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Another First — Register for the BSI Weekend Online

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"registered your name" [VALL]</h4>
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<a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/search/label/bsiweekend" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a> (click for past coverage) has been happening in one way or another consistently since 1934. And while the early years simply centered around an invitation-only dinner that was founded by Christopher Morley and continued by Edgar W. Smith, over time, it has expanded to occupy an entire weekend and more.<br />
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With the BSI dinner being the only event that requires an invitation, the rest of the festivities from Wednesday through Sunday are open to the public, and the weekend is more appropriately referred to as the BSI and Friends Weekend. You can see the entire schedule of events at the <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BSI Weekend site</a>. It takes place from January 4-8, 2017 in New York City.<br />
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But this year, there's more.<br />
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Now — for the events of the Weekend that are hosted by the Baker Street Irregulars — you can <a href="https://bsi.regfox.com/general2017" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">register online</a>. The site is fairly easy to navigate; just select the events you'd like to attend, whether or not you need lodging, and the rest is automatically calculated for you.<br />
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Since this year is a pilot of sorts, the site requires registrants to <b><i>mail in a check</i></b> rather than to pay with a credit card (not really intuitive, since online registration systems are generally built to handle everything online, but it's a small price to pay for eventual modernization. After all, the BSI has only been handling PayPal since 2001...), but confirmations are automatically emailed out and the system tracks everything.<br />
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If you're at all interested in the company and fellowship that come with gathering over four days with other Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts, the BSI Weekend should be on your radar. And if the events are too costly for you, there's always the <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2016/11/the-watson-fund-provides-financial.html#.WDEvjPkrLb0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John H. Watson Fund</a> that was established to help defray the expenses of Sherlockians who have difficulty meeting the financial requirements of the Weekend.<br />
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Or, there are hundreds of local Sherlock Holmes groups around the world. You can <a href="http://sherlockian.net/societies/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">check them out here</a>. They range from informal to traditional and are usually less expensive, given the smaller commitment of time and repast.<br />
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However you choose to expand your horizons by interacting with other Sherlockians, we hope you enjoy yourself.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A few final things to note:</span><br />
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<li>If you're sharing this on social media, please use the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BSIWeekend&src=typd" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">#BSIWeekend</a>. This makes it easier to follow the topic (despite <i>who</i> you're following), makes photos easier to find, and increases the chances of creating a trending topic that could get media attention.</li>
<li>Feel free to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1739917289667309/" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">join the event posted on Facebook</a>.</li>
<li>If you have any suggestions for people attending for the first time, please email us or leave a comment below; we'll be posting our annual <a href="http://ihose.co/bsi2016tips" rel="nofollow" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">tips for getting the most out of the BSI Weekend</a>, and it would be great to include yours.</li>
</ol>
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Don't miss our episode earlier this year <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose74" rel="nofollow" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">recapping the 2015 BSI Weekend</a>:<br />
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Another First — Register for the BSI Weekend Online

"registered your name" [VALL] The Baker Street Irregulars Weekend (click for past coverage) has been happening in one way or...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Tips For Getting the Most Out of the #BSIWeekend

