall 9 had a race car driver. Don´t know what racing league, but she was dressed up and talking about something. Across from her booth was another that was sort of a sponser of theirs and there were 6 cheerleaders. I thought it was humorous when they sat down and started smoking (cheerleaders,events,smoking,uh,nevermind). By the way, there were about a dozen cars exhibited and 1/2 of those were sports cars of some sort. Some were in various stages of completion. One was molded out in clay and being whittled down with a prototyping machine. They even had the SMART car on display Hall 9.1 and 9.3 were a bit different. 9.3 was more College booths showing what they were doing to improve the future. 9.1 was a bunch of 10x20 booths showing more of the same from the bottom floor. I have a suggestion for Karla and Mary. Double the rate for booth space, charge delegates about $50 a day, plus their luncheon and extras like usual. This way, we don´t have to distinguish between bosses and peons. Anyone can go and we might even make more off it. Might get more one day people to show up on Friday. Oh well, it was worth a shot. Ok, dinner was another of these out of the way adventures, although we were most of the way there anyway to get some dolls and other xmas stuff. It got pretty cold tonight and the Gluhwein and Apletwein didn´t help much. Anyway, this restaurant is one ARO has attended to in the past. Thus when we walked in, the bartender remembered her from before. A YEAR AGO BEFORE..... Go figure. She stops in once every year and the same bartender happens to be on shift each time. Had to wait this time, but the food was very good. Sharon, don´t recall if you drink beer, but when you order the german beer here, it takes awhile. They pour it, then pour some more, then again, then again. Basically it sits for awhile before you get it. About 5 - 10 minutes. Oh well, day has come to an end, for us anyway. It´s about 11:25 pm. I think it is about 12:25 Texas time. Tomorrow is last day for fun. One suggestion is to take the train and just ride. Easy to say, not like I want to go get lost or anything. Last time we took the train, they almost left me stranded. This was in Chantee (sp) France. We got seperated, I had to find my way to the train station, found them and they said tough. They would have left if the train came before I did and I would have been on my own and no english speaking natives. I think I´ll travel with ARO who can translate thankyouverymuch. But thanks for the thought. Very tempting. By the way, the SMART car can fit in the back of any pickup. Cut the VW Beetle in half and it may still be longer than the SMART car. Imagine a two seater with no luggage and no engine. That´s how small they are. How far your feet go for the petals is how far the front of the car is. Yes, I´m exaggerating, but it helps to get the idea. Bye for now. If you don´t get no more, then it´s because I haven´t sent it. Or it could be our mail server got blown up again, but I doubt it. We should have one installed in house before next week is out so it won´t happen again. And I can go back to using my real email. Randy, yes and Azucena too. Wait. A Siren. Can´t tell for what, but it´s probably the 4th I´ve heard since I've been here. Not many.