>How about a nice Pinot Noir? Not too sweet...
now you're talking...especially the not too sweet part.... ;-)

I'll actually be in the states for about 8 weeks...I feel a bit guilty, tho, business has been SOOOO bad this year...and I've been taking time to attend to some personal things going on...but I'm going to take the additional time off, I decided (to see family and friends and films and restaurants and grocery stores, etc.).

This is the first conference that has been offered on the right coast at the right time for me to attend - finally! I was really disapointed that I didn't get to New Orleans (have never been there...did a cross country trip, in my Honda station wagon, w/my Labrador Retreiver years ago, and was near NO, but skipped most cities, in favor of more dog-friendly places).

>Don't kid yourself. The conferences are mostly play. ;} Of course, some good learning slips in while you're distracted, but it's still mostly fun.

Looking forward to a good mix...and some inspiration, etc. It's hard, at times, to work in a place like this - the UT really helps - where there really isn't anyone to be a mentor (I do mentor someone here, and that's interesting and stimulating, but not quite the same as being able to learn a lot from someone else).

Just babbling here...on a rainy Monday afternoon...J