"KidHost":

I'm embarrassed that you beat me to the punch, as I should have been the one to forward this thread with my heartfelt thanks to you and "Mrs. Kid" for the wonderful job of hosting this weekend. Unfortunately, the NRT Admirals Club did not offer PCs so I could not get on the Internet until now (got home about 90 minutes ago).

Let me publicly thank you and "Mrs. Kid", and "mjm", for a wonderful time in Tokyo. I am truly touched by your gracious hospitality and the many kindnesses shown during my brief visit. I had a great time and so enjoyed our excellent sushi lunch and, later, our dinner. The sightseeing, the logistics planning, the translating...you really went over and above what anyone should expect from someone they have never met. But I guess that's what the FlyerTalk community spirit is all about!

Thanks go to "AusTXHiker" as well for allowing me to tag along and be a part of his Friday night that had already been arranged with "the Kids." And it was great to meet Freddie Jr. as well!

I am eager to return the favor with each of you someday here in Chicago, so let me know when you can visit.

As for the Sony NC-20s...very impressive. They don't seal off the ears as well as the Bose noise canceling headphones offered in AA's Business Class, but the NC-20s seem to reproduce a broader spectrum of the music without the bass frequencies being diminished and with no loss of musical fidelity as seemed to be the case with the Bose. Definitely worth it (especially at that price!)...many thanks to you, "mjm", for encouraging me to try them.

Bye for now; my bed is calling me...

Bill