Orac is the nom de blog of a (not so) humble pseudonymous surgeon/scientist with an ego just big enough to delude himself that someone, somewhere might actually give a rodent's posterior about his miscellaneous verbal meanderings, but just barely small enough to admit to himself that few will. (Continued 
It's summertime, and the living is easy...well, not quite. It's been a hectic and depressing summer so far. However, I am going to be able to allow myself one weekend away from the drudgery of grant writing. You see, our Seed overlords are repeating the infamous blogger meetup that happened last year in August. Because they lack imagination (and because it's the time when the largest number of us can make it), they plan on doing it in August again this year. It also turns out that they want to put together some sort of "meet the bloggers" event--in someplace air-conditioned, of course, but to be announced later. The date will be Saturday, August 9, probably at around 3 PM, assuming sufficient interest. More amazingly given my reclusive and arrogant nature, I plan on being there.
Be advised that our benevolent overlords also promise food and swag, and, because of that they'd like to get an idea of the level of interest. If you think you might want to show up to harass some of us ScienceBloggers, leave a comment or you can shoot the organizers an e-mail at nycmeetup@scienceblogs.com.
Of course, if you have no interest in seeing me (and that probably includes most of you--after all, who wants to see a Plexiglas box full of blinking lights?), you can always rub elbows with Jake, Sheril, Brian, Janet, Mark, Bora, GrrlScientist, Josh, and Zuska, at least, and probably several others yet to be announced.
Comments
Orac asks, Is anyone going to be in New York on August 9?
No, 'cuz the world is scheduled to end the previous day, 2008-08-08, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kcuuYG8pRM (but I'm not sure if that has anything to do with the start of the Olympics the same day?).
Posted by: blf | July 22, 2008 4:18 PM
Orac,
Your "Maybe resistance is not futile after all" post the other day has really got me to thinking (a lot). I was going to send you an e-mail, but as long as you've blogged about this, I might as well ask you "in public," and maybe I'll get some other opinions. I've seriously been considering ending my status as an "independent" blogger, contacting ScienceBlogs, and asking if I can join you "happy few, you bad of brothers [and sisters]." What do you think?
Epi Wonk
Posted by: Epi Wonk | July 22, 2008 4:24 PM
Orac!!!!???? I never thought I'd get to see you again after that episode with the Federation troops. See you on the 9th!
Avon
Posted by: Avon | July 22, 2008 4:49 PM
I'll be there. I'll try to get some NYC skeptics (www.nycskeptics.org) to come along as well.
Posted by: matt | July 22, 2008 4:54 PM
Mm, sounds like a perfect date, fits my schedule nicely. So, yes, I'll come.
Posted by: Barry Leiba | July 22, 2008 4:59 PM
Ooh, just post where things are going to be, and I'll see if I can make the trip from Philly.
Posted by: Charles | July 22, 2008 5:31 PM
I'll make the trip up from DC for this. I'd love to meet you folks in person - have certainly enjoyed your blogs!
Posted by: Dr. Val | July 22, 2008 6:54 PM
Orac...I will make this one! Post when and where, so I can finally meet you.
Posted by: Dawn | July 22, 2008 7:15 PM
I live in NYC and will be there (job willing).
Posted by: Hypatia | July 22, 2008 7:21 PM
orac i would love to come and meet some of the people who give voice to the ideas and values i find so compelling.
Posted by: steve norton | July 22, 2008 9:16 PM
Perhaps. I am working on a bidness startup and might be able to write a trip off if we are set up by then. Probably won't be ready by then.
Posted by: Robster, FCD | July 23, 2008 12:12 AM
It might be amusing to have a look at the box with lights in it.
This just in: it's closing on 2AM here and I was just looking at the Sat-TV guide. There I saw the following infomercial title : "Is colon detox Hype? ".
I know the answer to this, but somehow I doubt the half-hour sales-pitch will come up with the same (negative) reply.
Fortunately it's on late at night and not too many will be scammed. Just enough to make money for the scammer.
Posted by: DLC | July 23, 2008 4:59 AM
News story currently hitting the UK press you may be interested in: Woman awarded damages against "nutritionist" after suffering brain damage due to water intoxication during "detox"
Posted by: Phil | July 23, 2008 6:37 AM
As an Australian (and thus reluctant to pass up an opportunity to freeload on overseas friends) I'm curious about what you mean by "our benevolent overlords also promise food and swag".
In Australian English, a "swag" is cheap (if makeshift) accommodation for travelers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swag
Urban Dictionary defines "swag" as a product not legally available in most places except certain coffee shops in Amsterdam.
Could you clarify, please, before I contact bucketairtickets.com.au?
Posted by: snout | July 23, 2008 7:20 AM
Swag.
I presume our Seed overlords mean the first definition.
Posted by: Orac | July 23, 2008 7:57 AM
My husband's head would explode if I took a jaunt across the country on my birthday, so I will be sweltering in Dallas that day.
Posted by: oddharmonic | July 23, 2008 4:30 PM
New York City Skeptics would like to organize a social event Saturday night for the Seed bloggers, our fellow New York Skeptics, and anyone else who would like to attend...most likely at a bar or restaurant near wherever the "official" Seed festivities will be. Something like a Pharyngufest without PZ. :-) If anyone's interested in attending please shoot us an email at contact@nycskeptics.org so we can gauge interest. Orac, it would be an honor to meet you!
Mike
Posted by: Michael | July 25, 2008 12:57 AM