He sounded like a great guy, from what I've been told about the last one.

I know what you mean about things changing. It's impossible to recreate something like that, I think - cons are one thing, but an actor-focused gathering (for want of a better word) isn't something that can be as good again. IMO, obviously.

Been there, done that
So many people have - it's quite reassuring. Though I think most people did it at a sensible age, and weren't planning to start repaying their vast student debt at 40... !!