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<b>"Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser" [SILV] </b></h4>
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<span style="text-align: center;">With the </span><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">BSI Weekend</a></b><span style="text-align: center;"> coming up, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for the veteran attendees and the newbies alike.</span><br />
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The <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">Baker Street Irregulars (and Friends) Weekend</a> is happening January 10-14, 2018, and it's usually a pretty big deal if you're taking time out of your life to head into New York City for 3+ days of activities with people you haven't seen in a year (or years!) or those you may have only known online until now. Whether you're making the trip for the first or twenty-first time, you know that the Weekend provides the same level of excitement, anticipation and giddiness as Christmas morning does to a child.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Tips gladly accepted</td></tr>
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It's usually during those anxious moments that our brain-attic tends to forget some of the essentials that help make a great trip perfect. And for the uninitiated, it's just a matter of not knowing what you need to survive the BSI Weekend.<br />
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This is the sixth annual installment of this post — the first of which was inspired by interviewing several members of the Baker Street Irregulars — including some newer members who might have a less distant memory of their first Weekend, and some who have been at it literally for decades. Information has been updated to reflect changes in the city as well as in technology.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6321981775136876837" name="more"></a>While we know how many well-informed and helpful readers we have, we were quite astonished at the quality and quantity of suggestions that can make the BSI Weekend an enjoyable and stress-free one for you. And if there are any additional tips that you think would be helpful to attendees, please feel free to add your own as a comment below. And if you'd like a sense as to what happens, listen to <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose74" target="_blank">Episode 74</a>:<br />
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Herewith the suggestions:<br />
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Bags</h4>
<ul>
<li>Make sure that you have plenty of room to bring home books that you bought. If you have to bring an extra bag that you can fold up and put in your suitcase, do so. </li>
<li>Some suggest bringing a plastic shopping bag to the BSI dinner, as it makes carrying the dinner packet around a little easier, especially if you plan to go to another venue afterward. </li>
<li>You might also consider bringing a shopping bag to the Merchants Room on Saturday to carry your various purchases. </li>
</ul>
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Meeting Others</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring business cards. You will be meeting a lot of new people, and you will be sharing contact information. Put as many as you think that you will need in your pack, and then double it. And be sure to include all modes of contacting you, including website, Twitter handle, etc. </li>
<li>If you're in need of a good card, the <a href="http://moo.com/">Moo</a> does a splendid job and <a href="http://vistaprint.com/">VistaPrint</a> has a fast turnaround time. </li>
<li>If you want to make sure you get your table mates to sign your menu, bring a pen to the dinner. </li>
<li>Allow yourself time to shmooze with other Sherlockians. This is the fastest way to make new friends, who will quickly become old friends. </li>
</ul>
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Comportment / Etiquette</h4>
<ul>
<li><b>Do</b> tell people how good it is to see them again. <b>Do</b> tell them that you miss them in the intervening months between BSI weekends. <b>Do</b> tell them how invaluable they are to you as a Sherlockian comrade-in-arms and friend and how much you value their friendship. </li>
<li>If you're scheduled to speak at an event, be mindful not to overdo the alcohol beforehand. Dutch courage is usually inappropriate in such circumstances. </li>
<li>In this hyper-connected world, it's easy to forget that there are those attending the weekend for whom "it is always 1895" — or nearly so. When you're taking photographs, please be mindful of those who are firmly rooted in the 20th century and who might not want to appear on your Facebook timeline by <u>asking their permission</u> to share your photos of them online.</li>
</ul>
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Attire</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring comfortable shoes. The weekend inevitably includes a lot of walking. </li>
<li>This one is especially for the ladies: it's useful to have a change of shoes in your handbag so the stilettos don't murder you by the end of the evening (or vice versa). </li>
<li>Bring warm clothes. It is winter in New York, and non-Sherlockian New York friends say they know when we are in town because we bring really bad weather. </li>
<li>Dress in layers. Many times the weather can be cold, but there have been instances in New York in January when we could – and did – comfortably walk about the streets without even a jacket on. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Money</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring small bills. They will come in handy as you share taxis going from place to place, and you’ll find them handy when tipping helpful service employees. </li>
<li>Bring a checkbook to the Merchants Room as not everyone takes credit cards and you may find an item you must have. </li>
<li>If you see something you're interested in at the Merchants Room and you can afford it, don't wait until your second sweep of the room – it will probably be gone by then.</li>
<li>The BSI table will accept <b>credit cards, PayPal and Apple Pay</b>.</li>
<li>Estimate, on the top side, what you expect to spend – and double it. That might get you through. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Time</h4>
<ul>
<li>If you have any health conditions, allow yourself time to go back to your hotel room for periodic rests. Many find these rests invaluable, enabling them to enjoy the weekend despite their condition. Schedule your time. </li>
<li>Know when you need to be places (including when you need to catch the train/plane back home). </li>
<li>Count on it taking some time to get a cab amongst the other Sherlockians who may be headed to events on the other side of 5th Avenue.</li>
<li>Alternatively, download a ride-hailing app (such as Uber, Lyft or Via) to help you avoid these waits. <b>See below for more details and a way to save money on rides</b>.</li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Getting Around</h4>
<ul>
<li>Print out a street map of the city with the places you need to be circled or otherwise identified. Many things are within walking distance, but it is good to know you are starting out in the right direction (or know when to turn). </li>
<li>If you're smartphone-enabled, there are plenty of map apps to choose from. Aside from the standard Google Maps, there's <a href="http://citymapper.com/" target="_blank">Citymapper</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gogobot.gogodroid.cityguide.newyorkcity" target="_blank">Gogobot's York City Guide for Android</a> and iOS has the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-york-travel-guide-offline/id319296365?mt=8">New York Travel Guide and Offline Map</a> by Ulmon.</li>
<li>Download and print the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/2017/11/summary-of-events.html#sthash.K6pyuPJg.dpbs">Summary of Weekend Events</a> from <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">bsiweekend.com</a> (and seen below), or bookmark it on your smartphone. </li>
<li>If you want to go to Otto Penzler's <a href="http://mysteriousbookshop.com/" target="_blank">Mysterious Bookshop</a> and are staying at The Yale Club or the Roosevelt the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to go is by subway. From Grand Central take a <b>4</b> or <b>5</b> express train <b>two</b> stops to <b>City Hall Station</b>; it is a very short walk over to Otto's. Don't take a local (which makes 10 stops). The express is about five minutes. </li>
<li>Pool funds with others to buy regular per-ride <b><a href="http://web.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm">MetroCards</a></b>. These can be shared by up to four people on each trip and are good for one transfer between subway/bus or between buses on uptown/crosstown routes within 2 hours.</li>
<ul>
<li>If you're 65 or older, present ID for a reduced fare MetroCard – $2.75 for two rides with the same transfer provisions noted above. <b>Note:</b> a 65+ MetroCard <b><i>cannot</i></b> be shared and you must find a live 'token booth' clerk to inspect your ID – reduced fare not available in machines.</li>
<li>If you reach the end of the Weekend with a balance on your MetroCard, return to New York more frequently! Or give your card to local-area Sherlockians.</li>
</ul>
<li>Download a ride-hailing app such as <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787" target="_blank">Lyft</a> or a similar service. We do not recommend Uber because of their questionable business ethics.</li>
<ul>
<li>We do recommend <a href="http://ridewithvia.com/" target="_blank">Via</a>, which runs from 6:30 am - midnight and costs only $5 per ride anywhere in Manhattan. Use the code <b><a href="http://ridewithvia.com/">scott5q3</a></b> to sign up and get a free ride.</li>
<li>If you'd like a code for Lyft, use <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787">SCOTT726787</a> to sign up and receive a $5 credit towards rides.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<h4>
Logistics</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring your event payment confirmations, just in case of a glitch in the system. </li>
<li>Also, everything is pretty centrally located, but it's a good idea to have a list of your schedule with the addresses of the venues so that you don't suddenly find yourself asking, where the devil am I supposed to be right now? </li>
<li>The heat during the BSI dinner has been uncomfortable in years past in the Yale Club (potentially dangerously uncomfortable 5 years ago) – if this continues, vests/waistcoats are not advised. Unless you're <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcaric/8379354330/">Mattias Bostrom</a>. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
The Unscheduled</h4>
<ul>
<li>If possible, make breakfast plans with other Sherlockians (unless you prefer eat breakfast alone – saving energy for later conversations).</li>
<li>To some, the secret to enjoying the jam-packed weekend is to find private, unpublicized events for more intimate interactions. How to find these? “<i>You know my methods. Apply them</i>.” </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Dining</h4>
What? You’re not getting enough food between events? Thankfully there are gaps that allow a Sherlockian to venture places on his or her own. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants in and near Grand Central Station, which is in great proximity to the Yale Club and the Roosevelt Hotel.<br />
<ul>
<li>Several Sherlockians like to go to the <b><a href="http://www.oysterbarny.com/">Oyster Bar</a></b> for dinner after the Thursday night lecture. </li>
<li>There is a Cosí across the street from the Roosevelt, at 38 East 45th Street, and of course Starbucks in the station and at nearly every corner. </li>
<li>For a more comprehensive listing of eateries nearby, <a href="http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2013/07/where-to-eat-near-grand-central-station-nyc.html" target="_blank">Serious Eats has a guide</a> that breaks them down by category and of course <a href="http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants+near+grand+central&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY%2C+USA" target="_blank">Yelp has many suggestions</a> as well. </li>
<li>And heaven forbid, don't forget about the <a href="http://www.redflamenyc.com/">Red Flame</a>, the perennial favorite next door to the Algonquin Hotel on W. 44th Street.</li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Online</h4>
Whether you're in New York for the festivities or sequestered at home, it might be worthwhile to follow along online. Some ways to do that:<br />
<ul>
<li>The official hashtag of the BSI Weekend on Twitter is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bsiweekend&src=typd">#BSIWeekend</a>. We have a feed set up on the <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">BSI Weekend website</a>, or you can simply follow along by clicking on the hashtag, or even on <a href="http://tweetdeck.com/">TweetDeck</a>. </li>
<li>We'll won't be attending the BSI Weekend personally this year (the first time we've missed it since 1995), but will be providing occasional updates with what we can glean, so please follow along, either here or on <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock">Facebook</a>. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetbabes.com/">The Baker Street Babes</a>, who will be out in force during the weekend, will undoubtedly have a unique real-time perspective of the weekend. </li>
<li>We also have a <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock/lists/sherlockians">list of Sherlockians on Twitter</a> whom you might consider following. A number of them will be at the weekend as well. </li>
</ul>
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<br />
Here is a handy downloadable and printable guide for the weekend; you may also bookmark it on your smartphone for easy reference (or download the Scribd app [<b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDkQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fscribd-worlds-largest-online%2Fid542557212%3Fmt%3D8&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNFJrFun262V6ZZVXqQGlmr6dpo80A&sig2=1OSvbhebL4loQDJvzNIoJA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">iOS</a></b> or <b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CEIQFjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dcom.scribd.app.reader0%26hl%3Den&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNGmLSiZ-MqZs3_glflhk5qz1KmvgQ&sig2=O0KNeNDotXW6UwFloblUBA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">Android</a></b>] to make it easier).<br />
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<div style="display: block; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/365246184/The-2018-BSI-Weekend#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View The 2018 BSI Weekend on Scribd">The 2018 BSI Weekend</a> </div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_19502" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/365246184/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-cjtzQ5nJRDpOdUMM56y0&show_recommendations=true" title="The 2018 BSI Weekend" width="100%"></iframe><br />
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That sums up our list. Do you have tips as well, dear readers? Please leave them in a comment here on our site or drop us a line and let us know what your secrets are so we can all be the beneficiaries.<br />
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Tips For Getting the Most Out of the #BSIWeekend

"Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser" [SILV] With the BSI Weekend coming up, we thought it might be ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

