If you haven't visited http://www.theServerSide.net now is the time.
John Goodson has an interesting article on optimizing ADO.NET http://www.theserverside.net/articles/showarticle.tss?id=OptimizingADONET,
there is also a sneak peak at "MSDN, the next generation" http://www.theserverside.net/news/thread.tss?thread_id=28789
and an interesting note on installing assemblies in the GAC: http://www.theserverside.net/news/thread.tss?thread_id=28680
Jelle Druyts http://jelle.druyts.net/SyndicationService.asmx/GetRss is planning on doing another geek dinner (he doesn't know it yet, but I am nudging him in the right direction :p ) which I WILL ATTEND this time. Watch this space (or his).