...with a little help from my friends

I just spent a few days at a conference of people who do what I do for a living. There is a tremendous rejuvinating power in being surrounded for a short while by people who walk in the same trenches you do; you begin to realize that maybe, just maybe, you aren't crazy! If people are giving seminar presentations on the challenges you are facing, you probably aren't the only one facing them! Conferences can be a great place to make new contacts and revive old ones, shake off the dust of the regular work week, collect new pens, and make friends. ...and besides that, it's a lot of fun!