Nicole reminded me ... big thanks to SA, who was my F2F mentor, yoda, etc., and made me feel immediately welcomed and at ease. Also? So much fun to shop, eat and talk with. Also, also? Lee with the generous lending of the earrings and dance-encouraging and all around warmth.

(As for Kate P., is the adulation getting old? Because I could stop ... or continue distracting while the others raid your closet, and I grab that necklace and those bracelets ... IJS.)

So many wonderful buffistas. It was something to see. And all you picture sharers are the best.

ETA: Umm, yeah, DX ... story?

I've actually told it here (at WX, probably). Lemme see if I can find the original.

Howdy, folks. Back safely at home. I got to the airport early to play security fun and games and I was early enough that I got standby on an earlier flight. Woot! More F2F magic at work.

However, I must have run out of said magic, or got out of range of it, when at Toronto International I managed to flush my driver's license down a toilet in the terminal. Sheer genius.

Toronto is definitely midwest, and I'm happy to be point person for on-ground logistics here and pull together bid info for the TO in '05 sourcepak. Big city, great public transit, lots of stuff centrally located, your greenbacks spend 30% better, flights will be more for many, but hotels will likely be cheaper.

Tasks for tomorrow:

1. Oh yeah, go to that work thing. 2. Get my #%$&*@ license replaced. 3. Order a cellphone (yes Kristin, you were right)

Tea, food, laundry and hockey are all happening. And email and b.org Multitaskers R us!

I've actually told it here (at WX, probably). Lemme see if I can find the original.

Okay, here's the story, from Natter 10 at WX:

More NOLA food porn - Had dinner tonight at Commander's Palace, where Paul Prudhomme and Emeril have both been executive chefs. Had cream of rabbit with vegetables soup, followed by veal chop Tchoupitoulas with lyonnaise potatoes, and finished it off with fresh strawberry shortcake. The food and service were so good that I'm now ruined for all other restaurants.

OTOH, the taxi ride back to the hotel was interesting. Our taxi driver started going off on a rant about how taxi drivers ought to be armed, which my boss (who was drunk) decided to abet by agreeing with him at every point. By the time we got back to the French Quarter, the driver had shown us the gun he normally keeps hidden under his seat. It turns out that in real life, this is nowhere near as cool as it sounds in theory, especially when you are the one riding shotgun next to the frelling whacko who has just produced a big, honking handgun, and waved it in your direction.

And I have to say, Cab is an awesome driver in urban scary traffic.

Ah ha! I had you fooled :) DC/Baltimore traffic is down-right scary! Hats off to all you DC Buffistas that drive there. Bev & Ginger: It was our pleasure to have you ride with us! We enjoyed your company.

Please throw Atlanta into the mix if anyone is interested. Airport, hotels and convention centers are all connected through MARTA (rapid rail). Also the Lake Lanier or Stone Mountain Convention Centers are really beautiful in May. BICYclops and I would be happy to assist with arrangements/inspections etc.

I have been lurking off and on all day! This site is really addictive...

However, I must have run out of said magic, or got out of range of it, when at Toronto International I managed to flush my driver's license down a toilet in the terminal. Sheer genius.

Um, story? (maybe?)

I have been lurking off and on all day! This site is really addictive...

One of us. One of us.

Hi cab! You are one of us, you know...especially now that you've been exposed to the brain microbes in person.

(hugs to Lee, just because)

As for Kate P., is the adulation getting old?

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! JenP funny. :-)

JSw, how on earth did you do that?!

I kind of feel like telling the story about how we thought our taxi driver was going to kill us in Victoria Falls...

at Toronto International I managed to flush my driver's license down a toilet in the terminal. Sheer genius.

Heh. If I hadn't just met you, I'd ask if you're really bon bon (not Connor Bon Bon; the Buffista known as bon bon), because she and her BF have this weird habit of flushing personal items accidentally.

Wow DX. I would really like to not ever have that experience. I'm glad he didn't feel the need to demonstrate how further it could be useful by getting into a street fight or something.

John, I am so sorry about your license! However:

Order a cellphone (yes Kristin, you were right)

Woot! I'm beginning to think this is my superpower. I have corrupted quite a fe of my diehard won't-get-a-cell-phone-ever friends. This will make staying in touch so much easier at the next gathering though. (Which I think should be this summer. Toronto isn't that far!)

have been lurking off and on all day! This site is really addictive...

Oh cab, it has only just begun! (One of us indeed!)

Hugs to Raquel, just because she's cool and foamalicious.

Hey, has anyone heard from Jon B. since DC? Did he make it home okay and all?