Wouldn't you know... it appears that, once again, a schedule conflict shall prevent me from attending another Minneapolis shindig. These days, it's just one conflict after another... I'm a slave to my profession and my profession dictates, if not every aspect of my life, certainly every aspect of my schedule. Such is the life of a busy futurist, such as myself. Perhaps you will find consolation in the fact that, unlike past events that demanded my attention, causing me to decline your sincere and generous invitations (with regret and even remorse) to previous Minnetonka gatherings, this one is unique in that is a speaking engagement - one where my presence has been specifically requested to share with colleagues in my field the latest findings of my research. It is to be at this event where I shall finally present my vision for a practical, inexpensive alternative to intercontinental transportation (I'm sure you recall this idea in its early stages - the one about drilling evacuated surface-to-surface tunnels [chords] thru the Earth).
Although, by the standards of most, discountenancing one for being unable to resist the temptation of an outing of this caliber (not to mention, one uniquely situated nearly at the epicenter of the land having the local maxima of lakes per unit area in this hemisphere) would be nearly nil among those receiving the aforementioned speech, it would seem that the social fabric that connects all the inhabitants of this planet is at stake, so I hope you can, once again, accept my placing the needs of the many over the want of the few - at least in this instance.
I hope you, Prince, Mr. Rogers Nelson, and TAFKAP understand. Please send my warmest regards to my fellow brothers and sisters up north.