Awesome - thanks for the tips, everyone. Provided I can get off work in time to make the trip I'll definitely be there for the December event.
And don't get your hopes too high about the English thing - I pick up (and lose) accents really quickly, so my British accent sounds more Australian now when I use it, which is rarely. I'm a half breed, and the American in me is much stronger while I'm in the States.

I do look forward to meeting all of you in game, though (and preferably NOT as a patient).