Well, I am a Cyber security officer for the Department of Defense, have worked there 12 of the past 20 years, 8 as network security officer for the Department of Justice at Executive Offices for United States Attorneys and a few odd jobs for State Department, Secret Service, FBI's Infragard. Currently Watch Officer for US Cyber Command (read NSA) at Defense Health Agency (we still say Military Health Systems) Global Network Security Operations Center on the Naval Weapons Station's Space and Naval Warfare System Center Atlantic campus. Before that I was CEO of my own personal computer design and build company and Director of Computer Services for the Charleston County School District right after I got put of college. Taught classes in night school at both the Citadel and College of Charleston as well as for the SANS (Systems And Network Security) Institute of Bethesda. Between those two pieces I completed my PhD in Law at Emory and was a member of the state bar for 15 years as well as their technology advisor for 20.

I'm going to be the local host at this year's 52+J annual convention here in my hometown of Charleston South Carolina where I've lived basically since I was born.  Mom's Danish, so I know enough dansk to get by, and I tend to think that way since I was brought up in a multi-lingual household.  That convention will be held Wednesday October 15th through Saturday October 18th and I invite each and every one of you to attend.  Charleston is a fabulous place, if you've never been it's time to visit "America's Most Historic City"!  We'll take in the sights, visit the plantation gardens and maybe even eat lunch at Rarebit.  My wife Donna is planning a great "significant others" track for those who come but aren't necessarily into the hobby, so if you want to spend a couple of days before or after the convention we'd be more than happy to plan some things.  I know for certain that Randy Butterfield and several others are already planning on making a tourist event out of it, so we're prepared to entertain.  That date is less than 6 months away, so if you haven't already made plans, please come visit.  The hotel and convention site is less than 5 miles from my office, the "InnPlace Charleston" and "52plus" works to get the special rate for those dates shown above plus a few days on either side which is $95 including breakfast for two every day.  The hotel is a fabulous property and typical room rates are $149 and up.  It used to be a Marriott and the new owners turned it into an old Charles Town feature, it's a heck of a venue for the convention!  Here's the website where you can make your reservation: http://www.innplacehotels.com/locations/charleston

As far as I know Steve Bowling and the rest of the convention planning crew haven't nailed down the price for this year yet, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's probably going to be about $50 or so.  More news will be forthcoming in the next two issues of the club's newletter "Clear The Decks" which is published by someone you likely already know: Judy Dawson, Tom's wife (AKA "HeartQ" here).  I'm sure as soon as those details are available both Tom and I will post them here and on UC.

Tom if there are any updates that I'm not aware of or I misstated anything, please chime in here and set me straight!

Hi Mike and Welcome [officially]!
The convention is looking like we'll have a great attendance as well a neat hotel at a super rate, a wonderful city to visit and a keen and competent local host! We hope to have a couple of other very neat surprises as well.
The rate will be about $100 - $50 for registration, the opening reception, likely a second and very special reception, a table for trading and selling and participation in all convention activities; plus $50 for the banquet on Saturday evening which is normally attended by almost everyone. Spouses, friends, etc. who are not registered at the convention are welcome at the banquet at $50 per guest.
It's looking like one of our best conventions ever and we hope we'll see many of our newer members there. We can promise a great time for all!

Quote from: Magic_Orthodoxy on June 20, 2014, 08:02:38 AM

so Sparkz and I want to know about 52 Jokers - it's also a forum right? But you have to pay to play? Is it THAT much better than the free forums? Or is there still drama and what not just like anywhere?

I meant the wife club, but -
Fair enough, David.

Pretty easy, but Tom can say it best. It's a group for collectors, and yes, it's $25/year,but as I remember $60/3yrs. The quarterly magazine alone is worth the price "Clear The Decks" (we say CTD) is full of a plethora of knowledge about vintage, antique and contemporary decks.

Tom, so I don't mess up, carry on from here? 52plusjoker.org/dnn