Yes indeed, next week is when all Conchlers who are NOT at the COA meeting have a chance to let their imaginations fly. Every year, we come up with threads that make the convention-goers wish they had stayed home instead. Well, not really, but it IS awfully quiet on Conch-L. Any good shell questions, stories, humor, philosophy, travelogues, reminiscences, or even dreams would be much appreciated by those of us who are still at our desks. Incidentally, Paul, if forewarned is forearmed, then is an eight-armed octopus particularly gifted with foresight? Andrew K. Rindsberg Geological Survey of Alabama