Does anyone want to take over as mod for the DCistas list?'

LJ, if you want to pass the torch, I'm happy to take it. you can email me at my profile addy or give me a jingle and we'll talk.

billytea, your survey is incomplete. I know this because you failed to send me any Tim Tams of either flavor for outside verification.

This is true. However, I will note that ChiKat's links allow you to rectify the situation. And this is a US distributor, so the shipping will be cheaper than I paid.

I will also note that my birthday is in six days, and my order is already in. ChiKat! Thatnks for that. I have searched for a US distributor before, without success.

It really is. Recently, (in my meatspace life) the topic of Americans not traveling abroad much (or as much as say, Germans) came up. I wondered later, if the size of our country has something to do with it.

Absolutely. One statistic that has stuck with me is that in the later 19th century, Britain's exports were worth 80% of their GDP; for the US, the figure was only 10%. Citizens of other countries are forced to acknowledge other countries for economic reasons if nothing else; the US, OTOH, gets to have a President who responds to criticism of foreign policy by telling the interviewer that he doesn't do focus groups in Pakistan. And that "Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." Way to angle for the Ob-Gyn vote. If he's interested, I reckon a similar pitch would be very successful with Trekkies.

I will also note that my birthday is in six days

Dude! It is? The day after mine? Way cool!

And I don't know if you caught it, but I thought you'd enjoy this bit from Tatsuya Ishida of Sinfest:

Dick Cheney insists on link between Al Qaeda and Kevin Bacon. Al Qaeda was trained by the CIA which was created by Harry Truman who dropped the bomb which was conceived by the Manhattan Project which was a movie starring John Lithgow who was in Footloose with Kevin Bacon.

Ooo! My Nillytour totebag came! It's very shiny! and useful and roomy.

and is the Quarterage among your hotel options? It's where I used to stay in KC, and I always had a reasonably good experience there. It's in Westport. And it looks like now they've got wifi in the lobby. And there's happy hour!

Sorry for the delayed response!

Liese, the Quarterage was contacted but unfortunately it’s very much a boutique-type hotel. No suites, kitchens, or refrigerators. Also, Darla (I totally thought the Director of Sales being named Darla was a 'sign' from the PTB) was unwilling to budge on the 2 adult maximum occupancy per room. They did have conference rooms but we would not be allowed to move any of the furniture and could only reserve it for certain blocks of time.

Oooh, I'm so glad to hear it Bev!

Ick. Allrighty. Bummer.

It's name is George, Deena. It will be termed, "too nice to use" and will eventually succumb to dryrot, preserved and unused in a drawer somewhere.

Or, not. But I may save it for "best."

My allergies got kicked off by this picture. My eyes are still a bit moist. Everyone just looks so happy and erika is beaming and just gorgeous!

Wah!!! I can't see the 'lergy picture.