Drat.

It's important to note that opportunities for really cool experiences like this don't come without sacrifices. In this case, there's lots of supposed sacrifices (training, planning time, etc.) that are actually worthwhile things in themselves. And obviously there's the cost (major coin).

However, there are actual sacrifices involved... the sort of thing that Warren Buffett crossed with any economist could call "the opportunity cost for psychic satisfaction".

In this case, my trip dates eliminate the possibility of doing two really great things: First, some of my favourite people here are spending the Labour Day weekend in a beach house. Without me. Major suckage, as my high school self would have put it. Secondly, the Austin City Limits Music Fest is the final weekend of the trip... meaning of course, that I will not be seeing Bob Dylan, Joss Stone, the White Stripes, Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Block Party, Bjork, etc, etc, bloody etcetera at this time.

Bleh.

Ah well, it'll be worth it, surely.