Echizen won't be the hero of this story, nor will Nanjiroh. I will try really hard to give the other characters a bigger role. The first chap is mostly about Echizen, but that's because there is a lot about Frodo in the beginning.
I think Inui is a better Gandalf.

The AU exchange? I'm not sure if I will have time for that. Nor do I know if I will be able to write something for someone else's request. It's kinda hard to write when someone 'commands' me to write.

Windows Vista sucks.

We don't need such big cons. We don't have that much fans.

Then they should have told you how long you could take a break!