Comments on: How to Crash an Inaugural Ball Tonight!: Lessons from the Kentucky Bluegrass Ball

By: Amanda Hess

Amanda Hess — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 15:47:11 +0000

Please don't tell my babysitter, Anarcho Dem!

By: Anarcho Dem

Anarcho Dem — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 08:27:06 +0000

I may be all for screwing over the man, but you seriously just admitted to a serious crime. $350 dollar tickets X 2 = $700...well over petty larceny.

I'm all for freeganism, but this is just sheer stupidity. "Look at me, I stole." Brilliant.

By: Amanda Hess

Amanda Hess — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:20:11 +0000

Very possibly not! But, being at the event did allow us to help another person with no press pass crash the event, and teach us valuable lessons about how our non-press bretheren might crash balls in the future!

By: DCSavvy

DCSavvy — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:15:58 +0000

Does it really count as crashing if you have a press pass and you work for the press?

By: James Buttl4eman

James Buttl4eman — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:36:42 +0000

I'd just say" I want to talk to the bugler from Churchill Downs, he's my son".

By: Lev Grossman! You Stole My Lede. - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Lev Grossman! You Stole My Lede. - City Desk - Washington City Paper — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:03:10 +0000

[...] someone smarter than me. But then everyone here liked the EPL! And started to use it! And then we mostly got over the (rather poor) [...]

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:30:47 +0000

Thanks for the great report. This is easily the best recap of an inaugural party! Thanks for the great suggestions!

By: Adrienne Roberts

Adrienne Roberts — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:33:40 +0000

Amanda -- Loved the article. It was so nice to meet you at the KY ball. My friends and I really enjoyed your company and I'm glad you were able to score the special bottle of Maker's by crashing our table!! Good choice. See you in 4 years?

By: Amanda Hess

Amanda Hess — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:16:35 +0000

Yeah, that was one of the best parts---we made out both with the press gift bags and the guest gift bags. And I think we were the last press people to leave. Milk it!

By: Abjaxon

Abjaxon — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:08:49 +0000

Great Blog by the way!!!

One thing you forgot was to check out the service entrances and the service elevators at each of the hotels and or convention center. My boy and I managed to crash 11 balls this weekend, without paying. We got caught at one and managed to work our way back in! Despite the heavy security!!!!!

One of the balls we crashed, we just walked straight to the registration booth and said, we're here to crash the ball. They allowed us in!!! Who'd figure!!!

In anycase, you need to fit the role, and walk like you own the place. It's difficult for people to confront you, and even when security comes to grab you, tell em you were there to crash the ball and make em laugh. Also tell em, that if you manage to recrash the ball, then you should be allowed to stay, given that the security stinks!! In the one case we have, I saw the security fellow looking at me, while i was talking to a legitimate guest, and thereafter security left me alone.
It worked for me this entire weekend!!! I'm now trying to figure out a way to lose the 4lbs of fat i've gained after eating all the free food. Oh yeah, don't forget to grab as many gift bags as possible!!!

By: Crashing the Bluegrass Ball - FatLip

Crashing the Bluegrass Ball - FatLip — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:19:00 +0000

[...] chronicle their adventure here, and offer tips on how to infiltrate such swank soirees (look good, bring a date, secure a press [...]

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:16:11 +0000

Oh, Mary. Maybe you should write a column about ethics? You'd have to brush up on the ol' grammar though.

By: Mary Smith

Mary Smith — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:02:27 +0000

Then we really have nothing to look forward too...just more of the same.....I'll find another paper to read...Thanks

By: Amanda Hess

Amanda Hess — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:08:03 +0000

Mary Smith, you will most likely be sorely disappointed.

By: Mary Smith

Mary Smith — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:50:53 +0000

Writing an article about how to cheat/get around the system seems to be opposed to waht we just heard in the President's speech. It seems that writing about being better citizens and wanting change is easier than the willingness of actually doing it. My hope is that your next article will reflect actual positive action.

By: Amanda Hess

Amanda Hess — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:47:17 +0000

oh American Honey. So good. I have a photo with Wild Turkey's master distiller, which is a huge boon for a confirmed Wild Turkey enthusiast. 101 for lyfe.

By: Ted Scheinman

Ted Scheinman — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:46:04 +0000

Herring, you ever try Wild Turkey's 'American Honey'? Like a cross between mead & bourbon. You'd dig it. I've got a "Kentucky Distiller's Assoc." fridge magnet if you want it.

By: The 2009 Bluegrass Ball: Gettin’ Our Kentucky On…With Muhammad Ali? - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:41:42 +0000

[...] 1/20/09 ~1:38 p.m. Head on over to The Sexist for Amanda’s compendium of practical wisdom gleaned from this event. Bison: check! Bibb lettuce: check! Mitch [...]

By: Amanda Hess

Amanda Hess — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:50:09 +0000

The entire ball theme (esp. the gift bags) at Kentucky revolved around booze.

By: Herring

Herring — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:45:11 +0000

Awesome work! Please save some of that limited booze for my next visit! Makes me think for a second to move to Kentucky!!