How to Get the Most Out of the #BSIWeekend

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<b>"those weekend parties" [SOLI]</b></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With the <b><a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">BSI Weekend</a></b> coming up, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for the veteran attendees and the newbies alike.</div>
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The Baker Street Irregulars (and Friends) Weekend is happening January 8-10, 2014, and it's usually a pretty big deal if you're taking time out of your life to head into New York City for 3+ days of activities with people you haven't seen in a year (or years!) or those you may only know online. Whether you're making the trip for the first or twenty-first time, you know that the Weekend provides the same level of excitement, anticipation and giddiness as Christmas morning does to a child.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/4181746031/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="twis-05 by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="twis-05" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2549/4181746031_de7435af0b_m.jpg" width="188" /></a>It's usually during those anxious moments that our brain-attic tends to forget some of the essentials that help make a great trip perfect. And for the uninitiated, it's just a matter of not knowing what you need to survive the Baker Street Irregulars (and Friends) Weekend.<br />
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This is a repost of our previous years' entries, in which we reached out to several members of the Baker Street Irregulars - including some newer members who might have a less distant memory of their first Weekend, and some who have been at it literally for decades.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6321981775136876837" name="more"></a>While we know how many well-informed and helpful readers we have, we were quite astonished at the quality and quantity of suggestions that can make the BSI Weekend an enjoyable and stress-free one for you. And if there are any additional tips that you think would be helpful to attendees, please feel free to add your own as a comment below.<br />
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Herewith the suggestions:<br />
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<h4>
Bags</h4>
<ul>
<li>Make sure that you have plenty of room to bring home books that you bought. If you have to bring an extra bag that you can fold up and put in your suitcase, do so. </li>
<li>Some suggest bringing a plastic shopping bag to the BSI dinner, as it makes carrying the dinner packet around a little easier, especially if you plan to go to another venue afterward. </li>
<li>You might also consider bringing a shopping bag to the Vendors Room on Saturday to carry your various purchases. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Meeting Others</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring business cards. You will be meeting a lot of new people, and you will be sharing contact information. Put as many as you think that you will need in your pack, and then double it. And be sure to include all modes of contacting you, including website, Twitter handle, etc. </li>
<li>If you're in need of a good card, the <a href="http://moo.com/">Moo</a> does a splendid job and <a href="http://vistaprint.com/">VistaPrint</a> has a fast turnaround time. </li>
<li>If you want to make sure you get your table mates to sign your menu, bring a pen to the dinner. </li>
<li>Allow yourself time to shmooze with other Sherlockians. This is the fastest way to make new friends, who will quickly become old friends. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Comportment</h4>
<ul>
<li>DO tell people how good it is to see them again. DO tell them that you miss them in the intervening months between BSI weekends. DO tell them how invaluable they are to you as a Sherlockian comrade-in-arms and friend and how much you value their friendship. </li>
<li>If you're scheduled to speak at an event, be mindful not to overdo the alcohol beforehand. Dutch courage is usually inappropriate in such circumstances. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Attire</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring comfortable shoes. The weekend inevitably includes a lot of walking. </li>
<li>This one is especially for the ladies:, it's useful to have a change of shoes in your handbag so the stilettos don't murder you by the end of the evening (or vice versa). </li>
<li>Bring warm clothes. It is winter in New York, and non-Sherlockian New York friends say that know when we are in town because we bring really bad weather. </li>
<li>Dress in layers. Many times the weather can be cold, but there have been instances in New York in January when we could - and did - comfortably walk about the streets without even a jacket on. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Money</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring small bills. They will come in handy as you share taxis going from place to place, and you’ll find them handy when tipping helpful service employees. </li>
<li>Bring a checkbook to the Vendors Room as not everyone takes credit cards and you may find an item you must have. </li>
<li>If you see something you're interested in at the Vendors Room and you can afford it, don't wait until your second sweep of the room - it will probably be gone by then.</li>
<li>Estimate, on the top side, what you expect to spend – and double it. That might get you through. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Time</h4>
<ul>
<li>If you have any health conditions, allow yourself time to go back to your hotel room for periodic rests. Many find these rests invaluable, enabling them to enjoy the weekend despite their condition.Schedule your time. </li>
<li>Know when you need to be places (including when you need to catch the train/plane back home). </li>
<li>Count on it taking some time to get a cab amongst the other Sherlockians on 10th Avenue after the Gillette Luncheon. If the weather is not inclement and you’re fairly healthy, you may find a brisk walk from 19th Street to 45th Street a way to burn off those calories. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Getting Around</h4>
<ul>
<li>Print out a street map of the city with the places you need to be circled or otherwise identified. Many things are within walking distance, but it is good to know you are starting out in the right direction (or know when to turn). </li>
<li>If you're smartphone-enabled, there are plenty of map apps to choose from. Aside from the standard Google Maps, there's a <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tripadvisor.android.apps.cityguide.newyorkcity">TripAdvisor New York City Guide for Android</a> and iOS has the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-york-travel-guide-offline/id319296365?mt=8">New York Travel Guide and Offline Map</a> by Ulmon.</li>
<li>Download and print the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/2013/11/summary-of-weekend-events.html#sthash.xS12f57r.dpbs">Summary of Weekend Events</a> from <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">bsiweekend.com</a> (and seen below), or bookmark it on your smartphone. </li>
<li>If you want to go to Otto Penzler's Mysterious Bookshop and are staying at The Yale Club or the Roosevelt the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to go is by subway. From Grand Central take a 4 or 5 express train four stops to City Hall Station it is a very short walk over to Otto's. Don't take a local (which makes 10 stops). The express is about five minutes. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Logistics</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring your event payment confirmations, just in case of a glitch in the system. </li>
<li>Also, everything is pretty centrally located, but it's a good idea to have a list of your schedule with the addresses of the venues so that you don't suddenly find yourself asking, where the devil am I supposed to be right now? </li>
<li>The heat during the BSI dinner has been uncomfortable in years past in the Yale Club (potentially dangerously uncomfortable 3 years ago) -- if this continues, vests/waistcoats are not advised. Unless you're <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcaric/8379354330/">Mattias Bostrom</a>. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
The Unscheduled</h4>
<ul>
<li>If possible, make breakfast plans with other Sherlockians (unless you eat breakfast alone) </li>
<li>To some, the secret to enjoying the jam-packed weekend is to find private, unpublicized events for more intimate interactions. How to find these? “You know my methods. Apply them.” </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Dining</h4>
What? You’re not getting enough food between events? Thankfully there are gaps that allow a Sherlockian to venture places on his or her own. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants in and near Grand Central Station, which is in great proximity to the Yale Club and the Roosevelt Hotel.<br />
<ul>
<li>Several Sherlockians like to go to the Oyster Bar for dinner after the Thursday night lecture. </li>
<li>There is a Cosí across the street from the Roosevelt, at 38 East 45th Street, and of course Starbucks in the station and at nearly every corner. </li>
<li>For a more comprehensive listing of eateries, <a href="http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2011/07/where-to-eat-near-grand-central-station-nyc-new-york-city-gcs-midtown-east-manhattan-restaurants.html">Serious Eats has a guide</a> that breaks them down by category and of course <a href="http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants+near+grand+central&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY%2C+USA">Yelp has many suggestions</a> as well. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Online</h4>
Whether you're in New York for the festivities or sequestered at home, it might be worthwhile to follow along online. Some ways to do that:<br />
<ul>
<li>The official hashtag of the BSI Weekend on Twitter is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bsiweekend&src=typd">#BSIWeekend</a>. We have a feed set up on the BSI Weekend website, or you can simply follow along by clicking on the hashtag, or even on <a href="http://tweetdeck.com/">TweetDeck</a>. </li>
<li>We'll be providing occasional updates on these pages, so please follow along. </li>
<li>Of course, we'll also be providing updates via our <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://ihearofsherlock.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a> presence. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetbabes.com/">The Baker Street Babes</a>, who will be out in force during the weekend, will undoubtedly have a unique real-time perspective of the weekend. </li>
<li>We also have a <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock/lists/sherlockians">list of Sherlockians on Twitter</a> whom you might consider following. A number of them will be at the weekend as well. </li>
</ul>
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<br />
Here is a handy downloadable and printable guide for the weekend; you may also bookmark it on your smartphone for easy reference (or download the Scribd app [<b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDkQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fscribd-worlds-largest-online%2Fid542557212%3Fmt%3D8&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNFJrFun262V6ZZVXqQGlmr6dpo80A&sig2=1OSvbhebL4loQDJvzNIoJA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">iOS</a></b> or <b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CEIQFjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dcom.scribd.app.reader0%26hl%3Den&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNGmLSiZ-MqZs3_glflhk5qz1KmvgQ&sig2=O0KNeNDotXW6UwFloblUBA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">Android</a></b>] to make it easier).<br />
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/245302997/The-2015-BSI-and-Friends-Weekend" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View The 2015 BSI and Friends Weekend on Scribd">The 2015 BSI and Friends Weekend</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_28171" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/245302997/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-pqZ7hFO5uYKOTUFz214v&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe>  <br />
That sums up our list. Do you have tips as well, dear readers? Please leave them in a comment here on our site or drop us a line and let us know what your secrets are so we can all be the beneficiaries.<br />
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How to Get the Most Out of the #BSIWeekend

"those weekend parties" [SOLI] With the BSI Weekend coming up, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Episode 15: Michael Whelan, Wiggins of the Baker Street Irregulars (Part 2)

