I don't see that anyone else has started a thread about the party, so I'll start one here. (Maybe that's because we're not supposed to talk about what we saw and heard there. :P ) Actually, I got back from the party late last night. I visited a relative in San Francisco on the way home and just got a chance to post here this morning. We had a good time! Carolly was a very gracious hostess and had plenty for us to eat. (Thanks again for having us, Carolly!) Steve and Karen Cooper were terrific and took time to get to know all of us. I can't talk about what they told us, but I can say that they were really great people. I had a good time talking to everyone at the party. I spent well over an hour talking to dcort, a really nice guy in my book, buy his stuff! One interesting tidbit from the party, kupa is a fan of Legume! So don't listen to those who would suppress you, good doctor! You have the backing of the president of Curious Labs! Render to your heart's content! ;P

Jay

...kupa is a fan of Legume! That's probably one of the things you weren't supposed to talk about.

LOL who knows what will happen next.

Thank You for the update, Jaybutton. I couldn't make it this time, but I was dieing to hear all about it. (: Glad to hear that you all had a nice time. Take care and have a great day. Genny

Tracy and I had a great time, too. It was nice to be able to meet and talk to people face to face. Carolly was a wonderful host. Thanks for the plug, Jay. :)

Despite arriving late (lost track of the time while struggling to get Mike's inner upper thigh smoothed out in an extreme pose ....!!*&!) I really enjoyed the party and meeting folks. I think this should be an annual event.....And I'd be willing to have it at my place next time. Pat

"I can't talk about what they told us,..." ohhhh... a hint, then? you know, something like... WHEN??? ;)

Sounds like you all had a blast, I can only dream to attend the next...Sharen

No! Absolutely not! We wouldn't want to hear even the smallest, tiniest hint; no way, no how, would we want you to compromise your integrity (etc., etc.). So, ah, guys - exactly when are you clearing your calendars for some uninterrupted time at the computer...

Actually, Steve's been a big supporter of my work for many years, but that's one of the things he told me to keep under my hat...and who could blame him? It's kind of like admitting you steal women's underpants at the laundromat or work the glory hole at the Mormon temple. Well, I guess I can't get in trouble for saying so, now that you've outed him, Jaybutton ;)

So, kupa really did bring along a sheaf of nondisclosure agreements? :)

Does this mean that the armadillo is gonna come standard in P5?! Maybe that is the secret? ;) JV

Isn't keeping secrets discriminating against people who don't live in the Bay area? Next time, come down to San Diego, we have much better weather :)

Actually, we had excellent weather (it was East Bay, not San Francisco). And we all had a great time getting to know one another in a great setting. Many thanks to Carolly for organizing it and hosting it so wonderfully. - Jim

Hey, lets get a party in San Diego. I don't live there any more but I'm only 5 hours away and do come visit on occasion. Hence the name, EricofSD. (live in Bullhead City, across the river from Laughlin Nevada right now.)

Hah, Legume and I have something in common after all. Kupa likes my work too. I was ecstatic for a day or so after he complimented me!

LOL @ markdc... we couldn't have had a nicer day yesterday. My thanks to all of you. Good company makes a good party! I must confess to some trepidation at the thought of a houseful of strangers (my cat had the option of fleeing into the garden, which she took the moment the door opened). However, everyone was incredibly nice. Reserve soon vanished and I didn't even need to bring in the fig leaves. Conversation ranged from serious matters such as art and literature and fantasy ("outsider art"?)... to how to train a cat to prefer sisal to upholstery. Karen and Steve's kids were very polite; even with an open stack of games and toys, they still asked permission. Dan got to find out just how useful and user-friendly his cloaks and such are, and his wife is a fun person. Jay is another role-player and GM: this is too far to drive for a weekly game, but we'll meet up at the conventions. JimX and Ann are so very gracious... sigh. Kate has a laugh which is anything but shrewish. Folks weren't just nice, they were helpful, too. Jim (Kate's husband) arranged extra chairs into conversational areas and early arrivals cut cheeses and arranged chocolates, and Tracy (Dan's wife) made sangrias (which proved to be more popular than the fridge full of sodas... and I suspect that it wasn't just the cute little ice cubes) and how did Pat know that my roses (which had been profusely covered with blooms the day I set the date for the party) had unilaterally decided to go on vacation? And what you guys didn't see might be mentioned, too. One of the ladies in my "Tea Circle" lives 2 houses down. Mary came by Friday afternoon and said, "what can I do?" and marched determinedly into the kitchen where she glanced around and rolled up her sleeves. I would never ask anybody to tackle the stove. She didn't wait to be asked. ::shake head in wonderment:: We then emptied out the livingroom into the laundryroom: the third cat tree (no, Skrogg is NOT spoiled), all my Magic cards, a few (ahem) projects... and then Heather helped cart out the sewing machine and a bookcase... giving us lots of room in which to chat. I don't know what I've done to deserve such friends, but I know when I'm fortunate. For the CURIOUS... I think I can say that word... Karen did indeed bring a stack of NDAs and Steve brought his laptop. Instead of a sneak peek, he gave us more than an hour tour of that-which-we-have-sworn-not-to-reveal-in-front-of-a-roomful-of-witnesses. The red ink was optional (I believe), but who wants a watery signature? We didn't swear not to smile a lot, but I've laid in some duct tape. This was certainly the high point of the day. However, I suspect that what we'll remember most will be the beginnings of friendships. Folks left with regrets at having to go, with hugs all around, and promises to do this again, soon. So, my heartfelt thanks to everyone. It was a good party, and we will do this again. Carolly

