Oh, wow. That's a lot of people in that apartment. Hmmm.

Oh, wow. That's a lot of people in that apartment. Hmmm.

I know, and you're pretty much anti-people. However, you are very welcome.

It's your call, missy.

I have a nice house with a nice extra bedroom with a queen sized bed. eta: and a hot tub. If you have a car or are willing to rent one, I'm about 15 miles north across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco.

Heather, I decided to re-write it. What a dork. I have been playing with numbers and collectively, the Buffistas spent about $9,000 at the DC hotel. I don't know how that compares to what other small conventions spend, though. Anyone in the hive mind know?

Okay, I need feedback on this. DX, are you around? On Thursday, how many people were around, and was it a problem to not have the hosp. suite / would it have been better to have had a hosp. suite on Thurs. ? I need to know whether to say we need a hosp. suite Thurs. - Mon. or if Fri. -Mon. is okay.

Here's the info I have on what rooms were reserved in DC.

Figures on rooms reserved (blocking under an attrition-clause contract) are:

Friday: 19 rooms (12 blocked) - $3,029

Saturday: 23 rooms (15 blocked) - $3,657

Sunday: 7 rooms (5 blocked) - $1,113

Let's ask for a rate on the Hosp Suite from Thurs to Sun and see what that garners us. I'm planning to hit the city a few days early and it would be nice to be able to at least set it up the day before.

Astarte, I really wish you could have been there, too. House-ownership has to have its downsides, I guess, and I don't think I got to congratulate you on it yet, so congrats!

Thanks, Nilly. I keep looking for my too-well-packed digital camera so I can take some showoff pictures.

Yep, still deep in house rapture in Austin.

Deb, the description of that dinner makes me so hungry I can taste it. Major yum yum yum.

Nilly, as for the lengths many of us are willing to go to meet you, you're crossing an ocean or two, and several continents. It's the closest most of us will get to see you, and as Steph noted, Buffistas seek out Buffistas in all latitudes and longitudes.

You are just you. No superhero tights required on your adorably tiny nilly!feet. It is you we want to meet. Or, some of us, at least wave at as you're crossing the in-between states.

Believe me, you are your own reward, as the many Buffistas you'll get to meet are their own. (See, I can cover a wide range of jealousies. )

The long and short is this. There will be many fun experiences on this trip, but no matter what you do, it is that YOU and Buffistas-to-be-named-later are doing them in actual shared breathing space that will make the planets quiver with anticipation at the change in their course and the stars pale in jealous resentment.

(Too much, you think?)

You know that saying, if I had more time, it (my writing) would be shorter? The RFP is now an "Invitation for Bids" and it's shorter.

Heather and ND, insent - consider it a beta read of the IFB, okay? Going home now.

If Aurelia makes it, she will need a place to stay on Thursday, unless I go up on Thursday, in which case she won't.

Lee, let me know how it works out. Or Aurelia.

I get in on Thursday and my hotel roomie Deena doesn't get in until Friday. Her bed will be empty on Thurs. night.

Oh, man, this is all dovetailing nicely, isn't it?

I'll be sending out a group email about it, with what we've got happening so far, as well as reminder as to who's sent me their contact info so far.