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In the previous episode of the show, you heard us get into some pretty interesting topics with Mike Whelan, head of the Baker Street Irregulars. We continue in this vein in Part 2, talking about the <a href="http://www.bsitrust.org/">BSI Trust</a>, the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/">BSI Weekend</a> in much greater detail, the Dr. Watson Fund, and a very exciting contest that you can participate in!<br />
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Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Please contact us using the information in the sidebar to the right.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Show Notes:</span></h4>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">2:33</span> The evolution of the archives of the BSI, thanks to Dan Posnansky and Harvard<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">5:43</span> Mike's leadership style and getting things done<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">8:18</span> What happens at the BSI Weekend, anyway?<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">14:30</span> The Dr. Watson Fund - what it is, how it works, and how to contribute<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">16:01</span> Listener contest!!! Listen, participate and win!<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">17:10</span> Mike's favorite part(s) of the BSI Weekend<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">20:16</span> Follow the BSI Weekend activities - <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">live </span>- on <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/" rel="nofollow">I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere</a> and the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/">BSI Weekend</a> site<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">21:48</span> How does Mike explain this avocation to civilians?<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">23:04</span> Mike spends his free time doing...<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">26:15</span> The secret to enjoying the Game<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">27:30</span> Getting Mike into the 21st century - maybe<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">29:02</span> Interviews at the 2007 BSI Dinner with recently investitured Irregulars: Dayna MacCausland, Mattias Bostrom, Elaine McCafferty, Maggie Schpak, Warren Randall, Mike Homer and <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2007/07/episode-03-mike-berdan.html">Mike Berdan</a>.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">37:53</span> The Editor's Gas-Lamp, "Who Is a Baker Street Irregular?" Vol. 3, No. 2 of the 1948 <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/" style="font-style: italic;">Baker Street Journal</a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">42:23</span> Subscribing to the Baker Street Journal<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">44:30</span> Listener comments - all kinds!<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">52:15</span> <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">56:01</span> Burt makes Scott tell the Johnny Carson / Carnac hiatus joke<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/ihearofsherlock/ihearofsherlock15.mp3">Download</a> [Save As] | File size: 53.5 MB, 58:28</b></h3><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/134346152&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: interstate, "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", "lucida sans", garuda, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/ihearofsherlock" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="ihearofsherlock">ihearofsherlock</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/ihearofsherlock/i-hear-of-sherlock-8" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Episode 15: Michael Whelan (Part 2)">Episode 15: Michael Whelan (Part 2)</a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Links:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.bsitrust.org/">BSI Trust</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">The <a href="http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/#houghton">Houghton Library</a> at Harvard University</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/">BSI Weekend</a></li>
<li style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><a href="https://ihose.co/BSJ" target="_blank">The Baker Street Journal</a></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;">
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Episode 15: Michael Whelan, Wiggins of the Baker Street Irregulars (Part 2)

In the previous episode of the show, you heard us get into some pretty interesting topics with Mike Whelan, head of the Baker Street Ir...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Tips for Making the Most of the #BSIWeekend

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<b>"Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser" [SILV] </b></h4>
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<span style="text-align: center;">With the </span><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">BSI Weekend</a></b><span style="text-align: center;"> coming up, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for the veteran attendees and the newbies alike.</span><br />
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The <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a> is happening January 9-13, 2019, and it's usually a pretty big deal if you're taking time out of your life to head into New York City for 3+ days of activities with people you haven't seen in a year (or years!) or those you may have only known online until now. Whether you're making the trip for the first or twenty-first time, you know that the Weekend provides the same level of excitement, anticipation and giddiness as Christmas morning does to a child.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All tips gladly accepted</td></tr>
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It's usually during those anxious moments that our brain-attic tends to forget some of the essentials that help make a great trip perfect. And for the uninitiated, it's just a matter of not knowing what you need to survive the BSI Weekend.<br />
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This is the <b>seventh </b>annual installment of this post — the first of which was inspired by interviewing several members of the Baker Street Irregulars — including some newer members who might have a less distant memory of their first Weekend, and some who have been at it literally for decades. Information has been updated to reflect changes in the city as well as in technology.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6321981775136876837" name="more"></a>While we know how many well-informed and helpful readers we have, we were quite astonished at the quality and quantity of suggestions that can make the BSI Weekend an enjoyable and stress-free one for you. And if there are any additional tips that you think would be helpful to attendees, please feel free to add your own as a comment below. And if you'd like a sense as to what happens, listen to <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose74" target="_blank">Episode 74</a>:<br />
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Herewith the suggestions:<br />
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<h4>
Bags</h4>
<ul>
<li>Make sure that you have plenty of room to bring home books that you bought. If you have to bring an extra bag that you can fold up and put in your suitcase, do so. </li>
<li>Some suggest bringing a plastic shopping bag to the BSI dinner, as it makes carrying the dinner packet around a little easier, especially if you plan to go to another venue afterward. </li>
<li>You might also consider bringing a shopping bag to the Merchants Room on Saturday to carry your various purchases. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Meeting Others</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring business cards. You will be meeting a lot of new people, and you will be sharing contact information. Put as many as you think that you will need in your pack, and then double it. And be sure to include all modes of contacting you, including website, Twitter handle, etc. </li>
<li>If you're in need of a good card, the <a href="http://moo.com/">Moo</a> does a splendid job and <a href="http://vistaprint.com/">VistaPrint</a> has a fast turnaround time. </li>
<li>If you want to make sure you get your table mates to sign your menu, bring a pen to the dinner. </li>
<li>Allow yourself time to schmooze with other Sherlockians. This is the fastest way to make new friends, who will quickly become old friends. </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Comportment / Etiquette</h4>
<ul>
<li><b>Do</b> tell people how good it is to see them again. <b>Do</b> tell them that you miss them in the intervening months between BSI weekends. <b>Do</b> tell them how invaluable they are to you as a Sherlockian comrade-in-arms and friend and how much you value their friendship. </li>
<li>If you're scheduled to speak at an event, be mindful not to overdo the alcohol beforehand. Dutch courage is usually inappropriate in such circumstances. </li>
<li>In this hyper-connected world, it's easy to forget that there are those attending the weekend for whom "it is always 1895" — or nearly so. When you're taking photographs, please be mindful of those who are firmly rooted in the 20th century and who might not want to appear on your Facebook timeline by <u>asking their permission</u> to share your photos of them online.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Attire</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring comfortable shoes. The weekend inevitably includes a lot of walking. </li>
<li>This one is especially for the ladies: it's useful to have a change of shoes in your handbag so the stilettos don't murder you by the end of the evening (or vice versa). </li>
<li>Bring warm clothes. It is winter in New York, and non-Sherlockian New York friends say they know when we are in town because we bring really bad weather. </li>
<li>Dress in layers. Many times the weather can be cold, but there have been instances in New York in January when we could – and did – comfortably walk about the streets without even a jacket on. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Money</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring small bills. They will come in handy as you share taxis going from place to place, and you’ll find them handy when tipping helpful service employees. </li>
<li>Bring a checkbook to the Merchants Room as not everyone takes credit cards and you may find an item you must have. </li>
<li>If you see something you're interested in at the Merchants Room and you can afford it, don't wait until your second sweep of the room – it will probably be gone by then.</li>
<li>The BSI table will accept <b>credit cards, PayPal and Apple Pay</b>.</li>
<li>Estimate, on the top side, what you expect to spend – and double it. That might get you through. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Time</h4>
<ul>
<li>If you have any health conditions, allow yourself time to go back to your hotel room for periodic rests. Many find these rests invaluable, enabling them to enjoy the weekend despite their condition. Schedule your time. </li>
<li>Know when you need to be places (including when you need to catch the train/plane back home). </li>
<li>Count on it taking some time to get a cab amongst the other Sherlockians who may be headed to events on the other side of 5th Avenue.</li>
<li>Alternatively, download a ride-hailing app (such as Uber, Lyft or Via) to help you avoid these waits. <b>See below for more details and a way to save money on rides</b>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Getting Around</h4>
<ul>
<li>Print out a street map of the city with the places you need to be circled or otherwise identified. Many things are within walking distance, but it is good to know you are starting out in the right direction (or know when to turn). </li>
<li>If you're smartphone-enabled, there are plenty of map apps to choose from. Aside from the standard Google Maps, there's <a href="http://citymapper.com/" target="_blank">Citymapper</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gogobot.gogodroid.cityguide.newyorkcity" target="_blank">Gogobot's York City Guide for Android</a> and iOS has the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-york-travel-guide-offline/id319296365?mt=8">New York Travel Guide and Offline Map</a> by Ulmon.</li>
<li>Download and print the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/2018/11/summary-of-events.html#sthash.K6pyuPJg.dpbs">Summary of Weekend Events</a> from <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">bsiweekend.com</a> (and seen below), or bookmark it on your smartphone. </li>
<li>If you want to go to Otto Penzler's <a href="http://mysteriousbookshop.com/" target="_blank">Mysterious Bookshop</a> and are staying at The Yale Club or the Roosevelt the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to go is by subway. From Grand Central take a <b>4</b> or <b>5</b> express train <b>two</b> stops to <b>Brooklyn Bridge Station</b>; it is a very short walk over to Otto's. Don't take a local (which makes 10 stops). The express is about five minutes. </li>
<li>Download the <b>MYmta app</b> from the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mymta/id1297605670?mt=8">App Store</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.mta.mymta&hl=en">Google Play</a> for navigating the subway. </li>
<li>Pool funds with others to buy regular per-ride <b><a href="http://web.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm">MetroCards</a></b>. These can be shared by up to four people on each trip and are good for one transfer between subway/bus or between buses on uptown/crosstown routes within 2 hours.</li>
<ul>
<li>If you're 65 or older, present ID for a reduced fare MetroCard – $2.75 for two rides with the same transfer provisions noted above. <b>Note:</b> a 65+ MetroCard <b><i>cannot</i></b> be shared and you must find a live 'token booth' clerk to inspect your ID – reduced fare not available in machines.</li>
<li>If you reach the end of the Weekend with a balance on your MetroCard, return to New York more frequently! Or give your card to local-area Sherlockians.</li>
</ul>
<li>Download a ride-hailing app such as <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787" target="_blank">Lyft</a> or Uber. </li>
<ul>
<li>We highly recommend <a href="http://ridewithvia.com/" target="_blank">Via</a>, which costs only $5 per ride anywhere in Manhattan. Use the code <b><a href="http://ridewithvia.com/">scott5q3</a></b> to sign up and get a free ride.</li>
<li>If you'd like a code for Lyft, use <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787">SCOTT726787</a> to sign up and receive a $5 credit towards rides.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Logistics</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring your event payment confirmations, just in case of a glitch in the system. </li>
<li>Also, everything is pretty centrally located, but it's a good idea to have a list of your schedule with the addresses of the venues so that you don't suddenly find yourself asking, where the devil am I supposed to be right now? </li>
<li>The heat during the BSI dinner has been uncomfortable in years past in the Yale Club (potentially dangerously uncomfortable 5 years ago) – if this continues, vests/waistcoats are not advised. Unless you're <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcaric/8379354330/">Mattias Bostrom</a>. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
The Unscheduled</h4>
<ul>
<li>If possible, make breakfast plans with other Sherlockians (unless you prefer eat breakfast alone – saving energy for later conversations).</li>
<li>To some, the secret to enjoying the jam-packed weekend is to find private, unpublicized events for more intimate interactions. How to find these? “<i>You know my methods. Apply them</i>.” </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Dining</h4>
What? You’re not getting enough food between events? Thankfully there are gaps that allow a Sherlockian to venture places on his or her own. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants in and near Grand Central Station, which is in great proximity to the Yale Club and the Roosevelt Hotel.<br />
<ul>
<li>Several Sherlockians like to go to the <b><a href="http://www.oysterbarny.com/">Oyster Bar</a></b> for dinner after the Thursday night lecture. </li>
<li>There is a Cosí across the street from the Roosevelt, at 38 East 45th Street, and of course Starbucks in the station and at nearly every corner. </li>
<li>For a more comprehensive listing of eateries nearby, <a href="http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2013/07/where-to-eat-near-grand-central-station-nyc.html" target="_blank">Serious Eats has a guide</a> that breaks them down by category and of course <a href="http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants+near+grand+central&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY%2C+USA" target="_blank">Yelp has many suggestions</a> as well. </li>
<li>And heaven forbid, don't forget about the <a href="http://www.redflamenyc.com/">Red Flame</a>, the perennial favorite next door to the Algonquin Hotel on W. 44th Street.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Online</h4>
Whether you're in New York for the festivities or sequestered at home, it might be worthwhile to follow along online. Some ways to do that:<br />
<ul>
<li>The official hashtag of the BSI Weekend on Twitter is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bsiweekend&src=typd">#BSIWeekend</a>. We have a feed set up on the <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">BSI Weekend website</a>, or you can simply follow along by clicking on the hashtag, or even on <a href="http://tweetdeck.com/">TweetDeck</a>. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetbabes.com/">The Baker Street Babes</a>, who will be out in force during the weekend, will undoubtedly have a unique real-time perspective of the weekend. </li>
<li>We also have a <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock/lists/sherlockians">list of Sherlockians on Twitter</a> whom you might consider following. A number of them will be at the weekend as well. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Here is a handy downloadable and printable guide for the weekend; you may also bookmark it on your smartphone for easy reference (or download the Scribd app [<b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDkQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fscribd-worlds-largest-online%2Fid542557212%3Fmt%3D8&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNFJrFun262V6ZZVXqQGlmr6dpo80A&sig2=1OSvbhebL4loQDJvzNIoJA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">iOS</a></b> or <b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CEIQFjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dcom.scribd.app.reader0%26hl%3Den&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNGmLSiZ-MqZs3_glflhk5qz1KmvgQ&sig2=O0KNeNDotXW6UwFloblUBA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">Android</a></b>] to make it easier).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
That sums up our list. Do you have tips as well, dear readers? Please leave them in a comment here on our site or drop us a line and let us know what your secrets are so we can all be the beneficiaries.<br />
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Tips for Making the Most of the #BSIWeekend

"Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser" [SILV] With the BSI Weekend coming up, we thought it might b...

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by Scott Monty

The #BSIWeekend Site Is Updated

<h4 style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 18.2px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;">"I was invited to a week-end gathering" [LAST]</h4><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAOco8U48FbAmEOyb5Mli1m273m55p9NJgJDfhIhdLkLkAp0mlFWuOsM9-kf6MaxzLA4vVVncp3i50Y25sNEr-Qk2ONbC2LP6dGVx3VsGlrbJGuhwdKxvgPoiBxf7x-JvPgB7ZZgrsZjC/s1600/2017+BSI+Weekend.jpg" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAOco8U48FbAmEOyb5Mli1m273m55p9NJgJDfhIhdLkLkAp0mlFWuOsM9-kf6MaxzLA4vVVncp3i50Y25sNEr-Qk2ONbC2LP6dGVx3VsGlrbJGuhwdKxvgPoiBxf7x-JvPgB7ZZgrsZjC/s640/2017+BSI+Weekend.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face=""verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><div><span face=""verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-size: 14px;">After a one-year hiatus from in-person events, the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/#sthash.gkIxwO76.dpbs" target="_blank">BSI Weekend</a> is back. But it's going to look and feel different this year</span><span face=""verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-size: 14px;">.</span></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">First, you're likely to see people wearing masks indoors. And all BSI events (as well as restaurants in New York City) require patrons to show proof of vaccination.</span></span><br /></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">But there are also changes to the lineup of events and venues.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">First, the iconic <a href="https://www.theroosevelthotel.com/" target="_blank">Roosevelt Hotel</a>, nearly 100 years old and which served as the unofficial headquarters of the weekend, closed its doors permanently during the pandemic. Taking its place is the Westin New York Grand Central Hotel. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">You'll find two events have been added on Thursday: a brief awards ceremony for the ACD Society and a special reception for the <a href="https://ihose.co/ihose227" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects</a> exhibition at The Grolier Club.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Sadly, the William Gillette Memorial Luncheon is on hiatus this year due to a lack of space given Covid considerations.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Please check the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/#sthash.gkIxwO76.dpbs" target="_blank">BSI Weekend site</a> for comprehensive information about the weekend. The <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/bsi-weekend/" target="_blank">BSI site</a> has information and registration forms for all of the official BSI-hosted events.</span></span></div><div><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face=""verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-size: 14px;">A few other things to note:</span><br /><ol style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><li>If you're sharing this on social media, please use the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BSIWeekend&src=typd" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">#BSIWeekend</a>. This makes it easier to follow the topic (despite <i>who</i> you're following), makes photos easier to find, and increases the chances of creating a trending topic that could get media attention.</li><li>This year, accommodations are only at the <b>Westin New York Grand Central Hotel</b>, which is also the site of the <b>Distinguished Speaker Lecture</b> for the first time.</li><li>If you have any suggestions for people attending for the first time, <b>please email us or leave a comment below</b>; we'll be posting our annual <a href="http://ihose.co/bsi2020tips" rel="nofollow" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">tips for getting the most out of the BSI Weekend</a> next week, and it would be great to include yours.</li><li>Please stay tuned for another post about information on helping to make the BSI Weekend enjoyable and as stress-free as possible.</li></ol><div style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />And don't miss <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose74" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold;">Episode 74</a> of I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose74" rel="nofollow" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">recapping the 2015 BSI Weekend</a>:<br /><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" kwframeid="1" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/191368218&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" style="max-width: 100%;" width="100%"></iframe><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div></div>

The #BSIWeekend Site Is Updated

"I was invited to a week-end gathering" [LAST] After a one-year hiatus from in-person events, the BSI Weekend is back. But it...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Episode 62: Inside the BSI Weekend

