ND, thank you so much for keeping on top of the F2F thing. I know from experience that no matter how much time you think you have before you have to plan a large event, it's never quite as much as you think.

ION, less than a week until Nilly is in DC!!!

Correct. Planning these things early is really the good way to go. A few of the other conferences I work with have their locations chosen as far as three years in advance. It can really help with negotiating a good rate on hotels and other venues. I'd like to be signing a contract with our chosen hotel by mid October at the latest. Right now we are 8.5 months away from F2F 2005. If we sign in October that means a 7 month lead. It also means that we can expend our energy on planning all of the fun activities and it will give folks an opportunity to plan vacation time and travel around the event. I'm planning on taking at least a week of time around the F2F.

JZ, not embarrassed at all. Just pleased at the memory of that Saturday morning walk, and how terrific and fluid the groupings and conversations were as we walked, and later at the tres chic, cheerful and idiosyncratic Chez Zmayhem. There wasn't a person I didn't enjoy spending time and talking with, and that includes Sail's friend Larry, who fitted into what can be a tough room with grace and ease.

But my roomie was just the best. I told Deb and some others that I have crossed many "meeting _____ Buffista" off my Life List after DC and SF, although quite a few remain. The one not-person, thing, I crossed off, was "talking Firefly with Nilly." But really, talking over anything with her was a joy. My roomie was awesome in her simplicity, her down-to-earth-ness, her openness, and her quickness to accept and offer affection and admiration. She's a remarkable woman.

ND, perhaps it could wait until a week or so after Nilly flies back, even though advance planning is definitely of the good. That would allow time for picture-posting, post-visit posting and LJ-linking, and I think Juliana will be back 'round about then, too. '05 planning is getting lost in here right now, and perhaps 05 and Halloween planning might more naturally flow after Nilly tour debriefing happens?

Agree with you about taking vacation time off around a F2F. I'm so glad I did in DC.

Nilly! In case you have time for museums in DC, at the Nat'l Gallery of Art? No glass between you and the raw paintings* - they have guards everywhere instead. It's wonderful! *except the only DaVinci in America

Is Nilly jewcy?

Okay, ew.

Is Nilly jewcy?

Bwahahahah!

Somehow, I don't think her parents would find that as amusing as we would. As it is, I want to thank the people who made kosher vegan ham for giving Nilly the opportunity to tell her family she went to America and ate ham. And liked it.

I'm still thanking Breyers for the look on her face when I prised open the lid on the vanilla bean and handed her a plastic spoon and cup and told her to rock out.

She was blissed. No other word for it.

I don't think I'll ever forget the look on her face, deb. It was the perfect combination of surprise and awe. "This is what vanilla is supposed to taste like!"

Jesus, what a great website.

Best part of the site is this line. Of course, I have no clue.