Oh, and:

I forgot to mention, regarding the balalaika reunion party Saturday night: Despite serious trepidation about staying sober in the midst of this crowd, I totally did it. Now, a hardcore lifelong 12-stepping kinda teetotaler might presume to give me shit because I did consent to consume, over the course of about nine hours, six Jell-o shots. But these were small (Jen made mine small at my request) and 40 proof at most and spaced out nicely. I never felt the least tipsy. They were tasty and they were excuses to toast our dear departed (Steve Wolownik, Mary Monihan, plus a few of the living who were unable to join us)... but it certainly wasn't drinking.

I just want to say:

Not just No, FUCK NO:

Your Ticket(s)
Section Description: GENADM
Ticket Type: 1 ADULT
Ticket Price: US $25.00
Convenience Charge: US $7.45
Building Facility Charge: US $1.50

Ticketmaster can suck my entire colon clean. I will NEVER pay that fucking much for 'convenience.'