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"those weekend parties" [SOLI] </h4>
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<br />
While our last episode was recorded during the BSI Weekend in New York, we thought we'd cover some of the happenings in and around the <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">BSI Weekend</a> itself.<br />
<br />
Our opening comments center around collecting and what makes a collector, but then we quickly launch into actual audio clips with individuals we met during the weekend. Our audio files open with an interview with  Art Levine, who has been attending BSI dinners since 1954. He knew and associated with the likes of Edgar Smith, Christopher Morley, Rex Stout, Basil Davenport and more.<br />
<br />
We then flit from one newly minted BSI to another. You'll hear the excitement and energy in their voices that testify to the thrilling nature of receiving an investiture in this literary society.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
We reach deep into the mail (voice and e) for our listener comments. And this episode's Gas-Lamp from the March 1995 Baker Street Journal (Vol. 45, No. 1) harkens back to our previous episode and looks at the serendipity of collecting - particularly acquiring new books during the BSI Weekend - and touches upon the collection of one Mr. Vincent Starrett.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Links:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Gruber Photographers have been taking the BSI dinner photos for some years, using equipment that is over 100 years old. <a href="http://www.gruberphotographers.com/blog/baker-street-irregulars-banquet-2014/" target="_blank">Take a look at their setup and some photos from the dinner</a>. </li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.torontobootmakers.com/canadian-holmes/canadian-holmes-current-publication/" target="_blank">Canadian Holmes</a></i> - electronic edition</li>
<li><a href="http://www.christophermorley.org/knothole/knothole.html" target="_blank">The Christopher Morley Knothole Association</a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/" target="_blank">The Baker Street Journal</a></i> spring edition will contain the BSI Weekend recap - be sure to subscribe.</li>
<li>Our <a href="http://flip.it/oxPOZ">Flipboard magazine</a> and <a href="http://www.scoop.it/t/sherlock-holmes">Scoop.it!</a> site aggregate lots of content for your enjoyment.</li>
</ul>
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Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email, call us at (774) 221-READ (7323) or use the Speakpipe app right here on the site. Connect with us and other interested Sherlockians on <a href="https://plus.google.com/communities/114565123495685504221">The Sherlock Holmes Community</a> on Google+, <a href="http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://ihearofsherlock.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>. And of course, our <a href="http://flip.it/oxPOZ">web- and app-based Flipboard magazine</a> is a nice collection of links, articles and images.<br />
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And above all, please let our sponsors know that you heard us rant and rave about their excellence during the programme: <a href="http://www.wessexpress.com/">Wessex Press</a> and <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a>.<br />
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--

Episode 62: Inside the BSI Weekend

"those weekend parties" [SOLI] While our last episode was recorded during the BSI Weekend in New York, we thought ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Tips for Making the Most of the #BSIWeekend

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<b>"Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser" [SILV] </b></h4>
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<span style="text-align: center;">With the </span><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">BSI Weekend</a></b><span style="text-align: center;"> coming up, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for the veteran attendees and the newbies alike.</span><br />
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The <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a> is happening January 14-19, 2020, and it's usually a pretty big deal if you're taking time out of your life to head into New York City for 3+ days of activities with people you haven't seen in a year (or years!) or those you may have only known online until now. Whether you're making the trip for the first or twenty-first time, you know that the Weekend provides the same level of excitement, anticipation and giddiness as Christmas morning does to a child.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">All tips gladly accepted</td></tr>
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It's usually during those anxious moments that our brain-attic tends to forget some of the essentials that help make a great trip perfect. And for the uninitiated, it's just a matter of not knowing what you need to survive the BSI Weekend.<br />
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This is the <b>eighth </b>annual installment of this post — the first of which was inspired by interviewing several members of the Baker Street Irregulars — including some newer members who might have a less distant memory of their first Weekend, and some who have been at it literally for decades. Information has been updated to reflect changes in the city as well as in technology.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6321981775136876837" name="more"></a>While we know how many well-informed and helpful readers we have, we were once again impressed with the thoughtful suggestions that can make the BSI Weekend an enjoyable and stress-free one for you.<br />
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And if there are any additional tips that you think would be helpful to attendees, please feel free to add your own as a comment below. And if you'd like a sense as to what happens, listen to <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose74" target="_blank">Episode 74</a>:<br />
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Herewith the suggestions:<br />
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<h3>
Bags 🧳</h3>
<ul>
<li>Make sure that you have plenty of room to bring home books that you bought. If you have to bring an extra bag that you can fold up and put in your suitcase, do so. </li>
<li>Some suggest bringing a plastic shopping bag to the BSI dinner, as it makes carrying the dinner packet around a little easier, especially if you plan to go to another venue afterward. </li>
<li>You might also consider <b>bringing a shopping bag to the Merchants Room</b> on Saturday to carry your various purchases. Not all merchants provide bags; carting away your haul is <i>your</i> responsibility.</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
Meeting Others 📇</h3>
<ul>
<li>Bring business cards. You will be meeting a lot of new people, and you will be sharing contact information. Put as many as you think that you will need in your pack, and then double it. And be sure to include all modes of contacting you, including website, Twitter handle, etc. </li>
<li>If you're in need of a good card, the <a href="http://moo.com/">Moo</a> does a splendid job and <a href="http://vistaprint.com/">VistaPrint</a> has a fast turnaround time. </li>
<li>If you want to make sure you get your table mates to sign your menu, bring a pen to the dinner. </li>
<li>Allow yourself time to schmooze with other Sherlockians. This is the fastest way to make new friends, who will quickly become old friends. </li>
</ul>
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<h3>
Comportment / Etiquette 🤝</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Do</b> tell people how good it is to see them again — or to meet them for the first time after having known them only online. <b>Do</b> tell them that you miss them in the intervening months between BSI weekends. <b>Do</b> tell them how invaluable they are to you as a Sherlockian comrade-in-arms and friend and how much you value their friendship. </li>
<li>If you're scheduled to speak at an event, be mindful not to overdo the alcohol beforehand. Dutch courage is usually inappropriate in such circumstances. </li>
<li>In this hyper-connected world, it's easy to forget that there are those attending the weekend for whom "it is always 1895" — or nearly so. When you're taking photographs, please be mindful of those who are firmly rooted in the 20th century and who might not want to appear on your  timeline by <u>asking their permission</u> to share your photos of them online.</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
Attire 🥿 🧥</h3>
<ul>
<li>Bring comfortable shoes. The weekend inevitably includes a lot of walking. </li>
<li>This one is especially for the ladies: it's useful to have a change of shoes in your handbag so the stilettos don't murder you by the end of the evening (or vice versa). </li>
<li>Bring warm clothes. It is winter in New York, and non-Sherlockian New York friends say they know when we are in town because we bring really bad weather. </li>
<li>Dress in layers. Many times the weather can be cold, but there have been instances in New York in January when we could – and did – comfortably walk about the streets without even a jacket on. </li>
</ul>
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<h3>
Money 💰</h3>
<ul>
<li>Bring small bills. They will come in handy as you share taxis going from place to place, and you’ll find them handy when tipping helpful service employees. We prefer withdrawing $2 bills from the bank and bringing them with us to make things extra efficient.</li>
<li>Bring a checkbook to the Merchants Room as not everyone takes credit cards and you may find an item you must have. </li>
<li>If you see something you're interested in at the Merchants Room and you can afford it, don't wait until your second sweep of the room – it will probably be gone by then.</li>
<li>Most of the vendors in the Merchants Room are very kind and understanding people, and many are also collectors or Sherlockians themselves. If you would care to haggle with them, they're likely open to it. It can't hurt to ask.</li>
<li>The BSI and Wessex Press tables will accept <b>credit cards, PayPal and Apple Pay</b>.</li>
<li>Estimate, on the top side, what you expect to spend – and then double it. That might get you through. 💸</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
Time 🕰️</h3>
<ul>
<li>If you have any health conditions, allow yourself time to go back to your hotel room for periodic rests. Many find these rests invaluable, enabling them to enjoy the weekend despite their condition. Schedule your time. </li>
<li>Know when you need to be places (including when you need to catch the train/plane back home). </li>
<li>Count on it taking some time to get a cab amongst the other Sherlockians who may be headed to events on the other side of 5th Avenue.</li>
<li>Alternatively, download a ride-hailing app (such as Uber, Lyft or Via) to help you avoid these waits. <b>See below for more details and a way to save money on rides</b>.</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
Getting Around 🚕 🚇 🚶</h3>
<ul>
<li>Print out a street map of the city with the places you need to be circled or otherwise identified. Many things are within walking distance, but it is good to know you are starting out in the right direction (or know when to turn). </li>
<li>If you're smartphone-enabled, there are plenty of map apps to choose from. Aside from the standard Google Maps, there's <a href="http://citymapper.com/" target="_blank">Citymapper</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gogobot.gogodroid.cityguide.newyorkcity" target="_blank">Gogobot's York City Guide for Android</a> and iOS has the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-york-travel-guide-offline/id319296365?mt=8">New York Travel Guide and Offline Map</a> by Ulmon.</li>
<li>Download and print the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/2019/12/summary-of-events.html" target="_blank">Summary of Weekend Events</a> from <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">bsiweekend.com</a> (and seen below), or bookmark it on your smartphone. </li>
<li>If you want to go to Otto Penzler's <a href="http://mysteriousbookshop.com/" target="_blank">Mysterious Bookshop</a> and are staying at The Roosevelt Hotel, the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to go is by subway. From Grand Central take a <b>4</b> or <b>5</b> express train <b>two</b> stops to <b>Brooklyn Bridge Station</b>; it is a very short walk over to Otto's. Don't take a local (which makes 10 stops). The express is about five minutes. </li>
<li>Download the <b>MYmta app</b> from the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mymta/id1297605670?mt=8">App Store</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.mta.mymta&hl=en">Google Play</a> for navigating the subway. </li>
<li>Pool funds with others to buy regular per-ride <b><a href="http://web.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm">MetroCards</a></b>. These can be shared by up to four people on each trip and are good for one transfer between subway/bus or between buses on uptown/crosstown routes within 2 hours.</li>
<ul>
<li>If you're 65 or older, present ID for a reduced fare MetroCard – $2.75 for two rides with the same transfer provisions noted above. <b>Note:</b> a 65+ MetroCard <b><i>cannot</i></b> be shared and you must find a live 'token booth' clerk to inspect your ID – reduced fare not available in machines.</li>
<li>If you reach the end of the Weekend with a balance on your MetroCard, return to New York more frequently! Or give your card to local-area Sherlockians.</li>
</ul>
<li>Download a ride-hailing app such as <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787" target="_blank">Lyft</a> or Uber. </li>
<ul>
<li>We highly recommend <a href="http://ridewithvia.com/" target="_blank"><b>Via</b></a>, which costs only $5 per ride anywhere in Manhattan and is one of the best values from the airport. Use the code <b><a href="http://ridewithvia.com/">scott5q3</a></b> to sign up and get a free ride.</li>
<li>If you'd like a code for Lyft, use <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787">SCOTT726787</a> to sign up and receive a $5 credit towards rides.</li>
</ul>
<li><b>LaGuardia pro tip:</b> Traffic to and from LaGuardia can be a bit of a gamble, and quite expensive. Consider taking a cab to the <b>Jackson Heights - Roosevelt Ave.</b> subway station in Queens, and then taking an <span style="background-color: #073763;"> </span><b><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">E </span></b> or <span style="background-color: orange;"> </span><b style="background-color: orange;"><span style="color: white;">F </span></b> train to <b>Grand Central Station</b>.</li>
<ul>
</ul>
</ul>
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<h3>
Logistics 📝</h3>
<ul>
<li>Bring your event payment confirmations, just in case of a glitch in the system. </li>
<li>Also, everything is pretty centrally located, but it's a good idea to have a list of your schedule with the addresses of the venues so that you don't suddenly find yourself asking, where the devil am I supposed to be right now? </li>
<li>The heat during the BSI dinner has been uncomfortable in years past in the Yale Club (potentially dangerously uncomfortable 6 years ago) – if this continues, vests/waistcoats are not advised. Unless you're <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcaric/8379354330/">Mattias Bostrom</a>. </li>
</ul>
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<h3>
The Unscheduled 📅</h3>
<ul>
<li>If possible, make breakfast plans with other Sherlockians (unless you prefer eat breakfast alone – saving energy for later conversations).</li>
<li>To some, the secret to enjoying the jam-packed weekend is to find private, unpublicized events for more intimate interactions. How to find these? “<i>You know my methods. Apply them</i>.” </li>
</ul>
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<h3>
Dining 🍽️</h3>
What? You’re not getting enough food between events? Thankfully there are gaps that allow a Sherlockian to venture places on his or her own. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants in and near Grand Central Station, which is in great proximity to the Yale Club and the Roosevelt Hotel.<br />
<ul>
<li>Several Sherlockians like to go to the <b><a href="http://www.oysterbarny.com/">Oyster Bar</a></b> for dinner after the Thursday night lecture. </li>
<li>There is <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/qAPNSvtgGTspvz4y9" target="_blank">Urban Space</a> food court across the street from the Roosevelt, at Vanderbilt and East 45th Street, and of course Starbucks in the station and at nearly every corner. </li>
<li>For a more comprehensive listing of eateries nearby, <a href="http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2013/07/where-to-eat-near-grand-central-station-nyc.html" target="_blank">Serious Eats has a guide</a> that breaks them down by category and of course <a href="http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants+near+grand+central&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY%2C+USA" target="_blank">Yelp has many suggestions</a> as well. </li>
<li>And heaven forbid, don't forget about the <a href="http://www.redflamenyc.com/">Red Flame</a>, the perennial favorite next door to the Algonquin Hotel on W. 44th Street.</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
Online 📱</h3>
Whether you're in New York for the festivities or sequestered at home, it might be worthwhile to follow along online. Some ways to do that:<br />
<ul>
<li>The official hashtag of the BSI Weekend on Twitter is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bsiweekend&src=typd">#BSIWeekend</a>. We have a feed set up on the <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">BSI Weekend website</a>, or you can simply follow along by clicking on the hashtag, or even on <a href="http://tweetdeck.com/">TweetDeck</a>. </li>
<li>We also have a <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock/lists/sherlockians">list of Sherlockians on Twitter</a> whom you might consider following. A number of them will be at the weekend as well. </li>
</ul>
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Here is a handy downloadable and printable guide for the weekend; you may also bookmark it on your smartphone for easy reference (or download the Scribd app [<b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDkQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fscribd-worlds-largest-online%2Fid542557212%3Fmt%3D8&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNFJrFun262V6ZZVXqQGlmr6dpo80A&sig2=1OSvbhebL4loQDJvzNIoJA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">iOS</a></b> or <b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CEIQFjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dcom.scribd.app.reader0%26hl%3Den&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNGmLSiZ-MqZs3_glflhk5qz1KmvgQ&sig2=O0KNeNDotXW6UwFloblUBA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">Android</a></b>] to make it easier).<br />
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<div style="display: block; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/393762569/The-2019-BSI-Weekend#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View The 2020 BSI Weekend on Scribd">The 2020 BSI Weekend</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="true" frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/437991571/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true&access_key=key-d9FWRe7spKV163JXqWNV" title="The 2020 BSI Weekend" width="100%"></iframe><br />
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That sums up our list. Do you have tips as well, dear readers? Please leave them in a comment here on our site or drop us a line and let us know what your secrets are so we can all be the beneficiaries.<br />
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Tips for Making the Most of the #BSIWeekend

"Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser" [SILV] With the BSI Weekend coming up, we thought it might b...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Tips for Navigating the #BSIWeekend

