The boards are quieter today, must be that some have already taken off for the ABA conference in Washington. Have a great time--while the rest of us are here working away and wishing we were there.

I know some of you will be checking in on your "way kewl" toys while others will have to visit a vendor to keep up with us. Please do, because compliance problems march on even if you are out having fun. Can't wait to hear all about it.

Oh, be sure to have a few of those real drinks, not those virtual, umbrella thingees that are so popular most of the time. (Like I had to tell you that!!)

Soccer Mom, I'll be crying with you.

As will I.

Me too. I've already asked to go next year!

DITTO!

I think I'll go ask now...

I'm here with y'all too! Family obligations this weekend prevented me from going this year, but I plan to try to go next year, especially since I have relatives in the Chicago area. It would also be great to go to a Cubs game if they are in town that week!

I'm making a list to be sure I have an Official Conference Drink for each of you left behind. It's a dirty job but someone has to do it...

Sure, rub it in!

Actually, some of us are trying to get all the "goober" at least looking better, if not actually gone, so that we can leave with something of a clear conscience. I'll be your designated driver, Ellen.

Don't fret! Those of us who are going will endeavor to keep you folks back home posted on what's going on. We'll be adding new posts to the BOL Blog, along with pictures, each day.

Have you checked the Blog lately? Hope you like my cartoon. BOL Blog

Let's start a list here of who's going to DC:

Me!
Michele Petry, Carin Eisenhauer, and George Milner will be at the Networking Reception Tuesday night;
Lucy Griffin
Barb Hurst

Wish I was going! Did I read that next year it will be in Chicago? Anyone have the date and place? Probably can't get it approved, but I can sure try!

I will be going to the DC conference...for the first time.

The link to your blog does not work.

Quote:

---

The link to your blog does not work.

---

Thanks, Zai. Sloppy typing fingers this morning! It's fixed now.

Quote:

---

Let's start a list here of who's going to DC:

Me!
Michele Petry, Carin Eisenhauer, and George Milner will be at the Networking Reception Tuesday night;
Lucy Griffin
Barb Hurst

---

Add MagicBanker to your list.

MB, didn't you already request that those attend send you a PM?

I did ask for PMs, and here is a list of those who responded:

Louvera
Al Miller
Andy Z
Deena
William J. Ludwig
DWall
MagicBanker
David Dickinson
Lucy Griffin
Happy
Michelle D
EllenA
tressaj
PatrickG
Bear Collector

Suzie of BOL fame is also attending. (I abused her in one of the forums on a bet...she rarely posts).

She works with me. She's a cute little blonde chickie from Alaska...how many can there be!!!! Buy her a drink and pretend she's me. But don't ask her for inside stories!!!!

Her real name is Suzon. Find her and send her out gift shopping pretty please! She's suposed to find me some fabric.

I hear its in Chicago next year. I'm gonna ask tomorrow!
Lets make Cub Dave tour director! I've always wanted to go to a pub crawl.

Crying too!

So Dawnie, a Suzon from Alaska, I'll be looking for her...even if she doesn't tell us any stories, after being with us, she'll have a couple for you.

I'll be there for the first time! Can't wait! MaryBeth, I thought I sent you a PM to say I was attending. Must have been in my dreams! I'm looking forward to meeting all of you! Sorry about those who can't make it, but someone has to hold down the fort!!

Quote:

---

Sorry about those who can't make it, but someone has to hold down the fort!!

---

I'll be there. Don't worry, I'll drink enough for all of those left behind (my families not with me this year). We'll be sure to post on what's going on.

You all can raise a glass to the rest of us who are holding down the fort next week. Make mine a good glass of Zinfindel or Merlot! Enjoy D.C. Last time I was up there (Feb. '98) was well before we had to think about terrorism and restricted access to certain places up there.

I'm packed and ready to go. See y'all Sunday!

David, when you get to the pinot grigio, think of me. And then send it to me, this is turning into a week from h**ll

You're all spoiled and rotten! I get a trip to Fairbanks next week Not quite as fun.

David and Dan...I wanted you both to be going so you could arm wrestle about house boats

Boo hoo, me too! My BOSS is going and doing magic tricks for everyone...but I just got home from the NC mountains on business and will go to our famous SC beach on business next week, so I can't complain. Last fall I went to Chicago for a Trust conference, and I LOVED Chicago, hint, hint! Ya'll watch out for Jim next week and keep him out of those Conga lines. Have fun and keep in touch.

I'm going this year, but next year I'll be the one stuck at home. It never seems to be in the budget for us to go to the "away" games! (I only live 20 miles from DC!)
I am really looking forward to putting some faces with the names! See you all on Sunday!
BC

I'm already here. Partly cloudy this afternoon, mid-70s. Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday promise to be nice as well. Sunday starts some of the rain we had in Texas today as I was leaving.

The NRCC-BOLers will have to post at odd hours. Y'all leave some questions for us.

And if Louvera is reading this, the Courtyard is just across the street. You could hit it with a rock from here. But an umbrella may be called for still the same.

Thanks Andy! Glad to know the info they provided was right on target - umbrella is packed. It looked nasty for us (in the SE) on the weather report today.

Looking forward to meeting eveyone on Sunday!

For those travelling to D.C. below is the weather forecast from the Washington Post. Click the link for weather updates:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/weather/index.html/?nav=hptop


REST OF TODAY...SUNNY...THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY DURING THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S. LIGHT WINDS.

TONIGHT...BECOMING CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 60. LIGHT WINDS.

SATURDAY...RAIN WITH A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE MID 60S. LIGHT WINDS INCREASING TO EAST 15 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 90 PERCENT.

SATURDAY NIGHT...RAIN WITH SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EVENING THEN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS AROUND 60. CHANCE OF RAIN 90 PERCENT.

SUNDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S.

SUNDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S.

MONDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY. CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS 80 TO 85. CHANCE OF RAIN 40 PERCENT.

TUESDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 60. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S.

WEDNESDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. HIGHS AROUND 80.

Ann, I think it is my job to get Jim INTO the Conga lines
P.S. Usually doesn't take much

LOL!

Welcome everyone to the East Coast!

I'm not going either ...originally planned on it, but the FDIC will be knocking on our door at the end of the month, and I need the time to organize! So, what am I doing here? ...just needed some frivolity today.

Have fun!!!!

Hopefully this post isn't too late. But if you have your laptop and a wireless card, they have broadband available in the lobby. They may make cards available, I don't know.

(But you can be sure I am dressed as I post this.)

Obviously, Andy & I are already in D.C. He brought his own wireless card & he is hooked up in the lobby. I don't have wireless, so I asked about a card and software. They do not offer it, so bring your own.