Lots and lots of room names. They just don't say what hotel they're going to be in, so I'm guessing the Mariott - unless Room M and Room R refers to the Mariott and Renaissance.

I'm working there on Saturday, and as far as I know, it's all about the Marriott. My wee event planning company is apparently involved in some parts of the Expo. Um. I don't pay enough attention to these things. Obviously.

I'll find out for you Jackal.

Huh. That's not very helpful of them. I did look at both hotels and the Marriott mostly seems to do the weird naming of rooms after cities or neighborhoods.

I think they should hold the story breaking thing on the Imperial Patio. We can all smoke! Though I would spend the day humming Darth Vader's theme.

And yes! Food! Here! Half-price!

Okay, I just delved into the depths of the expo program and it seems on the tickets they're using R and M to refer to each hotel - but it's written as "Room M-Meridian" and "Room R-Wilshire" - so it's not jetlag friendly.

I once had someone scream at me because I smoking outside in a completely empty area of the sidewalk, nowhere near any doorways, at LAX.

Jeebus christmas. People are nuts.

Speaking of LA and hotel rooms, anybody got a suggestion about where I should be looking for a hotel in LA? I have to go to Long Beach, Pasadena, and Riverside as well. I'll have a rental car, but what area should I be looking in. I'm tempted to stay at the W, which is in Westwood. Is that a good location?

And um, this is relevant 'cause Tim is in LA, and I might need to see him. Or something.

Westwood is a nice location. You won't be near any of the places you're going to but, since none of the places you're going to are near each other, it's not like you'll be adding hours to your driving time.

The W is awesome.

It's really Riverside that's throwing this whole equation off, because while Long Beach and Pasadena are nowhere near each other, it's not that long to get between them.

Riverside sucks. In general. You're gonna have to actually leave L.A. County and go inland to get there, and while it's a faster trip there from Long Beach than any of the other points mentioned, it's still by no means a fast trip.

Returning to the smoking conversation for a moment, I just saw a commercial encouraging people to vote against Prop 86. (New crazy-assed tobacco tax.) According to the Association for LA County Deputy Sheriffs, if it passes, it will "increase tobacco smuggling and crime."

I was unaware that there was such a thing as tobacco smuggling but it intrigues me. In recent months, I've considered a life of crime. Perhaps this would be a good entrée to the underworld. Tobacco smuggler.

Though they do always say it's a mistake to sample your own product, which I fear could be a serious issue.

I'm now envisioning you zoned out in your living room with half a 1 kilo brick of tobacco on the coffee table.