LISA '12 Reception: Shaken, not Stirred

Matt Simmons offers a preview of our party:

Every year, the reception at LISA is just a little different. Last year, the Back to the Future themed conference took us to the 1980s, where we had arcade machines and awesome toys from the time period.

This year, keeping with the Secret Agent theme, we're having a Shaken, Not Stirred reception, and USENIX has pulled out all the stops.

The reception takes place Thursday evening on the Lord Hornblower, a stunning 151' yacht that's going to be decked out (hah, get it? decked out? that's a nautical joke for ya!) with 14 tables of blackjack, craps, and roulette, plus an amazing food and drink buffet. And if that's not your style, just hang out on deck and check out the San Diego skyline drift by.

The event is going to be great. The LISA staff needs to have a head count before the end of Tuesday, so if you're going to attend, you need to register with the charter company, which is free. (Because the cost is included in your ticket to LISA '12, you might as well do it now.)

Also important to know is that it's "black tie optional", which is a nice way of saying that you should consider dressing up. We're sysadmins — no one is going to stop you from boarding if you wear last year's LISA t-shirt, but how often do you get to do this kind of thing? Live a little and dress up nice. I've also been told that you're encouraged to come as your favorite James Bond character… Any takers for Q or Moneypenny? I'd totally come as Oddjob, but I can't find the right bowler hat.

Although you don't need a tux to get on the boat, you will need your reception ticket. It's going to be in the set of colored session cards you get when you first check in. Make sure to bring it with you on to the boat, or you won't be able to board. And no, Bond, you can't smooth talk the wait staff into letting you on anyway.

Boarding begins at 6pm at the conference hotel, The Sheraton, which I was confused about until I looked at a map.

We embark at 6:30pm sharp, so be on the boat before that, or you'll be all dressed up with nowhere to go. We'll be back between 8:30 and 9pm, which will give you plenty of time to get sleep for Friday morning's sessions.

So the important points to take home: Secret Agent themed party on a boat. Register Now, and remember to pack nice clothes for the trip.

And if you are going to be dressing up, remember to bring your nice shoes and black socks. For some reason, I always forget that. I'm packing mine tonight to make sure they make it. You should do that, too!