...because I am going to THIS:
powershift09.org You should go, too! Trust me, I can't afford it either!
As you know, I am teh suxxorz at livejournal; but, if you live in D.C., you should get in touch with me. (I got a blackberry, and I... I like it.) A bunch of hippies, myself included, is (a bunch is? a bunch are?) coming to your town next weekend, and would like to sleep on your floor.
Call me, and I'll give you my super-secret primary email address.