Finally, at 1:15 a.m., I can upload these pictures and write this View From Here entry.

Can I take a second to talk about what total shit the hotel’s wireless connection was in the lobby this afternoon? Yes, I think I can. Well, it sucked. I’d connect, fire up my Flickr uploader, tag all the pictures I was uploading, write notes for each one, click “upload” … and I’d be offline. Again and again and again. Cursing was involved. I think I scared a few journalizers in the vicinity. I eventually gave up. Now that the evening’s fesitivities are complete and I’m back in my room, now I succeed. Go me.

And how about those festivities? In one room of JournalCon there was much karaoke loudness and off-tune-ness and drinking and carousing and having of fun, and in the other room was me and several piles of poker chips. Alone. Because, you see, I was the “alternate activity” for those who don’t karaoke. But it all worked out. People came trickling over and I started teaching them how to play Hold ‘Em, and other people came to watch and then join in, and more people came over and … well, we had a full table and a lot of fun and I think maybe I got a few of the ladies hooked on Hold ‘Em.

And speaking of the ladies… At one point there was just me and seven women all playing poker together — Beth included — and I cracked a joke. “Hey, it’s just one guy and seven women playing poker. Who’s up for strip poker???”

Crickets. Chirping. And then an uncomfortable moment when I thought maybe one or two of them were going to throw something at me. That joke, it did not go over well. Man, talk about your tough rooms. Also, we didn’t play strip poker.

And should we talk about Beth giving poker advice to my opponents and they handed me my ass and took me down to the felt? Three times? No, let’s not.

But you’re here for the View From Here, aren’t you? Well, here you go, then, the View from San Diego:

And the Room In Here: