17 days… L.A., PHX, Vegas…

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on October 19th, 2009

FOS Jason Pollack picked us up at the airport. As we zoomed past Citizens Bank Ballpark (with the radio tuned to the WPHT broadcast of the NLCS Game 3), Carlos Ruiz caught a pop foul for the final out and the stadium erupted in fireworks. A harmonic convergence. Phils win 11-0.

We started out the day in Vegas. We took our sweet old time checking out of the Courtyard on Paradise, as we had a 2:45 flight. We were standing in line at the counter at McCarran checking in the last of our three check-through (still blessedly fee-free on Southwest!), when The Female Half was tapped on the shoulder. It was Ryan Stout! The comic (and frequent SHECKYmag commenter!) was flying home to L.A. after his engagement at the Playboy Comedy Club at the Palms.

We had intended to run into him the night before. One of our plans had us attending a Madmen-themed party at the Palms on Saturday night. We ended up absorbing free liquor at the Hilton poolside party (sponsored by BlogWorldExpo) and re-connecting with Stephen Green, alias Vodkapundit, and PJTV director David Chung. Afterward, we were invited downstairs to Tempo for the SceneIt.com party. Nifty swag and a Robin Williams impersonator at the entrance to the lounge! After a coupla SceneIt-tinis (blue curacao, pineapple juice and vodka… we think), the decision was made to migrate to the Luxor, where our fest-mates were based.

Earlier in the day, we attended the final keynote address of the expo– this one had a talk show format! The “show” was hosted by Silicon Valley VC dude and original Macintosh evangelist Guy Kawasaki. His first guest (and the only reason we headed across Paradise at 5:30 in the afternoon) was Kevin Pollak. Pollak killed with (of course!) his Shatner impression and did an especially devastating Christopher Walken. His panel was polished and entertaining, in spite of the howling ineptitude of host Kawasaki. He was followed by the two fellows who are the brains behind the internet vid sensation known as “Chad Vader&quot: and someone named “Bloggess.”

Even after he moved down the couch, Pollak made a lot of sense about doing what you love and doing his chat show his way (as opposed to the ways which might be suggested by the weasels at a network or a cable outlet). We were of the opinion that Pollak should have been the host! (Apparently, though, Kawasaki is web royalty… a venture cap rock start and therefore, a draw at an event like this one.)

We hear that Shane Victorino’s bat sailed into the stands and hit… a comedian! It’s unverified, but Philly-based comedian John Kensil tweeted that the birch stick hit none other than Spins Nitely! We hear he’s doing okay!

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