It sounds like it was a great experience for you, and hopefully worth all the trials of actually getting to Portland. It really is different to "hear" the voice of others through their words on paper in your head, then hear their actual voice as they speak those words out loud. It also reminds me of learning styles, you think you know the material because you've read &amp; absorbed it, then hearing it delivered in another way, you learn new things. Thanks for sharing the experience.