Vegas!

Ponti di Vegas

Two weeks ago I was in Vegas for a conference with the grand title of AutoDesk University. Autodesk is the company that produces the software my office and thousands of offices around the world use when designing, analyzing and documenting their work (i.e. buildings). AU, as it is know to the nerderati, is attended about about 9,000 people each year and has been held in Vegas for the last two. The mass of people was pretty overwhelming as can be seen below between class sessions.


You might ask what kind of space can feed 9,000 people for breakfast. Why an endless space, of course. Deep in the bowels of the Venetian Casino is this cavern staffed by sleepy butlers.


The classes were quite good and the tools to facilitate more sustainable design (e.g. low energy consuming buildings) are finally rolling out. A plus is that these tools finally have a good visual component and don't require a degree in mechanical engineering to use.

"Ecotect" application being used to analyse
energy use relative to building orientation

With all the classes and events there was little time for gambling but I did manage to leave about $40 at the blackjack tables. I caught some pros playing for a television audience (and got yelled at for my pains).

All Hallows Eve

It is an annual tradition at Aurelia's work for the managers to dress up on Halloween and parade around the floor for the amusement of the staff. Last year they went as witches (I'm not sure who suggested that one) and this year they went for pirates. Aurelia spent a moderate amount of time searching for the appropriate swashbuckler attire and here is the result. (She's the timber shivering pirate on the far right applying her sword cheerfully to a scurvy ridden knave).



I, being less organized, ended up dressing in last years' costume (actually purchased for a bachelor party) which is why I'm publishing last years picture. Any different between this image and how I appear now, one year later, is purely a digital artifact.

Viva Las Vegas!