A good time had by all.

The 2009 AG in Pittsburgh.

By Gary Sudin

 

Tuesday June 30th arrived drunk and early.  I was at my mother’s home by 6 am to pick her up, and off we went via motorcar to Pittsburgh from St Louis.  Riding along in the car were three guitars, at least one computer, two GPS’s (I’m an Eagle Scout), and a good part of the sound system I would use for my concert at the AG.  I started out on I-270, and set the cruise control to stun.  9 hours later, we arrived at the Omni hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.  Trudy (my wife), was to meet us there that evening, coming in from NYC.

 

We registered at the hotel and the AG, and proceeded to find out that the hospitality area would not be open until the next afternoon.  Tom Nehrer came by, and off we went for a beer or two.

 

Wednesday morning was good for guitar practice, and a good walk, until the rain started.  I felt sorry for the folks staying at the Marriot hotel, as that was a good distance away, and the weather was not helping.

 

The AG began in force July 1.  I gave my concert.  Hospitality opened.  I met many old friends, and many new ones.  Thursday morning I gave two lectures to standing room only crowds.  It was great fun.

 

The courses given by my peers varied from interesting to extremely interesting.  There were seminars on everything from FILK (the new folk songs), to prime number theory, solar system events, panoramic photography, legal frontiers, origami, the Wizard of Oz, the Wright Brothers, and of course, games and more games.  I didn’t get outside the hotel again until Saturday.

 

Jackie Boyce and I decided to hike out to the Smithfield Incline, and ride up to the top of Mt Washington for a view of the city. The July 4th party was already in progress, and we could hear the sound system from “the point” where the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers converge.  I took a few (hundred) pictures for a panorama.  It gave my camera something to do.

 

Dr. Demento was the keynote speaker at the dinner Saturday evening.  A good time had by all.

 

Here’s what I learned from the AG.  1).  Hot dogs aren’t just for breakfast anymore.  2).  At about mile marker 106 in Indiana, there is a bridge labeled for “Nameless Creek”.  3). There really was no 13th floor at the hotel.  4).  While on the elevator, with your arms full, and you’d like to go to the Mezzanine level, do not say, “Would you please punch “ME”.  5).  Plan to attend next year’s AG in Detroit.