ALA?? 40,000 librarians in one place is frightening enough all by itself, much less 40,000 librarians politickin' in the heat and humidity of Nawlins.

I've been to ALA more than a few times. Too big, too expensive, too noisy, too many people pushing agendas, and too little offered that's of immediate or proximate assistance to me and my problems (I don't have opportunities). On the other hand, many of my friends go and beer and jazz is never to be scoffed at (neither is Nawlins). And I could go for a Sazarac cocktail, yeah, but Nawlins ain't been the same since...oh, since they closed down Storyville.

(And yes, I am a member of ALA.)