Carolly, you did a wonderful thing. It's very possible that you've inspired others to try the same thing in other geographic areas. You reminded me of one of the joys "before the Internet," when I used the Citadel Bulletin Boards (they were named after the software that ran them). I lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The BBSers would announce a "Perkins Run," and we'd rush to the local Perkins restaraunt for a get-together. Yes, we had numerous parties too! The Internet has made the world a smaller place. We can make online friends from all over the world. But when I found the Internet, I missed the fun of local gatherings. I now live in a small town in Maine. They've never even heard of Computer User's Groups. And apparently I'm the only Poser user in the entire state of Maine (well the only Poser user who frequents Renderosity?!) I couldn't attend your party because we live on opposite ends of the country. But I thank you, sincerely for being so gracious to host the party. Ron

Caroly, I see politics in your future. I couldn't have shared what I can't share better than what I just read in your post. Karen and I, and the kids had a great time. I was also pleased that we could stretch the time a little to go a bit deeper. I've never been to a party before where we needed everyone at the party to disclosure agreements. That's a first. And the kids were amazingly behaved. That's another first ;) And, yes, it's true, I'm a big fan of Legume. With a sectrum that runs from naked Vicki with swords and helmets to Mr' Fluffers, we've got quite a community. Steve Cooper aka Kupa

Hi Carolly, I just wanted to say, that although I was not able to attend, I JUST knew that you would be the most gracious hostess one could ever find, and I am sooooooo, glad that you party was such a success! (: Genny

Carolly, Thank you SO much for hosting the party. It was really great and was good to meet everyone. Steve and I were very glad we could make it and were sorry we had to leave so soon (my sister's grad ceremony was great, btw). Everyone was willing to sign the NDA's and I honestly think they would have signed in blood if I had asked just so they could see what Kupa had up his sleeve. It was so cool to see all of your reactions! There's my hint to the rest of you. Believe me, I think you will feel the wait is worthwile. Carolly, I forgot to tell you when we were there how much my daughter loved the art on your walls. She is an artist as well and has a great appreciation for others work. At one point she even stood on some chairs to closer inspect a particlar piece. I also think she ate her quota of jellybeans for the next month. ;) Anyway, thanks again. It was a pleasure to meet yall (oops, the Southern in me escaped). Be sure to keep that duct tape securely fastened. :D Karen Cooper

emaleth I heard a rumour once that you modelled for one of the figures in poser, is it an urban myth? if not which figure is it? :) I'm glad the party was a success, just sad I am sitting on almost the other side of the world & couldn't get there. Rob

LOL!!! Yeah, I've heard that rumor as well. It's definitely a myth, although Kupa did make a P4 model for some printed material that looked like me. He also made an animation for ZDTV with a character that was supposed to look like me and I did the voice for it. To my knowledge that was the only time. But who knows, maybe that dirty old Kupa has a few tricks up his sleeve that even I don't know about. ;) Karen-

Attached Link: http://labreport.curiouslabs.com/imagecatalogue/imageview/336/?RefererURL=/article/articleview/59/1

Hard to cross the CanadianUS border these days. I tend to avoid it unless I need a free high-colonic. But to meet shuch great people and be greeted by such a gracious hostess, I'm starting to think it might have been worth the indignity (at the border) and the cross-continent trip. Maybe next time, start stocking-up on jellybeans. Congratulations, Carolly Q

kupa, so is Karen the one with the leg up, or the other one?

how do you find the time to have fun while working on the nice software 25 hours a day? Rob

Karen's the leg-up girl, notice Mrs. Cooper's quality knee bending with minimal distortion ;). The others in that photo? Kevin is the director of PR at Discreet, and old friend from when I worked for Strata; he did some PR project work for us in the early days of Curious Labs. Heidi was also a Strata alumni. She was product manager for Studio Pro. She was also working with us at Curious Labs as director of marketing until this past January. Heidi, Kevin and I all left Strata within the same year to join the team at Fractal Design/Metacreations. Kevin was a PR force and Heidi was the product manager for RayDream products. They are great friends that have been involved with desktop 3D for many years. Karen joined our "rat pack" via Metacreations. As for having fun? That party was work. ;) Kupa

This is a wonderfully, classic image of a bunch of friends having fun. Thanks for sharing.

