Zend/PHP Conference and The Book

On a side note, I've had options one, two, and three from my list combine in the most spectacular manner possible.

Also, the book deal has gone official (signed contract and everything) and I've received my own, complementary copy of Joshua Eichorn's book, Understanding AJAX, in order to: a) make sure I don't tread on any toes; and b) make sure to overlap just enough for a smooth transition, since his book very nicely serves as a pre-requisite to mine. I've made it about halfway through so far and only feel more encouraged in the direction I will take. He has so far covered everything I would have in a book of this nature, and should not need to cover at more advanced level.