Billytea - how cool. I have never heard of the yapok before.

Isn't it though? It was in an animal encyclopaedia I had when I was about six. (I think they were a bit short of animals starting with Y.) They've held a fascination for me ever since.

Go Connie! I need to get my ass to a gym.

I have been to Madison and partaken of the fried cheese curds, and endorse both heartily.

I concur. I recommend accompanying said cheese curds with a New Glarus Spotted Cow, but YNGMV ('cause they have a lot of good beers)

I'm the opposite of an ADD packer. Most of my trips involve about 25 minutes of packing maximum. I usually only pack a 22" roll aboard. Even when I was gone for a month last summer I did it all with a roll aboard. No checked baggage.

Yeah, I haven't checked luggage in yonks. Much easier. Although I do sometimes wander around airports looking for ground transport, forgetting that it would be outside baggage claim, where I did not need to go.

I've tried not checking bags, but it just doesn't work. I can't live for more than two days out of one bag. I end up hauling around two bags of maximum size and weight. The first and last time I ran through an airport carrying 50 pounds of luggage on my shoulders was when I decided to pay the damn fees and check the luggage from then on.

So yesterday at work, we were watching tv. And a promo of When Harry Met Sally came on - showing the bit in the diner, where Sally demonstrates a fake orgasm.

Somebody asks, "What's the matter with her?"

I'll take, "Questions I ain't answering" for five hundred, Alex.

I don't really worry about packing, since I am a list maker, including a grid of the # of days I'll be gone and outfits that will do double-duty plugged into the grid.

The secret is laying the list on the bag, and checking everything off AS it goes into the bag. Not before, not after. That way you don't have to think, I checked it OFF, but did it actually make it IN?

I've gotten better about packing light. A few days in DC recently were fine with my computer bag (it holds a couple of changes of clothes as well as my netbook) and my pocketbook, with room for a couple of books and sponsor hall swag.

I'm still gonna check a bag for my trip to France this fall. Even if I wanted to try 10 days out of a carry-on, I'll still want room for souvenirs.

I don't really worry about packing, since I am a list maker, including a grid of the # of days I'll be gone and outfits that will do double-duty plugged into the grid.

The secret is laying the list on the bag, and checking everything off AS it goes into the bag. Not before, not after. That way you don't have to think, I checked it OFF, but did it actually make it IN?

I totally do that -- and pack the list in my bag for the return home. My packing list is legendary. My problem is helping Tim. Even when I help with packing/organizing, it's still massively stressful for him. I hate that I can't do more to alleviate that, but I do understand that that's just how it is for him.

Okay, the dress-as-a-goth party is tonight. Black nail polish, or blood spatter manicure?