Snow Ball

Snow Ball II: Las Vegas was a learning experience. The first time (and last for that matter) that I've organised/help to organise an event without once talking to the management, without hearing the soundsystem before hand, without knowing what drinks would be available.
Yep, it was a learning experience. This is what I learnt:

1. Everything is better when its kept simple.
2. People need a focal point to get things done i.e. actual goals, actual instructions and an actual figure head taking charge.
3. Don't expect good behaviour from drunk people.

So, lets talk about the last point in particular. I totally lost my cool when after 15 minutes of trying to empty the venue and asking people politely to leave, the dirty looks from the management and harrasment from the other volunteers, I started yelling at the top of my voice for people to get out! That didn't work either.

How it became my responsibility to empty the venue is a mystery to me. All I signed up to do was promotion and when that job was taken away from me I was put on the games and entertainment, a role I was happy with, I didn't realise it extended to crowd control... oh well, ho hum.

When a person is drunk, it doesn't matter if you spent all night bent over backwards so that they will have a good time, oh no, they've got a few drinks inside them and that means that they can't empathise or sympathise. So, they're not leaving, I'm tired and sober and in need of a drink, I want to get my party on but can't until these mugs get out of the venue. And why aren't they leaving? There's no drink being sold, the music is off and I'm breathing down their necks... LEAVE!! Oh well, ho hum.

That little moan over, the night was a success. We raised 80,000 yen for the charity, everyone seemed to have a good time and enjoy the card games and performances (which were fantastic), the DJing was spot on too.