Just eight days from now, SLers from all over the world congregate at San Francisco's Fort Mason Center to meet each other face-to-face for the first time, and drink their faces off discuss important SL themes and issues. I spent a while perusing Google maps of SL last night -- SF is kind of big, isn't it? Fortunately, my hotel is only a short distance from Fort Mason and assorted other touristy places, so I'm hoping to explore the place on foot. See the sights. Point at things and go oooh. You know -- tourist stuff.

One worrisome issue is all over the news today. The good news is that apparently police foiled a terrorist plot to blow up UK flight. The bad news -- or maybe inconvenient news -- is that liquids and gels (including toothpaste and shampoo) are banned from all carry-ons. As well, a CNN.com article says that "Terrorists planned to use MP3 players and sports drinks to blow up as many as 10 jetliners". So no toiletries, no music, no liquid refreshments ("Who the f--- brought this motherf---ing beverage on this motherf---ing plane?").

While I'm sure this is a boon for airport convenience stores, it not only means that we go without brushing our teeth and washing our hair until we buy more, but it also means that security checks are going to take a whole... lot... longer. CBC News reports that "At Vancouver International Airport in the morning, a long line snaked longer than a city block from the United Airlines check-in for flights to several U.S. cities."

So if I manage to get to my flight on time, I'll see you at SLCC. Just don't stand too near me, because for the sake of security I will not be brushing my teeth.