I hadn't anticipated any problem finding a non smoking room in San Francisco. I can see why Sparky was thrown at the notion. Yay for getting that cleared up. I've stayed in smoking rooms on trips before and vowed to never do so again, because yuck!

I still love my smoking friends, but smokey linens are another matter altogether

Grump -- I just checked Jet Blue, and as I suspected, it's the most expensive option for NYC-Oakland. (I honestly have no clue where they get off calling themselves a discount airline -- IME, they're nearly always the priciest flight around.)

OK. Here we go.

Just had the nice conversation with Eva at HICC. This is nice and straightforward.

EVERY ROOM in our block is a non-smoking room. Smokers, do not panic, mes amies; every room has its own little balcony, where smoking is allowed. So you can smoke on your own private balcony. Not an issue, not even remotely.

Vortex, bebe, am emailing you. Eva wants your confirmation number; she's going to change you back to a double-bedded room. Can you e me?

deb, insent.

Afghani restaurant was yum. The company was stellar. Teens amazingly poised in the midst of snarky grownups teasing them about the way those cell phones kept going off. Sad to miss dessert; happy to see all the good people (and imagine those of you not attending).

If anybody thinking of F2Fing gets a fabulous price flying into San Jose; ping me. It's not too far south of Hayward and a ride could be arranged.

Is it early yet to start asking about potential roomies for the host hotel? Brenda m can vouch that I'm housebroken.

Matt, it's never too early. My own thinking is, the sooner the big details are taken care, the more people can focus on the smaller ones, like, what you would like in the way of food in the hospitality suite when you arrive, and if you're planning on joining the freakfest that is Bay to Breakers.

All your smonster is belong to us. We have wandered a bit of North Beach and Chinatown, but the pissing rain has made it difficult to wander much. Now, we may nap and then go out. We shall see.

juliana, on my way out the door with a futon for you. Will ring you up when I get there.

Hi. Am back in NC. Am 2 for 2 getting sick in SF. Had stunningly fabulous time anyway. Must see if can muster up pronouns.

Dinner on Thursday was terrific. The teens were hugely entertaining and very sweet. I think C worships debg now, as is right and proper. Sparky tried to bet me $10 that JZ would look gorgeous, and thankfully I was smart enough not to take that bet. Katie Bee was unfortunately too awkwardly placed for us to chat - we'll have to remedy that next time, m'dear. Hec was witty as ever, and amusingly merciless in teasing the girls. Lexine is a dear, and funny, and I have so much respect for her.

After class on Thursday I was angry and upset and frustrated and quite the ball of negative energy, but y'all took me out of my head and turned my mood right around, so thanks for that, too.

There aren't enough thanks in the world to repay the generosity of Sparky and her DH, juliana, and debg for supplying the flippy bed. I literally couldn't have made this trip without Buffista hospitality. I must say that juliana's actual bed has a tractor beam-like gravity field, and I don't mean porn. For a while on Sat. I actually couldn't lift my head off the pillow.

Hope I didn't bore everyone with my talk of glute squeezing, isolations, and drinking the Suhaila koolaid.

I adore all of you and hope to see you again soon.