Everyone keeps talking about how TechEd is going to rock this year. This rocks, that rocks, everything rocks. The launch of VS2005 and SQL2005 last year rocked.

But I think we've been blinded by the overuse of the term. The theme for the launch last year was literally rock. Rock the launch. Come dressed as a rocker. Cheap Trick played at the launch in the states.

When I was talking to Frank last night about ticket sales, I asked him if he had anything he wanted to leak for mudhounding.

He cmae back with only one comment: All I can say is Tech.Ed will *ROCK*

Note the capitals? Note the asteriskses? I think that it is going to rock - and I think that it's mostly going to happen at the party.

Picture, if you will, a rock band. A BIG rock band. Playing live to (currently) 2000 geeks. How big? Well, big enough to deserve capitals and asteriskses.

Recall, if you can, the jacket I wore to the VS launch last year.

Imagine, if you dare, a band with each member wearing a jacket like this as they perform to 2000 geeks.

My prediction? The party at TechEd this year is going to be a Metallica concert.

OK, maybe not Metallica. But a band. A big band. Probably an aussie band, although the rocking-est band in the world at the moment is probably the Foo Fighters. But aussie - hmm, anyone know what INXS are doing the night of the 24th of August? Or heard rumours of Cold Chisel getting back together yet again?