E3 or not E3 that is the question

This is an annual debate and one I'm wrestling with now. Is it worth trekking over half the globe to E3? Now I know the fanzines and gamers of this world pipe up in chorus at this point and go:

Are you mad?

but I do wonder. So far I've made the following shortlist of things that could be interesting:

1. PlayStation 3
2. XBox 2
3. Nintendo Revolution
4. Square-Enix's online gaming title for the DS
5. FFXII Japanese finally released and playable
6. PSP Revisions: h/w mods, media desktop
7. DS: ip stack released, media desktop
8. Funky new wireless stuff appearing
9. Good opportunity to capture trade-show WiFi traffic

Notice 1-3? All 3 consoles are intended to be HDTV compliant, meaning (I suspect) DVI connectors as standard. Surely that's worth a gander?

I also note that Square-Enix has two stands; one in the concourse. Now last time I didn't realize there were stands in the concourse, they were that subtle. If however Square does do this then it'll be a bun-fight. Get your Football gear on now.

What else? Well if someone wants to punt me a VIP guest pass, some Sony AP tickets or any other limited access gig worth a photo or two ...

Actually I was thinking maybe that I could get some freelance photographic gig. Something to finance and get me a press-pass, but I don't even know how to start with such a thing. I've certainly got the camera kit and I intend to take enough photos to cover postings for the next 3-6 months; well until Siggraph at any rate when the real cool eye candy appears.

The year is getting busy:

• March - France.
• April - Seattle: DriverDev & WinHec.
• May - Florida. Los Angeles: E3.
• July/August: Los Angeles: Siggraph
• September: Los Angeles: Microsoft PDC.

Hmm - I seem to be stuck on the West Coast. How did that happen? Roll on air miles you're my consolidation in world travel.

[EotM]

I'mafeelin: overwhelmed
I'malistinto: bubbling h/w