i did not mean to imply you, or anyone, was personally in error lamenting the loss of the convention. only that--given how quickly favour falls when even the most well-intentioned efforts do not meet expectation--the last few posts, combined with numerous earlier posts about the complexity of logistics in pulling off such an event, seemed headed toward finding fault.

perhaps i was projecting my own experiences onto others, but i didn't want that to happen to someone else. hard work is hard work, regardless fo the outcome, and real-life commitments are real-life commitments. in this age of virtual escapism, i find it refreshing to see that even people who have a reality-based and vested interest in valuable, productive, and beneficial communities such as these still know where their priorities lie. (the number of those who don't seems to increase exponentially on a weekly basis.)

and for the record, NOLA II was a grand event. well planned and presented in fine NOLA--and american--style. i still wish i could have attended. it occurred to me after i posted that i may have implied otherwise so i am clearing that possible misunderstanding up right now.

my experience abroad, however, has left me with the impression that the spirit of any gathering takes precedent over the structure. it seemed to me that, collectively throughout the thread, the various comments alluding to the immensity of precisely planning and "pulling off" EC I & II, was imposing upon the organizers that same cultural standard. as such, even before it became defunct, it was in danger of being an american event staged, in this case, in london.

and, having been fortunate enough to meet you in person, i have no doubt you are not compulsive about planning and structure. nor would said planning or structure be able to contain your...ummm...joie de vivre for any event in which you choose to participate ;-) (apologies to those who can actually spell in french). you just happened to be the post before mine. your attendance at any conference (or any other trip, for that matter) would only be added incentive for me to somehow make my way to the same place.

in the end, calpurnia summed up the gist of what i wanted to say with considerably more finesse..

"Perhaps if several of us can decide on meeting somewhere on a definite date, others will be attracted and something can be done. "

just make sure those dates get posted! *grin* hmmm, maybe we need a travel board here where people can post impending travel plans...