Let's cut to the chase, B Watson: would you be willing to provide us with the $$ value of one of your trip reports?

Not on your readers' terms (because that will vary from person to person), but on your terms.

For example, consider your most recent report. What would be its direct costs? -- that is, the time you spent multiplied by your hourly rate, plus the direct costs of anyone else who was involved (I think you mentioned that someone might transcribe your tapes, for example).