There were 30-some of us "professionals" in the room.

You'd think somebody would know how to run a laptop projector.

But, nope.

Well, actually there were some that do. The young biologist next to me was muttering under her breath what keys they should push, but apparently didn't feel like speaking up in this crowd.

It's been three years since this group has met together, after all.

Finally, a crew of three managed to get the computer screen projecting, but couldn't get the powerpoint presentation to go full screen. One exasperated fellow from the right wall stomped up to the front and hit the key key.

And the screen promptly went blank.

"No Signal"

Yes, he went back to his seat chastened.

Accompanied by razzing cheers.

They finally drafted one of the few guest speakers from outside the outfit to set up and run the projector.

Really.

Be careful, be very careful if you honor a request to speak to this group.

Trying for a head count for the evening's barbeque (coming up soon), one of the organizers mentioned the caterers do not serve alcohol.

A loud "Then I won't be there!" chased up from the back of the room.

"We could maybe take a collection and buy a pony keg..." the organizer offered.

"Pony!" shouted the same loud, disappointed voice.

As usual, the meeting quickly ran behind schedule. As one speaker got up and started with "I'm not sure exactly what they wanted me to talk about...", a member of the audience responded...

"Well, you can quit right there, then."

To general applause from the room.

The director of a new group described how their first year has gone: "It's exciting to be doing everything for the first time. August will mark the first time this group has done anything twice."

"It's reassuring to know you've never screwed anything up more than once."

Fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, the last speaker answered a question, and then announced...

"I'm done. Let's go have beer."

Which, I suppose, I should go do.