Are you sure that's not just a Photoshop retouch of Dork, Vicki, Michael, and Stephanie?

Well, I for one, had a most excellent time. Thanks again, Carolly, for having us. Even Hubby had a good time. Haven't seen him so relaxed in ages. Of course, he thinks we're all totally certifiable, but that's why he likes us. :) Oh, and Carolly, he especially loves one of the dolphin images you have hanging on the wall. Told me if it was in color he would have made you an offer on it g (Hey, any time he says he would have PAID for ART, it's a major compliment). Kate

Oh, oh - careful, or no Poser 5 for BAM (since we know Michael is Dan from DAZ)...

The party was definitely a great time. Carolly was a wonderful hostess who made us all feel very much at home. Dan (dacort) and I had such a great time meeting other members of the community. The SF Bay Area crowd is definitely a great group of people. Like Patricia, Dan and I would gladly volunteer to host the next one.

Where to start... backwards! Tracy, I'm so glad to meet Dan and you. Definately neat! With you and Pat and Kate and Curious Labs willing to host parties (and I'll surely do this again), we can have friendly get-togethers into next year, and who knows who else will join in. :) Kate, I'm pleased that Jim enjoyed the party, too. I wish that I'd thought about possible cat allergies sooner (especially since you were so gracious). I do have generic over-the-counter antihistamines which can help in a pinch. The large color dolphin piece is mixed media (everything but salt in it). The black & white picture below it with 2 dolphins against an eclipsed sun ("So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish!") is a numbered print, and if Jim had said something, I could have just given him one. The original is ink and gouche. I really prefer working in black & white, especially scratchboard, but it doesn't pay the rent. If Jim wants a print, just let me know. One of the hardest decisions involves giving art to someone else... what we like is such a personal matter for each individual... and technical merits have nothing to do with it. Quixote, There was hardly a dent in the jelly beans, but I'd lay in an extra supply for you! (gourmet flavors, with weird spots and such, almost as interesting as those magical candies which change flavor each time) Rob, It sounds from the other thread like those of you in Britain are going to have your own party in the next few months... then it will be our turn to be wistful. ;^) Karen, I thought your face appears on one of the AvatarLab heads? Signing in blood? I would have, although with my needle phobia, someone else would have had to prick my finger. (A friend said that "phobias" are fears of things which can't really hurt you, so needles don't apply... but I remember being taken for my first polio shot: holding the doorjambs and screaming like a banshee.) But, if I could calm my fears and hold out that finger, I bet that everyone else in that room could have, too. Shelby(?) is an artist? That explains the nose-prints on the glass! (When I purchased one of Alicia Austin's paintings, her manager said with a smile, "oh, the one with nose prints?") so I guess it was pretty obvious that I liked it. At one point, she said something about being bored... if I'd known she was an artist, I could easily have pulled out sketchpads and a couple hundred colored pencils (they were pushed back for the party, but reachable). Next time! I've given workshops in most of the traditional media, so if she wants to work with scratchboard or coquilleboard, I can keep her out of mischief. For both of them, I might have to bring origami paper. :) I'm just glad that everybody felt relaxed and there was so much good cheer in the room. We have a nice nucleus here. Genny, We will do this again, and the parties will probably be all over the Bay Area. If CL has a picnic on the beach, that will be even closer. We WILL get together! Steve, Politics? ::chortle:: Well, my constituents would know exactly where I stood on the issues and why... but honest politicians don't survive very long in the arena. People with a dash of discretion and wit can serve in more subtle ways. I like being a catalyst, but other people can take the glory and the limelight. We are indeed a diverse community, with politics and beliefs so varied that we might resemble a kaleidoscope rather than a spectrum... but even a kaleidoscope has structure and pattern. With Karen watching our reactions, she probably also sensed those things which bring us together: not just our concern for the tool, but for what we'll be capable of doing with it as we all grow. We may be making art to different ends, but we were all seeing possibilities and getting excited about the future. Good energy. :) Carolly