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With the <b><a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">BSI Weekend</a></b> coming up, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for the veteran attendees and the newbies alike.</div>
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<br />
The Baker Street Irregulars (and Friends) Weekend is happening January 16-19, 2014, and it's usually a pretty big deal if you're taking time out of your life to head into New York City for 3+ days of activities with people you haven't seen in a year (or years!) or those you may only know online. Whether you're making the trip for the first or twenty-first time, you know that the Weekend provides the same level of excitement, anticipation and giddiness as Christmas morning does to a child.<br />
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It's usually during those anxious moments that our brain-attic tends to forget some of the essentials that help make a great trip perfect. And for the uninitiated, it's just a matter of not knowing what you need to survive the Baker Street Irregulars (and Friends) Weekend.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/4181746031/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="twis-05 by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="twis-05" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2549/4181746031_de7435af0b_m.jpg" width="188" /></a>Not being the type to remember everything ourselves (we swear that on every trip, our mind isn't calmed until we can figure out just what it is that we forgot to pack), we reached out to several members of the Baker Street Irregulars - some newer members who might have a less distant memory of their first Weekend, and some who have been at it literally for decades.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6321981775136876837" name="more"></a>We were expecting a smattering of solid advice, but we were quite astonished at the quality and quantity of helpful hints that can make the BSI Weekend an enjoyable and stress-free one for you. And if there are any that we missed, please feel free to add your own as a comment below. Herewith the suggestions:<br />
<br />
<h4>
Bags </h4>
<ul>
<li>Make sure that you have plenty of room to bring home books that you bought.  If you have to bring an extra bag that you can fold up and put in your suitcase, do so. </li>
<li>Some suggest bringing a plastic shopping bag to the BSI dinner, as it makes carrying the dinner packet around a little easier, especially if you plan to go to another venue afterward. </li>
<li>You might also consider bringing a shopping bag to the Vendors Room on Saturday to carry your various purchases. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Meeting Others </h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring business cards. You will be meeting a lot of new people, and you will be sharing contact information.  Put as many as you think that you will need in your pack, and then double it. And be sure to include all modes of contacting you, including website, Twitter handle, etc. </li>
<li>If you're in need of a good card, the <a href="http://moo.com/">Moo</a> does a splendid job and <a href="http://vistaprint.com/">VistaPrint</a> has a fast turnaround time. </li>
<li>If you want to make sure you get your table mates to sign your menu, bring a pen to the dinner. </li>
<li>Allow yourself time to shmooze with other Sherlockians.  This is the fastest way to make new friends, who will quickly become old friends. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Comportment </h4>
<ul>
<li>DO tell people how good it is to see them again. DO tell them that you miss them in the intervening months between BSI weekends. DO tell them how invaluable they are to you as a Sherlockian comrade-in-arms and friend and how much you value their friendship. </li>
<li>If you're scheduled to speak at an event, be mindful not to overdo the alcohol beforehand. Dutch courage is usually inappropriate in such circumstances. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Attire </h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring comfortable shoes.  The weekend inevitably includes a lot of walking. </li>
<li>This one is especially for the ladies:, it's useful to have a change of shoes in your handbag so the stilettos don't murder you by the end of the evening (or vice versa). </li>
<li>Bring warm clothes.  It is winter in New York, and non-Sherlockian New York friends say that know when we are in town because we bring really bad weather. </li>
<li>Dress in layers. Many times the weather can be cold, but there have been instances in New York in January when we could - and did - comfortably walk about the streets without even a jacket on. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Money </h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring small bills.  They will come in handy as you share taxis going from place to place, and you’ll find them handy when tipping helpful service employees. </li>
<li>Bring a checkbook to the Vendors Room as not everyone takes credit cards and you may find an item you must have. </li>
<li>If you see something you're interested in at the Vendors Room and you can afford it, don't wait until your second sweep of the room  - it will probably be gone by then.</li>
<li>Estimate, on the top side, what you expect to spend – and double it. That might get you through. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Time </h4>
<ul>
<li>If you have any health conditions, allow yourself time to go back to your hotel room for periodic rests.  Many find these rests invaluable, enabling them to enjoy the weekend despite their condition.Schedule your time. </li>
<li>Know when you need to be places (including when you need to catch the train/plane back home). </li>
<li>Count on it taking some time to get a cab amongst the other Sherlockians on 10th Avenue after the Gillette Luncheon. If the weather is not inclement and you’re fairly healthy, you may find a brisk walk from 19th Street to 45th Street a way to burn off those calories. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Getting Around </h4>
<ul>
<li>Print out a street map of the city with the places you need to be circled or otherwise identified.  Many things are within walking distance, but it is good to know you are starting out in the right direction (or know when to turn). </li>
<li>If you're smartphone-enabled, there are plenty of map apps to choose from. Aside from the standard Google Maps, there's a <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tripadvisor.android.apps.cityguide.newyorkcity">TripAdvisor New York City Guide for Android</a> and iOS has the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-york-travel-guide-offline/id319296365?mt=8">New York Travel Guide and Offline Map</a> by Ulmon.</li>
<li>Download and print the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/2013/11/summary-of-weekend-events.html#sthash.xS12f57r.dpbs">Summary of Weekend Events</a> from <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">bsiweekend.com</a> (and seen below), or bookmark it on your smartphone. </li>
<li>If you want to go to Otto Penzler's Mysterious Bookshop and are staying at The Yale Club or the Roosevelt the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to go is by subway.  From Grand Central take a 4 or 5 express train four stops to City Hall Station it is a very short walk over to Otto's.  Don't take a local (which makes 10 stops). The express is about five minutes. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Logistics </h4>
<ul>
<li>Bring your event payment confirmations, just in case of a glitch in the system. </li>
<li>Also, everything is pretty centrally located, but it's a good idea to have a list of your schedule with the addresses of the venues so that you don't suddenly find yourself asking, where the devil am I supposed to be right now? </li>
<li>The heat during the BSI dinner has been uncomfortable in years past in the Yale Club (potentially dangerously uncomfortable 3 years ago) -- if this continues, vests/waistcoats are not advised. Unless you're <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcaric/8379354330/">Mattias Bostrom</a>. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
The Unscheduled </h4>
<ul>
<li>If possible, make breakfast plans with other Sherlockians (unless you eat breakfast alone) </li>
<li>To some, the secret to enjoying the jam-packed weekend is to find private, unpublicized events for more intimate interactions. How to find these? “You know my methods. Apply them.” </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Dining</h4>
What? You’re not getting enough food between events? Thankfully there are gaps that allow a Sherlockian to venture places on his or her own. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants in and near Grand Central Station, which is in great proximity to the Yale Club and the Roosevelt Hotel.  <br />
<ul>
<li>Several Sherlockians like to go to the Oyster Bar for dinner after the Thursday night lecture. </li>
<li>There is a Cosí across the street from the Roosevelt, at 38 East 45th Street, and of course Starbucks in the station and at nearly every corner. </li>
<li>For a more comprehensive listing of eateries, <a href="http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2011/07/where-to-eat-near-grand-central-station-nyc-new-york-city-gcs-midtown-east-manhattan-restaurants.html">Serious Eats has a guide</a> that breaks them down by category and of course <a href="http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants+near+grand+central&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY%2C+USA">Yelp has many suggestions</a> as well. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Online</h4>
Whether you're in New York for the festivities or sequestered at home, it might be worthwhile to follow along online. Some ways to do that:<br />
<ul>
<li>The official hashtag of the BSI Weekend on Twitter is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bsiweekend&src=typd">#BSIWeekend</a>. We have a feed set up on the BSI Weekend website, or you can simply follow along by clicking on the hashtag, or even on <a href="http://tweetdeck.com/">TweetDeck</a>. </li>
<li>We'll be providing occasional updates on these pages, so please follow along. </li>
<li>Of course, we'll also be providing updates via our <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://ihearofsherlock.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a> presence. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetbabes.com/">The Baker Street Babes</a>, who will be out in force during the weekend, will undoubtedly have a unique real-time perspective of the weekend. </li>
<li>We also have a <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock/lists/sherlockians">list of Sherlockians on Twitter</a> whom you might consider following. A number of them will be at the weekend as well. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Here is a handy downloadable and printable guide for the weekend; you may also bookmark it on your smartphone for easy reference (or download the Scribd app [<b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDkQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fscribd-worlds-largest-online%2Fid542557212%3Fmt%3D8&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNFJrFun262V6ZZVXqQGlmr6dpo80A&sig2=1OSvbhebL4loQDJvzNIoJA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">iOS</a></b> or <b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CEIQFjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dcom.scribd.app.reader0%26hl%3Den&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNGmLSiZ-MqZs3_glflhk5qz1KmvgQ&sig2=O0KNeNDotXW6UwFloblUBA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">Android</a></b>] to make it easier).<br />
<br />
<div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/196177561/The-2014-BSI-Friends-Weekend" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View The 2014 BSI & Friends Weekend on Scribd">The 2014 BSI & Friends Weekend</a></div>
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<br />
That sums up our list. Do you have tips as well, dear readers? Please leave them in a comment here on our site or drop us a line and let us know what your secrets are so we can all be the beneficiaries.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12972897@N00/8378224065/in/photolist-dLmA84-dLmBqD-dLt6Js-dLmJPp-dLt6dL-dLmTwr-dLmRin-dLm7Ag-dLs8kN-dLmLfF-dLnAKZ-dLmSZa-dLkY7g-dLrCKq-dLsb23-dLrwu7-dLsdkJ-dLto4C-dLthGb-dLtjgG-dLnNEc-dLnwqT-dLnzYR-dLtbVu-dLtaJd-dLmTeZ-dLm6GT-dLt1xq-dLnuxc-dLnG9T-dLtngd-dLmKwr-dLsqMs-dLso7o-dLnM6Z-dLsp6Y-dLrwpQ-dLsWww-dLm7iX-dLnqqg-dLtfpC-dLmUDn-dLseam-dLnJKc-dLrDcS-dLm6LD-dLnoog-dLnp7R-dLsfG9-dLsoLY-dLsmLS">Melinda Caric (Flickr)</a></i></span><br />
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