Chuck mentions that the Australian Tech-Ed 2008 conference site is now live. Not sure if it's a firewall issue, but I tried clicking on the 'Register Now' link, and it doesn't work.

The only time I've missed attending in previous years was when family commitments coincided (eg. birth of children). That's also why I decided I wouldn't travel to Wagga for this year's CodeCampOz - the timing was too close to the due date for G3, and I didn't want to risk being stuck in regional NSW should my wife suddenly go into labour!

The other big difference is that previously I had the support of my work paying for registration, travel and accommodation.

So if I did attend this year I'd have to cover the costs all by myself. $AU1,749 just for early-bird registration sounds like a lot of money, especially when it's your own!

One thing at a time though. G3 is due next week, so by mid-June I might have a clearer idea of whether popping off to Sydney in early September is a good idea (or not!)